If size matters – and for many Aussie fleet buyers and weekend adventurers it absolutely does – then the Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Premium is here to make a very loud and proud statement. Imported and remanufactured to right-hand drive by GMSV, this full-size American ute offers muscle, luxury, and genuine heavy-hauling ability in one towering package.
First Impressions: Big, Bold, and Unmissable
Let’s not beat around the bush – the Silverado is huge. Measuring a mammoth 5.93 metres long and over two metres wide, this beast dwarfs your standard Ranger, Hilux or D-Max. It wears its American attitude proudly, with a broad, aggressive grille, bulging bonnet, 20-inch alloys, and a slab-sided profile that screams “get out of my way”.
The LTZ Premium trim spices things up with features like a power-operated tailgate, a power tonneau cover, and clever bumper steps to make climbing into the tray just a little less daunting. Even the key fob lets you remotely drop the tailgate – a party trick your mates will love.
Inside, it’s a proper lounge room on wheels. Leather-trimmed seats (heated and cooled up front), a sunroof, massive storage spaces, and a tech-packed dash create an environment that’s equal parts workhorse and luxury cruiser. Space is off the charts – back-seat passengers can almost have their own postcode.
Under the Bonnet: Old-School V8 Muscle
Powering the Silverado is a 6.2-litre petrol V8 punching out a meaty 313kW and 624Nm. It’s paired to a slick 10-speed automatic and a proper two-speed transfer case for real 4×4 ability.
This V8 isn’t just about noise (though it sounds glorious when you punch it); it delivers effortless performance whether you’re overtaking caravans on the Hume or hauling serious loads. Surprisingly, with the help of cylinder deactivation and stop-start tech, I managed to coax it down to 9.3L/100km on a country run – impressive for something this hefty.
Chevrolet quotes combined fuel consumption at 12.2L/100km, and yes, it demands premium unleaded. So, budget a little extra for your fuel card.
Fit for Purpose: Towing, Touring and Tough Jobs
If you’re buying a Silverado, chances are you’re planning to tow something serious – and it doesn’t disappoint. With a braked towing capacity of up to 4.5 tonnes (using a 70mm ball), this truck will easily tow your big boat, horse float, or triple-axle caravan.
Even the tray is ready for business, with 1781 litres of space under the roller shutter and enough width between the wheel arches for a standard Aussie pallet. Whether you’re hauling camping gear for a lap of the map, or equipment for a mining site, it’ll swallow it all up.
One caveat: if you’re towing near maximum weight, payload gets tight. Expect a payload of around 748kg at standard GVM (3300kg) – but it drops significantly when maxing out towing, so plan your loads carefully.
Behind the Wheel: More Truck Than Ute
On the open road, the Silverado feels surprisingly refined. That mighty V8 makes highway cruising a breeze, and the adaptive cruise control and safety tech (like lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring) take the stress out of long stints.
The ride is comfy on smooth roads, but on rough country surfaces, the rear end can get a bit lively when unladen – a reminder this is a truck first, ute second. Tight city carparks? Forget it. With a 14.3m turning circle, three-point turns are part of the deal.
Still, if you know what you’re signing up for – and you’re willing to park a few hundred metres from the shops if needed – it’s an absolute blast to drive.
Lifestyle and Fleet Appeal
For private buyers, the Silverado fits a lifestyle heavy on boating, caravanning, horse sports, or outback touring. It’s perfect for the big lap dreamers and those who just want something more rugged and capable than the typical dual-cab ute.
From a fleet perspective, it could find a home in mining, emergency services, forestry and agriculture operations – anywhere that demands serious towing, big payloads, and tough 4×4 capability.
And good news for novated lease buyers: because its payload is under one tonne, it could be eligible for salary packaging (subject to your employer’s policy). It’s a clever way to get into a truck that might otherwise feel out of reach.
Price and Ownership
Chevrolet lists the Silverado LTZ Premium from around $130,500 plus on-roads – serious money, but comparable to rivals like the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150.
Ownership, however, is a slight miss. Chevrolet only backs it with a three-year/100,000km warranty – behind the industry trend of five years unlimited. Servicing is every 12 months or 12,000km, and you get three years of roadside assist bundled in.
For the price, we reckon a longer warranty would sweeten the deal, but most buyers aren’t picking this truck for penny-pinching – they’re picking it for capability.
Final Verdict: Go Big or Go Home
The Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Premium is a brute – and it makes no apologies for it. If you need a serious towing machine, want acres of interior space, or just love the feeling of driving something “bigger than Texas,” it’s hard to go past.
Sure, it’s thirsty, huge, and pricey. But it’s also charming, capable, and incredibly fit-for-purpose for anyone serious about work or play.
If you can handle the size and the budget, this Silverado deserves a spot on your shopping list. Big jobs. Big adventures. Big smiles.
