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The 2020 Chevy Silverado pickup truck had many features, but Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) wasn’t one of the included details. Is this something that Chevy should have included, or is it a more superfluous addition? Chevy thinks the heavy-duty truck doesn’t need it.

Does the Silverado have Adaptive Cruise Control?

Chevy Silverado HD
The new GM 2020 Chevy Silverado HD | Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Cruise Control helps drivers maintain a certain speed while on the highway. Most people use it while on longer trips or stretches of road that don’t require constant acceleration. This also helps improve fuel economy by maintaining a consistent speed.

Adaptive Cruise Control takes that a step further. Not only can you set your desired speed, but you can control the distance at which you follow a vehicle in front of you. For example, if a van enters the highway in front of you at a slower speed, your car will automatically slow down.

The argument can be made that this is not a totally necessary feature, depending on how you use your truck. Additionally, those upgrading from an older truck might find this feature unnecessary. Helpful? Yes. But not necessarily enough to deter drivers from purchasing a Silverado.

Does the Silverado need Adaptive Cruise Control?

Many pickup truck drivers choose a truck for towing large loads or traveling long distances for work. The Chevrolet Silverado is no exception. When asked about the lack of Adaptive Cruise Control by GM Authority, Chevrolet didn’t think there was a need.

Bob Krapes, Director of Chevrolet Marketing, said, “We see it more on the premium trims in the light-duty, but as these HD trucks continue to grow [in popularity], it’s something to look at. But as of right now, no plans for that.”

The light-duty 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 offers Adaptive Cruise Control, as does the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. In order to get this feature, you have to upgrade to the Safety Package II for $1,095.

In addition to Adaptive Cruise Control, some other included equipment is forward collision assist and lane-keeping assist. It also included automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking.

The Sierra 1500 has a similar upgraded safety package for $1,045. The Ford Super Duty F-250 and F-350 also offer ACC as an option from the factory.

In recent years, heavy-duty trucks seem to be gaining popularity. According to GM Authority, the popularity increased 14% between 2019 and 2020 for the Silverado HD. For the Sierra HD, that was 23.2%.

The Silverado sold 150,394 units in 2020 and 131,953 in 2019. The Sierra HD sold 73,777 in 2020 and 59,871 in 2019. While 2021 has seen an increase in the need for light-duty trucks, the heavy-duty options seem to be holding on fine.

What does all of this mean? While some drivers do want Adaptive Cruise Control, heavy-duty truck drivers don’t seem to mind. If that feature is important, drivers opt for a different trim level.

In addition to that, Chevy might offer Super Cruise on the Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty in the future. Skipping out on the need for Adaptive Cruise Control altogether. The good news is that there are options for every driver, even though who want a heavy-duty truck over a light-duty.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.