Your Buyer’s Guide to a Used Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra

If you’re looking at used trucks for sale in Colorado Springs, you might notice that the Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 have a lot in common, from powertrain options to features to dimensions. That’s because both trucks are built on the same platform—parent company General Motors makes one version for the affordable Chevy brand and one for the more upscale GMC brand. So if you’re interested in one of these trucks, you might as well expand your search to both. While the Sierra is generally more expensive than the Silverado, you never know what you’ll find when you’re shopping for a used model, so it’s not a bad idea to keep your options open.

Here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep—That’s F-A-R-I-C-Y, You’ll See Why!—we have a huge selection of used trucks from a variety of different automakers. Since the Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 are both pretty popular, we often get them in our used inventory. Today, we’re going to walk you through the process of choosing between these two closely related models and picking a trim that’s right for your needs. We’ll also discuss what model years to look for if you want to make sure you get all of the features on your list of must-haves. Without any further ado, let’s dive in!

Configurations

As with most full-size trucks, both the Silverado 1500 and the Sierra 1500 are available with a variety of configurations. The two-door regular cab seats three, the four-door double cab adds a second row of seating to fit six (though with limited rear legroom), and the crew cab is similar but larger to more comfortably fit a full team of adults. There are also three bed lengths: short, standard, and long. Not all of these can pair with each other (the crew cab can’t be fitted with a long bed, for example), and not all of them are available on all trim levels, so keep these limitations in mind when choosing which model is right for you.

Generations

Since the Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 are produced by the same parent company on the same platform, they tend to get updates at the same time. The only hitch is that the Sierra nameplate was introduced way back when Chevy’s full-size truck was still called the C/K series. As a result, the first-generation Silverado 1500 lines up with the second-generation Sierra 1500. But focus on the model years, and you should be able to avoid confusion.

While you can certainly get plenty of life out of an older GM truck, since these models are both built to last for many years and many miles, we recommend most drivers limit their search to the third-generation Silverado/fourth-generation Sierra or newer. This redesign debuted for the 2014 model year and improved the ride quality immensely while also providing a more spacious cabin that’s more comfortable for you and your passengers.

This generation lasted through the 2018 model year (technically, it held on through the 2019 model year as the “Limited”) and is noteworthy for the addition of driver assist technologies like forward collision alert and lane-departure warning, although none of these features would become standard across all trims until the next generation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity also made their appearance during this generation, becoming standard on the 2018 model.

The fourth-generation Silverado/fifth-generation Sierra arrived in 2019 and is still in production today. However, it did get a significant mid-generation refresh for the 2022 model year. During this refresh, both the Silverado 1500 and the Sierra 1500 got a full suite of standard driver assist features, including Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam auto high beams, so you can drive with confidence around Colorado Springs and beyond. If you want these features and are looking at a model from before 2022, pay close attention to see whether they’re included or not.

More significantly, the engine lineup for both trucks was expanded to include some more efficient powertrain options for this generation. Though they were introduced early on, it’s worth waiting for the 2022 model year refresh if you want the best towing capacity possible. While a 2020 Silverado 1500 with its turbocharged I-4 engine can tow up to 7,000 lbs, a 2022 model with the enhanced TurboMax version of this engine can tow up to 9,500 lbs. The available Duramax turbo-diesel I-6 got even more of a glow-up, going from a max towing capacity of 9,300 lbs with the 2020 Silverado 1500 to no less than 13,300 lbs with the 2022 model. While the Sierra 1500’s towing capacity is generally slightly less than that of its Chevy sibling, the gap between the two models is typically a few hundred pounds at most.

Trims

Despite having completely different trim names, the Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 have fairly similar (though not identical) trim lineups. Of course, trims change a lot over time, with various features being added, removed, or made standard from year to year. Entire trims can even come and go over time. So instead of getting into the weeds, we’ll look at the broad strokes, let you know about some long-standing trims, and show which trims are roughly equivalent between the two trucks.

If you’re looking for an entry-level model that has the basics at an affordable price, you’ll want to seek out the Silverado 1500 WT. On the Sierra 1500, the equivalent will be the Base or the Pro, depending on model year. Trims like the Silverado 1500 Custom and LT or Sierra 1500 SLE and Elevation are the next step up, giving you more comfort, convenience, and style features but still remaining relatively accessible.

Trims like the Silverado 1500 LTZ or Sierra 1500 SLT are a significant step up from entry-level, with plenty of desirable features and price points to match. Of course, buying a used model brings those prices down substantially, so it might be worth reaching for this level if you want to get great value. In older model years, the most luxurious options are the Silverado 1500 High Country and Sierra 1500 Denali, but the outright opulent Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate joined the lineup in 2022 with no Chevy counterpart and is perfect for turning heads as you drive around Colorado Springs.

There are also dedicated off-road trims. For the Silverado 1500, the more entry-level off-roader is the Trail Boss, which can be had with different levels of comfort and convenience features. On the Sierra 1500, you’ll want to look for the AT4 for a rough equivalent. Starting with the 2022 model year, both trucks got even more rugged trims designed to rival the Ford F-150 Raptor: the Silverado 1500 ZR2 and Sierra 1500 AT4X. These trims come loaded with all the equipment you need to tackle serious trails, although the GMC version is noticeably more luxurious.

Find Your Dream Truck Here

Now that you have an idea of what these GM trucks have to offer, it’s time to search for one that will fit your needs. Luckily, you don’t have to go far to do it. In fact, you can find our current used inventory right here on our website, all transparently priced so you can shop smart. If you’ve learned about a particular feature or trim that you’re interested in, you can filter your options down to the ones that work for you. When you’ve found something you like, take the short trip over to visit us at Faricy Chrysler Jeep here in Colorado Springs, and we’ll take care of everything so you can drive home happy.