Chevy pickups are a particularly popular choice for those browsing the used market. Built with the working world in mind, today's trucks are simply engineered to a higher standard than the average vehicle. The heavy-duty design of a truck like the Chevy Silverado translates directly into improved durability, giving drivers a reliable ride that they can count on for years to come. Trucks are also a lot more versatile than a car or SUV, seamlessly transforming from a long day of towing or off-road adventure into a roomy family vehicle; factor in a pickup's slower depreciation and stellar safety profile, and it's easy to see why pre-owned pickups are such a hot commodity.
But not all used pickups are created equal. When you're weighing different used Chevy trucks, certain models, trims, and years tend to rise to the top. As one of the best-selling truck brands on the market, perusing your local used Chevy dealer can be a bit overwhelming, but the team at Patriot Chevrolet is here to help. We've compiled a list of some of the best used Chevy trucks to consider, from the midsize Colorado and full-size Silverado 1500 to the worksite MVP that is the Silverado HD. Chevy's newest offering, the all-electric Silverado EV, will probably make its way onto the list sometime in the near future, but it misses out this time around as it just came on the market in 2024.
If you're searching for a pre-owned pickup that'll quickly become your new favorite ride, read on to discover some of the hidden gems of the Chevy lineup.
The 2020 Silverado 1500
We'll start with Chevy's full-size all-star, the Silverado 1500. Routinely ranking as the second best-selling truck on the market, you simply can't argue with the numbers when it comes to the Silverado 1500. 2020 marked a watershed moment for the full-size model, with Chevy moving nearly 600,000 units to notch its highest sales in the last decade. What was so special about this particular year? While it's tough to pin down an exact cause, the popularity of the 2020 model certainly played a part.
Chevy released the all-new fourth-generation Silverado 1500 in 2019, incorporating a number of cutting-edge features that updated the pickup for the modern market. While other automakers might rest on their laurels and ride the sales bump that tends to come with a new generation, Chevy went right back to the drawing board with a generous slate of improvements for 2020. The most notable upgrade is Chevy's decision to expand the availability of the 6.2-liter V8 and 10-speed automatic transmission to half of the Silverado 1500 trim lineup. Previously limited to the LTZ and High Country trims, the V8 made its way into the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss for 2020.
These two Trail Boss trims were already one of our favorite off-road options thanks to their locking rear differentials, Rancho monotube shocks, skid plates, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires, but the new V8 brings a noticeable bump in power that's sure to make all the difference when exploring challenging terrain. The RST trim was also treated to a V8 upgrade that saw it become the king of the hill in terms of towing capacity, with a maximum rating of 13,400 lbs when properly equipped.
The Silverado 1500's LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country trims gained a new 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel option, but its expansion of Chevy's impressive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and towing tech really caught our attention. The 2020 Silverado 1500 was graced with optional adaptive cruise control and borrowed a number of new features from its heavy-duty cousin in the Silverado HD. From smart trailer tech that allows drivers to monitor their RV's water tanks or remotely activate the A/C and water heater to 15 available camera views and a transparent trailer feature, the 2020 Silverado 1500 went a long way toward perfecting an already stellar model and is now one of the most popular years among those shopping for a used Chevy Silverado 1500.
The 2023 Colorado
While some drivers might gravitate to the full-size segment when picking their next truck, the Colorado is about as close as you can come in the midsize market. Not only is the Colorado built around the same chassis and frame as its full-size sibling, the Silverado 1500, but it also shares the same Chevy L3B engine. This 2.7-liter inline-four setup might not sound like the most powerful option on the market, but a little forced induction goes a long way.
For the debut of the Colorado's third generation in 2023, Chevy paired the modestly-sized mill with a turbocharger that allows the 2.7-liter engine to produce 237 hp on the WT and LT trims and as much as 310 hp on some higher ones. The Z71, Trail Boss, and ZR2 trims leverage this potent powertrain to deliver 430 lb-ft of torque—a figure that allows the Colorado to easily outclass some of its V6-powered rivals in the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, and Jeep Gladiator. Pure speed is rarely a make-or-break factor in the pickup segment, but with the ability to rocket from zero to sixty in as little as 7.1 seconds, trucks like the Chevy Colorado ZR2 are a compelling option for those who enjoy a more thrilling experience behind the wheel.
