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Chevrolet Silverado

Hydroformed rails and Vortec V8s: the 1999 Silverado earned Truck of the Year.1

Researched October 28, 2026 from 30 sources

At a glance

0400800
195–800 hpPower
0510
6–7.5 s0–60 mph
0100200
158–175 km/hTop speed
08001,600
353–1,322 N·mTorque
02,0004,000
2,130–3,856 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.245691112

Engine
1500: 2.7L I4, 4.3L V6, 4.8–6.2L V8, 3.0L diesel I6; HD: 6.0–8.1L V8239
Layout
Front-engine; rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive2
Gearbox
4/5/6/8/10-speed autos, including HD Allisons; early 5/6-speed manuals2311
Built at
U.S.: Fort Wayne, Flint, Pontiac East; Canada: Oshawa; Mexico: Silao3

The story

Silverado turned Chevrolet's 1975 top C/K trim into its 1999 replacement truck family. Hydroformed frame rails and fresh Vortec V8s helped the first generation take Truck of the Year honors.12

1975: Silverado begins as the top C/K trim19751999: GMT800 brings hydroformed rails19992003: SS: 345 hp and 60 mph in 6.3 seconds20032004: GM's first hybrid passenger vehicle20042007: GMT900: 367-hp VortecMAX20072014: K2XX introduces three EcoTec3 engines20142019: Herrick's frame, bed and DFM V820192022: New cabin, stronger turbo four20222027: Two new V8s for the 2027 update2027 Chevrolet C/K (fourth generation) (GMT400): 1988–2000 (pickups)GMT400Chevrolet Silverado (first generation) (GMT800): 1999–2007GMT800Chevrolet Silverado (second generation) (GMT900): 2007–2014GMT900Chevrolet Silverado (third generation) (K2XX): 2014–2019K2XXChevrolet Silverado (fourth generation): 2019– 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones2361516
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1988–2000 (pickups)Chevrolet C/K (fourth generation) (GMT400)
1999–2007Chevrolet Silverado (first generation) (GMT800)
2007–2014Chevrolet Silverado (second generation) (GMT900)
2014–2019Chevrolet Silverado (third generation) (K2XX)
2019–Chevrolet Silverado (fourth generation)
1975Silverado begins as the top C/K trim
1999GMT800 brings hydroformed rails
2003SS: 345 hp and 60 mph in 6.3 seconds
2004GM's first hybrid passenger vehicle
2007GMT900: 367-hp VortecMAX
2014K2XX introduces three EcoTec3 engines
2019Herrick's frame, bed and DFM V8
2022New cabin, stronger turbo four
2027Two new V8s for the 2027 update
  1. 1975

    Silverado begins as the top C/K trim

    The name debuts on Chevrolet C/K trucks for 1975, sitting above Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale and Cheyenne.2

  2. 1999

    GMT800 brings hydroformed rails

    Released in August 1998 for 1999, GMT800 launches Silverado as C/K's successor. Hydroformed rails and new Vortec V8s earn Truck of the Year honors.123

  3. 2003

    SS: 345 hp and 60 mph in 6.3 seconds

    The 345-hp 6.0L Vortec V8 sends the Silverado SS to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, versus 7.1 seconds for the earlier 454SS.34

  4. 2004

    GM's first hybrid passenger vehicle

    The 2004 Silverado/Sierra hybrid uses a starter-generator rather than electric propulsion, with automatic engine stop/start and four AC outlets.3

  5. 2007

    GMT900: 367-hp VortecMAX

    GMT900 arrives for 2007. Its 6.0L VortecMAX V8 adds cylinder deactivation; in the 1500 range, manual transmissions survive only with Mexico's V6.2567

  6. 2014

    K2XX introduces three EcoTec3 engines

    Revealed in December 2012 for 2014, K2XX brings 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8 and 6.2L V8 EcoTec3 engines, each with an aluminum block and cylinder deactivation.2

  7. 2019

    Herrick's frame, bed and DFM V8

    Tim Herrick's team stiffens the frame and widens the bed for 2019; the 5.3L DFM V8 delivers 355 hp and 519 Nm through an eight-speed automatic.89

  8. 2022

    New cabin, stronger turbo four

    LT and higher get a new cabin. The 2.7L turbo four climbs to 569 Nm; the 3.0L Duramax's maximum tow rating rises to 6,033 kg.10

  9. 2027

    Two new V8s for the 2027 update

    For 2027, Silverado 1500 is set for two new V8s, revised styling and more technology.11

Every generation

  • Chevrolet C/K (Rounded Line)
    Chevrolet C/K (Rounded Line)
  • Chevrolet C/K (fourth generation)
    GMT4001988–2000 (pickups)
  • Chevrolet Silverado (first generation)
    GMT8001999–2007
  • Chevrolet Silverado (second generation)
    GMT9002007–2014
  • Chevrolet Silverado (third generation)
    K2XX2014–2019
  • Chevrolet Silverado (fourth generation)
    Chevrolet Silverado (fourth generation)2019–

Power over the years

From 270 hp to 800 hp in 22 years.

