Shopping for a used Chevy Silverado for sale near San Antonio can be an exciting truck-buying adventure. The Silverado model line, including the Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500 HD, and 3500 HD models, has a legacy going back to its introduction in 1999 and to generations of Chevy pickups before that. Yet recent years have seen an unprecedented level of technology and performance in Silverados. This guide will walk you through some of the best features of recent Silverado models.
The Silverado is the rock that anchors Chevy’s truck lineup. The Silverado 1500 offers some of the best hauling and towing numbers in the half-ton pickup class, while the Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD can take on the most demanding towing and hauling tasks. Yet brute strength isn’t this truck’s only virtue, far from it. It offers a range of features that make your work easier while making it a civilized, comfortable, and even luxurious day-to-day ride. These features include the famous Multi-Flex tailgate, a trailering camera system, improved infotainment options, powerful gas and diesel engines, and much more.
Most of these features are available either as standard equipment or options beginning with this iconic truck’s third-generation (2014-2018) and fourth-generation (2019-present). So let’s take a look at some of the outstanding features of this essential Chevy truck and when they were introduced.
Engines
EcoTec3 TurboMax, DuraMax, and V8 Models
Today’s Silverado 1500s offer a pair of EcoTec3 V8 engines. The 5.3L EcoTec3 gasoline-powered V8 delivers 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine is standard on some trim levels and optional on others. For more power, you can opt for the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8, which generates 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It’s also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and is optional on some mid-to-high trim levels.
These EcoTec3 V8s are descendants of the first generation of EcoTec3 engines that debuted in 2014, the first model year for the third-generation Silverado. Looking back at a Chevy press release announcing the then-new generation truck, we find that three EcoTec3 engines, including a V6, were offered at the time.
The 4.3L V6 delivered 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque, the 5.3L V8 offered 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and the 6.2L V8 boasted an impressive 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. These engines stood out in the pickup truck market at the time with features like direct fuel injection, cylinder deactivation for fuel efficiency, and continuously variable valve timing.
The use of aluminum blocks and cylinder heads reduced weight, improving energy savings. All three engines provided the power and dependability expected from large-displacement engines but could switch to four cylinders when full power wasn’t needed. The 5.3L V8 achieved up to 19 MPG on the highway in RWD models, an excellent fuel economy rating for the era.
With the 4.3L V6, Silverado 1500 models could tow up to 7,600 pounds. V8 models could tow up to 12,000 pounds, making the Silverado a class leader. This holds up well after a decade, almost matching the current Silverado 1500’s maximum tow rating of 13,300 pounds. You won’t be giving up much capability if you go with an older third-generation model.
The 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 continued to be available through the 2021 model year. It was replaced with a 2.7L turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that became the new base model from the Silverado 1500 lineup. You might think a four-banger couldn’t power a pickup truck, but check out these numbers: 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. This is a very capable powertrain that can tow and haul almost anything most people will bring to the table.
Chevy also features its legendary DuraMax diesel engines in the Silverado 1500. The current generation of 3.0L turbo diesel DuraMax V6 engines, introduced in 2023 models, produces 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque and is the most potent engine for towing in recent 1500 models. You can find the first generation of this engine in the 2019 Silverado 1500s. This version produced 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
The current HD lineup from Chevy offers simplicity with two engine choices: a gas-powered V8 and a diesel V8. The 6.6L gasoline engine boasts 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing up to 19,090 pounds. For heavier loads, the 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8 offers 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing over 30,000 pounds in certain configurations. You’ll find DuraMax diesels in models dating back to the 2002 model year of the Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD. A particular favorite among Chevy truck buyers is the DuraMax “LBZ” engine released in 2006, which is much admired for its robust design and relative simplicity of maintenance.
Multi-Flex Tailgate
Chevrolet understands that pickups are primarily functional vehicles, and over the years, it has devised numerous features designed to make it easier for owners to carry out their daily tasks in their Silverados. The Multi-Flex tailgate, introduced on 2021 Silverado 1500 and HD models, is emblematic of this functional design philosophy.
This trick tailgate offers six convenient functions. An inner gate provides an easy way to load second-tier items. It also sports a work surface, a portable standing desk where you can spread blueprints or work on your laptop. Or lower the whole tailgate and fold out a full-width step with a 375-pound limit for much easier access to the bed area. The inner gate can fold down when the primary gate is open, which also offers easier access to the bed while standing outside the truck. Plus, there are two load stop positions to keep cargo from sliding out, one with the whole tailgate lowered and one when just the inner gate is open.
Trailering Camera System
Continuing with the theme of practical innovations, Chevy introduced a complete trailering camera system as an option on Silverado 1500 and HD models for the 2020 model year. Towing a trailer is one of the most essential jobs of a full-sized pickup, yet it could be one of the hardest tasks for the driver––until this system came about. Up to 8 cameras provide up to 14 views to make every step of the towing process easier and safer, from hitching to hitting the highway.
The hitch views show you a bed view, a top-down view of the hitch, and a close-up hitch view. Once you’re underway, up to seven driving views show you rear, side, and underbody views. The remarkable Transparent Trailer view lets you “see through” your trailer as if it weren’t there. And multiple parking views show the rear and rear side views and a top-down surround view.
If you’re interested in a model from the pre-trailer camera era, it’s possible to buy add-on cameras as accessories from Chevrolet and aftermarket vendors. Chevy’s system can be retrofitted onto Silverados from 2014 onward.
There’s a Silverado for You
The Silverado’s features make it a versatile and reliable choice for used truck buyers. Whether you’re looking for impressive towing capacity, advanced technology, or practical innovations like the Multi-Flex tailgate and trailering camera system, the Silverado offers something for you. With a legacy of continuous improvement, finding the perfect used Silverado to suit your needs is easier than ever.
