Posted by Brian M on September 27, 19100 at 09:36:19:
Was lucky enough yesterday to get to rent a 2001 C1500 Burb for a business trip. My comparisons relate back to my own Burb which is a '98 C1500.
Performance:
I was surprised by the 5.3L! It was not as bad as I had heard. The rental had a 3.73 rear end (Window Sticker was still on it!) and performed fine. I did notice a flat spot in the torque curve from around 2000 rpm to about 3500 but nothing terrible. Good top end performance all the way up to the speed limiter.
Transmission shifted much differently than my '98. Nice smooth shifts but with instant kick downs (maybe to compensate for the lower torque).
Gas mileage was about the same as my '98.
Braking was vastly improved over my '98, although the pedal still has some GM mush to it.
Ride:
The new Burb felt much stiffer than my '98. Alot less twisting and bending of the over all structure and NO SQUEAKS or RATTLES. Bumps were a bit more harsh than the '98 and steering was much tighter.
Turning radius seemed to be slightly improved and road feel was also better.
Interior:
Here is where I see little or no improvement in alot of areas. The dash felt even more plasticky than my '98 (even hollow/tinny sounding around the key insert). This one did not have the overhead console or full center console so that felt bad, although I am sure the others that have it know they are great.
The seats are a big improvement. They were wider, longer and softer with better power adjustments. Rear seats seemed to have less leg room, but may be that way due to the thicker seats. Still wish GM would put the armrest on the outside of the seat instead of carving it out of the existing width.....wider folks like me can never use them right.
LOVE THE POSITION OF THE POWER WINDOWS!! Until you have tried to operate them on a late 90's Burb, you will never appreciate this improvement....but it is great. As are the larger exterior windows and the mirror now displays outside temp and compass at the same time..WOW!
The A/C really cranks in the new model. Air flow through the front vents on my '98 has always been weak....that is no longer a problem. Verdict is still out on the new style air vents in the rear...just don't know if they are as good or not.
Exterior:
This thing sits at least 6 inches higher than my '98! Really a commanding feel behind the wheel. I liked that. Also liked the 16 inch wheels and tires. Only problem is getting stuff out of the back since this thing is so high...may be a long reach.
That brings up the rear hatch (which this one had). Gotta say I still prefer the barn doors. Don't ask me why but with the hatch it felt like the Voyager mini-van my parents had when I was growing up.
Guess that is enough for now. Personally I liked the new model and look forward to owning one in the next year to replace my '98. However there was nothing that just make my have to have one right now when compared to my '98 (which I still love).
Just gotta love that 5.7L Vortec, it is such a hoss!
My wife likes the looks of the new Burb better though and her only other comment is that when I get one it better have running boards (as does my '98) since it sits so high.