There is nothing like getting behind the wheel of a powerful pickup truck and taking off for your next great adventure. If any truck can be your on and off-the-road buddy, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is undoubtedly your next faithful travel companion. Loaded with an array of features, even a pre-owned Silverado 1500 makes for a rugged and reliable truck that can excel at home as much as it can on the job site. It’s no surprise that many drivers look to a used Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale for the perfect combination of power and value when searching for a pre-owned truck.
Of course, your needs are unique to you, so it is important to consider which features you need from your next ride. Do you crave an automatic tailgate to simplify loading and unloading cargo? Are you hoping to get a high maximum towing capacity to help you haul a trailer? Are you looking for a particular cab-and-bed configuration? Before you run out to test drive a Silverado 1500, it is critical that you learn about features that used Silverado 1500 models offer. Let’s pause and learn about the best contemporary features you can get from a pre-owned Chevy Silverado 1500.
Notable Modern Features Found in More Recent Silverado 1500 Models
General Motors designs the Silverado 1500 a little differently with each passing model year. They switch up interior and exterior designs, tweak powertrain choices, and swap standard and optional features around to meet consumer demands. That being said, some features and designs that have appeared in recent years are worth checking out. Here are the top modern features to look out for on a used Silverado 1500.
The Power Tailgate
One of the handiest features on a Silverado 1500 is its power tailgate. Known as the Multi-Flex Tailgate, this feature was introduced to the 2021 Silverado 1500 lineup and has since become wildly popular. You simply use a touchpad to either release the upper tailgate portion (using the ‘upper’ button) or lower the entire tailgate (using the ‘lower’ button). Load longer cargo by lowering the tailgate as normal. Then, when the whole tailgate is down, press the upper button to fold the upper tailgate down. This makes it so you can stand closer to the bed for more efficient loading or unloading. What’s more, you can activate the power liftgate using your key fob. Overall, the Multi-Flex Tailgate makes it simpler for you to access and use your truck bed, loading and unloading cargo with ease.
A Variety of Appealing Designs
GM gives buyers many design options for the Chevy Silverado 1500. When the Silverado 1500 debuted in 1999, it only came with a single cab design with a bench-style seat, typical for pickups at that time. However, as time progressed, GM added more cab options to attract different customers. Regular, Double, and Crew Cabs were eventually all made available on the Silverado 1500 lineup, letting you choose between various wheelbase lengths. The exterior of the Silverado 1500 is continuously being enhanced as well. For example, if you want a blacked-out design, the LT Trail Boss and Custom Trail Boss give you that aesthetic. Full LED lighting is available on certain trim levels, and higher trim levels tend to utilize more chrome trim on the body, giving it a stunning appearance from every angle.
Some trim levels are designed for enhanced off-roading experiences. The popular Z71 Off-Road and Protection Package gives the Silverado 1500 features like Hill Descent Control, Rancho shocks, a Locking Rear Differential, and a heavy-duty air filter. You can also find models that are specifically engineered for work. Some might come with the Snow Plow Prep Package, which enhances the Silverado with tools like a 220-amp alternator and heavy-duty front springs.
Exceptional Capacities
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is known for its beefy towing capacities. When properly equipped, the 2021 Silverado 1500 has a max towing capacity of 13,300 lbs. That is better than quite a few competitors in this segment. It is also better than cargo vans and SUVs, so the Silverado 1500 can tackle almost any challenge you throw at it. GM includes an abundance of trailering features on the Silverado 1500 as well. There are options for features like:
- Up to 15 different camera views
- Advanced Trailering System
- Trailer Theft Alert
- Brake Gain Memory for the truck’s trailer brake controller
- Electric Parking Brake Hookup Assist
Going back even just a few model years, you can find these available features, allowing you the ability to get behind the wheel of a powerful truck that can handle the challenging towing and hauling tasks you face on a daily basis.
Plenty of Infotainment and Safety Features
All work and no play make for one dull ride. That is why Chevy packs the Silverado 1500 with a slew of infotainment features. In recent years, the Silverado 1500 has gained a ton of helpful functions through the Chevy Infotainment system. The current Chevy Infotainment 3 has been in play for a few years and has proven to be a user-friendly system with plenty of innovative connectivity features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on the 2021 Silverado 1500, and there is an upgraded infotainment system that includes integrated navigation.
Safety features are also in abundance on newer used Silverado 1500 models. Consumers are demanding more advanced driver aids to help keep them safe on the road, and Chevy is striving to meet those demands. Gone are the days of barebones basic trucks; pickups, even work truck models, are now equipped with all kinds of driver aids. On the more recent Silverado 1500 models, you can find a variety of standard features, courtesy of the Chevy Safety Assist Suite, that includes:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Front Pedestrian Braking
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Forward Collision Alert
- Following Distance Indicator
- IntelliBeam automatic headlights
Added Benefits to Buying a Used Silverado 1500
A used Silverado 1500 typically makes for a solid investment. In fact, buying one has a few major advantages when it comes to overall cost. Not only will you pay less upfront since the vehicle has already experienced its initial depreciation, but you can get affordable parts and repairs. On top of that, this truck is known for retaining its value over time.
Parts and Repairs Are Affordable
According to RepairPal, the number of issues that the Silverado 1500 experiences are relatively low. Ownership costs are fairly average, coming in at about $714 per year. It ranks within the top five for full-size pickup trucks in terms of reliability, which is considerably good. Major repairs are uncommon, and minor repairs are affordable enough for the average owner. The cost of parts is low since parts are readily available.
The Silverado 1500 Retains Its Value Over Time
If you plan on selling the Silverado 1500 a few years from now, rest assured that barring any major issues, this truck retains its value over time. As iSeeCars reports, the Silverado 1500’s five-year resale value is 69 percent, selling for approximately $33,386. With a reliability score of 8.5/10 and a safety rating of 8.6/10, there is a lot of value imbued into this pickup that does not dwindle much as the years pass.
A Pre-Owned Silverado 1500 Will Add Tons of Value and Reliability to Your Daily Drive
Buyers flock to used Chevy Silverado models because they have so much inherent value. There are so many modern features present in the recent Silverado 1500 models that it is hard to pick a favorite. You can easily go back a few model years and find a Silverado 1500 that checks all your boxes. From towing and hauling to off-roading, from infotainment gadgets to chic design elements, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is a top contender in its segment year after year because of how much is packed into this powerful truck.
