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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  What a great pickup truck, made for work - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By RickThompson - November 2 - 11:16 pm

  I bought this truck in April 2005 with 6,850 miles on it and broke 50,000 miles this October. No problem other than a brake light. I change the oil and it runs. I only have the 4.3L but it can still haul the loads. I get about 17-19 in town and 19-23 on the highway with the air on. The truck has great passing power, and the limited slip is nice when offroad even though its just a 2wd. Bulletproof drivetrain.

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  Very Happy - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ChevyFan - October 20 - 11:06 am

  Just traded in my 01 Sierra for an 07 Silverado. Not as fully loaded as my 01, but I havent missed the options yet. Seats are very comfortable and spacious. Driver cockpit area is user friendly with everthing easy to get to. Instrument panel and dash has plents of useful tech features without being cluttered. Plenty of storage area. New body styling is right on and has not yet failed to turn heads. Fuel mileage for the first tank was 16 and change with an even mix of on highway and offroad miles. I expect fuel mileage to increase once I reach break-in.

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  Outstanding rating \ - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By paul bellitto - October 18 - 11:20 am

  I am very pleased with the performace, reliabilty, appearence. I have now 98000 miles and the gas mileage is great, and I repair most on the every day matainence such as brakes, oil change etc. I expect to get long many years from my truck in these trying years with the gas prices.

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  2006 Silverado WT 4WD Reg Cab V8 6.5 bed - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By FE Coyle - October 17 - 1:33 pm

  I purchased this truck to replace my 37 year old GMC which I bought new in 1969. This is the perfect replacement. Its fun to drive ,very good manufacturing quality. I average 20 mpg on highway & 17 in town.I did a lot of research and am very satisfied with my choice.I average about 5000 miles a year on my truck. It is used mostly for pleasure, hunting, fishing etc.

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  GREAT TRUCK! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BLACKDOG - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT USED WITH 15K ON THE CLOCK. NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR A TICKING NOISE ON ACCELERATION, NOT COLD START KNOCK SOME TALK ABOUT. THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE NOISE BY REPLACING SENSORS BUT NO LUCK. GM TOLD ME IT IS A NORMAL NOISE DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE PISTONS WHICH HAVE A SHORT SKIRT TO HAVE LESS MASS THEREFORE BETTER GAS MILEAGE. THEY TOLD MR TO PUT MY MIND AT EASE, THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN EXTENDED 6 YR/100K WARRANTY ON THE ENTIRE ENGINE. I HAVE THIS IN WRITING PLUS IT IS TRANSFERRABLE. I MUST SAY THE TICK NOISE DOES NOT AFFECT ANYTHING, AT LEAST NOW. i HAVE 27K ON IT NOW.

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  Best Silverado Yet. - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By txreaction - September 28 - 10:40 pm

  I have owned three Silverados so far..1995, 2000, 2004SS, and my new 2008 is far superior. The options that are available are excellent. I opted for the extended cab LT2 package with the Texas Edition upgrade which includes fog lights, special 20" rims, and cargo management system. Stickered for $33,000. Out the door with gap insurance and extended warranty I paid $23,480. Thanks to employee pricing of course. If you have your doubts, just test drive one...there is a reason people refer to the Silverado as the Cadillac of trucks.

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  Like it, Love it? - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevybilt - September 10 - 1:50 pm

  Best truck I have ever owned! Biggest guts for a 6cyl. I have driven! Only flaw is hates snow! This truck would get stuck in flurries. Does great in rain and corners like a bike, almost. But snow is not our friend we are finding out!

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  Love My Chevy - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tigger - September 7 - 10:00 am

  I had a 1996 chevrolet Extended cab and I loved it! We traded it in in 2001 February for a 2001 Dodge Durango! Boy what a mistake that was! I hated the Durango! I loved the room, but the insurance, the gas mileage and the fact that from June until August it was in the shop for A/C repairs we decided that we should go back to Chevy! We would have never gotten rid of the 96, except we needed the 4 doors! Wow What a trip! I love the 01 truck! Could not be happier!

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  Fantastic Truck and Amazing Value - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By TJ - August 25 - 6:26 am

  Some trucks did one thing better than the Silverado but none did everything as well. The technology involved with engine is amazing and the eight to four cylinder shift is not only seamless but transparent to the driver. Having small children I really appreciate the safety features. Although the truck was just picked up I have owned foreign full size trucks and the initial quality is every bit as good if not better.

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  Great - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jason - August 17 - 11:53 am

  It was awsome truck to drive I drove 80 miles day up and back to work I have 114,000 miles on the truck and runs like i did when first got it.