0200400600800 200020052010201520202025 hp 1999 · 270 hp · LS 5.3L V82000 · 285 hp · 5.3L V82003 · 345 hp · SS 6.0L Vortec V82007 · 367 hp · VortecMAX 6.0L V82009 · 403 hp · 1500 6.2L V82014 · 420 hp · 1500 6.2L EcoTec3 V82017 · 445 hp · HD 6.6L Duramax L5P2019 · 355 hp · RST 5.3L DFM V82021 · 800 hp · Yenko/SC Off-Road conversion2022 · 310 hp · 2.7L turbo I42026 · 401 hp · HD 6.6L gas V82026 · 470 hp · HD 6.6L Duramax V8 800 hp Yenko/SC Off-Road conversion 270 hp LS 5.3L V8
123579101112
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1999270LS 5.3L V8
20002855.3L V8
2003345SS 6.0L Vortec V8
2007367VortecMAX 6.0L V8
20094031500 6.2L V8
20144201500 6.2L EcoTec3 V8
2017445HD 6.6L Duramax L5P
2019355RST 5.3L DFM V8
2021800Yenko/SC Off-Road conversion
20223102.7L turbo I4
2026401HD 6.6L gas V8
2026470HD 6.6L Duramax V8

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • WT / LS / Custom / LT / LTZ / RST / High Country

    Standard

    WT / LS / Custom / LT / LTZ / RST / High Country

  • Standard

    1500HD

    300 hp
  • LT Z71 / LTZ Z71

    Performance

    LT Z71 / LTZ Z71

    2018

  • LT Trail Boss (5.3-liter)

    Performance

    LT Trail Boss (5.3-liter)

    2019

    355 hp
  • Two-Mode Hybrid

    Standard

    Two-Mode Hybrid

    2009–2013

    379 hp

  • Standard

    eAssist

    2018

  • SS

    Performance

    SS

    2003

    345 hp
  • Centennial Edition

    Special

    Centennial Edition

    2018

  • Limited

    Intimidator SS

    2006

    345 hp

    933 built

  • Limited

    Yenko/SC Silverado Off-Road

    2021

    800 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • The 2014 generation has a fully squared front end.2
  • 2019 trucks have air-curtain features in their fenders.8
  • 2017 Duramax HD trucks have a hood with air-intake vents.2
  • 2018 Regular Cabs have one row; Crew Cabs have four larger doors than Double Cabs.13
  • 2018 bed lengths: short (5 ft 8 in), standard (6.5 ft) and long (8 ft).13

Year by year

  1. 2000

    An optional driver's-side rear door turns the Extended Cab into a four-door truck.1

  2. 2003

    New Escalade-influenced nose with a horizontal bar, plus a lightly revised rear.3

  3. 2006

    HD-style hood and grille reach every trim; the small Chevrolet tailgate emblem disappears, while base trucks keep the large decal.3

  4. 2007

    Classic badges identify carryover GMT800 trucks; the new GMT900 has a steeply raked windshield and tighter panel gaps.6

  5. 2016

    New grille, headlights and front fascia; LTZ and High Country gain LED taillights, while LT and lower retain incandescent lights.2

  6. 2022

    New grille and lower headlights; LT and higher get revised wing-shaped running lights with approach, startup and departure animations.10

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Chevrolet Silverado
    Silverado
    Photo of a GMC Sierra
    GMC Sierra

