2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Short Bed Regular Cab Truck

It's rare that the Silverado, Chevy's best-selling vehicle, enters a new model year without some type of improvement. This year, other than a freshened grille and new front and rear bumpers, the Silverado is carried over largely unchanged. Like most modern pickups, the Silverado is infinitely customizable. There are three cab styles -- the largest being the four-door crew cab that can seat up to six -- and three bed sizes measuring up to eight feet long. The Silverado has five engines to choose from -- more than any of its competitors -- ranging from a 195-hp V-6 to a 403-hp, 6.2-liter V-8. All but the base V-6 are mated to a six-speed automatic. The midlevel 5.3-liter V-8 (offered with either an iron or aluminum block) also gets Active Fuel Management, which improves fuel economy by shutting down four of eight cylinders when the engine is under light loads. For those who want to save even more at the pump and don't need to tow more than 5900 pounds, the Silverado Hybrid has V-8 power and the fuel economy of a V-6. Its 6.0-liter V-8 produces 332 hp and 367 lb-ft of torque and achieves 20 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway. Inside accommodations are decent but fairly basic and can be upgraded slightly by choosing the top LTZ model. It includes a unique instrument panel and door panels, heated ten-way power front leather seats, and Bose speakers. Still, if you put an emphasis on interior style or refinement, you may want to look at the Ram or even the Ford F-150. On the other hand, if capability takes precedent, the Silverado will not disappoint.