Buying a used truck is as popular now as it’s ever been. With good reason, too. A lot of people use American pickup trucks like the Chevy Silverado and Colorado for more than just back-and-forth errand runs or to get to and from work. Plenty of people use these trucks for work purposes, such as towing, hauling, and trailering goods around. Whether you’re buying one new or from a used Chevy dealer, there are some choice trims and model years to look out for that are quite popular. From 2014 onward is really when Chevy trucks hit a nice stride following the start of the third generation of the Silverado’s run on the market. So for those of you looking for a newish used midsize, light duty, or heavy-duty pickup, we have a list of the top 7 most popular used variations of the trucks that you might want to consider buying if you’re looking for a good all-around utility-oriented pickup.
7: 2015 Chevy Colorado Z71
Winner of multiple awards, including Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year, the 2015 Chevy Colorado Z71 is popular for a reason. It’s a performance-driven midsize truck with capable towing, a great look, and packaged into a workhorse trim that won’t let you down. When you’re buying on a budget, but you want a vehicle that gets you the goods while not seeming like you have to cut corners, the 2015 Colorado is a good way to go.
The Z71 trim, in particular, when configured as a four-wheel drive, features a 2-speed transfer case, an off-road suspension package, and skid plates on the undercarriage. You get a vehicle that’s properly tuned to handle the ups and downs of off-road while also coming equipped with a more-than-capable 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing and a good output of fuel economy-to-performance ratios. This makes the 2015 Chevy Colorado Z71 a fair buy for those looking for an affordable and capable midsize pickup.
6: 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LT
Not every truck on this list is of the midsize and light-duty variety. Some of these trucks are of the heavy-duty variety because some of the heavy-duty variants are popular, too. The 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LT is a great example of that for those who need a heavy-duty truck that can handle plenty of towing and trailering tasks or hauling for those who need it at a work site. The 2500 HD LT is also slotted above the LS base trim, so you get more out of it right from the get-go.
In particular, the 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LT makes for a good pick because it comes with more standard equipment than what you get in the LS trim. The 2016 model year also received features like wireless phone charging and improved infotainment functionality, making it more capable than previous outings. With the versatility in packaging and tuning like lift kits, the 2500 HD LT is the heavy-duty truck you could grab from a used Chevy dealer with zero regrets.
5: 2018 Chevy Colorado LT
Another midsize entry for those looking to get their hands on the Chevy Colorado. The 2018 Chevy Colorado improves on a few features from the previous model years, including a more refined towing system and a few luxury improvements like heated exterior mirrors. The 2018 Chevy Colorado LT is a popular pick among some truck shoppers thanks to its low entry price and collection of well-rounded features.
The LT trim, in particular, sits above the base and WT trims, giving you more standard features right out of the gate compared to the other base trims. This includes the 8-inch Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System HD touchscreen, the HD rear vision camera, automatic climate control, and heated front seats. This is a great choice for a used truck because it sits right between the base and upper-end trims, giving you a lot of versatility and functionality but without gorging on your finances.
4: 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LTZ
Another heavy-duty variant Silverado for those who may want something more updated than the 2016 model year. The 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LTZ is just before the new fourth-generation overhaul, so you still get that bold, classic Silverado look before the engineers opted for more angles and curves. The 2018 model year didn’t add a lot of new features to the table, but it did get a backup camera made standard across the trim lineup and an audible tire-fill alert for the tire-pressure monitoring system.
If you wanted a solid used Chevy pickup truck for heavy-duty towing, trailering, hauling, or plowing, the 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LTZ is a good pick for a number of reasons. First of all, the LTZ comes with a lot of premium luxury features, which is great if you are interested in those options. The added premium LTZ packages with moonroof, power-adjustable pedals, and premium audio system are sometimes occasionally found on the used models, which makes for an exceptional option for those who want utility and luxury in one package for a heavy-duty pickup.
3: 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71
The 2017 model year outing for the Colorado Z71 is another good pick because it actually features a lot of upgrades over the previous model years before the generational overhaul. Chevy added the AutoTrac transfer case for the four-wheel drive Z71 trim, along with improving the overall performance of the V6 power plant. So basically, you just get an overall better midsize pickup with the 2017 model year.
However, used 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 models will obviously run you a bit more than the 2015 model. If the price was a really big factor for you, then the 2017 model might find itself edged out of your budget if you’re looking for something under $15,000. There is another flip-side to this, though, and it’s that if you visit a used Chevy dealer that offers Certified Pre-Owned trucks, you could definitely get a certified 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71, which comes with manufacturer-backed coverage and all the benefits of the 2017 model year. It’s an absolute win-win situation for those shopping for a high-quality midsize pickup.
2: 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ
While finding a certified 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ may not be on the cards for most truck shoppers, there’s really no arguing that the Silverado 1500 LTZ with the LT1 or LT2 packages included is a must-own used pickup truck. The light-duty Silverado is certainly the most popular of the Chevy trucks, and rightfully so. The third-generation outing had a very distinctive look to it, and Chevy did right by pairing a lot of unique colors and visual schemes with the Silverado 1500 during that era.
But beyond looks, the 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ is an excellent choice if you can find the trim from a used Chevy dealer because it features a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, an upgrade over the 6-speed from previous models and new Wi-Fi and Siri Eyes-Free functionality. The LTZ also comes with standard leather seats and a few other luxury features right out of the gate, and it’s available for a fairly low price, which is great for those shopping for a full-size, light-duty luxury pickup on a budget.
1: 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT
The fourth generation Chevy Silverado 1500 got its start with the 2019 model year, and it sparked a lot of interest in the marque as usual. There was a complete overhaul of the way the Silverado 1500 looked, and it came with a ton of all-new features. An all new turbocharged 4-cylinder, all-new technology, all-new performance, and an all-new design. The 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 is a brand new truck in every way.
The 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT, in particular, is the trim well worth seeking out because the LT is just above the Work Truck and Custom trims, giving you more standard features, an improved 8-inch HD touchscreen infotainment suite, and a powerful powertrain out of the gate. The 1500 LT is easily one of the most popular trims due to its versatility. It’s packaged with a lot of the standard features truckers want, great tow and haul ratings, and all the tech, safety, and infotainment features you could ask for. It’s popular for a reason and well worth seeking out.
