2014 Chevy Silverado Out Ecos the EcoBoost

The full-size pickup fuel-economy race has ratcheted up another click: Chevrolet has just announced that the 2014 Chevy Silverado would achieve 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway/19 mpg combined when configured with its new 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. That makes it the most fuel-efficient V8-powered full-size pickup in America and, more importantly, also allows it to slip past the EcoBoosted 2013 Ford F-150 in the EPA’s efficiency rankings. And with the same 2014 Chevy Silverado ringing up an EPA line of 16/22/18 with all-wheel drive, the Bowtie brand also captures the same title in the heart of the 4X4 division.

The redesigned Silverado bests its top rivals, including the F-150 EcoBoost, in terms of towing, too, and as an extra way to perk up customer interest, Chevy is holding the line on starting prices. The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 regular cab opens at $24,585, the double-cab truck is priced from $28,610, and the crew cab models begin with an MSRP of $32,710. (All prices include $995 in destination/freight charges, a total that also remains the same as for the 2013 lineup.)

The party line from Alan Batey, vice president for U.S. sales and service: “The 2014 Silverado is new from hood to hitch. When you combine the innovative features of the new Silverado with base pricing equivalent to 2013 models and standard scheduled maintenance, Silverado becomes a great choice for pickup customers, helping them save money when they buy—and when they drive.”

2014 Chevy Silverado: The Ratings Game

The chief engineer for the 2014 Chevy Silverado, Jeff Luke, says the truck’s “5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 gives customers the best of both worlds,” highlighted by the ”proven power and dependability of a V8 truck engine, with better fuel economy than a leading competitor’s smaller turbocharged V6.”

But let’s check the ol’ tale of the tape to put that claim into perspective, focusing on the light-duty double-cab models with mid-range V8 engines and rear-wheel drive, as well as the F-150 with the EcoBoost V6:

• 2014 Chevy Silverado (5.3-liter V8)—EPA: 16/23/19, max tow rating: 11,500 lbs., output: 355 hp/383 lb.-ft. of torque
• 2013 Ford F-150 (3.5-liter EcoBoost V6)—EPA: 16/22/18, max tow rating: 11,300 lbs., output: 365 hp/420 lb.-ft. of torque
• Ford F-150 (5.0-liter V8)—EPA: 15/21/17, max tow rating: 10,300 lbs., output: 360 hp/380 lb.-ft. of torque
• 2013 RAM 1500 (5.7-liter V8)—EPA: 14/20/16, max tow rating: 10,450 lbs., output: 395 hp/407 lb.-ft. of torque
• 2013 Toyota Tundra (5.7-liter V8)—EPA: 13/18/15, max tow rating: 10,400 lbs., output: 381 hp/401 lb.-ft. of torque
• 2013 Nissan Titan (5.6-liter V8)—EPA: 13/18/15, max tow rating: 9,500 lbs., output: 317 hp/385 lb.-ft. of torque

The 2014 Chevy Silverado will bracket its 5.3-liter V8 with two other powerplants, a 4.3-liter V6 and a 6.2-liter V8; specs for these engines will be provided during the run up to the launch of the new Silverado later this quarter.