The Chevrolet Silverado 1500, long among the frontrunners in the full-size pickup market, shows no signs of slippage with its 2011 version. The 2011 Silverado 1500, as has its kin before it, offers impressive versatility and value for those looking primarily for a working pickup but also interested in a comfortable, proven performer.

The Ram, formerly known as the Dodge Ram, and the Ford F-150, for years have been the prime rivals of the Silverado 1500, and they have undergone more extensive upgrades than Chevy’s product in recent years. But most experts feel that the 2011 Chevy Silverado, though it may lack some of the frills of its competitors and perhaps is showing its age a bit, remains more than capable of holding its own.

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gives no ground when it comes to options, engine and cab choices among them, and with so many available, buyers can set up their rigs just about any way they please.

The Silverado starts with a Work Truck version and works its way up the ladder through LS, LT, XFE and LTZ trims and provides a choice of four engines along the way. The XFE is limited to rear-wheel drive (RWD), while the other trim levels are available with either RWD or on-demand four-wheel drive (4WD). Standard, Extended and Crew cab body styles are available.

The Work Truck comes with a 4.3-liter V6 standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive to produce 195 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. That combo gets an estimated 15 mpg city/20 highway in RWD, and the V6 can tow up to 9,100 pounds.

Most reviewers find the V6 underpowered for the 2011 Silverado 1500 and prefer equipping it with one of the V8s Chevy has available for the trucks. A 4.8-liter V8 is an option for the Work Truck and becomes standard in the LS and LT trims. Paired with the 4-speed automatic, the V8 pushes the power numbers up to 302 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque.

The XFE and LTZ get as standard fare a 5.3-liter V8 and a newer 6-speed automatic transmission that reviewers would love to see used more widely through the Silverado lineup. It’s a powerplant that’s good for 315 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque, and it can tow 10,400 pounds when properly equipped. Estimates put it at 15/21 with RWD and 16/22 in the LTZ and XFE, the Silverado’s extended fuel economy ride. The XFE, by the way, features lightweight aluminum components and aerodynamic styling to help improve its fuel mileage.

Chevy makes its 6.2-liter V8 at 403 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque an option in the LT and LTZ trims. It maxes out at 10,700 pounds worth of towing and gets 13/20 in RWD and 12/19 in 4WD.

Experts feel the 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 provides a fine and practical interior, but Ford and others have spruced their cabins up a little and gone a bit more high-tech in recent years. Chevy leaves it to the LTZ to fly the banner for the Silverado in that department. While the Work Truck can seat six on its vinyl bench seats, the LS adds cloth seating, and the LT and XFE add amenities as they climb the trim ladder. It’s the five-passenger LTZ that is decked out. It features leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats and seven Bose premium speakers, along with other goodies.

Reviewers tend to like the way the 2011 Chevy Silverado drives and find it smooth, but several have a complaint in common: The Silverado has a wider turning circle than most in its class, restricting its maneuverability.

The 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 comes with stability control, dual front-side mounted airbags and front and rear head airbags. Antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum) are also standard. The 1500 receives top marks for frontal collisions in government testing and drops down a level to Acceptable in insurance industry tests for side impacts.