2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Trim differences outside work their way in as you climb the lineup, but there are bigger differences inside. LT and higher trim levels have a rather nice 13.4-inch widescreen that’s integrated into a modern, convenient, and well-organized dash. It’s a delight, and we prefer it to the vertical displays found in some chief rivals. Models at the top of the lineup can feel like proper luxury trucks—as they should given how much they cost. 

The ZR2 is the most off-roady of the bunch with its lifted suspension and Multimatic remote-reservoir shocks. It’s as capable as a big pickup likely needs to be, even if it lacks the gusto of a Ford F-150 Raptor. 

How fast is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

The base 2.7-liter turbo-4 hustles 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque to the wheels through a slick-shifting 8-speed automatic gearbox, making it more than adequate for the way many people will use their trucks. It’s rated to tow as much as 10,000 pounds, too, though you’ll need to sort through options and configurations carefully to net this.

If you regularly tow heavy loads, though, the 5.3-liter V-8’s 355 hp and 383 lb-ft make it a better choice. The top 6.2-liter V-8 puts out a hearty 420 hp, making it an even more confident towing rig, but it’s just so thirsty.

The turbodiesel option intrigues with its 305 hp and 495 lb-ft. It’s rated to tow as much as 13,300 pounds, though realistically anyone who regularly tows that much should be looking at a Silverado HD. 

Those three engines use a 10-speed automatic transmission, which offers rapid-fire downshifts but occasionally feels grumpy as it struggles to select gear ratios away from a stop. 

Silverados ride on a traditional truck suspension that uses a solid rear axle with leaf springs. This tried-and-true setup simply doesn’t take bumps as well as the coil springs you’ll find in the Toyota Tundra and Ram 1500. Those models cope better with an unladen bed, too. 

Interestingly, ZR2 versions actually ride a little better thanks in part to their massive tires with big sidewalls that absorb big and small road imperfections. 

The Silverado is anything but nimble, too, but its steering is light enough and accurate enough to make parking fairly easy. 

The cabin can seat anywhere from three to six passengers, depending on whether you’ve selected a front bench seat and an extended- or crew-cab configuration. In all, the front seats are supportive and are generally power-adjustable, unless you pick one of the lowest trim levels. Rear-seat riders have tons of room in the crew cab, but precious little space in extended cabs. 

Interior materials improve at nearly every step of the way as you work your way through Chevy’s myriad trim choices. Top High Country models should have any GMC Sierra Denali owner second-guessing their choice. 

Unfortunately, there are some downsides here. For one, Super Cruise is offered only on high-end Silverados, and even then it’s an expensive option. Chevy is a bit stingy about adaptive cruise control, too, so road warriors may wind up spending a lot more than they initially expected for the most highway-ready Silverado. 

Additionally, the IIHS notes that the Silverado 1500 has a decidedly mixed crash-test record, including several “Marginal” and “Poor” ratings mixed in with the expected “Good” and “Acceptable” scores. 

Base Work Truck versions have a vinyl-clad cabin and wash-out rubber mats, but even their 7.0-inch touchscreen gets the job done with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 should I buy?

Save up for the Silverado LT. This truck costs $50,095 to start and runs upward of $55,000 in crew-cab 4x4 form, but, realistically, that’s the setup most shoppers want these days. Its biggest assets are its 13.4-inch touchscreen running Google Built-in, plus the fact that it’s the starting point for such niceties as leather upholstery, Bose speakers, and heated front seats.

You’ll likely want to budget at least $5,000 above that in optional extras, as few Silverado 1500s leave the factory without at least an add-on or two. 

Figure $65,000 for one with adaptive cruise control, too. 

What appeals to us the most about the LT is its 13.4-inch screen and Google tech. Sure, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are here, but the Built-in interface is so good—and offers access to so many apps—that it will likely render smartphone projection a thing of the past for many users. Submit your login to Google and your truck is now an extension of your device. 

How much is a fully loaded Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Buckle up. The Silverado 1500 can get downright pricey. The High Country runs $64,695 and the ZR2 costs $71,995, and that’s before you pay extra for fancy paint and other niceties. They have a different outlook on life, though, as the High Country has swanky leather and wood trim, while the ZR2 rides on bump-smashing off-roady bits. 

Those figures net the Silverado 1500 a lousy 1 on the TCC scale.

Turbodiesels rated as high as 26 mpg combined in rear-drive form for 2024, but the hefty upcharge for this engine option and the cost of diesel fuel may negate much of the savings. Even 2024 four-wheel-drive versions are estimated at an acceptable 21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the trim level. 

But 2024 gas-only models topped out at just 18/22/20 mpg for a rear-drive turbo-4, or 18/21/19 mpg for one with four-wheel drive.