2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The perennial runner-up to the F-150 in terms of sales, the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 adds a hybrid Extended model this year.  Though the combination of a 5.3 Vortec V8 and electric motor doesn't power the car, it does improve fuel economy by 10% by shutting the engine down during stops.  The hybrid is only available in the West and in Florida.  Other new features for 2005 include larger 17-inch wheels, a new sunroof and garage opener package for Extended and Crew cabs, and the loss of four-wheel Quadrasteer on rear-wheel drive models.  Rear drum brakes replace the disc brakes except on the hybrid trim.

The 2005 Silverado 1500 comes in either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, in Regular (two-seater) or Extended and Crew Cabs (seat four in two rows).  Trims start with the basic Work Truck and move through Base to better equipped LS and LT.  The half-ton pickup also comes in a heavy duty SS version, featuring a 345-hp, 6.0-liter V8 with 380 lb-ft of torque and 20-inch wheels.  A Z71 is an off-roading version, with stronger shocks, skid plates, and bigger stabilizer bars.  There are a variety of powerful V8 engine choices paired with either a 4-speed HydraMatic or 5-speed manual.  These include a 4.3-liter, 195-hp V8, a 4.8-liter, 285-hp, and a 5.4-liter, 295-hp.  Pickup bed length is either a short 6.5-feet or longer 8-feet and payload capacity is around 1200 pounds.

The 2005 Silverado 1500 is a solid work truck with plenty of power, according to owners.  The Extended and Crew Cabs are also nice for families, particularly the LS and LT versions that offer more creature comforts inside (the Crew Cab has four full-sized doors, while the Extended has narrow reverse-opening rear doors).  Drivers also like the 4WD performance and say the truck handles more like a car.  Downsides include the gas mileage, which hovers in the teens, chipping exterior paint, a bland and plastic-looking interior, and a jerky transmission.