2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 Crew Cab - Cargo Hero Silverado

1500 joins lt fleet, ready to help us haul stuff

It’s safe to say that there’s not a single member our staff who doesn’t appreciate the pickup truck’s solidity and utility. In each of our minds, we’re champion do-it-yourselfers with a demand for cargo capacity matched only by our need for speed.

Among the most recent domestic full-sizers—all enjoying features and build quality that shames sedans rolling off Detroit assembly lines just a decade ago—we liked the Chevrolet Silverado enough to name it our 2014 Best of the Best/Truck.

So this ’14 Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 Crew cab seemed like a perfectly logical way to round out the Auto week long-term fleet. Naturally, we couldn’t resist tacking on a few options before taking delivery.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 on road

OK, make that more than a few—starting with the bigger motor. The 6.2-liter V8 dings fuel economy slightly (the EPA estimates 17 mpg combined), and max payload also decreases to 1,805 pounds compared to the 5.3-liter V8’s 1,957-pound capacity. Plus, the 6.2 adds a hefty $1,995 to the sticker.

Yet, we’re sure to appreciate the increased output, especially in the expressway traffic in which this truck will—let’s face it—spend a lot of time; 420 hp and 460 lbft of torque get things moving quickly, with or without cargo in the back.

Chevrolet Silverado instrument cluster

As a Z71-spec truck, our long-termer gets mono tube shocks all around. Underbody shielding and recovery hooks ought to help out if the going gets truly tough. Naturally, badges, decals and other Z71- specific visual details pro- claim our choice to the world. We also couldn’t resist the massive 20-inch chrome wheels ($1,395), perhaps this otherwise-subdued burgundy truck’s flashiest feature.

Add in the $1,165 LTZ package’s power-adjustable pedals, Bose audio, and front and rear park assist plus the Chevrolet My Link infotainment system ($795), power sunroof ($995) and leather front seats ($325) and you’ve got all the features of a well - appointed crossover at your disposal. Why not make those front seats heated and cooled while you’re at it? We did. That’ll be $650.

Chevrolet Silverado dash view

The creature comforts contributed mightily to our truck’s $55,170 sticker price, but to the buyer who spends much of his or her time in their truck, they’re practically essential. And, of course, none detracts from the Silverado’s workaday functionality: The 5- foot-8-inch box has plenty of cargo room; sheets of ply- wood, drywall and other building supplies tuck in the lined bed (a worthy $385 option) lit with LEDs ($60), strap it down using the ample tie-down points ($60), and you’re ready to haul. And hauling is something we expect to do a lot of in the coming year.

There might or might not be, as the song goes, “some- thing women like about a pickup man,” but from our experience, parking a truck in your driveway is a good way to draw the attention of friends, family and neighbors who need stuff moved. With great cargo capacity comes great responsibility, we suppose, and the obligation to help others in need. With our new Silverado, at least we know we’ll spend the coming months in perfect comfort as we tote other people’s junk— and maybe some of our own, from time to time - from point A to point.