Whether you’re looking to find a used Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale or are just a fan of the truck, you might be curious about how the pickup’s tech has evolved over the years. Since the Silverado has been around since the 1999 model year (when the nameplate replaced Chevy’s classic C/K series), things have obviously changed quite a bit. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see how the Silverado’s tech has changed during the 21st century.
First Generation (1999-2006)
If you wanted to listen to music in a 1999 Chevy Silverado, you had two options: find a good station on the radio or pop in a CD. Cruise control was available, but no “driver assist” features were present in the lineup for the first generation. The original Silverado’s gauge display was a step up from the Chevy trucks that preceded it, offering more insight into the vehicle’s status. Nevertheless, it was certainly primitive by modern standards, with icons that would light up to indicate things like the need for an oil change rather than a more versatile screen. The few screens for the odometer, radio, and climate control were all limited to simple information.
Second Generation (2007-2013)
During the second generation, we got a new way to play music: XM satellite radio. The Bluetooth connectivity that appeared for the 2009 model year was less likely to be used for listening to music at the time, as the smartphone era was just kicking off. But the way the technology enabled hands-free phone calls was certainly welcome as people were starting to learn the dangers of driving while operating a cell phone. A rearview camera was introduced in the same model year, helping increase visibility while operating in reverse. But unlike today, this technology wasn’t required and was an optional feature rather than standard fare.
There was also an optional navigation system that used a touchscreen to let you enter your destination and display directions. But without an internet connection, map data had to be loaded into the system in a more old-fashioned way. People under a certain age may be shocked to hear that there was once a time when you had to insert a DVD loaded with map information into the system in order to get where you were going. To stay up to date, you had to contact your dealer to get the latest disc or risk getting lost in a changing world. Speaking of DVDs, there was also an available rear seat entertainment system for families on the go, as well as an auxiliary port that could be used to hook up an MP3 player to the audio system.
In terms of safety, the addition of StabiliTrak stability control improved the Silverado’s ride quality and safety. As mobile phones continued to grow ever more popular, USB ports were added to make device charging easy. For the 2012 model year, the available navigation system gained a built-in hard drive, eliminating the need for map DVDs.
Third Generation (2014-2018)
Generation three is where we start to get an infotainment system recognizable to the proverbial “kids these days.” The MyLink system wasn’t available on the base WT trim when it debuted, but it did feature mobile app support, real-time data, and voice recognition that took in-vehicle navigation forward yet another step: now you could speak an address out loud instead of tediously typing in the street address, city, and state. In-vehicle WiFi was introduced for the 2015 model year, along with text message alerts and Siri Eyes Free iPhone integration. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would come along just one year later for the 2016 Silverado, making it the first full-size pickup to offer the popular feature.
Some of the most significant tech features to get introduced during this generation are safety features. Forward collision warning and lane departure warning were the first to become available in 2015. These features both provide alerts so the driver can take action. Taking things a step further, automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist came next in 2017, giving the truck the ability to take action on its own and avoid danger without driver input. These features wouldn’t be made standard across the lineup in the third generation, but the rearview camera did become a must-have feature in the 2018 model year.
The Teen Driver feature was also introduced in this generation. This feature would continue to evolve as more driver assists became standard—in current models, certain features can’t be turned off while the teen key fob is in use. But throughout its existence, it’s given parents helpful tools to coach their teens as they learn to drive and form habits that may last for years to come.
Fourth Generation (2019-Present)
Now that we’ve just about reached the current decade, the tech landscape for this generation is going to feel very familiar to drivers who are up-to-date with automotive trends. A seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is standard in this generation, and wireless smartphone connectivity was introduced for the 2021 model year and became standard across all trims for the 2024 Silverado. Wireless phone charging is also an available option, giving drivers the chance to go entirely cable-free. In addition to the touchscreen and the driver information center behind the wheel, a head-up display that projects information onto the lower windshield became an available feature for the 2019 model year.
Once again, safety tech dominates the upgrades made during this generation. During the 2019 model year alone, the rear vision camera went high-definition, an available rear camera mirror allowed drivers to switch between a traditional mirror and a live camera feed, HD surround vision provided a 360-degree top-down view of the area around the truck to help with parking, and blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert made navigating highways and parking lots easier. For the 2020 model year, there are up to 15 camera views available, including a new bed view camera that lets drivers check on their cargo. Adaptive cruise control was added to the truck this year as well, with the ability to slow down and speed back up based on traffic patterns. The 2021 model year saw the addition of several features specifically designed for towing, like a trailer length indicator and jack-knife alert.
For the 2022 model year, driver assist features became not just available but standard across the entire lineup. Specifically, Chevy Safety Assist includes forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic high-beam headlights. Super Cruise, Chevy’s hands-free highway driving assist, was also introduced to the Silverado for the 2022 model, though, of course, it was far from standard. In fact, it was only available as an add-on for the top-tier High Country trim.
Given that autonomous driving has been part of the lineup since 2022 and features like automated braking have been standard on all trims for just as long, the final update we’ll be looking at seems almost anachronistic. Cruise control has been available on the Silverado since the model first came into existence, but drivers of the entry-level WT trim have always had to make do without it. But as of the 2025 model year, Silverado WT drivers can avoid ankle pain on their long-haul drives because cruise control is standard at last.
