The interior redesign for 1995 was a welcome change. Gone are the flat surfaces and
square corners, replaced by flowing curves and a significant increase in function.
The new instruments and controls are well located and easy to see, reach and operate.
Not to mention far more attractive. Multi-direction face-level vents for the heating,
ventilation and air conditioning are spread across the dash. A nifty cupholder pops
out of the instrument panel and holds two drink containers without blocking any
control functions. In front of the passenger seat the instrument panel includes a
recessed top, with two more recesses for drinks; plenty of room for food-on-the-go.
There are storage spots all around, and three power outlets for running a radar
detector, phone, fax or whatever other electronic necessity your travels require.
In the back of the extended cab there's a bench seat with room for three, but it's
really best suited for shorter trips; the seatback is pretty upright and the bench
itself is short.
On the plus side there's lots of versatility. The rear seat easily flips up and out of
the way revealing, on one side, a covered compartment for tire-changing tools and, on
the other, a conveniently flat floor surface for stowing luggage, a tool box or ice
chest. Not all extended cab pickups have flat floors in the rear so if you plan on
carrying things inside you may want to check this out.
The C/K pickups are also available with an optional third door on the passenger's
side, which allows easier access to the rear for piling in people, pets or cargo.
This is a pickup truck with a long wheelbase and should not be expected to ride or
drive like a car. Unloaded, the ride is mixed; in most places it's acceptable, but on
concrete freeways with a periodic irregularity it can become pretty tiresome as it
hops in frequency with the pavement. But that can be said for just about any pickup
truck, especially unloaded. Loaded, however, the ride will be better, and even the
1500-Series Chevy will take more than a ton of bricks in its bed.
On balance, the ride is good, particularly for the long haul. The front seats are
comfy and there's plenty of room, and roomy comfort is one of the big reasons people
buy full-size pickup trucks.
There's good steering feel, directional stability is relentless, and the Chevy goes
where it's pointed and stays headed there. The long wheelbase of the extended cab
detracts from nimbleness, and maneuvering in tight quarters might require some
planning. But it will take a mighty big monsoon direct on the beam to cause this
thing to start drifting to leeward.