Each year, many top automakers fine-tune their existing vehicles, improving upon many of their already great features. This is not an admission that there is anything wrong with last year’s models. If anything, if there were a problem with a specific model, it would probably be immediately redesigned. Rather, this is a case of making a good thing even better, which is certainly the case with the 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500.
This full-size truck is one of the best-selling models in Chevy’s stellar lineup. Its ruggedness and versatility have made it one of America’s favorite trucks. No, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Silverado 1500. Rather, the new year allows Chevy to add new fun features, make incremental improvements, and extend certain systems to more trim levels than ever before. This is the case of an automaker giving drivers like you more options on a vehicle already known for its exceptional performance and capabilities.
The 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 continues a tradition of Chevrolet trucks, with this model dating back over a quarter of a century. This full-size truck is currently in its fourth generation, which was introduced in 2019. Even though it has been five years since the last major upgrade, Chevy continues to offer new and interesting features and options in each subsequent year of the Silverado 1500. Let’s take a closer look at some exciting new enhancements to this already iconic workhorse.
A Powerful New Engine Option for the Silverado 1500 ZR2
Two years ago, Chevy made off-road fans sit up and take notice when it introduced a new trim to the popular Silverado 1500. The ZR2 is an off-road specialist equipped with underbody skid plates, a specialized off-road suspension with Multimatic DSSV spool-valve shocks, all-terrain tires, and a factory lift. As such, the Silverado 1500 ZR2 is ready to take on the trail right off the dealer’s lot, but Chevy isn’t content with just resting on last year’s features; instead, they continued to refine this model, as we see with the exciting 2024 version.
One thing the Silverado 1500 ZR2 didn’t have in its first two years was a choice of engines. Each ZR2 came equipped with a standard 6.2-liter V8 gas engine. This powerful beast gives the ZR2 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, plenty of output for most off-road runners. Chevy has added a dual active exhaust for this engine, featuring a special Sport mode for increased acceleration.
Nevertheless, there are those drivers who want an option of a different engine. For 2024, Chevrolet has answered their prayers. The 2024 Silverado 1500 ZR2 comes with an available 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine. This also has an exceptional amount of strength, delivering up to 305 hp and a monstrous 495 lb-ft of torque. Fans of diesel trucks can now get their thrills in a Silverado 1500 ZR2 with the newly available diesel option.
The Standard 2.7-Liter TurboMax Engine: New Name, Same Great Performance
The base engine on the Silverado 1500 is a 2.7-liter High-Output gas engine. For 2024, Chevy has given this engine the name TurboMax. This is because it delivers some incredible performance for such a small engine. This four-cylinder engine provides an astonishing 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque on a full-size pickup truck due to the utilization of a turbocharger to boost performance. As a result, the 2024 Silverado 1500 with this standard engine can tow up to 9,500 lbs and haul up to 2,260 lbs. That payload capacity is actually the largest of any of the four available engines on the 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500!
More Available Safety Features
Each 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 comes equipped with a set of six active driver assistance features. Referred to as the Chevy Safety Assist suite, these features will help make driving your 2024 Silverado 1500 safer than ever. If you are getting too close to the vehicle in front of you, the Following Distance Indicator will advise you to give more distance. If the car in front of you suddenly brakes, the Forward Collision Alert will sound an alarm so you can take evasive action. At the same time, the Automatic Emergency Braking system will engage to help you bring your truck to a stop, either avoiding the collision or reducing the impact. There is even a Front Pedestrian Braking system that will engage if a pedestrian gets in front of your Silverado 1500.
One of the most common causes of accidents on the highway is when a driver becomes distracted and swerves out of their lane. To reduce the chances of this happening, Chevy has equipped the 2024 Silverado 1500 with Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. As soon as your Silverado 1500 begins to drift out of lane, the alert will sound, and the system will begin using minor steering adjustments to get you back on the straight and narrow.
Another common problem happens at night, as many roads are not equipped with proper lighting for maximum visibility. As a result, you may find yourself entering poorly lit areas when driving in your truck at night. Fortunately, the standard IntelliBeam auto high beams will take care of this for you. Instead of hassling to turn your high beams on and off, the IntelliBeam system will turn them on when you enter a poorly lit stretch of road and then automatically turn them off when the lighting improves. It will also work when it detects another driver, so you won’t have to worry about distracting other motorists.
There are also new and extended safety features for the 2024 model. Each Silverado 1500 with a rear seat will now have a standard rear seat belt indicator. This will prompt you to tell your rear-seat passengers to buckle up. Also, Chevy has increased the availability of the Front and Rear Park Assist features by including them in the available Safety Package and WT Safety Package. This will make parking your 2024 Silverado 1500 easier by helping to guide you into a parallel parking spot.
Chevy has also made Adaptive Cruise Control standard on the Silverado 1500 High Country. When using this feature, the system will adjust your preset speed when a slower vehicle enters the lane in front of you or when traffic slows down. Once the slower vehicle has exited your lane, it will return your truck to the original speed you selected. This will help reduce the chance of an accident while also reducing your driver fatigue on long hauls.
An Abundance of Connectivity and Infotainment Features
One of everyone’s favorite features is the infotainment system. This combination of important vehicle information, smartphone connectivity, and entertainment features is like a one-stop shop for everything you and your passengers need to stay informed. The 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 features the Chevy Infotainment System with either a 7-inch or 13.4-inch color touchscreen. This makes navigating through the various screens and features easier than ever.
Chevrolet has now made its OnStar emergency system and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all models of the 2024 Silverado 1500, while OnStar will assist you if you or your passengers have an emergency by putting you in touch with an OnStar assistant. Meanwhile, you can leave the annoying charging cables at home as you can now link your smartphone to the Chevy Infotainment system wirelessly, allowing you to stream your favorite music and make hands-free calls and texts right from the cab of your truck.
New Colors and Exterior Packages
Another fun thing for new vehicles is the introduction of different exterior colors and appearance options; the 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 is no exception. You can now get your Silverado 1500 in a sporty Lakeshore Blue Metallic or a classy Slate Gray Metallic; each of these colors adds a stunning hue to your truck’s exterior.
If you are one of the many drivers who prefer black vehicles, Chevy has some great new things for you. The popular Blackout Appearance Package that makes the Chevy Silverado 1500 look stealthy is now available on the Custom, Custom Trail Boss, RST, LT Trail Boss, and ZR2 models of this truck. In addition, Chevy now offers the High Country trim with the Midnight Edition package. This takes the color black to another level and adds a new set of power-retractable assist steps in black. These feature LED lighting to help you and your passengers enter and exit your truck in the darkest night.
A Truck That Is Truly Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
Each of these changes to the Silverado 1500 may seem small in nature; whether it is increasing the engine options on the ZR2 or making more technological features standard, these don’t sound like major breakthroughs from Chevrolet. However, each small change, in its own way, gives drivers more options on the 2024 Silverado 1500 than ever before. In addition, in the case of the engines, driver assistance features, and standard connectivity systems, Chevy has taken another step to make the Silverado 1500 safer and more versatile than ever before, and it is clearly demonstrated in this exciting new model.
