Overview & Reviews

Like its rivals, today's Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is available with a wide variety of body styles, powertrains and trim levels. Thanks to this flexibility, the half-ton Silverado pickup is just as adept at serving as the weekday family car as it is at transporting home-improvement supplies or towing a boat on the weekends. And if you want something fancy, there are always loaded-up versions that come complete with a rumbling V8, flashy wheels, bucket seats and high-tech infotainment options.

Older versions of the Silverado 1500 pickup have been praised for their strong work ethic but criticized for having bland cabins of questionable quality. The current version, however, exhibits greatly improved fit and finish. Where there was once an abundance of hard panels and uneven gaps, the Silverado now features richer materials and precise fitments while maintaining its hard-working nature. Of course, there are other compelling choices in the full-size pickup truck market, but the half-ton Chevrolet Silverado is a solid pick no matter what it's used for.

Current Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The current Chevrolet Silverado 1500 debuted for the 2014 model year. It offers a number of improvements relative to its predecessor, such as upgraded interior trim, new technology features and engines that are both stronger and more fuel-efficient.

Under the hood, the base V6 engine has gone from zero to hero. Although it shares its 4.3-liter displacement with the previous-generation V6, that's all they have in common, as the current V6 makes 285 horsepower -- a 90-hp gain. Also, the new V6 is available across the lineup, whereas the old one was limited to basic work-truck models. The other engines have hit the gym as well: the 5.3-liter V8 now makes 355 hp, while the 6.2-liter V8 trots out 420 horses. All three engines use a six-speed automatic transmission that yields more frugal fuel economy, particularly from the overhauled V6.

As usual, the Silverado is available in a variety of body styles. There are three cab configurations (regular, extended, crew) and three bed lengths (5.75 feet, 6.5 feet, 8 feet). Available trim levels, depending on which combination you choose, include Work Truck, LT, LTZ, High Country and Z71. The Work Truck is better equipped than it used to be, providing full power accessories, USB connectivity and optional Bluetooth along with the expected vinyl upholstery. The LT steps up to a chrome grille, an "E-Z" lift/lower tailgate, alloy wheels and cloth upholstery. The premium LTZ throws in more chrome, a power sliding rear window, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a rearview camera, heated power seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and an 8-inch touchscreen with MyLink smartphone integration.

The luxurious High Country trim gets niceties like Bose audio and fancier power seats, while the Z71 boasts an off-road-ready suspension and other heavy-duty components, plus some mean-looking styling tweaks. Silverado options include a rear-seat Blu-Ray entertainment system, a navigation system and multiple towing packages.

In reviews of the current Chevrolet Silverado 1500, we've remarked that its subtle styling changes conceal serious progress under the skin. Tops on that list is the capable new V6, which finally makes Chevy a viable six-cylinder player in this segment. But we've also noticed significant refinements in the Silverado's ride and handling, thanks in part to a more robust structure that's less prone to surface-induced shuddering. Not that this truck has gone soft; on the contrary, its towing capacity exceeds 11,000 pounds with the 5.3-liter V8 and hits a mind-boggling 12,000 pounds with the brawny 6.2.

Inside, the current Silverado is a whole new ballgame. Ingress and egress have been streamlined in the redesigned extended cab (double cab), which comes with crew-cab-style conventional doors in place of the old reverse-opening rear doors. Materials quality is appreciably higher across the board, so buyers of lower-trim models are no longer stuck with substandard plastics and the like, while nicer models have it better than ever. The attractive, easy-to-use 8-inch touchscreen with mobile-app functionality makes Chevy's workhorse as high-tech as some luxury sedans. Bottom line: This Silverado is the complete package.

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Models
The previous-generation Silverado 1500 was produced for the 2007-'13 model years. It was available in three cab styles (regular, extended and crew) and trim levels ranging from no-frills "Work Truck" to plush LTZ. The most popular trims were the midlevel LS and LT, which provided many popular features as standard, including air-conditioning, full power accessories and a CD player. Significant options included a variety of towing packages, the Z71 Off-Road package and a navigation system.

Powertrain choices encompassed everything from a workaday 4.3-liter 195-hp V6 to a muscular 6.2-liter V8 with 403 hp, but most Chevy Silverados of this vintage were fitted with either a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8 or a 315-hp 5.3-liter V8. A four-speed automatic transmission with a tow and haul mode was standard on Silverado pickups with the base V6 and 4.8-liter V8. The 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 received a six-speed automatic toward the end of this production run.

