Chevrolet Silverado
All generations, specs and history
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By Sarah Whitmore, Senior Automotive Writer
- Built
- 1998–present
- Generations
- 5
- Top power
- 313 kW (426 PS)
Timeline
Silverado generations
Click a generation for its own page
GMT800 and GMT900 overlapped in 2006–2007, so GMT900 sits on a second lane
- Silverado GMT800 1998–2007 · Pickup
- Silverado GMT900 2006–2013 · Pickup
- Silverado K2XX 2013–2018 · Pickup
- Silverado IV 2018–2026 · Pickup · 227–313 kW (309–426 PS)
- Silverado V Current 2026–now · Pickup
Newest first · 5 generations since 1998
- 2026 V In production 2026–now · Pickup
-
2018
-
2013
- 2006 GMT900 2006–2013 · Pickup GMT800 and GMT900 overlapped in 2006–2007
-
1998
All generations by year: Silverado V (2026–now) · Silverado IV (2018–2026) · Silverado K2XX (2013–2018) · Silverado GMT900 (2006–2013) · Silverado GMT800 (1998–2007)
Which one is mine?
Pick the year of first registration to see which generation it is.
- Silverado V 2026–present
- Silverado IV 2018–2026
- K2XX 2013–2018
- GMT900 2006–2013
- GMT800 1998–2007
Which Silverado to choose
Our verdict · Sarah Whitmore
- For the most torque in a 1500: the 3.0 Duramax diesel with 671 Nm.
- For a V8: the 6.2 with 313 kW, or the 5.3 with 265 kW.
- For off-road use: the ZR2 or ZR2 Bison from 2022–2023.
- For heavy trailers: a 2500HD or 3500HD with the 6.6 Duramax; the 3500HD dually tows up to about 16,330 kg.
- For a used buy: a fourth-generation truck from 2019; the 2.7 turbo arrived in 2022 and the newer diesel in 2023.
The twin model is covered in our guide to the GMC Sierra. Its rivals include the Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500 Rebel, and the electric Hummer platform is explained in the GMC Hummer EV guide. The brand's story is told in the history of Chevrolet.
The Chevrolet Silverado is General Motors' full-size pickup truck and the successor to the Chevrolet C/K line. The name first appeared in the 1975 model year as the top trim level of C/K trucks. It became a model of its own in August 1998, when the first Silverado went on sale as a 1999 model. Since then GM has sold more than 12 million Silverados. Four generations were built up to 2026, and a fifth was unveiled on 16 June 2026. The Silverado is the twin of the GMC Sierra and is offered as a half-ton 1500, as heavy-duty 2500HD and 3500HD models and, separately, as the electric Silverado EV.
In short
- Generations: GMT800 (1999–2006), GMT900 (2007–2013), K2XX (2014–2018 for the 1500), fourth generation (2019–2026), fifth generation announced in June 2026.
- Current 1500 engines from a 2.7-litre turbo four with 231 kW (310 hp) to a 6.2-litre V8 with 313 kW (420 hp), plus a 3.0 Duramax diesel.
- The 3500HD dually can tow up to 36,000 lb (about 16,330 kg) since 2021.
- Built in Fort Wayne and Flint (USA) and Silao (Mexico); Oshawa (Canada) built the light-duty truck until December 2019.
Specs by version
| Version | Engine | Power | Torque | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel · 1 version | |||||
| Silverado IV · 1500 3.0 Duramax | 6 cyl · Diesel | 227 kW 309 PS304 hp | 671 Nm495 lb-ft | 10-sp Automatic | 2023 |
| Petrol · 3 versions | |||||
| Silverado IV · 1500 2.7 turbo | 4 cyl · Petrol | 231 kW 314 PS310 hp | 569 Nm420 lb-ft | 10-sp Automatic | 2022 |
| Silverado IV · 1500 5.3 V8 | 8 cyl · Petrol | 265 kW 360 PS355 hp | 519 Nm383 lb-ft | 10-sp Automatic | 2019 |
| Silverado IV · 1500 6.2 V8 | 8 cyl · Petrol | 313 kW 426 PS420 hp | 624 Nm460 lb-ft | 10-sp Automatic | 2019 |
Verified Manufacturer and type-approval data from our catalog · Sources and methodology
Chevrolet Silverado at a glance
| Specification | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|
| Production | since 1998 (1999 model year) |
| Plants | Fort Wayne (Indiana), Flint and Pontiac East (Michigan), Silao (Mexico); Oshawa (Canada) to 2019 |
| Generations | GMT800, GMT900, K2XX, fourth generation, fifth generation (2026) |
| Body | regular cab, extended/double cab, crew cab pickup |
| Models | 1500, 2500HD, 3500HD; medium-duty 4500HD–6500HD (2019–2026) |
| Current 1500 engines | 2.7 turbo I4, 5.3 V8, 6.2 V8, 3.0 Duramax diesel |
| Gearbox (current 1500) | 10-speed automatic |
| Twin model | GMC Sierra |
From trim name to model (1975–1998)
For more than two decades "Silverado" was a trim level, not a model. From the 1975 model year it named the most luxurious C/K pickups. When GM replaced the C/K series in 1998, Chevrolet turned the trim name into the model name. GMC had already dropped the C/K designation one generation earlier for its Sierra twin.
