Auto review: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV goes farther and further
Published in Automotive News
The Tesla’s Cybertruck’s styling, which resembles a men’s metal prison urinal, gets too much attention, it’s the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV that actually deserves it.
One of five battery electric pickups now available, it competes in a class against the aforementioned Tesla, as well as the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and GMC Hummer EV Pickup.
But 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV’s aerodynamic design allows for it to travel as much 450 miles between charges — the most of any battery-electric pickup on the market. Of course, that’s for the work truck. The RST we drove still possesses a 440-mile range, more than enough to get through a work day before recharging back at the ranch. By comparison, the Rivian R1T travels a maximum range 420 miles between charges, the Tesla Cybertruck goes 340 miles, and the Ford F-150 Lightning, 320 miles. Advantage: Chevrolet.
You’ll find the Silverado EV has an electric motor at both ends, which together produce 754 horsepower, 785 pound-feet of torque and all-wheel drive. That’s good for a 4.5-second 0-60 mph run using Wide Open Watts (or WOW) mode. Also, it hauls up to 1,440 pounds of payload and tows as much as 10,000 pounds. Just don’t expect it to hit 60 as quickly.
Acceleration is fairly strong in the normal drive mode. Other modes include Off-Road, Tow/Haul and WOW, the latter unleashing positively brutal acceleration. Regenerative braking effort can be adjusted or turned off. In its highest mode, drivers must feather the throttle to avoid jerking passengers uncomfortably. Road abrasions are well absorbed, body motions remain controlled without feeling stiff or harsh and lean while cornering is well-managed. Steering is suitably weighted and fairly quick, although lacking in road feel. The rear-wheel steering noticeably reduces the Silverado EV’s turning radius, making it easier to maneuver than you might expect.
Our RST test vehicle comes standard with GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system, which we didn’t have much time to test, but has performed well in the past.
Initially offered in WT (Work Truck) trim for fleets, as well as the RST First Edition for consumers, the Silverado EV is GM’s second electric pickup, and shares its Ultium battery pack and platform with the GMC Hummer EV Pickup. But Chevrolet tops it with an updated rendition of the Chevrolet Avalanche, complete with flying buttresses and 21 st century details. The EV also cribs the Avalanche’s Midgate, which is actually the rear wall of the truck’s cab. Conveniently, it folds down to extend the bed’s length. It’s split 60/40, allowing for part of the Midgate to open for long, thin cargo. And owners can also choose to fold just the bottom, keeping the rear window in place. When used with a cargo bed tonneau cover, it keeps inclement weather from entering the cab or the bed. Bravo.
Up front, you’ll find its snout is shorter than the gas-powered Silverado, which enhances forward vision. Lift its lid, and you’ll find an 11 cubic-foot front trunk. In the back, the bed has two 120-volt, 20-amp plugs and a single 240-volt, 30-amp plug. And if you opt for the optional GM Level 2 home charger — priced from $5,600 to $7,299 — your truck can power your house during a power outage.
The cabin is very roomy, with room for five. The RST test truck’s roof was all glass without any kind of cover. While tinted, it would not be the best option for those in warm weather states, as the black interior would broil you.
Interior design plays to a theme similar to that found in the Blazer EV, with an 11-inch instrument cluster alongside a mammoth 17.7-inch infotainment screen. User interface and icons are easy to understand and operate.
The interior is trimmed in shiny black plastic, which should scratch easily in a pickup truck. Other plastics are a mixed bag. Some are acceptably textured and pleasingly sophisticated, yet rugged in appearance. Others seem cheap considering its price tag. In our test truck, the stitching on the instrument was noticeably wavy.
Nevertheless, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV is practical, versatile, good looking and may prove to be the handiest vehicle you’ve ever owned. It better be, given its $96,495 MSRP. But that’s in line with its competitive top-trim-level EV pickups.
There are cheaper trims coming according to Chevy, which should prove more palatable for most buyers. But if you can afford it, you’ll find the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST First Edition to be a beautifully styled, practical vehicle that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST
Base price: $96,495
Motor: Dual permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Horsepower/Torque: 754/785 pound-feet
EPA range: 440 miles
Charging time: 12.7 hours (220-volts)
Length/Width/Height: 233/84/79 inches
Ground clearance: 8.9 inches
Payload: 1,440 pounds
Front trunk volume: 11 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 10,000 pounds
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