Approaching luxury status, the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT full-size pickup offers enough configurations and features to satisfy just about everyone. This practical workhorse comes with either the 3-passenger Regular cab, the 6-passenger Extended cab with rear-opening back doors, or the Crew cab, also seating 6 and boasting 4 independently opening doors. A veritable cornucopia of bed lengths, including the standard 6.6-foot, the lengthy 8-foot and the 5.8-foot short bed, is also offered with this midlevel trim. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is, of course, standard, but the LT, in any configuration, can be equipped with on-demand 4-wheel drive (4WD) featuring Autotrac, whereby 4WD is automatically engaged when wheel slippage is detected. The 4WD is managed by a mechanical center differential and an auto-locking rear differential, and boasts auto-locking hubs and electronic hi-lo gear selection.
Standard appearance and cabin features for the 2012 Silverado 1500 LT include 17-inch chrome steel wheels, premium cloth upholstery, simulated alloy dash and door trim, and a leather and simulated alloy steering wheel. All power accessories, including heated power adjustable outside mirrors, are also standard, as are cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and a trip computer. Entertainment consists of a single-CD player with either 4 or 6 speakers, depending on the cab, as well as satellite radio. Standard OnStar technology, allowing directions and communications selections, completes the list of noteworthy amenities aboard.
Options for this spiffy pickup include leather upholstery, upgraded 20-inch wheels, front bucket seats (5-passenger seating) and Bose premium audio components. The Z71 Appearance Package is also available for the 2012 LT trim, along with a Max Trailering Package or Z71 Off-Road Suspension Package. The former boasts heavy-duty cooling and an auto-locking heavy-duty rear differential, while the latter adds joust bars, skid plates and a set of bulked-up shock absorbers. Finally, added exterior chrome, a power adjustable driver’s seat and a rear-window defogger can be tacked on to this midlevel truck as well.
A 4.8-liter variable valve timed (VVT) FlexFuel (FFV) V8 with its accompanying 4-speed automatic transmission is standard aboard the 2012 Silverado 1500 LT. Look for 302 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque, 14 mpg city/19 highway with RWD or 13/18 with 4WD, and towing capacity that maxes out at 9,100 pounds.
Need more oomph? A variable-valve-timed 5.3-liter FFV V8 powerplant is also available in the LT, along with a snappy 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This combination puts out 315 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to tow 9,600 pounds of trailer with proper equipment. Look for mileage in the area of 15/22 in RWD configurations, 15/21 with 4WD trims.
Finally, the LT can be delivered with the available 403-hp 6.2-liter FFV V8 and 6-speed shiftable automatic that helps pound down 417 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity is an awesome 10,700 pounds with the proper equipment, while mileage is estimated at 13/18 for RWD trims and 12/19 for 4WD editions.
Standard safety features, besides the Silverado 1500 LT’s size, include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags and front and, in Extended or Crew cab versions, rear head airbags. Daytime running lights also come standard, as do dusk-sensing headlights, a remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system that’s complemented by OnStar emergency services.
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