Chevrolet Silverado 1500: history, nicknames and how to spot one

At a glance

195–420 hpPower

5.4–8.9 s0–60 mph

156.1–183.5 km/hTop speed

353–624 N·mTorque

2,109–2,564 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.^4,7,9,11

Layout: Front-engine; RWD/4WD; SS also offered AWD^4,5
Gearbox: GMT800: 5-speed manual/4-speed auto; later also 6/8/10-speed automatics^5,6,8
Built at: GMT800: Fort Wayne (United States), Oshawa (Canada), Silao (Mexico)⁵

The story

Built to replace the C/K for 1999, the Silverado turned Chevrolet's top trim name into a model line. It brought full-size pickups their first standard four-wheel disc brakes and a Tow/Haul automatic mode.^2,4

GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones^4,5,6,7,14

Show the numbers

Year	What happened
1960	Chevrolet C/K
1999–2007	Chevrolet Silverado (first generation) (GMT800)
2007–2013	Chevrolet Silverado (second generation) (GMT900)
2014–2019	Chevrolet Silverado (third generation) (K2XX)
1999	Silverado becomes the model name
2003	345-hp SS sends power to all four wheels
2007	GMT900 arrives alongside the Classic
2009	6.2-liter V8 and Two-Mode hybrid
2014	K2XX brings EcoTec3 and High Country
2015	6.2-liter EcoTec3 gains eight speeds
2019	New chassis, mixed metals, Durabed
2020	277-hp Duramax inline-six arrives
2022	Big screens and trailering Super Cruise

1999
Silverado becomes the model name
Released in August 1998 for 1999, the GMT800 replaces the C/K; Silverado had previously named the C/K's top trim.^4,5
2003
345-hp SS sends power to all four wheels
The Silverado SS arrives with a 6.0-liter LQ9 V8, four-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive.⁵
2007
GMT900 arrives alongside the Classic
A new exterior, cabin, frame and suspension define the GMT900; the previous GMT800 remains on sale as the Silverado Classic.^4,6
2009
6.2-liter V8 and Two-Mode hybrid
A 403-hp 6.2-liter V8 and six-speed automatic arrive; the new Two-Mode hybrid teams a 6.0-liter V8 with two electric motors.^5,6,7
2014
K2XX brings EcoTec3 and High Country
Three aluminum-block EcoTec3 engines gain cylinder deactivation; High Country adds saddle-brown leather at the top of the range.⁴
2015
6.2-liter EcoTec3 gains eight speeds
The 6.2-liter EcoTec3 gets the 8L90 eight-speed gearbox, combining a wider ratio spread with closer gear spacing.⁴
2019
New chassis, mixed metals, Durabed
Mixed steel and aluminum meet a new frame and Durabed; the V8s gain Dynamic Fuel Management with 17 cylinder patterns.⁸
2020
277-hp Duramax inline-six arrives
The 3.0-liter turbo-diesel makes 277 hp and 624 Nm; the tested LTZ returns 26 mpg on the highway. Maximum towing is 4,218 kg.⁹
2022
Big screens and trailering Super Cruise
LT and higher trims get a new cabin, 12.3-inch gauges and a 13.4-inch touchscreen; High Country offers Super Cruise that works while towing.¹⁰

Every generation

Chevrolet C/K1960
Chevrolet C/K (Rounded Line)
GMT8001999–2007
GMT9002007–2013
K2XX2014–2019

Power over the years

From 255 hp to 420 hp in 15 years.

^4,5,7,9,11

Show the numbers

Year	Horsepower	Model
1999	255	4.8-liter V8
1999	270	5.3-liter V8
2003	345	SS, 6.0-liter LQ9 V8
2007	195	4.3-liter Vortec V6
2007	315	5.3-liter Vortec V8
2007	367	6.0-liter Vortec V8
2009	379	Two-Mode Hybrid, combined output
2009	403	6.2-liter Vortec V8
2014	285	4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6
2014	355	5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8
2014	420	6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8
2020	277	3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel I6