Generations of the Silverado
| Generation | Model years (1500) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First (GMT800) | 1999–2006 (Classic to 2007) | regular, three-door and four-door extended cab; crew cab for the 1500 from 2004 |
| Second (GMT900) | 2007–2013 | North American Truck of the Year 2007; HD to 2014 |
| Third (K2XX) | 2014–2018 | High Country trim; eight-speed 8L90 automatic; HD to 2019 |
| Fourth | 2019–2026 | 10-speed automatics; 2.7 turbo, 3.0 diesel; ZR2 from 2022 |
| Fifth | from 2026 (announced 16 June 2026) | sales planned from late 2026 |
The first generation arrived in August 1998. A three-door extended cab was offered for the 1500 and 2500 until 2000, a four-door extended cab from 2000 to 2014. The 1500 crew cab followed in 2004 after the HD versions in 2001. The second generation came in late 2006 as a 2007 model and was named North American Truck of the Year 2007. The third generation of 2014 introduced the High Country luxury trim and, later, the Centennial Edition of 2018. All Silverado generations are listed in the Chevrolet catalogue.
Fourth generation: engines and gearboxes
The fourth Silverado 1500 went on sale in 2018 as a 2019 model; the 2500HD and 3500HD followed in 2019 and 2020. The 1500 has moved to 10-speed automatic gearboxes across the range.
| Engine (Silverado 1500) | Years | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 turbo four-cylinder | from 2022 | 231 kW (310 hp) | 569 Nm |
| 5.3 V8 | from 2019 | 265 kW (355 hp) | 519 Nm |
| 6.2 V8 | from 2019 | 313 kW (420 hp) | 624 Nm |
| 3.0 Duramax six-cylinder diesel | from 2023 | 227 kW (305 hp) | 671 Nm |
The heavy-duty trucks use a 6.6-litre V8 petrol engine with 299 kW (401 hp) and 629 Nm and the 6.6-litre Duramax L5P diesel. The diesel had 332 kW (445 hp) and 1,234 Nm from 2020 to 2023 and has 350 kW (470 hp) and 1,322 Nm since 2024.
Towing, payload and off-road models
The strongest Silverados are the 3500HD dually trucks with twin rear wheels; since 2021 they are rated to tow up to 36,000 lb, about 16,330 kg. For the off-road market Chevrolet added the Silverado ZR2 in 2022. The ZR2 Bison and the 2500HD ZR2 followed in April 2023.
The electric Silverado EV is a separate model on a dedicated battery-electric platform shared with the GMC Hummer EV. It is built at GM's Factory ZERO. GM rates it for 12,500 lb (about 5,670 kg) of towing and up to 2,100 lb (about 950 kg) of payload, with an estimated range of up to 478 miles (about 770 km).
Medium-duty trucks
For 2019 Chevrolet added medium-duty Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD chassis cabs. Navistar sold a rebadged version as the International CV. In May 2026 GM and International announced that both lines would be discontinued, with production ending in September 2026.
Safety
The IIHS tested a 2022 Silverado 1500 LTD Crew Cab. It earned "Good" ratings in several crash tests but "Marginal" in the passenger-side small overlap test and "Poor" for its headlights and seat-belt reminders. NHTSA had given the 2018 truck a five-star overall vehicle score. Wikipedia also reports NHTSA data that placed the Silverado second among the vehicles most often involved in fatal crashes.
Awards
Motor Trend named the Silverado its Truck of the Year in 1999, 2007 and, for the HD, 2011. It was North American Truck of the Year 2007, and Car and Driver chose it as the best pickup truck from 2001 to 2003.
Photo gallery
Chevrolet Silverado evolution in numbers
Did you know?
- The Chevrolet Silverado has been around for 28 years: 5 generations in our catalog since 1998.
- The longest-running generation is the Silverado GMT800 (1998–2007): 9 years.
Image credits · Photos from Wikimedia Commons under free licences
- Chevrolet Silverado GMT800 · Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
- Chevrolet Silverado K2XX · Photo: order_242 from Chile / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Chevrolet Silverado in our rankings
More powerful than 65% of ranked pickup trucks in the 1CARS catalog (No. 6 of 20).
Chevrolet Silverado photos 6
FAQ
How many generations of the Silverado are there?
Four were built from 1998 to 2026: GMT800, GMT900, K2XX and the fourth generation of 2019. A fifth generation was unveiled on 16 June 2026.
What engines does the Silverado 1500 have?
A 2.7-litre turbo four with 231 kW, 5.3 and 6.2-litre V8s with 265 and 313 kW, and a 3.0-litre Duramax diesel with 227 kW.
How much can a Silverado tow?
Up to 36,000 lb (about 16,330 kg) for the 3500HD dually since 2021. The electric Silverado EV is rated for 12,500 lb.
Is the Silverado the same as the GMC Sierra?
They share their mechanical components, but GMC uses its own styling and trims such as Denali.
Where is the Silverado built?
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Flint and Pontiac East, Michigan, and in Silao, Mexico.
Data sources
Data checked by an editor against the sources below.
