The V8 delivers a pleasing soundtrack, but installed in a crew cab with 4WD and a full load of equipment, it provides merely adequate power.

Truck buyers are fiercely brand loyal, and even if Truck A is better than Truck B in some way, Truck B is usually proven superior to Truck A in another way. Measured against its competition, the 2013 Silverado falls mid-pack, excelling in certain areas, but clearly in need of updates in others. If nothing but a gold bowtie badge will do, the Silverado is still likely to satisfy, but you might want to wait for the new-and-improved 2014 version to arrive before pulling the trigger.