The Chevrolet Silverado was formally introduced in 1999, though the pickup’s history stretches back to 1960 when the C/K series’ pickups first made their debuts, and the Silverado name was once the top trim in the lineup.

Battling the likes of the Ford F Series and Dodge Ram for the better part of a century, the Silverado has remained among the top-selling models in the U.S. throughout its history as GM’s most popular model among the “Big Three” trucks.

For the 2014 model year, Chevy introduced the third-generation Silverado, which it dubbed “stronger, smarter, and more capable” being new “from hood to hitch.” The third-generation Silverado (2014-18) brought in a new path for the Silverado as the new model put an emphasis on efficiency, convenience, and technology to the same level once reserved for performance and road capability.

The third-generation Chevy Silverado remains a mainstay on driveways and worksites, and the used market is ripe with models that can serve as either truck-capable family haulers or a utilitarian tool meant for getting the job done.

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Chevrolet Silverado

8.00 / 10
Key Features
  • 6.2-Liter V-8
  • 5.8 to 6.6-Foot Boxes
  • 12,500-Pound Max Towing Capacity
  • Three Cab Choices
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot
  • Leather Upholstery
Specifications
  • Model: Chevrolet Silverado
  • Engine:: 4.3L V-6/5.3L V-8/6.2L V-8
  • Power Output: 285-420 HP
  • Torque: 305-460 LB-FT
  • Range: 17-20 Combined MPG
  • Transmission: 6/8-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • Driveline: Rear-wheel Drive / Four-Wheel Drive
Pros
  • Revised Cabin And Looks
  • Plenty Of Capability
  • Effecient Engine Lineup
Cons
  • Subpar Reliability Rankings
  • Less Max Towing Than The F-150
  • Jarring Ride

2014-18 Chevrolet Silverado Performance And Capability

2018 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 package
Chevy 
2018 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 package driving off road 

The 2014-18 Silverado was offered in a long list of trims, including:

  • WT (Work Truck)
  • LS
  • Custom
  • LT
  • LTZ
  • High Country

Three body styles were offered — the regular cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab. The regular cab offered several truck bed sizes. A 6-foot-6 or 8-foot bed, the Double Cab was only available with the 6-foot-6 bed while the Crew Cab and could either be had with a 5-foot-8 box or, new to the third-gen, the 6-foot-6 bed. Regardless of cab, the Silverado was offered in either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations.

With the third generation of the Silverado came a trio of updated engines. The base engine offered was a 4.3-liter V-6 delivering 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque with an optional 5.3-liter V-8 cranking out 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The most powerful engine of the group is a 6.2-liter V-8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque which was only available for Double Cab or Crew Cab models.

The 6.2-liter engine outshined the competition for both horsepower and peak towing capacity, which was up to 12,500 pounds for 2018. All EcoTec3 engines used cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing with aluminum blocks and cylinder heads to increase efficiency. In 2016, GM’s eAssist mild hybrid system was paired with the 5.3-liter V-8 in select markets and later available nationwide for the 2018 model year. Fuel efficiency varies slightly by model year and drivetrain, with models running on standard gas (the Silverado could be run on E85) returning 17-20 combined mpg.

The 4.3-liter could two up to 7,600 pounds, more than the Ford EcoBoost engine of the time, while each V-8 engine with the optional Max Towing Package could trailer an impressive 12,000 pounds. All Silverados were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for 2014-15, but the 6.2-liter was later bolted to an eight-speed auto beginning in 2015. The third-gen Silverado included revised steering, suspension, and brakes along with wider wheels and electric power steering with Chevy claiming the upgrades improved ride and handling.

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2014-18 Chevrolet Silverado Exterior Design

2018 Chevrolet Silverado High Country towing
Chevy 
2018 Chevrolet Silverado High Country hooked up to a trailer 

Like most styling updates done to light-duty trucks, the third-generation Silverado was a gradual aesthetic improvement over its prior iteration. The 2014-18 Silverado sported a more aggressive design with a twin-port grille, full-width bumper and a pronounced dual “power dome hood” with more accentuated fenders.

GM claimed the updated looks also made the Silverado more efficient at cooling and reduced overall drag and wind nose in the cabin. Tires ranging in size from 17-20 inches and P245-P275 were offered with either all-season or all-terrain rubber. For ease of use, a CornerStep bumper for accessing the box, built-in “handholds” on the box rail protectors, upper tie-down hooks and an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate were included.

Crew Cab Exterior Dimensions

Length

230 in.

Width

80 in.

Height

74.2 in.

Wheelbase

143.5 in.

Ground Clearance

8.9 in.

