If you’re in the market for a reliable, warranty-backed truck that’s no more than six years old, then you need to start looking for a Certified Pre-Owned Chevy Silverado. Six years may not sound like all that long, but it certainly covers a lot of ground for the Silverado 1500, which has undergone many transformations in that time. If you’re unsure where to start, it can help to have an idea of which year you may be looking for. To make it easier, we’ve compiled the highlights and major changes for each of the past six model years (including the new 2023 model since that will soon be eligible as Certified Pre-Owned, making the 2018 model year the oldest eligible for the program). Keep in mind that the newer the model, the more inventory there will be since these vehicles need to have been driven less than 100,000 miles. Newer models will also have more of the latest and greatest Chevy tech, though, so it’s kind of a win-win scenario.
2018 Chevy Silverado
The year 2018 was a special one for GM, ringing in the 100th anniversary of Chevy trucks. To mark the occasion, the 2018 Chevy Silverado debuted a special Centennial Edition that came with a paint job in an exclusive shade of blue and badging inspired by vintage pickups in the Chevy line. Chevy also expanded on its eAssist technology, making it available with the mid-tier LT trim for the first time. A sign of what was to come, eAssist was a form of mild hybrid technology that boosts fuel economy by utilizing an electric motor to help out the ICE, but the truck doesn’t have electric-only functionality. The year 2018 brought with it some other changes as well, like a standard backing camera across all trims.
2019 Chevy Silverado
The fourth generation of Silverado debuted for the 2019 model year, coming back better than ever. This Silverado had plenty of engine options that put their own spin on power. The smallest, but still mighty, is a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder that produces 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. Next is a 4.3-liter V6 that generates 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. Then we have the first of two V8s, a 5.3-liter V8 outputting 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque (this engine had a version with start/stop technology as well, for increased efficiency). The other V8 is a 6.2-liter that creates 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Finally, the 2019 Silverado could be equipped with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel. The 2019 Silverado was further customizable through its ample trim options. With eight different options ranging from a Work Truck trim to the High Country, drivers can configure their Silverado with scrutiny to match their desired luxury and budget.
2020 Chevy Silverado
Despite following a brand new Silverado that debuted with the new generation, the 2020 Silverado still saw some improvements. For example, Chevy brought back the familiar Rally and Midnight editions which were absent from the 2019 model year. Engine options were expanded on, as well, with more Silverado trims able to be paired with the 420-hp 6.2-liter V8. Similarly, Chevy now allowed the ten-speed automatic transmission to be paired with the 5.3-liter V8 with certain trim levels. With driver assistance technology starting to take off, the 2020 Silverado came with adaptive cruise control for the first time, available with the LTZ and High Country trim levels. Its camera technology also improved, giving drivers more views behind the wheel.
2021 Chevy Silverado
The enhancements kept coming in 2021, with even more comfort and convenience features getting added to the package. For example, the 2021 model year debuts the Multi-Flex Tailgate, available for all trim levels. It has six different functions to make loading and unloading cargo easier and improve overall convenience. It can serve as a work table, a step up, and can be configured to handle different cargo lengths.
Increasing towing convenience and prowess was the theme for 2021, with two engines—the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder and the 3.0-liter Duramax—getting upgraded to increase towing capacity. The 2021 Silverado also picked up some new driver assistance technologies aimed at making towing safer. Jack-knife alert tracks the location of the trailer in relation to the pickup and will alert the driver if a potential jack-knife situation arises. The trailer length indicator shows a red overlay on the road in the camera view so drivers can ensure there’s enough space for the trailer when changing lanes in traffic.
2022 Chevy Silverado
The 2022 Chevy Silverado is further proof of Chevy’s commitment to excellence and creating the best possible versions of their vehicles. It still falls in the fourth generation of Silverado that debuted in 2019, but it saw enough upgrades to classify it as a new generation altogether. Inside and out, it was modernized with a facelifted front end and a redesigned interior for trim level LT and up. The redesigned interior now came with a digital gauge cluster and a huge available 13.4-inch touchscreen for the infotainment center. The trim-topping High Country is available with Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving technology.
The diversity of the Silverado is put on full display in 2022 with the introduction of the ZR2 model, the Silverado that’s ready for off-roading straight from the factory. It comes with the 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 and beefy 33-inch tires. Its suspension is upgraded to include Multimatic spool-valve dampers to accommodate more vertical travel on bumpy surfaces. It gets a unique front end that is both formidable and airflow-friendly, with a cutout bowtie emblem.
2023 Chevy Silverado
The newest Silverado 1500 continues to improve on legendary power, smart technology, and driver convenience. It has never been safer with the following safety features being standard across all trims: forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams. The Silverado now comes with nine trims and four engine options, including two V8s and a Duramax turbodiesel. The diesel powertrain comes with more power this year, picking up 28 hp and 35 lb-ft of torque, totaling out to 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque.
Speaking of performance, the Silverado’s performance-oriented iteration, the ZR2, sees some upgrades for 2023 as well. Chevy partners with AEV to create the ZR2 Bison, which gets some extra armor for even more durability. AEV contributes front and rear bumpers as well as skid plates to protect the ZR2 from damage and 18-inch wheels. The ZR2 Bison also gets unique badging and styling elements, like a black Multi-Flex Tailgate and a body-color grille bar.
Six Years of Excellence
There are a lot of reasons to buy a Silverado 1500 and a lot of reasons to buy a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. If you’re looking for some of the best pickup capability money can buy, the Silverado is a no-brainer. If you’re trying to keep your vehicle purchase within a certain budget, opting for a used car can help buyers save money. On the other hand, buying used can be risky. Drivers looking to protect their purchase can do so by going for a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, which is required to pass a 172-point inspection and undergo a reconditioning process to get it in tip-top shape before it goes off to its next owner. Even if you don’t know which year Silverado 1500 you want, if you buy one that’s Certified Pre-Owned, you’re sure to be happy with your purchase.