Calling cards of this Silverado included no-nonsense performance, a reasonably refined and quiet ride (even with the heavy-duty towing package) and a comfortable cabin that admittedly looks a little old compared to some contemporaries. We mentioned a few other downsides in reviews, including minor interior ergonomic issues, underwhelming performance from the base V6 and the hesitant responses of the four-speed automatic transmission while downshifting. The excellent six-speed automatic, however, is hard to fault with its smooth, on-point performance.

During its lifespan, the 2007-'13 Silverado remained largely the same, but keep in mind that the initial top-of-the-line engine was a 6.0-liter V8 rated at 367 hp; the 6.2-liter V8 didn't replace it until the 2009 model year. That same year, the six-speed automatic transmission was introduced as an option for the 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8s, and it became standard with those engines for 2010.

The previous Silverado 1500 was produced from 1999-'06. Although Chevrolet has produced a pickup truck since 1918, this generation marked the debut of "Silverado" as the big truck's formal name instead of a trim-level designation (which it had served as since the 1970s). Underneath the handsome new styling, a fresh family of V8s debuted, ranging in size from 4.8 to 6.0 liters. They offered output running from 255 hp with the smallest 4.8-liter to 345 hp from the high-output 6.0-liter V8 in the Silverado SS. A base V6 was also available, but as expected, most of these Chevy Silverados came fitted with one of the V8s. (Buyers looking at the heavy-duty series Silverado 2500HD and 3500 of this generation could also get a 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 or an 8.1-liter gasoline V8.) A unique four-wheel-steering option (called QuadraSteer) came online about midway through this generation and cut the truck's turning circle down to 37.4 feet -- around 10 feet less than a typical full-size pickup. Unfortunately, QuadraSteer was discontinued for '06, as buyers were put off by the high cost of this option.

Consumers more interested in function than flash should be happy with a used half-ton Silverado from this era. The truck offered plenty of performance and work capacity, though it was hampered by a dated cabin design fraught with cheap materials and below-average fit and finish.

The previous generation of full-size Chevrolet pickups -- the last of the so-called "C/K" line -- ran from 1988-'98 and comprised three distinct versions: 1500 (half-ton), 2500 (3/4-ton) and 3500 (1-ton). Standard cab and extended cab body styles were offered, as was a crew cab, though the latter was actually from the previous 1981-'87 generation. Although six-cylinder and diesel V8s were offered, chances are strong that most Chevy trucks from these years will have either a 5.0- or 5.7-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic. In keeping with tradition, one could choose either rear-wheel drive (indicated by a "C", e.g. "C1500") or four-wheel drive (indicated by a "K"). Trim levels for these C/K trucks include the base Cheyenne, midlevel Scottsdale and top-line Silverado. Strengths include strong, durable powertrains, while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and materials within the cabin.

User Reviews:

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  I will never buy another Chevy Silverado - 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Doug Rockwell - March 26 - 11:27 am

  Google Chevy Silverado Vibrations before buying this truck. Vibrations and other problems that have been going on since 2014 are still not fixed in 2017 model. Dealerships and GM will not stand behind the warranty on the Silverado. After three visits for same problem dealership refused to work on truck anymore. Had to get GM involved and that was a waste of time. Looks like it is time to get a Lemon Lawyer and sue GM. Do not buy the Chevy Silverado there is a reason that Ford F150 is truck of the year again and out sold Silverado by hundreds of thousands of trucks.

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  Never again, GM, Never! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By quidproquo - October 24 - 11:53 am

  My first and absolute last GM product, ever! It would be easier to list what hasnt broken or worn out prematurely than what has, with GM never taking any responsibility! (Quick list-Tranny imploded, water pumpx2, brakes a total joke, wheel bearingsx3, rust everywhere! and no, harsh environment except a heated and cooled garage, transaxle, now engine is bad have babied this truck from day one (Synthetic oil changes every 1500 miles), never towed or off road, never remotely abused or driven hard, Pure junk. I have bought new 6 Japanese cars, 5 American and two German cars and understand there may be some problems upon delivery, but to not stand behind your product I have found only with GM.

