Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

One of the most popular used Chevy trucks for sale, a black 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500, is shown towing a trailer.

Four Used Chevy Trucks That Give You an Advantage

There are a lot of reasons to be looking for used Chevy trucks for sale if you’re considering a new pickup. Buying a used Chevy will give you an advantage on the road and economically. The used truck market offers a plethora of opportunities that you cannot get when you only look at brand-new models. Plus, the cost will be far lower even though you’re not losing out on much––if any––capability. You’ll come out a winner and be wondering why you haven’t always gone for this option.

Chevy trucks are some of the most popular and powerful vehicles on the market today. From their imposing looks to their incredible performance numbers, new Chevy pickup trucks always arrive with fanfare. But here’s the thing: for years now, Chevy trucks have been putting up eye-popping performance numbers. That means you can buy used and get the same level of power you need to succeed. Let your neighbors break the bank on a new model while you shop the used market to your advantage and spend your leftover money on the vacations your truck will let you enjoy.

Today, we’re going to take a look at four different Chevy models that will show why used trucks are the way to go if you want to succeed at work, expand your family’s vacation options, and make a smart long-term investment.

#1 – The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 stands as a perfect example of why a used truck can be a real blessing for drivers. Despite being seven years old, its standard 4.3L V6 engine is powerful enough to provide 305 lb-ft of torque to make acceleration and towing go smoothly. There won’t be any sense that your truck is coughing as it tries to keep pace on the highway. On higher trims, you can have a 6.2L V8 engine that gets you to 460 lb-ft of torque. If fuel economy is a concern, then you might be interested to know the 2017 Silverado 1500 offers an E-Assist hybrid option for its 5.3L V8, which provides a little electric boost.

In terms of towing, which is what the Silverado 1500 is beloved for, the numbers from the 2017 model will still awe most shoppers and be more than enough for the average truck driver. With a double cab or crew cab and the proper features, the 2017 Silverado 1500 can tow all the way up to 12,500 lbs. If you’re interested in camping and want to bring along some comforts of home to keep your family happy, then this will let you do so. No one has to go without when you can carry along so much.

The 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500’s payload? Similarly impressive. You can load up to 2,250 lbs into your truck bed so that you can transport luggage, equipment, or whatever the day calls for without worrying much about the weight. If you take a look at the brand-new full-size trucks on the market, you’ll see that the numbers of this 2017 model are still quite competitive. Your advantage is that you’ll be buying at a nice discount since it’ll be used.

A white 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country is shown driving.

#2 – The 2019 Chevy Colorado

The Colorado is a little smaller than the Silverado 1500, so it’s perfect for drivers who want a pickup but know they have to navigate tight streets. Anyone who lives in a city with narrow roads will love what the Colorado can offer, thanks to its nimble driving that belies its size. The 2019 model, in particular, is a great option if you’re going to buy used. We love the design of the 2019 Colorado, with its aggressive front grille and glaring headlights. That this truck is five years old takes away nothing from its intimidating stature. Rest assured that everyone will be taking notice when you’re on the road.

The 2019 model also notches impressive performance numbers. It can tow up to 7,700 lbs, which would still be best-in-class for a midsize truck in 2024. That’s not as high as the Silverado 1500, which is a larger vehicle, but there’s plenty you can trailer at 7,700 lbs. A small boat, a small camper, ATVs, lawn equipment––the list goes on. The Colorado won’t be limiting you. Similarly, the payload rating is impressive at up to 1,515 lbs.

Like all Chevy trucks, the bed is intuitively designed so you can get the most out of your vehicle and know that your belongings will be kept secure thanks to appropriately placed tie-downs. Once more, like the 2017 Silverado 1500, when compared with other manufacturer’s new models in this class, the 2019 Colorado still lands as a very competitive option. It’ll give you an advantage as a worker or a vacationer (or both!), all at a discounted price.

#3 – The 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD

The 2020 Silverado 3500 HD is the ultimate boss of pickup trucks. When properly equipped, it can tow almost five times its own weight, hauling up to 35,500 lbs. There’s very little you can’t tow with the Silverado 3500 HD. It matters not one whit that this model is four years old: it’s going to give you incredible towing power that’s hard to fathom.

In terms of looks, the Silverado 3500 HD is both beautiful and imposing. Its front is large, with a massive grille and a muscular look that makes it the master of the road. If you pull up to work in this truck, there’s no question who has the most power. It’s equipped with plenty of extras, too, that will make jobs easier for you. Its trailer assistance features will help make trailering a breeze no matter where you are and what you’re doing.

A used 2020 Silverado 3500 HD will not just make you a master at work, though. Your vacation options will multiply because you don’t have to worry about having enough luggage for a long camping trip or a drive across the country. You can, pretty much literally, bring whatever you want with you. Not many other trucks can compete with this.

A red 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 RST is shown driving down a dirt road.

#4 – The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2

If you enjoy off-roading, then you need a 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2. While the structure is based on the standard Silverado 1500, it’s been upgraded to maximize its off-roading abilities. The first element you’ll notice is its tires: they’re 33 inches in diameter. Yeah, we think you’ll be able to command almost any terrain when your vehicle is rolling on those.

The ZR2’s Multimatic DSSV dampers use the same technology found in Red Bull’s championship Formula One cars, and this beast’s engine is a 6.2L V8 that provides you 420 hp so you can plow forward no matter what conditions you’re driving in. The suspension is designed with difficult off-roading in mind so you can have total trust in your truck. Plus, you’ll be able to bring along plenty of gear for your adventures, as the 2022 Silverado 1500 ZR2 can tow almost 9,000 lbs.

Just like the other Chevy trucks on this list, the 2022 Silverado 1500 ZR2 can give you all this power at a reduced price since you’re buying it used. Remember: used trucks can still let you have the world in the palm of your hand.