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

Standard

Work Truck / LS / Custom / LT / RST
Standard

LTZ

2014–2018

355 hp
Standard

High Country
Performance

Z71 / Custom Trail Boss / LT Trail Boss
Performance

Silverado ZR2

2022
Special

Rally, Midnight, Black Out, Texas, Realtree and Special Ops

2015–2016
Special

Centennial Edition

2018
Performance

Silverado SS

2003–2007

345 hp
Standard

Parallel Hybrid Truck

2005–2007
Standard

Silverado 1500 2-Mode Hybrid

2009–2013

379 hp
Standard

eAssist (1LT)

2016–2017
Limited

Intimidator SS

2006

345 hp

933 built

How to spot one

Look for

2003–2006 Cat Eye: slanted headlamps and an angular, Avalanche-inspired front end.³
2014 models have square wheel arches, a tall hood and an oversized grille.¹²
On 2014 trucks, steps are built into the ends of the rear bumper.¹⁷
On refreshed 2022 trucks, some trims have wing-shaped running lights.¹⁰

Year by year

1999–2000
Early extended cabs have three doors; a driver's-side fourth door becomes available for 2000.^2,11
2003–2006
The Cat Eye facelift brings Avalanche-inspired slanted headlights and a more angular nose than the earlier GMT800 trucks.³
2007
GMT900 has a steeply raked windshield and tighter panel gaps; old GMT800 trucks continue as the 2007 Classic.⁷
2014
A boxier nose and square wheel arches arrive with bumper steps; double cabs switch to short, front-hinged rear doors.¹²
2016
New grille, headlights and fascia; LTZ and High Country gain LED taillights, while LT and lower retain incandescent rear lamps.⁴
2022 refresh
New nose; some trims have wing-shaped running lights. LT and up add 12.3-inch gauges and a 13.4-inch screen; Work Truck/Custom keep the earlier cabin.¹⁰

Don’t confuse it with

Silverado 1500
GMC Sierra Denali (2007)
GMC Sierra Denali (2007)
On the closely related 2007 Denali, look for a billet grille.^4,7
Silverado 1500
Chevrolet C/K (GMT400)
Chevrolet C/K (GMT400)
The older truck's grille and bumper are flush and curved; the 2003–2006 Silverado instead wears slanted Cat Eye headlights.^3,18

Against its rivals

Silverado 1500 vs Ford F-150 FX4 SuperCrew (2007)

0–97 km/h lower is better

Silverado 15007.4 s

Ford F-150 FX4 SuperCrew (2007)8.8 s
¹⁹
Silverado 1500 vs Dodge Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab (2007)

0–97 km/h lower is better

Silverado 15007.4 s

Dodge Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab (2007)7.9 s
¹⁹
Silverado 1500 vs Nissan Titan SE (2007)

Price as tested lower is better

Silverado 1500$43,054

Nissan Titan SE (2007)$39,005
¹⁹

Prices

Value today $2.9K–$34.7K^2,6

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale

^{1,8,9,11,12,14,19,23,25,26,27,28,29,30,31}

Show the numbers

Year	Price	Amount	Detail
1999	Launch price	$28,000	US LT Sportside 4WD base estimate, 1999 model year
1999	Price when new	$28,000	US LT Sportside 4WD, base est.
2003	Price when new	$39,995	US SS, as tested
2007	Price when new	$38,990	US LTZ 4x4 crew cab, base
2014	Price when new	$25,580	US regular cab, base
2014	Price when new	$29,605	US double cab, base
2014	Price when new	$33,705	US crew cab, base
2018	Price when new	$61,190	US Centennial LTZ Z71, as tested
2019	Price when new	$48,300	US Trail Boss crew cab, base
2019	Price when new	$56,300	US High Country crew cab, base
2020	Price when new	$53,090	US LTZ Duramax crew 4x4, base
2020	Auction sale	$27,750	2003 SS, 28k miles; custom exhaust, BaT
2024	Auction sale	$43,750	2012 Silverado 1500 LT 4x4, 13k miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$80,500	2022 Silverado 1500 Bandit, 4,500 miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$24,000	2003 Silverado SS, 54k miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$26,000	2003 Silverado SS, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$16,750	2004 LS 4×4, 67k miles; body lift, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$20,250	2006 SS, 97k miles; rear-wheel drive, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$26,000	1999 Silverado 1500 LS Z71 4x4, 40k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$44,500	2017 Silverado High Country 6.2 4x4, 6k miles, BaT
2026	Value today	$2,900–$34,700

