Like anything, vehicles must evolve throughout the years to meet the changing demands of drivers. After all, the last thing we want is to drive a vehicle that doesn’t offer the comfort, technology, and safety features we need in order to fully enjoy our ride. The pressure is on for pickup trucks, more so than other vehicles, because these machines are built to do some pretty amazing things. Not only can you expect pickup trucks to be able to tow impressively large loads, but they can also adventure with the best off-roaders in town, confidently shuttle families everywhere they need to go, and take on any road trip with finesse. Pickup trucks have come a long way since my dad owned one back in the 1990s. I’ll never forget how rough that ride was and how uncomfortable that front bench seat happened to be, but a lot has changed since then.
Today, trucks are equipped with features to make the drive dreamy, tech to enhance the experience, and the power needed to take on exceptional challenges. You may have passed a lot full of used cars and wondered just what kinds of trucks resided in the selection. Chances are, a Silverado 1500 or two is lying in wait, ready to maximize someone’s ride. The Silverado has been on the scene for years, but its biggest changes have happened recently in its latest generation. Let’s explore the fourth-generation Silverado 1500 and how it has evolved since it was first introduced in 2019.
Performance Enhancements
I’ll start with performance since many people are drawn to trucks due to their towing and hauling talents. The Silverado 1500 has always offered an exciting powertrain lineup consisting of V6, V8, and even four-cylinder engines. What makes the latest generation stand out is the fact that the Silverado 1500 welcomed a diesel on board, changing the game in the pickup truck arena.
The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six made its debut in 2020, adding exceptional towing power and unmatched efficiency to the ride. This skillful powertrain is able to tow up to 13,300 lbs and get an EPA-estimated 33 MPG on the highway, depending on the model year. You don’t see many pickup trucks with these numbers, especially when it comes to fuel economy. After the discontinuation of the F-150 Power Stroke and Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, it’s also the only diesel in its class, allowing the Silverado 1500 to have a serious leg up on the competition. Over the years, the Duramax was enhanced with a revitalized combustion bowl and new fuel injectors, allowing it to offer impressive power and capability for any type of task the Silverado is taking on next.
In addition to the evolution of the turbo-diesel, the Silverado 1500 has also seen its fair share of enhancements to its other powertrain offerings. Its turbocharged four-cylinder, for example, received an increase in towing capacity in 2021, allowing it to tow up to 9,500 lbs. This engine was eventually renamed the TurboMax in 2024 after an overhaul that gave it an impressive 430 lb-ft of torque. You’ll also find features like an Active Exhaust, which is available with the 6.2L V8, allowing the Silverado 1500 to emit a mighty growl on the road.
Groundbreaking Tech
Technology is ever-evolving, but the fourth-gen Silverado 1500 models take innovation to a whole new level with some of the most exciting features around. The first year of this new generation saw features like standard smartphone integration and a selection of seven-inch and eight-inch touchscreen displays. This has since evolved into wireless smartphone integration and massive displays to elevate convenience during any journey. Silverado models from after the 2022 refresh are available with a 13.4-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display behind the steering wheel. You’ll also find a head-up display, built-in navigation, and other intuitive tech as you make your way up the trim levels.
Another area where the Silverado 1500 really impresses is with the available camera tech, which has evolved over the years as well. The Silverado really began to step up its trailering tech back in 2020, and since then, it has become one of the most tech-forward trucks on the market. The 2020 model added up to 15 available camera views to help maintain control over any haul. From being able to see past your trailer like it’s not even there to taking advantage of views inside your trailer to keep an eye on your cargo, the Silverado has a camera for everything. It also showcases a phenomenal lineup of trailering features, with a dedicated trailering app, which includes pre-departure checklists, tire pressure monitoring, and customizable profiles.
Of course, we’ve always been fascinated with self-driving cars. Well, in 2022, Chevy rolled out its Super Cruise hands-free driving tech in the Silverado 1500. Since then, it has become available on more trims, allowing more drivers to enjoy hands-free operation on approximately 750,000 miles of compatible roadways across the continent. The Silverado now offers trailering help while Super Cruise is engaged, allowing drivers to maintain control of their haul, even when their hands aren’t on the wheel.
Increased Functionality
There’s perhaps no feature that has impressed drivers quite as much as the Multi-Flex Tailgate. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but this feature was certainly a game-changer in the industry when it arrived in 2021—and it’s one that not every truck has since adopted. This means that only a handful of models offer this level of functionality, and the Silverado was at the helm of it all. This multifunction tailgate design can be configured in six unique ways, helping drivers accommodate more cargo and enhance convenience like never before. From long items that wouldn’t normally fit into the bed to oddly shaped loads, the Multi-Flex Tailgate flexes to handle any cargo. It also acts as a full-width step to make accessing the bed easier and can serve as a work surface to accommodate tools, blueprints, and more when there’s not a desk or table in sight.
Elevated Design
It’s a given that the Silverado 1500’s design has evolved over the years, and you can expect more creature comforts than ever in fourth-gen models. The Silverado has undergone enhancements to its interior and exterior throughout the years, with models from 2022 and later showcasing revamped front ends and higher-quality interior appointments. Today, the Silverado can be enjoyed with features like custom perforated leather seats, authentic open-pore wood trim, and intricate accent stitching in High Country models.
Off-Road Credibility
The Silverado 1500 has also become more capable, even when the terrain beneath its tires gets gritty. An off-road-focused ZR2 variant was unveiled in 2022. From Multimatic DSSV spool valve dampers to front and rear e-lockers, off-road cut bumpers, and large skid plates, the ZR2 gives new meaning to off-road adventuring. It can even be further enhanced with the ZR2 Bison package, which includes American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) bumpers, skid plates, badging, and more to intensify the off-road experience like never before.
Leading the Industry
It’s clear that the Silverado 1500 has evolved in many ways since its fourth-generation models first hit the scene for 2019. From new powertrains and increased capabilities to ingenious tech and unmatched functionality, the Silverado is a true leader in the industry. Plus, with all of the customization options this truck has continued to offer throughout the years, there’s a powertrain, trim, and configuration for every driver imaginable. There’s nothing quite like this iconic pickup truck, so the next time you see a used Silverado 1500 staring you down at a used car lot, just imagine what it has to offer to make the ride epic. If it’s a fourth-gen model, I’m willing to bet it will impress any driver.
