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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  2008 Chevrolet Ext. Cab LTZ 6.0L - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By winston - February 28 - 2:26 am

  I went truck shopping and drove the competitive model Ford, Toyota, Dodge and Chevy extended cab trucks. I was replacing an F150 that had been a very very good truck for the 7 years I owned it. Not one issue ever. So naturally I was inclined towards the Ford. After driving all the trucks I decided on the Chevy. I likes the power from the 6.0L compared to the Ford which seemed pretty weak in the pwer department. The Toyota used very poor interior materials and rode terrible. The Dodge was nice but the bed was 6.25 feet compared to the others 6.5ft bed. Overall the Chevy offered a great combination of features with the LTZ package and the Vortec Max package.

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  All- weather sports truck. - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By oleh k - February 27 - 1:43 am

  It is an extremely high performance pickup with 3/4 ton bed capacity, 7500 lb towing capacity, and great handling. Getting a baby seat in the back is easy because the doors open in opposite directions. It doesnt pretend to be anything its not- it is a sport truck that does it all.

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  Bought used - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Allen Gordon - February 26 - 6:47 pm

  Drives great 4 wheel drive goes anywhere I live in north east Pa..Hills everywhere and I have never been stuck once in the snow or mud and I was just rear ended by a lady on her phone doing 55-60 I need a new bumper and some other minor work, her car is totaled

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  7 year review - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tim - February 26 - 5:13 pm

  Bought this truck new in 3-02. Its had power windows replaced and idles a little rough for about two minutes on mornings when the temp is below 35-- doesnt happen too often in Baton Rouge. It now has 100,000 miles on it and was given to my 16 year old son in 5-08. Im frankly surprised at how reliable its been. Mechanics have told me that 200,000 miles of service is attainable with no major engine or tranny work on Chevy and Ford pickups. Cant explain this, but mpg improved from 13.5 city when new to 16.5 today.

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  Nifty Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Nifty - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I have alway driven only Ford trucks and still would if Ford had an AWD or 4- wheel drive with this power. The Lightning is reg. cab and 2-wheel drive and the beautiful HD is 2-wheel drive. This Chevy is very quiet and comfortable and handles great with brakes almost as good as my new Corvette. Im impressed so far.

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  My Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By D Porter - February 18 - 2:00 am

  For the frist time in a long yime I will be at home trying to think of some place to go so I can drive my truck.

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  Great Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Josh - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck in 2006 with 59,000 miles on it and now it has 108,000 and it runs like it did when I bought it. I now have flowmaster exhaust on it and that gave me noticeably better gas mileage. The best mileage I have gotten is 22 doing 70. I get about 13 to 15 in town. Does great on the highway and handles like car. It has plenty of power! It has always started in the cold, even 20 below zero in Montana where I live. Does well in every road condition you drive on. Very smooth suspension as well.

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  New 02 - Great 4x4 Ext Cab Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Edward A. Franklin - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Drove Ford and Dodge, this truck absolutely blows them out of the water. Body is solid and all but sound proof. Pleasure to drive. Very good response even on the roughess of county roads. Plenty of power for quick starts. Gas mileage is 16 mpg combined city/highway. Keep your foot out of it and the average rises to 18 mpg combined.

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  Impressed w/First year model! - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Deepdiver - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Great drivability and ride. Have Z71 package and my truck handles and rides better than sisters 2001 2WD. Impressive pwr and fuel economy (5.3L), have over-size mud tires and full guards and Tri-glass shell. Pulls my heavy boat and other trailers with ease! Love the auto-4WD.The only problem I have is that the throttle cable sticks on cold starts, have to tap the gas peddle to get past the sticking, once driving,no sticking. That and 3 factory recalls and 80000 miles on this truck is quite impressive to me. Havent had the difficulties that I read on some of the other reviews, like noisy rear-end clunk, etc.

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  100K No Problem - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ussery - February 11 - 7:10 pm

  Ive been extremely pleased with the performance of the vehicle, I chose the 5.3 Vortec to handle the 4WD and tow/haul demands. Most of the mileage is due to a 32 mile one way commute. It has seen its share of mountain logging roads, mud bogs, and desert sands. The transfer into 4WD Low is rough, even in the best of circumstance. (Rolling under 5 mph.) Better get into it before you need it. Gas mileage is still at 18~19 MPG, pulled the plugs at 65K, flushed all drivetrain at 95K, and the coolant is next on the list.The velour interior is showing wear and fading-New Mexico sun and heat will eat fabric. The plastics are holding up well, wish the speakers werent crackling. Heart Beat USA!