Chevy Silverado generations, 1999 to today

Chevy Silverado history

Silverado started as a trim name: Chevrolet introduced it for 1975 as the top trim of the square-body C/K pickup. When GM replaced the C/K with an all-new truck in August 1998, the 1999 model took Silverado as its own model name, while the outgoing body was sold briefly as the Silverado Classic.

The GMT800 first generation introduced the Vortec small-block V8 family, and its heavy-duty versions brought the 6.6L Duramax diesel, launched for 2001 at 300 hp and 520 lb-ft with an Allison automatic. The GMT900 truck arrived in late 2006 as a 2007 model and was named North American Truck of the Year. The K2XX of 2014 introduced the EcoTec3 V6 and V8 engines and the High Country top trim.

The fourth generation, the T1XX, was unveiled in December 2017 and went on sale in August 2018 as a 2019 model, adding a turbocharged 2.7L four-cylinder, a 3.0L Duramax inline-six diesel and off-road Trail Boss and, later, ZR2 versions. A separate battery-electric Silverado EV, announced in 2021, is built at GM's Factory Zero in Detroit. Chevrolet says it sold more than 580,000 light- and heavy-duty Silverados in 2025, its best result in five years.[1],[2],[3],[4],[5]

Years and production numbers

Generations and key variants

Engine and drivetrain facts

• The 6.6L Duramax diesel launched for the 2001 model year in Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty trucks, rated 300 hp and 520 lb-ft and paired with an Allison 1000 automatic; the current L5P is rated 470 hp and 975 lb-ft from 2024.
• The GMT900 truck moved to GM's Gen IV small-block V8s and added Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation on the 5.3L and 6.0L.
• The K2XX introduced the EcoTec3 family: a 285 hp 4.3L V6, a 355 hp 5.3L V8 and a 420 hp 6.2L V8 in the 1500.
• The T1XX added a 310 hp 2.7L turbo four and a 3.0L Duramax inline-six diesel (277 hp, raised to 305 hp for 2023).

Sources:[2],[3],[4]

What changed, generation by generation

1. 1975Silverado name introduced as the top trim of the square-body C/K.
2. 1999Silverado becomes its own model on the GMT800 platform (released August 1998).
3. 20016.6L Duramax diesel and Allison automatic arrive in heavy-duty trucks.
4. 2007GMT900 second generation; named North American Truck of the Year. Older trucks sold as Silverado Classic.
5. 2014K2XX third generation with EcoTec3 engines and the High Country trim; HD follows for 2015.
6. 2019T1XX fourth generation goes on sale August 2018; Trail Boss added, 2.7L turbo four offered.
7. 2020New 2500HD/3500HD; 3.0L Duramax inline-six arrives in the 1500.
8. 2022Mid-cycle refresh adds the ZR2 off-road model.
9. 2024Duramax L5P rises to 470 hp; the electric Silverado EV is built at Factory Zero.

Sources:[1],[2],[3],[4],[5]

What to check before you buy one

• Confirm the engine and generation: the 5.3L and 6.2L V8s, 2.7L turbo four and 3.0L Duramax all appear in recent 1500s, and the 6.6L Duramax is a heavy-duty (2500HD/3500HD) engine only.
• On trucks with cylinder deactivation (Active Fuel Management or Dynamic Fuel Management), ask for oil-change records and listen for lifter tick on a cold start.
• Check for towing wear: inspect the hitch, transmission fluid condition and rear suspension, and ask whether the truck has the factory trailering package.
• Look underneath for frame and brake-line corrosion on trucks from salt states, and for off-road damage on Z71, Trail Boss and ZR2 models.
• Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and have a Chevrolet dealer confirm open campaigns are complete.
• Use the factory build record to confirm the axle ratio, locking rear differential and packages rather than relying on badges.

Model-specific problems by generation are tracked on our Chevrolet Silverado 1500 known issues page. Engine guides: 5.3L V8, Duramax 6.6L diesel.

Chevy Silverado prices and values

Medians of asking prices, not transaction prices; every trim is blended, so performance variants usually sit well above these medians. "Below new median" compares each model year's median used listing with the median listing price of a new 2026 Silverado 1500 today. More in our Chevrolet Silverado 1500 depreciation study.

Mileage: across 78,406 used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 listings in our November 2026 study, the median odometer reading was 74,192 miles and 2.9% showed 200,000 miles or more. See how long a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lasts.

How to verify a Chevy Silverado's factory options

Two Silverados with the same trim badge can be built very differently. The factory build record lists the ordered-option RPO codes for a VIN — engine, axle ratio, locking differential, Z71 or Max Trailering packages, paint and interior — when licensed build data exists. It reflects ordered options rather than every code on the glovebox label, so treat it as confirmation of how the truck was ordered.