    GMC Sierra

    The mechanical twin; on a 2007 Sierra Denali, look for its billet grille.26

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $8.2K–$34.7K67

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$50K$100K$150K$200K 20052010201520202025 Value today: $8,200–$34,700 2003 · $39,995 · US SS, as tested2007 · $38,990 · US LTZ Crew Cab 4x4, base2014 · $36,755 · US 1500 Z71 4x4 Crew Cab, base2018 · $28,085 · US 1500 WT, base2018 · $51,800 · US 1500 High Country, base2019 · $45,995 · US RST Crew Cab AWD, base2019 · $57,795 · US High Country Crew Cab 4WD, base2023 · $81,240 · US ZR2 Bison, base2024 · $72,595 · US 2500HD ZR2, base2026 · $48,995 · US HD, base 2025 · $15,250 · 2001 1500, 76k miles, BaT2025 · $34,450 · 2015 1500 High Country 4x4, 11k miles, BaT2025 · $24,000 · 2003 SS, 54k miles, BaT2025 · $29,500 · 2010 1500 LTZ 4x4, 14k miles, BaT2026 · $14,250 · 2004 1500 LS Crew Cab, 87k miles, BaT2026 · $17,900 · 1999 1500 LS, 79k miles, BaT2026 · $39,750 · 2003 SS Extended Cab, 23k miles, BaT2026 · $50,000 · 2023 1500 RST Z71 Black Widow, 24k miles, BaT2026 · $155,000 · 2025 1500 Fox Factory Edition, 5k miles, BaT2026 · $70,500 · 2025 2500HD LTZ Duramax Rocky Ridge, 10k miles, BaT $155.0K BaT, 2026
4591113141921222324252627282930
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2003Price when new$39,995US SS, as tested
2007Price when new$38,990US LTZ Crew Cab 4x4, base
2014Price when new$36,755US 1500 Z71 4x4 Crew Cab, base
2018Price when new$28,085US 1500 WT, base
2018Price when new$51,800US 1500 High Country, base
2019Price when new$45,995US RST Crew Cab AWD, base
2019Price when new$57,795US High Country Crew Cab 4WD, base
2023Price when new$81,240US ZR2 Bison, base
2024Price when new$72,595US 2500HD ZR2, base
2026Price when new$48,995US HD, base
2025Auction sale$15,2502001 1500, 76k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$34,4502015 1500 High Country 4x4, 11k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$24,0002003 SS, 54k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$29,5002010 1500 LTZ 4x4, 14k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,2502004 1500 LS Crew Cab, 87k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,9001999 1500 LS, 79k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$39,7502003 SS Extended Cab, 23k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$50,0002023 1500 RST Z71 Black Widow, 24k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$155,0002025 1500 Fox Factory Edition, 5k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$70,5002025 2500HD LTZ Duramax Rocky Ridge, 10k miles, BaT
2026Value today$8,200–$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 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A Silverado for The Crew 2's wild delivery jobs”
    • “Trail Boss joins Forza Horizon 5”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 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 30 sources
  1. 1999 Chevy Silverado - Truck Trend Magazine motortrend.com
  2. Chevrolet Silverado - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Chevrolet Silverado (first generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Tested: 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS Refines the Sport Truck caranddriver.com
  5. Tested: 2007 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Crew Cab 4X4 caranddriver.com
  6. Chevrolet Silverado (second generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. 2007-13 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  8. Core of capability: The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado’s chief engineer on how the truck cuts through the full-size noise autoweek.com
  9. 2019 Chevrolet Silverado First Test: Pencils Down motortrend.com
  10. 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 First Look: Updates Where It Matters Most motortrend.com
  11. 2026 Chevrolet Silverado HD Review, Pricing, and Specs caranddriver.com
  12. The 800-HP Yenko Chevy Silverado Is a Supercharged Shot at the Ram TRX thedrive.com
  13. Here's everything you need to know about the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 - Digital Trends digitaltrends.com
  14. 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison Review: A Modern, Mighty 4x4 for People Who Hate Raptors thedrive.com
  15. Chevrolet C/K (fourth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Ford F-150 vs Chevy Silverado vs Ram 1500: Which One Is Better? caranddriver.com
  17. The Crew® 2 Season 4 Episode 2: The Contractor ubisoft.com
  18. Put the “US” in Muscle Car with American Automotive forza.net
  19. 23k-Mile 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS Extended Cab for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $39,750 on September 28, 2026 (Lot #265,499) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  20. 1999-2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Buyer’s Guide hotrod.com
  21. Tested: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L Z71 4x4 Crew Cab caranddriver.com
  22. No Reserve: 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS Crew Cab for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,250 on August 6, 2026 (Lot #256,344) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  23. 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,900 on September 4, 2026 (Lot #261,488) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  24. 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,250 on December 28, 2025 (Lot #225,189) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ Crew Cab Duramax 4x4 Rocky Ridge for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $69,000 on March 25, 2026 (Lot #235,028) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 6.2L 4×4 Fox Factory Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $155,000 on June 29, 2026 (Lot #250,050) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab RST Z71 4×4 Black Widow for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $50,000 on August 21, 2026 (Lot #258,969) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. No Reserve: 11k-Mile 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country Crew Cab 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $34,450 on August 27, 2025 (Lot #207,320) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 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
  30. No Reserve: 14k-Mile 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $29,500 on March 24, 2025 (Lot #184,817) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • motortrend.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • autoweek.com
  • thedrive.com
  • digitaltrends.com
  • ubisoft.com
  • forza.net
  • bringatrailer.com
  • hotrod.com

Photo credits

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