The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is one more in a long line of successful, competitive, and impressive full-size truck options from Chevrolet. Last updated in 2014, the Chevy Silverado 1500 builds on that legacy of durability and capability with all the strength, power, and cutting-edge technology you’d expect in this class. Though a complete redesign is expected next year, this 2018 Chevy truck is definitely built tough.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Generally speaking, we like our full-size trucks to look pretty much how we expect full-size trucks to look, so only an extremely brave manufacturer would mess around with what is so obviously a winning formula. The Silverado exterior is therefore unashamedly tall and blunt with a good deal of inspiration coming from Chevy’s heavy-duty trucks. The result is an unapologetically aggressive design that becomes even more imposing and pronounced with the special edition options that Chevy loves. The high shoulders and squared-off appearance are razor-sharp, and squared-off wheel wells complete the look in true domestic pickup truck style. Even with what appears to be a brick-in-the-wind kind of design, the current 1500 is more aerodynamic than previous versions, and active grille shutters for smoothing airflow across the front provide further help in maximizing fuel economy.

The eight different trim levels of Silverado 1500 are going to stay as they are for 2018. The lineup will therefore start with the Custom, and from there go onwards through WT, LS, LT, LT Z71, LTZ and LTZ Z71, and then top off with the outstanding High Country. From there, you can configure your Chevy in five more ways: as a Regular Cab with a standard or a long box, as a Double Cab with a standard box, or as a Crew Cab a short box or a standard box. Of course, rear-wheel drive is standard, while four-wheel drive is an available option.

You can choose between three engine options with the 2018 Silverado 1500, one V-6 and a couple of V-8 units. The standard powerplant is a 4.3-liter EcoTec V-6 that puts out 285 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. of torque. The first of the V-8s is a 5.3-liter EcoTec that ups the power ante to 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft., while the most powerful Silverado 1500s have a 6.2-liter EcoTec V-8 that gets you 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque to work with.

Silverado 1500 Redline

The first ever Silverado Redline Edition is an extremely attractive model with red and black accents and an urban-inspired design that brings a whole new level of cool to the Silverado. The sinister Midnight Edition is another favorite we can’t ignore, and the sporty Rally 1 and Rally 2 versions of the Silverado also tempt us. Last but not least is the High Desert Package, which balances refinement and sportiness by bringing innovative capabilities to the Silverado lineup.