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  Safety Hazard - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DH - March 14 - 10:00 am

  My truck is just ok. Nothing spectacular. However, the most serious problem with this vehicle is that there is an air-conditioner solid tube that is routed directly over the distributer, cap and rotor. Every six to ten months, the continuous water dripping onto the distributer corrodes the internal electronics and the vehicle is subject to unexpected stalling without the possibility of restarting. This vehicle is very dangerous, yet Chevrolet refuses to admit this design flaw to date. I have a lemon law case file in progress and notifying local news sources in an effort to save other people from this neglegence.

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  Run or pull out your wallet!!! - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By N. Peterson - January 23 - 4:43 am

  Bought this truck with less than 100k on it. Started this loud chirping almost immediately. Two mechanics that I trust looked at it and both recommended new engines. Apparently Chevy had major design flaws on this engine and did nothing more than issue a service bulletin. Ive heard people anywhere from 20,000 miles and up having to swap these engines! Totally unacceptable. After a life with Chevy, were finally going to make the switch to another company...

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  I hate this truck - 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jesse MacLean - August 8 - 2:14 am

  the truck drives fine, nothing to write home about but nothing to complain about. its the stereo that ruins this truck. it "features" the inability to remember your previous settings. what you were doing when you turned it off. i set it up to bluetooth with my phone to play music. but when you turn off the vehicle it decides you must have wanted to listen to the radio again. it also decides that you must have wanted to turn the volume down so you can not hear the bluetooth fm transmitter you installed so it will play music correctly. in short there is no reason why you should have to buy a $15 dollar accessory to make play music off your phone without requiring a 20 second delay to allow human interaction, every time you turn the car off. it is so frustrating it ruins all the driving experience and makes me hate this car

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  Stay away - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By texrock - January 22 - 5:19 am

  Where do I even begin? This truck is a nightmare. The only thing worse is GMs response or lack thereof. 1.Moving/shifting drivers seat; GM failed to fix it three times. 2.Missing lights on radio; GM states theyre not on this truck(LTZ) even though it clearly shows the lights in all the brochures and the Sierra has it. 3.Condensation in the headlights. 4.Fluctuating RPMs and rough idle; GM cant fix it. 5.Heated seats dont function properly. 6.Poor radio reception. 7.Rear power sliding window motor constantly breaking. 8.Thin spots on the paint. 9.Loose column shifter. I will never purchase another GM product again.

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  2014 Silverado Liz 4x4 - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Sal Gomez - June 23 - 5:26 am

  I I bought this truck last year and Ive been having a lot of problems with the transmission and the dealer is saying that it is normal because they already worked on it twice and it only has 1600 miles. well thats only one of the problems the other problem is the paint. when I bought it I noticed that fender had a weird mark so I took it to a body shop and they told me the fender was painted, and yes, it was new from moss bross in Moreno Valley ca when I bought. The dealer is blaming some other dealer for the problem they are willing to paint it but I bought it new, so I expect new. The other problem is the driver seat is loose and was will move when I break, The dealer fixed it, and all the recalls were checked. By the way I contacted GM and it looks like they work for the dealer because they dont even wants to look at paint problem. Dosent GM have to backup their product?

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  Not a very good truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Phillip V. - January 22 - 10:12 am

  I bought mine one year ago this week, it has complete car fax records for every service since new, 82K miles on it and no rust, which is amazing since most of these are absolute rust buckets. It had a guage failure on the way home, zero oil pressure, new to the truck I didnt realize faulty guages are normal and a recall item, so it got flat bedded home, one week later the belt flew off, another flat bed trip in for repair, then one cold day a tire went flat while I was driving, we could eventually get the spare down but it was rusted to the lowering mechanism and would not come off, then we couldnt get it to go back up, so flat bed trip number 3 in 3 months. Now the ABS is acting up, another know Silverado issue with the front hubs which will cost another $660 to fix. Since purchase I have driving 7900 miles and spent $2471.00 on repairs and regular service so about $0.24 cents per mile on repairs, gas milage is about 12-14 mpg, not great and the power is very limited on the V-6, on a windy day using the overdrive is a pipe dream, overall the worst truck I have ever owned, cant wait to dump it.

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  It Isnt good.... - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 5002 - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Since 4 months after I bought it, it has been nothing but trouble. It has had 2 sencurs replaced, the power seat replaced, and it hasetates and they cant fix it

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  my bad truck - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ward - June 16 - 1:08 am

  not safe, to many problems with electrical, shifting problems from 2wheel to 4wheel,very poor support from dealer or GM to fix the problems!!!!!!!!!!!