No matter where you land, politics have become harsh, dividing families and communities as if selecting teams for the Super Bowl. But we’re not going to have that this week because this is about a Texas-sized truck with California sensibilities that plods both sides of the political highway. It’s the 2025 Chevy Silverado EV RST.
Unlike the rather conservative approach taken by cross-town rivals Ford and Ram with their electric pickups, the Silverado is considerably more liberal. It’s recognizable as a Chevy truck, but shares styling cues with the smaller Equinox and Blazer EVs which means a flush face, thin wrap-over driving lamps, and flanking LED headlamps. Deep body sculpting adds tension, wrapped around gargantuan 24” wheels. Power open the frunk to secure luggage, golf clubs, and camping gear.
You may have noticed a resemblance to the discontinued Chevy Avalanche. Like the classic, our new friend has a “Midgate” rear cab wall that folds down so owners can load from front seats to tailgate. And, that Multi-Flex Tailgate can be configured as a step or bed extender. Notice spray-in bedliner and an array of plugs in the bed wall for running camping gear and work tools. The rear window even comes out on nice summer days.
On any day, drivers confront twin screens and a head-up display hovering over the hood. Wireless device connections and charging keep everyone connected. It’s comfortable, too, with heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. It’s especially fetching with a red-stitched flat-bottom steering wheel. Rear passengers can stretch their legs for long drives that come with a big battery pack.
Have your red state V8 if you want it, but hear me out about the blue state powertrain. How would you feel if your fuel-thirsty engine produced 754 horsepower and 785 lb.-ft. of torque? And, routed all of that power to the road through an advanced all-wheel-drive system? Since EVs pour all of that power instantaneously, 9,100 lbs. of truck runs 0-60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. It tows 10,000 lbs.
Going solo fully charged, the Silverado travels 440 miles without stopping. Fast charging adds 100 miles every ten minutes. Or, owners can fully recharge overnight on a 240v home charger. That means you could conceivably drive 800 miles with a recharge over lunch. Pulling a trailer will eat about half of your range, but that’s still plenty to get to a state park or lake for the weekend.
The air suspension provides comfy ride, but can raised for off-roading. Four-wheel steering allows it to maneuver like a mid-size pickup and crab-walk to curbs – equally perfect for tight trails and city parking. GM’s Super Cruise allows drivers to go hands-off on approved roads. Press the button, wait for green lights on the steering wheel, and relax. The vehicle maintains speed, steering, brakes and can even change lanes while you drink coffee while watching the road. I rode two hours on the Interstate while barely skimming brakes and steering.
No matter your color or politics, the Silverado EV aims to please. It’s smooth and muscular, fast and frugal, simple and techy, conservative and liberal. It isn’t cheap, though. A base Work Truck starts at $58,000 while our top-trim RST came to, um, cough, breathe, whoa, $96,710. Beyond the Ford F-150 Lightning and Ram REV, consider the Rivian R1T.
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