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

Versions
- Why each of the 12 versions matters
Legend
- 13 stories from its legend
- “ZR2 won titles before showroom duty”
- “Emmet built a High Country escape truck”
Generations
- The story of each of the 5 generations
Market
- 6 things to check before buying one
- Where prices are heading, and why

Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 31 sources

Tested: 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS Refines the Sport Truck caranddriver.com
1999-06 Chevrolet Silverado | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
Cat Eye Chevy Truck: Everything You Need to Know About the 2003–06 Chevrolet Silverado motortrend.com
Chevrolet Silverado - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Chevrolet Silverado (first generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
2007-13 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
Chevrolet Silverado (second generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
First Drive: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - The Wait Is Over! motortrend.com
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax Is Smoother Than it Is Capable caranddriver.com
2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Adds a Big Screen and Super Cruise caranddriver.com
1999 Chevrolet Silverado Chooses Mild over Wild caranddriver.com
First Drive: All-New 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 caranddriver.com
Chevy Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2 Clinch Racing Titles burienchevrolet.com
2018 Chevrolet Silverado Centennial Edition Review: A Swan Song for Pickups Past thedrive.com
2017 Silverado with eAssist: Meet Chevy’s "Secret" Hybrid Pickup | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® blog.consumerguide.com
2006 Chevy Silverado Intimidator SS - Sport Truck Magazine motortrend.com
2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 Crew Cab - Long Term Report: Part 1 of 4 motortrend.com
Chevrolet C/K (fourth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
2007 Light-Duty Pickup Comparison caranddriver.com
Q&A: Talking Trucks With GM's Head Full-Size Pickup Engineer Tim Herrick thedrive.com
2019 Chevy Silverado featured in Lego Movie 2 campaign - Autoblog autoblog.com
Forza Horizon 5 Car List forza.net
28k-Mile 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $27,750 on December 22, 2020 (Lot #40,825) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
Chevy Silverado Common Problems - Haynes Manuals – Haynes Manuals North America us.haynes.com
Single-Family-Owned 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,750 on May 6, 2026 (Lot #241,333) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
Single-Family-Owned 2006 Chevrolet Silverado SS Extended Cab for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $20,250 on August 29, 2026 (Lot #260,456) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $24,000 on June 18, 2025 (Lot #196,796) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
Original-Owner, 40k-Mile 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS Z71 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,000 on October 27, 2026 (Lot #270,843) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
6k-Mile 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country 6.2 Crew Cab 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $44,500 on July 6, 2026 (Lot #250,999) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: Supercharged 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Bandit Truck for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $80,500 on August 25, 2025 (Lot #206,935) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: 13k-Mile 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Extended Cab 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $43,750 on April 13, 2024 (Lot #143,179) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com

caranddriver.com
consumerguide.com
motortrend.com
en.wikipedia.org
burienchevrolet.com
thedrive.com
blog.consumerguide.com
autoblog.com
forza.net
bringatrailer.com
us.haynes.com

At a glance

The story

Silverado becomes the model name

345-hp SS sends power to all four wheels

GMT900 arrives alongside the Classic

6.2-liter V8 and Two-Mode hybrid

K2XX brings EcoTec3 and High Country

6.2-liter EcoTec3 gains eight speeds

New chassis, mixed metals, Durabed

277-hp Duramax inline-six arrives

Big screens and trailering Super Cruise

Every generation

Power over the years

Versions

Work Truck / LS / Custom / LT / RST

LTZ

High Country

Z71 / Custom Trail Boss / LT Trail Boss

Silverado ZR2

Rally, Midnight, Black Out, Texas, Realtree and Special Ops

Centennial Edition

Silverado SS

Parallel Hybrid Truck

Silverado 1500 2-Mode Hybrid

eAssist (1LT)

Intimidator SS

How to spot one

Look for

Year by year

Don’t confuse it with

GMC Sierra Denali (2007)

Chevrolet C/K (GMT400)

Against its rivals

Prices

The rest of the story is in the app

Versions

Legend

Generations

Market

Sources

Photo credits

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