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Interior Quality And Technology

2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country interior
Chevy 
2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country interior 

The third-gen Silverado was a leap forward in technology by offering either a 4.2- or 8.0-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, HD radio, and later models in the generation included a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, with available safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning and GM’s Safety Alert Seat. It also featured improvements to the cabin over the prior generation, including a reduction in noise, vibration and harshness levels.

The Silverado’s cabin also received a needed upgraded, making it far more modern with vents flanking the center display, more physical controls, and a more angular aesthetic to the dash versus the prior gen’s rounded presentation. The setup is user-friendly with plenty of sizeable buttons and knobs to adjust everything from the climate control system to driving modes. Connectivity was also at the forefront with a several USB ports, a 12-volt outlet and 110-volt port for front seat passengers.

Like its light-duty pickup rivals, the size of the cabin and the features included varied greatly. The aptly named WT, or Work Truck, trim had few frills with cloth seats and limited creature comforts with a simple bench seat and sizeable center console. Those wanting a truck/family hauler could opt for higher trims like the LTZ or High Country, which were fitted with leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control.

Crew Cab models provide ample rear passenger space with over 40 inches of rear headroom and rear legroom, figures which are reduced to 39 inches of rear headroom and 35 inches of rear legroom in Double Cab models.

Crew Cab Interior Dimensions

Headroom (front)

42.8 in.

Headroom (rear)

40.5 in.

Legroom (front)

45.3 in.

Legroom (rear)

40.9 in.

Shoulder room (front)

64.8 in.

Shoulder room (rear)

65.7 in.

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2014-18 Chevrolet Silverado Pricing And Reliability

2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country red
Chevy 
2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country in red

Those in the market for a 2014-18 Silverado have plenty of choice as the pickup was second only to the Ford F-Series in overall sales during the third-generation’s run. With so many configurations, pricing for the 2014-18 Silverado varies greatly. According to Kelley Blue Book, buyers can expect to pay anywhere from about $7,000 to $55,000 for a 2014-18 Silverado, with older WT or Regular Cab models coming in on the lower end and newer LTZ, High Country or All Star Editions topping out the price range.

The Silverado ranked midpack in Consumer Reports reliability ratings for 2014 light-duty pickup trucks behind the Toyota Tundra and Ram 1500 with a reliability rating of 34/100. For reference the Tundra notched a score of 88 while the Ford F-150 was just behind the Silverado at 33/100. The top reported faults of the 2014 Silverado are its climate system and transmission. The 2018 Silverado fared worse with a reliability rating of just 16/100, though it still ranks ahead of the Ford F-150 for that model year. The Silverado’s transmission and electric system are noted as the two most troublesome spots for the 2018 model.

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Main Competition

2018 Chevrolet Silverado sand
Chevy 
2018 Chevrolet Silverado drives through sand 

The third-gen Silverado faced stiff competition from the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra in a segment where overall competency can often account for even less than brand loyalty. Not too much separates these models on paper, but there are enough differences that buyers will typically gravitate to a model’s strong suits that best fit their needs.That also includes particular model years. For instance, the Silverado’s V-6 was the class leader in fuel efficiency when in 2014, but the F-150 later switched to an aluminum body that made it easier on the wallet at the pumps.

By 2018, the Silverado’s max 12,500 towing capacity surpassed that of the Ram but was still 700 pounds fewer than the F-150 could manage. A diesel engine could also be had in the Ram 1500 for 2017-18, while F-150 buyers were limited to a choice of V-6 engines starting in 2015. For reliability, the Tundra led the rankings throughout the third-gen Silverado’s run, though it was less capable in many regards compared to the Big Three’s models.

With so many factors to consider, the Silverado is certainly an attractive choice for those in the used pickup market, though some shopping around is necessary to determine if the Chevy, or its rivals from Ford, Ram, and Toyota, are a better fit for your personal needs.

FAQ

Q: Are 3rd gen Silverados good?

Yes, the 2014-18 Silverado is an overall solid truck, leading its rivals in some areas while trailing them in others.

Q: What engines are in a 3rd gen Silverado?

The base engine offered is a 4.3-liter V-6 delivering 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque with an optional 5.3-liter V-8 cranking out 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The most powerful engine of the group is a 6.2-liter V-8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

Q: What year is 3rd gen Silverado?

The third-generation includes the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Silverado models

Q: Are 3rd gen Silverados reliable?

Consumer Report ranks the third-gen Silverado below the Toyota Tundra and Ram 1500 for overall reliability but ahead of the Ford F-150

Q: Are used Silverados reliable

A common issue for the 2014-18 Silverado are transmission issues, and the truck ranks low in Consumer Report's overall reliability ranking