Automotive Fleet readers named the 20th annual Fleet Truck of the Year. Taking home the top honor this year was the Chevrolet Silverado.

Professional fleet managers voted for their top choice based on fit and functionality.  

First introduced in 1999, recent sales reports show the growing popularity of the truck, with year-to-date sales as of the third quarter of 2023 up 1.6% year-over-year across all Silverado models.

“We are proud to be awarded the Automotive Fleet Truck of the Year award for our Chevrolet Silverado,” said Sandor Piszar, vice president of GM Envolve. “Our fleet customers are looking for a truck that gives them uncompromising powertrains, advanced safety technology, and the relentless durability to help them tackle every hard job that comes their way. Repeatedly, the Chevrolet Silverado is the answer to their needs.”

Powering a Winning Pickup Truck

Available in WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, ZR2, LTZ, and High Country Trims, the Silverado 1500 is ready for any commercial fleet need.

The pickup truck is powered by a variety of powertrain options, including the 2.7L Turbo High-Output, 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8, 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8, and 3.0L Duramax Turbo Diesel.

The 2.7L turbo engine delivers 10% more horsepower and 7.6% more torque than the first-generation engine.

The efficient engine is rated at 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway, which provides significant cost savings for longer-range routes. Those longer ranges allow drivers to spend more time on the job.

Updates in 2023 included a new steel piston design, a revised turbo compressor, new fuel injectors, and improved temperature control features.

With versions ranging from the Silverado 1500 to Silverado HD, fleets have come to depend on the truck. Premier Truck Rental is one such fleet that has been a GM customer since 2014.  

“The Silverado HD is a top performer in our long-term rental fleet, and our customers love its strength and durability,” said Rob Troxel, CEO of Premier Truck Rental.

For the 2023 model year, a pursuit-rated Silverado was also launched for law enforcement fleets.

Work Ready Fleet Features

Commercial fleets need more than just power; they need the ability to tow, haul, and carry necessary equipment and tools.

The Silverado features a standard trailering package on Custom trims and above and offers it as an available feature on the WT model. The package includes a trailer hitch, 7- and 4-pin connectors, and Hitch Guidance.

Base trailing on the Silverado 2WD Crew Cab with Turbo Max starts at 9,100 lbs. This is nearly 1,500 lbs. more than the Ford F-150 base 2WD Crew Cab with 2.8L V-6 and more than 1,700 lbs. more than the Dodge Ram 3.6L V-6.

This increased capability allows fleet drivers to tow more with base vehicles and offers fleet managers confidence that drivers will not exceed vehicles' capabilities. It also gives fleet managers more flexibility when assigning vehicles for tasks.

The pickup bed features 12 standard tie-downs, best-in-class 89.1 cu.-ft. of cargo space and an available power up/down tailgate.

Silverado’s short cargo box is larger than the Ford F-150’s short cargo box by 2 inches. This provides fleet managers with more payload capacity in a similar footprint.

In addition, first introduced in 2021, the Multi-Flex tailgate is also available with six functions for bed access and on-site work needs.

Truck Updates for 2024

In June, General Motors announced plans to invest $632 million in Fort Wayne Assembly to prepare the plant to produce the next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) full-size light-duty trucks. This includes the Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

The 2024 model-year Silverado will feature 2.7L high-output I-4 carrying the new TurboMax name.

Chevrolet is also bringing an electric option to the lineup for 2024 with the much-anticipated Silverado EV with the WT trim as the only option.