Truck buyers have a reputation for brand loyalty. If you were a Chevrolet person, the Silverado was your full-size pickup. Like its prime competitors, the Ford F-Series and Dodge Ram, it was available in a plethora of different sizes and configurations.
The crew cab version came with four full-size doors and made the Silverado a very versatile ride. It could haul lots of gear and supplies, put in a day at the work site, or take the family to the mall, all with equal aplomb.
One weakness all full-size trucks have in common, though, is gas mileage.Their big engines, heavy frames and brick-like aerodynamics mean frequent stops at the gas pump. While the lighter and less-powerful models were slightly more fuel efficient, all 2003 Silverados averaged less than 20 mpg.
While regular-cab and extended-cab 1500 models were available with several smaller, marginally more efficient engines, the crew-cab came with a big 6.0-liter V-8 as standard. It was EPA-rated at 10 mpg in the city and 11 mpg on the highway.
The three-quarter-ton Silverado was sold with three available engines: a 6.0-liter V-8, an 8.1-liter V-8 and a 6.6-liter diesel V-8. Due to federal size and weight regulations, only the base 6.0-liter engine was evaluated by the EPA. It also received a 10-11 rating.
The heavy-duty, one-ton Silverado was available with the same three engines as the 2500 model. Due to its weight classification, however, it did not receive an EPA fuel economy rating in any configuration. Anecdotal data from owners suggests, though, that high single-digit to low-double digit numbers are what to expect.
