The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is one of the top three bestselling full-size trucks in the United States. It’s the cornerstone of the Chevy brand. Over the course of the vehicle manufacturer’s legacy of producing pickup trucks, the term “Silverado” initially referred to a trim level within the truck series.
Then, in 1999, the name Silverado transitioned from a trim-level reference to the nameplate for Chevy’s standard-duty pickup truck. Since that time, the presence of Silverado 1500 trucks on the road and in driveways across America shows they have become almost as popular as Friday night football games. That’s why if you’re looking for a quality, dependable used truck, one of the best choices is the Chevy Silverado 1500. What is it that makes this truck model so popular? Well, let’s talk about that.
Built for Longevity
When it comes to discussing the Chevy Silverado’s durability and dependability, the truck’s frame is at the core of that conversation. In Chevy’s research and refinement to create a strong truck body, the manufacturer adopted a process referred to as hydroforming. In a nutshell, the hydroforming process involves using aluminum, steel, and other metals to create a metallic alloy.
This metallic alloy is lightweight but very strong. This alloy enhances the truck’s ability to stand up to the normal—sometimes abnormal—wear and tear it undergoes. A positive after-effect of the process is the development of a lightweight frame, which reduces the truck’s overall weight and boosts the truck’s fuel efficiency and payload capacity.
Designed with Versatility and Safety in Mind
Trucks have come a long way over the years. At one time, a truck was thought of as a vehicle with the primary function of assisting with rugged tasks, such as towing, hauling, and handling other duties around the farm. However, the perception of trucks has evolved, largely because of the design.
Chevy has embraced these changes in thinking, and it’s evident in the versatile truck the manufacturer has created. Whether you are needing to handle those rugged tasks, run some errands, drop the kids off at school, or take a road trip, Chevy has a model that can be customized to meet your needs.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is available in three cab designs. The basic design is the two-door regular cab with seating for three. Then there’s the four-door extended cab, which will seat up to six people. Finally, there’s the crew cab, which features full-sized backdoors and seats six people as well. Chevy proportionately complements each cab with a cargo bed, opting to pair the longer cargo bed options with the regular cab and the shorter cargo bed options with the extended and crew cabs.
So, whether you’re single, have a family, or are planning a family, you can rest assured that you will have adequate space in a Silverado 1500. According to Autotrader, the Chevy Silverado is highly ranked as a family-friendly vehicle. Its cab space offers ample room in a comfortable setting.
The Silverado 1500 is also customizable when it comes to trim levels. Chevy offers the standard Work Truck (WT), LS, LT, LTZ, Custom, and High Country trim levels. If you need a reliable pickup truck to handle farm or hauling duties, the standard Work Truck will fit the bill. If you need a truck that can handle the previously mentioned tasks and you would like a little extra style thrown in for good measure, then you may want to opt for the LTZ trim level. If your interests include participating in off-roading activities, then the Z71 off-roading package, which is available for the LT and LTZ trim levels, is best suited for your needs. Whatever trim level you select, rest assured that the truck has the Chevy stamp of approval and will more than likely get your approval as well.
No matter how you customize your Chevy Silverado 1500, there’s one thing that’s consistent across the board, and that’s Chevy’s commitment to safety. The Silverado comes with many standard and available safety features.
For example, StabiliTrak is designed to adjust the engine power and braking system if the vehicle detects a high probability that the driver may lose control of the vehicle. Lane Keep Assist is another critical safety feature, which alerts the driver if the vehicle detects movement beyond the parameters of the lane in which it’s traveling. Seatbelt pretensioners are also found in the Chevy Silverado. In case of an emergency, the presence of pretensioners ensures the correct amount of pressure will be applied in order to properly, effectively, and safely restrain passengers to prepare for an oncoming collision.
Technology
If you’re looking for a used truck that has the latest technology, the kind that’s typically reserved for cars, the Chevy Silverado will not disappoint. The most recent Silverado models, even the Work Truck trim level, come standard with a number of tech features. Additional features are available upon request.
For example, if you need smartphone integration, the Silverado offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also have access to other features, such as Chevy’s MyLink interface, audio streaming, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection, and OnStar. Keep in mind; the available features depend on the Silverado model you select. The Silverado makes it easy and convenient to stay connected wherever your truck takes you.
Retains Its Value
When purchasing a vehicle, you’ll want to select one that has high value and maintains that value, which the Chevy Silverado 1500 does. According to Motor Trend, a used Silverado is typically valued between $11,600 and $52,000. When considering the truck’s retail value and selling price, purchasing a used Silverado is a good investment.
The 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 marks the vehicle manufacturer’s 100th edition of its most popular pickup truck. To mark this milestone, Chevy unveiled the Centennial Edition, which is available on the LTZ Z71 model. All 2018 trim levels will come standard with certain features, such as rearview cameras and Teen Driver Mode. Parents will be happy to know that Teen Driver Mode allows them to control—and even restrict—certain activities to assist with and teach their teens driver safety.
And speaking of safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) give the Silverado a combined 1500 positive ratings. If you’re looking to purchase a used truck, sound the alarm. Chevy just introduced another likely candidate.
