The bottom line on the Chevy C/K pickup is the power of the new gasoline enginelineup, one area where GM's full-size trucks hold a distinct edge over the new Ford F-Series. For a long time, truck buyers planning to haul big loads were almost forced to reckon with the expense--both initially and in fuel consumption--of a big-block. But no more; the 5.7-liter Vortec V8 offers a very real alternative, with plenty of power for all but the most outrageously heavy work, yet decent fuel economy (by pickup truck standards) for daily use. In case you'll be dealing with only medium loads, the 5.0-liter Vortec V8 offers performance comparable to or better than last year's 5.7. If your needs dictate you go the other way, the 7.4-liter V8 churns out 290 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. For diehard diesel fans the HD version of the 6.5-liter turbo-diesel offers 190 horsepower and 385 lb.-ft of torque, and is smoother and quieter than the Cummins turbodiesel offered in the Dodge Ram. Chevy gives you a lot of choices. While the competition has gone off on stylistic frontier-busting, the Chevy (and GMC) pickups have retained the high middle ground. Eight years down the road, they still look clean and modern. They're definitely a proven commodity with hundreds of thousands of satisfied owners. And the addition of the Vortec engine technology across the gasoline powerplant line makes them more attractive than ever before. |
