Pickup trucks come in a myriad of configurations from plush leather-laden models with the latest navigation systems and other trickery, all the way down to what are commonly called the “workhorse models,” those with rubber floor mats, bench seats and crank windows—the typical setup you’d likely find on just about any construction site.  Typically automakers like to tout their more luxurious offerings, leaving the base stuff shoved into a corner.  After all, the ones that are loaded are where the margins are bigger.  Be that as it may, the base models are the volume leaders. Case in point:  The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 two-wheel-drive regular cab work truck.  Built on the highly acclaimed GMT-900 platform, this base truck has a strong foundation from which to work.  But that’s doesn’t necessarily mean everything is perfect.  All one has to do is get up close and personal with the interior to know why they call this a work truck.  The rubber floor mats are something you’d expect to find in the back of a police car, while the quality of the plastics, particularly those used for the crank windows, feels flimsier than disposable plastic spoons. 

Like its more up-market offspring, the Silverado work truck has a handsome instrument panel, although the matte plastic finish leaves something to be desired.  Attention to gaps and fit-and-finish seem less important on this base truck than on the upscale models.  Another area where this worker bee seems to fall flat is in its noise, vibration and harshness characteristics.  Wind noise, rattles and squeaks were a constant problem.

Yet another area of disappointment resides under the hood of the Silverado, where the base 4.3-liter V8 engine (producing 295 hp @ 5,600 rpm and 305 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,800 rpm) was mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox.  Hard to believe that GM is still using such an albatross of a transmission on a product this critical, especially when a highly sophisticated 6-speed automatic is already in use on the SUVs based on the same platform. 

While the Silverado work truck scores points for its relatively low price ($21,095 as tested) there’s still the nagging feeling the truck is “cheap,” rather than “economical.”