When it comes to full-size trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is one of the most iconic of them all. When looking to buy a used Silverado 1500, there is no end to the available models with differing bed lengths, cab sizes, engine options, and other add-ons. However, with so many factory and aftermarket add-ons available for the Silverado 1500, you can still customize a newly acquired used Silverado 1500 to suit your needs and style.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Though the Silverado 1500 is now a staple in the full-size truck industry, this wasn’t always the case. The Silverado name was only an available trim for the C/K pickup until it became a stand-alone model in 1999. Since its introduction as a stand-alone model, the Silverado 1500 has built a reputation for reliability, power, convenience, and safety.
Compared to other full-size trucks in its class, the Silverado 1500 stands out with its uncommonly smooth ride quality, responsive handling, and impressive fuel economy. Another bright side to the Silverado 1500 is that parts are relatively inexpensive, and if you can do your own repairs, you are sure to save money on overall maintenance. The Silverado 1500 is timeless and built to last with plenty of available accessories.
1st Generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Image via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 by Rutger van der Maar
The first generation of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was introduced in 1999 and ran through the 2007 model year. This truck’s design is still considered stylish by today’s standards, with nice wheels and a comfortable interior more reminiscent of a car than a truck. There were quite a few engine options for the first generation Silverado 1500, including a 4.3-liter V-6 with 200 horsepower, a 4.8-liter V-8 with 255 horsepower, and a 5.3-liter V-8 with 270 horsepower. As the first generation advanced through the years, the V-8 engines increased horsepower to 285 and 310 horsepower, respectively.
By the end of the first generation Silverado 1500, Chevy offered a heavy-duty version with a 6.0-liter V-8 with 300 horsepower. Between 1999 and 2007, the Silverado 1500 was available with manual and automatic transmissions. This Silverado 1500 had three cab styles: regular cab, extended cab, and full crew cab. There were also varying bed lengths to choose from, ranging between 5.5 feet to 8 feet. The most common and reliable engine for this first-generation Silverado 1500 was the 5.3-liter V-8.
2nd Generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The second generation of the Chevy Silverado 1500 ran from 2007 to 2015. Significant improvements for the second generation were focused on the interior and mechanics of the truck. Many of the interior cues were pulled from the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban of the same time frame with features such as a luxurious dash, seats, and door panels. Other features such as a power sliding rear window, rain-sensing wipers, and rear parking sensors were also implemented in the second generation.
Though the same engines from the previous generation of the Silverado 1500 carried over to the second generation, they were improved upon with active fuel management cylinder deactivation. In addition, the manual transmission was dropped, and the four-speed automatic transmission was replaced by a six-speed automatic transmission, helping to improve fuel economy. As a result, the second generation of the Silverado 1500 is well equipped and can be found with less mileage for a reasonable price compared to purchasing new.
3rd Generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The third-generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was produced between 2015 and 2019. The overall ride quality, handling, and performance of the Silverado 1500 during these years was drastically improved. The exterior styling was also changed, with the truck now having a more blocky appearance, but this change wasn’t so drastic as to take away from its clearly Chevrolet styling. In addition, features such as ventilated front seats, 20-inch wheels, and a Bose surround-sound system were highlights from this generation’s High Country trim level.
Other noteworthy features made available for this generation of the Silverado 1500 include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, forward-collision alert, front and rear parking assist, low-speed automatic braking, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. The engines associated with the third generation of the Silverado 1500 include a 4.3-liter V-6 with 285 horsepower, a 5.3-liter V-8 with 355 horsepower, and a 6.2-liter V-8 with 420 horsepower. As a result, this generation of the Silverado 1500 may hold some of the most well-rounded used models of the truck available today.
4th Generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Image via Flickr by Crown Star Images
The most recent generation of the Silverado 1500 was fully redesigned from the ground up in 2019. This generation of the Silverado came with many new features such as a turbocharged inline-four engine, more legroom in the back seats, and a plethora of comfort features. Radical improvements in handling and performance, increased towing and payload capacity, safety tech, and entertainment features have revolutionized the Silverado 1500 and made it one of the top vehicles available in the full-size truck market.
Which One Should You Choose?
When choosing a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500, there are a couple of factors to consider. One is reliability, and through the years, the available 5.3-liter V-8 engine stands heads and shoulders above all other options with outstanding performance and longevity. Another factor is personal preference when considering available features. Older trucks from the first and even second generations of the Silverado 1500 will have fewer features than those from the third and especially the fourth generations.
If you want a truck loaded with more features, you will want to take a closer look at newer versions to cover your wants and needs. Overall, a used Silverado 1500 between the 2011 and 2014 model years may strike the best balance between reliability, features, and cost. However, if you have a little more money to budget, a Silverado 1500 between the 2016 and 2018 model years will have nearly the same available features of a new truck at a considerably lower price.
Regardless of which used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 you choose, you will find that a well-maintained Silverado 1500 is a great truck to own. With a remarkable track record for reliability, cutting edge technology, performance, convenience, and safety, there’s no doubt that the Silverado 1500 will continue to persevere through the years. So when you are searching for a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in Plano, Texas, or the surrounding area, let Huffines Chevrolet Plano help you find the truck of your dreams.