Chevrolet, one of the top car manufacturers in the United States, has launched a group of brand new cars this year, but how “brand new” are they, really? Let’s dive into the details of each model and see what changes they have to offer.
Silverado 1500: Upgrade or Stick to the Old?
The Silverado is the perfect work truck, but is it worth upgrading to the 2017 model? One of the best additions is that the rearview camera is now standard on the LT trim. The Silverado also saw the addition of an optional teen driver mode, which has active safety, speed warnings, radio mute, volume limit, and even a report card for parents to view. Finally, Chevy added Chevrolet MyLink for Android Auto to accompany Apple CarPlay, which was added in the 2016 model.
Fuel economy remains the same for both models, at 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. However, the price tag for the Silverado did change slightly. The 2017 model rose in cost to a starting MSRP of $27,585 from 2016’s starting price of $27,195. With these slight upgrades, it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth upgrading to the 2017 model.
Impala: What’s New and What’s the Same?
There’s no reason to mess with something that isn’t broken, and the Impala is one of Chevrolet’s best-selling vehicles. The 2017 version didn’t see much change from the 2016 model, but there were a few minor adjustments.
Both the 2016 and 2017 versions have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, MyLink Valet Mode, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The fuel economy saw a slight decrease for the 2.5-litre engine, with the 2017 year getting 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, while 2016 was estimated at 22 mpg/31 mpg. The 3.6-litre engine saw a decrease as well. The 2017 version gets 18 mpg/28 mpg, and the 2016 Impala gets 19 mpg/29 mpg. The 2017 Impala saw a minuscule increase in price, with a starting MSRP of $27,300 versus the 2016 model’s price tag of $27,095.
Tahoe: Upgrades and More
The 2016 Tahoe saw a lot of upgrades when it was released, with an optional Enhanced Driver Alert package, new safety features, power-adjustable pedals, forward collision alerts, lane-keep assist, safety-alert seat, and IntelliBeam. The 2017 model has made some minor changes, including the deletion of colours and the addition of new ones, as well as two new 22-inch wheel choices.
One of the major changes in the interior of the Chevrolet Tahoe is the removal of Pandora as an embedded app from the MyLink infotainment system, but the addition of the Teen Driver feature, app shop, rear seat reminder customization, and low-speed forward automatic braking for the LS trim. It also saw an upgrade to the video voice-over for those who are visually and hearing impaired, an HDMI connector, and an in-vehicle Wi-Fi system. With all of these upgrades, the MSRP barely increased to $47,215 from $47,000 for the 2016 version.
Overall, these models are only slightly different from their predecessors but still offer great value for car buyers looking for a reliable vehicle.