Given the popularity of the Ford F-Series, many don't think of Chevrolet as a solid contender in the pickup truck market. However, the 2013 Silverado 1500 is a more than viable option.

One thing about the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado is that it comes in a lot of variations. Options range from the basic three-passenger truck for $23,590 to the more luxurious Crew Cab LTZ. You can also get long or short box, regular, extended or crew cab and two or four-wheel drive.

Under the hood, the Silverado has a horsepower range between 195 and 403 with towing capacity between 4,400 and 10,400 pounds. It also comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of design, 13 exterior colors are available, including Blue Granite Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic and Mocha Steel Metallic. Interior options include Cashmere, Ebony or Titanium cloth. Simple controls and leather seating make for a pleasurable driving experience. The Crew Cab holds up to five passengers with plenty of room.

Other equipment for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado includes a full-size spare tire, cargo-box illumination, daytime running lights and automatic headlights with flash-to-pass, a driver-information center display, concealed cargo hooks, remote start, an oil-life monitoring system, carpeted floor, battery rundown protection, a theft-deterrent system, two 12-volt power outlets and a USB port.

Additional amenities for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 include heated outside power windows, a leather steering wheel, OnStar and Bluetooth connectivity. The vehicle is EPA-rated at 15 mpg for the city and 21 for highway.

You can, of course, wait for the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, scheduled to be released later this year. But if the wait seems too long then the 2013 is certainly a strong option, even given the pickup vehicles available from Ford.