This is a new Chevy Silverado pickup truck with front and rear seats, four doors, etc. Big and powerful. So why am I, a Prius owner, driving such a behemoth? Simple: My Honda Element got crunched and is in the shop. I tried to rent a normal car but the agency was out of cars in my price range. They did have this truck that they'd let me have for the small-car rate. I'm trading it in tomorrow for something more reasonable. But, for a few miles, I got to drive a big, bad Chevy truck. I'm not the typical big, bad Chevy truck buyer but I do enjoy trying out different vehicles, even big ones. Got a big kick out of driving a guy's old school bus one day! But this truck...I can't say I was impressed. I'm not that big...only about 5'9" and a bit...and I felt like a kid in Daddy's car, uncomfortably so (more than I did in the schoolbus). The dashboard was very high and I was reminded of the little old men/ladies who can barely see over the steering wheel. I couldn't find a tilt adjustment. The door handle was back slightly from where it would fall under my hand naturally. Maybe if I had longer legs and the seat pushed back it would be more natural, but as it was, it was inconvenient to use. The steering column shifter ran through a zigzag pattern that felt clunky to me. I suppose you'd get used to it, but I had to wonder "why"? But the worst thing was, the damned radio stayed on when I turned the car off. So as I ran errands (mentally envisioning dollar bills spewing out the exhaust pipe), I had to continually turn the radio on and off every time I left the truck and then returned. What a pain in the tush! Did I feel huge and powerful? Not really. I just felt...lumbering. Can't say I was impressed with the acceleration or shifting. Even compared to the Element, which feels responsive and peppy, this Chevy just seemed unresponsive. Can't wait to trade it in tomorrow. (Apologies to Chevy owners. Maybe you're a lot bigger top-to-bottom than I am and the truck fits you better.) Jan (a guy, FWIW)
I've been in many GM cars, and I *love* that feature. Hint: Take your key out and/or open the door and the radio turns off. It stays on while you're in the cabin. Nice touch that.
Hey- wanna know a neat trick on that Chevy? There is a BIG plastic piece that surrounds the instrument panel/radio etc, well, give it a lil tug- the whole thing just POPS off! HAHA- That's built tough!
The radio in my Jetta used to stay on without the key. I loved it. I hate that the key has to be on (or the power switch) just to listen to tunes.
Unfortunately the Chevy pickups that end up in rental service are made up of parts from the isle of misfit toys. You may have driven an exception but usually they are very base trucks without features inside and out.
I agree with you about them seeming lumbering instead of powerful. I don't drive SUVs not for environmental reasons but just because I think cars are much more fun. SUVs/trucks invariably seem much less responsive than cars; I feel less in control. It's like riding a horse: the horse is big and powerful but you're not.
As far as legroom, my Prius is equal if not a bit more than the 2000 GMC Sierra SLT I used to own. I don't think I'm paritcularly tall, but I had to drive my Sierra with the seat all the way back. I think GM provided more room for rear passengers, but had to limit the seat travel to do so. As far as power, I ordered mine with the optional but no-charge 4.10 gears. I test drove the 3.73 and the truck does act gutless. With the 4.10's, i could never use more than 1/3 pedal on acceleration if the truck was empty, or the tires would spin. I can't even imagine towing the 7,200 lb camper I used to have with 3.73 gears. It would not have been a nice experience.
Get your self behind the wheel of an Escalade if you want a truly great SUV driving experience. You won't be sorry!
My wife has an 05 Prius and I drive an Avalanche and we would both choose the Avalanche over the Prius. It has the 3.73 gears and we sometimes pull a 16' trailer loaded to 6000#s and it does just fine. I leave it in 3rd and run 70+ all day long. The 5.3 liter engine has all the power we need and I can spin the tires if I don't watch it. We both have more leg room than in the Prius. It is the quietest and smoothest riding truck we have ever been in although I bet the Escalade is better. If I keep a steady pace @ 65mph it will get 18mpg. My son gets 19 with his. In 83,000 miles, I have only changed oil & filters and one set of tires @ 76,000. All things considered, it is the best vehicle I have ever owned including the Prius. Doug
i freaked out last summer when our rental cavalier wouldn't shut the radio off while i waited in the car. it got very irritating. not for me, but i see a few people enjoy it.
As my name states, I do have a 2000 Silverado. It is comfortable for me, and I do enjoy driving it... despite the gas mileage. My truck has the 5.3, 3.73's and is 4wd and I can definitely say it will smoke a Honda Element Chevrolets (all GM trucks actually) do have high levels of torque management and various abuse modes which can make them feel like dogs off the line. A custom tune by any of the various tuners in the business will remedy this, my friend said after his tune he laid down rubber all through first. I don't mind the criticism about GM trucks, I have a few about mine too but I have had no major problems in 62,000 miles.
