The current fourth-generation Chevy Silverado 1500 is a masterpiece of modern pickup design, boasting cutting-edge style, a range of potent powertrains, and a 13,300 lb maximum towing capacity that places it near the top of the full-size truck segment. While it’s a promising prospect for any driver, there’s much to be said for seeking out a used Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale. The third-generation Silverado 1500 delivers the same performance and utility Chevy is renowned for, while offering unmatched value that few trucks can rival.
Produced from 2014 to 2018, the third-generation Silverado was one of the most successful iterations in the pickup’s storied history, with nearly three million units sold in just five years. A favorite among drivers and critics, the Silverado’s strong sales record and glowing reviews earned the third-generation model the prestigious North American Truck of the Year award in 2014. So, what’s all the buzz about, and why should you consider a pre-owned third-generation Silverado 1500? We’ll explore the enhancements that make this model exceptional and discover how Chevy’s flagship truck remains compelling at any age.
Powerful Engines With EcoTec3 Innovation
While the third-generation Silverado 1500 introduced numerous notable changes, the most significant upgrade was found under the hood. Chevy debuted three new engines with the EcoTec3 lineup, including a 4.3-liter V6, a 5.3-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter V8. Designed to replace the outgoing Vortec engine family, the EcoTec3 offers substantial benefits in terms of both efficiency and performance. These engines incorporated advanced technology to bring the Silverado 1500 firmly into the modern era, and drivers quickly took notice.
It all begins with Chevy’s Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, which conserves fuel by selectively deactivating individual cylinders when the engine isn’t under heavy load. While AFM significantly improves the pickup’s fuel economy, it’s just one part of Chevy’s strategy. The automaker also equipped the EcoTec3 with a higher compression ratio and a direct injection system to deliver precisely the right amount of fuel for optimal, efficient combustion. Additionally, the EcoTec3’s variable valve timing (VVT) system adjusts valve timing to fine-tune the air-fuel mixture at different speeds, enhancing fuel economy while reducing emissions.
The Silverado’s fuel-saving technology worked wonders, significantly improving the pickup’s efficiency without compromising the performance that has long made Chevy the go-to choice in the full-size segment. Compare, for instance, the 4.3-liter Vortec V6 with the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8. Despite its higher displacement and cylinder count, the EcoTec3 outperforms the Vortec in efficiency.
The two engines are fairly comparable in city driving, with the Vortec-equipped 2013 Silverado 1500 achieving 15 MPG in the city, while the 2014 Silverado 1500 with its EcoTec3 achieves 16 MPG in the city. However, the difference is stark in highway driving, where the EcoTec3 delivers 23 MPG on the highway compared to the Vortec’s 20 MPG on the highway.
The gap widens with a four-wheel drive powertrain, where the EcoTec3 V8 offers 22 MPG on the highway against just 18 MPG on the highway for the Vortec V6. Best of all, the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 engine maximizes efficiency while producing 82 percent more power, generating 355 hp compared to only 195 hp for the 4.3-liter Vortec.
Cutting-Edge Technology for Modern Drivers
The early 2010s marked a revolution in vehicle technology. As daily life became increasingly digital, drivers expected more from their cars, trucks, and SUVs. Never one to lag behind, Chevy took a proactive approach, equipping the third-generation Silverado 1500 with a host of new convenience, safety, and infotainment features designed to distinguish it in a rapidly evolving market. This bold strategy transformed the full-size pickup segment, which was traditionally driven by performance and utility, showcasing Chevy’s ability to stay attuned to its consumer base.
The standout technology feature of the third-generation Silverado 1500 is the MyLink touchscreen multimedia interface system. Today’s drivers may take infotainment systems for granted, but the MyLink system revolutionized the daily driving experience. Silverado 1500 owners could use wireless Bluetooth connectivity to link the truck’s stereo to their smartphone, enabling hands-free calls and music streaming without fumbling for their device while cruising at 60 mph.
The 2016 model year introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of the mid-cycle refresh, allowing drivers to tap into their smartphone’s full capabilities. Beyond placing calls, sending texts, and streaming music and podcasts, these systems enable seamless integration with apps like Waze, Spotify, and Google Maps.
This connectivity opened a world of infotainment possibilities, but it wasn’t the only way Chevy enhanced the third-generation Silverado 1500’s digital offerings. The pickup also included a built-in Pandora internet radio app, the Stitcher podcast platform, and a Gracenote music identification feature that quickly provided details about the artist, album, and genre of your chosen driving soundtrack.
For those preferring a traditional approach, a USB connection allowed drivers to load music and charge their phones on the go. Add a Bose premium sound system and OnStar roadside assistance, and it’s clear why the third-generation Silverado 1500 posted such strong sales figures. Later upgrades included a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, voice recognition software, a 4.2-inch color Driver Information Center in the gauge cluster, and the myChevrolet mobile app for remote start and real-time vehicle diagnostics.
Advanced Safety Features for Confident Driving
The Silverado 1500’s infotainment and convenience features garnered significant attention when the third-generation model debuted in 2014. Still, they weren’t the only technological upgrades that made the truck a standout in the full-size segment. Prioritizing safety, Chevy equipped the pickup with a comprehensive suite of advanced technologies that enhanced driver confidence and security.
The Silverado 1500 has long emphasized safety with features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TCS) to reduce wheelspin, oversteer, and understeer. However, the third-generation model raised the bar with improved safety technology and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Chevy introduced a rearview camera and supplemented the rear parking sensor with a front sensor, making it easier to maneuver into tight spaces. The brand also enhanced the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and expanded the availability of the OnStar Automatic Crash Response system. However, the new ADAS features marked a significant shift in the pickup’s safety portfolio.
Forward Collision Alert provides ample warning of potential collisions, with Chevy adding automatic emergency braking in the 2017 model. A Lane Departure Warning feature helps drivers stay within the lines, while the Safety Alert Seat delivers directional vibrations to alert drivers to impending impacts.
These ADAS features quickly established the third-generation Silverado 1500 as a safety leader, but the 2017 introduction of Teen Driver mode significantly boosted its family-friendly appeal. Handing over the keys to a new teen driver can be stressful, but Chevy’s innovative system monitors young motorists, no matter how far they roam.
Teen Driver allows parents to limit stereo volume, set a top speed, and prevent the pickup from playing music or shifting into Drive until the front seat belts are fastened. Infractions, such as excessive speed or activation of safety systems like Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, are logged in an in-vehicle report card for parents to review. The report also tracks the distance driven and the maximum speed, aiding in monitoring teen drivers.
The Third-Generation Silverado 1500: A Winning Choice
While the Silverado 1500’s extensive performance, efficiency, technology, and safety upgrades make a compelling case for choosing a third-generation model, there’s more to explore. The 2014 introduction of the High Country trim added luxury credentials with leather upholstery, built-in navigation, a Bose premium sound system, a heated steering wheel, and more. With three cab sizes and a half-dozen trims, finding a pre-owned third-generation Silverado 1500 that meets your unique driving needs is effortless, delivering the performance and reliability that keep the truck a perennial contender in the full-size category.
The newer fourth-generation Silverado 1500 represents the pinnacle of pickup performance and design, but the value of a pre-owned third-generation model is unmatched. Offering a perfect balance of affordability and utility while integrating cutting-edge safety and convenience, the third-generation Silverado 1500 proves that a pre-owned Chevy is always worth a closer look.
