For this new generation the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra do not share near-identical appearance. Lamps and trim vary but so do fenders, boxes and the hood; mechanical bits are shared. Dual-rear-wheel pickups now have a hydroformed sheetmetal pickup box with integral overfenders and better paint finishing.

With the big chrome crossbar and bow-tie logo it's immediately known as a Chevrolet and maintains visual relationships to the 1500 Silverado. The hood could have been drawn by a snowmobile designer, with upswept shelves at the sides ending in plastic trim louvers (that serve a vent function on diesels) and Vortec (gas) or Duramax (diesel) badging. Label the new look evolutionary refinement rather than a design revolution.

Useful new features include an optional tailgate lock and lift assist, dual-element towing mirrors, a cargo management system with multiple adjustable tie-down points (500 pounds per) and a wealth of dealer-supplied toolboxes, and a 2.5-inch receiver hitch capable of towing 13,000 pounds on the top-rated models.

The Silverado HD matches up against other heavy-duty pickups in most dimensions as they all carry the proverbial 4x8 sheet of plywood flat in long-box models. However, the Silverado tends to have a lower roofline, especially on 4WD models, worth noting if you visit commercial garages or have a low door at home.