If you’re looking for a used truck, you can’t beat the Chevy Silverado, but some model years stand out more than others. Here’s our roundup of the Silverado’s best model years.
This Chevy Truck Has Been a Go-To Workhorse for Three Decades
It didn’t’ take long for the Chevy Silverado to win the hearts of many American pickup drivers when it first arrived in 1999. The full-size pickup is now in its fourth generation, with many model years under its belt. If you’re searching for a modern work pickup or need an old used truck to handle chores around your property, you’ll find the perfect match in a pre-owned Silverado.
2006 Silverado
It might seem like we’re going back quite a few years for the 2006 Silverado, but this was the first year of the six-liter Vortec Max engine, which you can get with a trailering package for impressive towing capabilities. The V-6 delivers 345 horsepower and gets 380 pound-feet of torque, which was a significant boost from the previous models with the 5.3-liter V8. The extra power isn’t the only reason the 2006 stands out. It also came with an upgraded air conditioning system and AM/FM radio or a CD player.
2012 Silverado
There’s a lot to love about a 2012 Chevy Silverado. It comes standard with a V-6 engine, but three V-8s are available. You can count on the 2012 for its reliability for well over 100,000 to 200,000 miles, and the high-quality materials in the cabin will stand up over time. This Silverado has the improved OnStar system with upgraded sound quality and speech recognition, which impressed Silverado drives. If you’re looking for a used truck, the 2012 Chevy Silverado is a good choice.
2018 Silverado
The 2018 Silverado saw some dramatic improvements to the lineup, with six different trim levels to choose from. There is something for everyone, from the bare-bones Tradesman work truck to the luxurious high-end models with leather upholstery, heated seats, and extras throughout the cabin. The 2018 receives high marks for its quick acceleration. Depending on the configuration and engine, it could go from zero to 60 in just 6.4 seconds. It also gained some new standard features, with a rearview camera and a 7-inch touchscreen added across the board.
2019 Silverado
If you’re looking for a used truck that’s large enough to carry work gear or outdoor toys but light and aerodynamic, the 2019 is one of the best years. Chevy made some tweaks to the design and engineering to shed 450 pounds from the truck but also made it larger than the previous model by stretching the wheelbase by almost four inches and increasing the overall length by 1.6 inches. This increased length gives rear-seat passengers more legroom, and Chevy even added some storage bins under the rear seat bottoms.
2020 Silverado
Even though the Silverado received a complete redesign for the 2019 model year, Chevy stepped up its game with the 2020. If you find this used truck, it will have some impressive improvements, even over the 2019. First, a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine under the hood contributes to smoother acceleration and increased fuel economy. It also gained some added safety technology. You can find this Silverado with an improved version of the adaptive cruise control system and automatic emergency braking.
Looking for a Used Chevy Silverado? There are Plenty of Great Years to Choose From
If you don’t have the budget for a brand-new truck, there are several great options for a pre-owned Chevy Silverado. If you’re looking for a solid workhorse without all the fancy gadgets, you can find a good deal on an early 2000s model, or if you have more to spend and want the latest tech, a later model Silverado is a fantastic option.
