Why a Used Chevy Silverado is the Smartest Choice for Reliability and Long-Lasting Durability

Anyone who has ever shopped for a pickup truck at a used truck dealership like Coyle Chevrolet GMC can tell you that customer service, product knowledge, and pricing transparency matter. They matter a lot. Why? Too many third-rate corner used car lots are too focused on getting rid of inventory rather than helping buyers find a truck with the features and capabilities they require.

Whether you’re just getting started on research and price shopping or your truck purchase is imminent, it’s important to ensure you know exactly what you need. The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a great choice for used truck buyers because there are so many trims, engines, and powertrain configurations available that finding a match for your requirements is easy.

The Silverado lineup is the most trusted full-size truck brand in America. Chevy fans love the Silverado for its rugged capability, good looks, and available in-cabin luxury and comfort features. Currently in its fifth generation, the Silverado has been around since 1999 and has frequently led the category in innovation, proudly wearing the Chevy bowtie as a flagship vehicle in the lineup.

Is a used Chevy Silverado 1500 right for you? If you’re on the hunt for a tough, reliable full-size truck, then the answer is probably yes. We’ll review the third generation (2014-2018) Silverado model years, including powertrains, trims, and cab/body styles, to help you zero in on the truck you need.

2014: Year One of Gen Three

At its launch late in 2012, Chevy showed off the all-new, completely redesigned Silverado 1500. This generation featured more aluminum body parts, including the hood, which meant it was significantly lighter than its predecessor and therefore more fuel-efficient. With three available EcoTec3 gas engines – a 4.3-liter V6, a 5.3-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter V8 – buyers could zero in on the best fit for capabilities like towing and hauling.

Luxury buyers swooned over the all-new High Country trim, a first-of-its-kind upmarket Silverado 1500, that Chevy added to the lineup in response to increasing buyer interest in more luxurious pickup trucks. At the time, the average new truck price tag came in north of $40,000, leaving plenty of room for Chevy to dress up the Silverado with extra bells-and-whistles, like soft brown leather seating, an upgraded Bose audio system, and a heated steering wheel.

Off-roaders looking for a classic mud runner sought out the LTZ Z71. Equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 that can deactivate down to four cylinders to save gas during everyday driving, the LTZ Z71 included leather seating and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Adding the LTZ Plus package sprinkled lots of plush extras around the cabin, including navigation, heated and ventilated front seats, chrome running boards, and a sunroof.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 delivered on capability as well as luxury and comfort. Max towing capacity came in at 11,000 pounds, and the standard integrated rear bumper steps and LED bed lighting make accessing cargo painless. Features like an integrated trailer brake controller and a rearview camera make hitching and towing both safe and easy. The 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque are handy for towing but also provide ample power to cruise the highway on a road trip comfortably.

2015 – 2017: Facelifts and Refined Power

The 2015 model year ushered in a new 8-speed transmission, which replaced the previous year’s 6-speed. The increased gears portended a larger overall trend in the truck segment, and today it’s not uncommon to see full-size pickup trucks equipped with 10-speed gearboxes. The benefit of more speeds is twofold: first, acceleration is smoother, and second, power is distributed across a wider gear ratio spread, which helps increase fuel economy.

One of the hallmarks of the Silverado brand is its Special Editions. 2015 was no exception, with Chevy introducing six different options, including a Rally Edition, a Custom Sport Edition, a Black Out Edition, and a Texas Edition. Generally, these trims include special badging on the exterior and interior, along with equipment packages that fall under the theme for each. For example, the Midnight special edition added an all-black front end and black Chevy bowtie emblems.

The 2016 model year saw a minor Silverado facelift. Described as a “more muscular appearance” by the team at GM Media, the restyled 2016 Silverado featured a more angular front end and sharper edges around the grille. Inside, the truck was infused with technology, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as a more updated version of the Chevy MyLink operating system.

For 2017, additional special edition options joined the Silverado lineup, including the High Desert and the Special Ops. The High Desert, available on the LT, LTZ, and High Country trims, combined high-end interior luxury features with additional capability. One feature included a cargo storage area in the truck bed that could be locked with the key fob. High Desert Silverados also featured Magnetic Ride Control, a system that constantly reads road conditions and adapts suspension settings for optimal ride handling.

2018: The Final Third Gen Model Year

What features appeared on the 2018 Silverado 1500? The addition of a standard rearview camera and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen for the base WT. Available trims included the WT, the LS, the Custom, the LT, the LTZ, and the High Country, and the Z71 off-roading package was offered on the LT and LTZ trims.

The LS model upgraded the 1500 with keyless entry and chrome bumpers. The LT added an EZ Lift & Lower tailgate, an upsized 8-inch touchscreen, a split-folding bench seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Luxury seekers on a budget leaned toward the LTZ, with its LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, power 10-way heated seats, and remote start.

As with previous model years, the 1500 High Country turned up the volume on luxury, with the inclusion of 20-inch wheels, an upgraded Bose premium stereo, a wireless phone charger, special saddle brown and black two-tone leather seating, and 12-way heated and cooled power front seats. The High Country also adds a heated steering wheel.

For 2018, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Silverado a five-star overall safety rating. The addition of several driver-assist safety systems, including Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking, also added to the Silverado’s overall high grades for safety.

Throughout the third generation of its lifespan, the Chevy Silverado 1500 continued to evolve towards a safer, more technology-dense version of itself, culminating in the 2018 model year and setting the stage for a fourth-generation overhaul. Interestingly, even with the fourth generation launch, much of the design and style remained similar to its third generation roots. You might wonder why that is. After all, isn’t it always better to launch a next generation truck with all-new, reimagined styling? Chevy doesn’t think so, and frankly, neither do its diehard loyalists. Most Chevy truck owners are happy with the Silverado’s exterior styling because it’s classic and timeless.

It’s Time to Get a Used Chevy Silverado

Now is a great time to buy a used Chevy Silverado. We recommend checking out the extensive 2014 – 2018 third-generation model years. Within that time frame, Chevy manufactured a wide range of pickups with features, capabilities, and powertrains that fit so many different lifestyles and needs. Need help deciding? Consider working with an authorized Chevrolet dealer – you’ll have access to experts who can guide you through the entire purchase process from start to finish.