A used Chevy Colorado is also a great choice for those seeking a reliable off-road companion that can take whatever the trail throws at it. Due to their smaller size and maneuverability, midsize trucks are often the go-to choice of those who like to spend their weekends dune bashing, rock crawling, and getting up to their axles in mud—and the Colorado is no exception. Chevy has outfitted its midsize pickup with a full arsenal of off-road goodies, especially when it comes to the Trail Boss, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison trims. These pull out all the stops to turn the versatile Colorado into a true off-road machine thanks to the addition of Multimatic DSSV dampers, limited-slip differentials, 35-inch tires, up to 12.2 inches of ground clearance, and hydraulic front and rear bump stops that should come in handy when the going gets rough.
The ZR2 Bison is the obvious highlight, seeing Chevy team up with the off-road and overlanding experts at American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to produce a no-holds-barred off-roader that's easily the most rugged Colorado to date. From Boron-steel skid plates and rock rails to custom wheels, fender flares, and even heavy-duty AEV floor mats, the ZR2 Bison is worth a test drive for those who like to test their limits. Optional add-ons include a treasure trove of off-road gear like a Warn winch, tie-rod reinforcement sleeves, lighting from Baja Designs, and a suspension-leveling kit that improves the pickup's front ground clearance.
The 2019 Silverado HD
If you're looking for a heavy-duty pickup that can put in some serious work, the Chevy Silverado HD is hard to beat. Not only does a heavy-duty Silverado offer seating for five and more cargo room than you'll know what to do with, but it's also no slouch under the hood. A good diesel engine can make or break a heavy-duty pickup, but luckily, the 2019 Silverado HD has one of the best motors on the market. The truck's massive 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel smothers the competition when it comes to pure power, offering a best-in-class 445 hp along with 910 lb-ft of torque. Throw in the legendary Allison transmission, and the Silverado HD can move mountains—or at least a fully-loaded trailer, boat, or RV.
The Silverado 2500 HD tops out at 14,800 lbs of towing capacity when paired with the standard Vortec 6.0-liter V8, but opting for the Duramax turbo-diesel sees that number rise to 18,100 lbs. The Silverado 3500 HD delivers an even more impressive stat line, towing up to 23,300 lbs when equipped with the turbo-diesel; that's an almost 9,000-lb improvement on the gas-powered 3500 HD, which should make opting for the diesel an easy choice for any driver who is looking for the sort of towing capacity that will get the job done safely and on time. The truck's max payload also depends on which engine you choose, with the 2500 HD offering 3,534 lbs with the gas engine and 3,204 lbs with the diesel, and the 3500 HD returning 4,390 and 5,581 lbs, respectively.
The 2019 Silverado HD might not boast all the advanced tech of the fourth-generation model that hit the market in 2020, but it still punches above its weight with a well-apportioned cabin that includes a full complement of infotainment, safety, and convenience features. The truck's touchscreen infotainment system is equipped with advanced connectivity apps like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing drivers to access some of their favorite smartphone-based apps right from the dashboard. The Silverado HD also offers an impressive selection of towing- and trailer-related tech that can go a long way toward taking some of the stress out of the experience.
Chevy's Advanced Trailer System gives drivers the opportunity to test all their relevant lighting and safety systems before setting out on a job, and it's the perfect complement for the myChevrolet smartphone app that features its own towing checklist. A dedicated Tow/Haul driving mode reduces the Silverado HD's shifting cycle, which can have a noticeable effect on the performance and longevity of the truck's transmission. When Tow/Haul mode is activated, the Silverado HD decreases the transmission's workload and ups the cooling to keep everything running nice and smooth even when you're nearing that maximum capacity.
Chevy's Auto Grade Braking feature accomplishes a similar trick when the pickup is traveling downhill, automatically downshifting to leverage the power of engine braking. This feature means your Silverado HD will begin to slow down before you even step foot on the brakes, improving safety by keeping the trailer's speed in check and reducing the wear and tear on your brake pads and rotors.
The Best Trucks From the Bowtie Brand
For many drivers, nothing beats a Chevy truck. The brand has been synonymous with pickup performance since its earliest days, earning a reputation for reliability, capability, and power that few automakers can match. Whether you're in the market for a comfortable daily driver that can pull double duty as an exhilarating off-road partner, a full-size pickup to round out your fleet of work trucks, or a heavy-duty model that can handle some of the toughest jobs on four wheels, Chevy has you covered.
While we've focused on a few of our favorite model years, the truth is that it's hard to go wrong when electing a Chevy pickup. Between the midsize Colorado, full-size Silverado 1500, and heavy-duty Silverado 2500 HD or 3500 HD, there's a model out there to fit the unique demands of every driver. If you're the type of driver who knows the meaning of hard work and needs a truck that can keep up with the demands of a long day on the job, contact us or head down to Patriot Chevrolet and browse our wide selection of used Chevy pickups.
