2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 Review

Name: 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Review
Brand: Chevrolet

Price Range: $23,990 - $55,000

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

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The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 represents the status quo for a full-size light-duty truck. Its acceleration and braking performance are pretty average, while comfort and interior appointments are nothing special — at least not special enough to attract new buyers who currently own competing trucks. The Silverado's draw will likely be at the upper trim levels, which benefit from tech upgrades such as adaptive cruise and automatic emergency braking, and there's also an industry-first power up/down tailgate.Read full review

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At a Glance:

10 Colors
1 Trim
5 Packages
$36,800starting MSRP

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2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Several available powertrains for various towing and hauling needs
Long cabin provides excellent rear legroom
Lots of in-bed tie-down points and massive bed capacity
Touchscreen display is attractive and easy to use

Cons

Interior design and cabin controls look dated
Rides a little rougher than primary rivals
Quality of some cabin materials is subpar
Extra-large center stack takes up lots of cabin space

What's new

New 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine available as an option
Adaptive cruise control newly available
New Advanced Trailering System option supports up to 15 camera views
Part of the fourth Silverado 1500 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Chevrolet fully redesigned its Silverado 1500 just last year, giving it improved fuel economy, a roomier cabin, and new styling to help it stand out from the crowd. For 2020, you might think that Chevy would just stand pat. Instead, the 1500 gets another round of updates that include a new diesel engine option, added technology features, and a new trailering system to support all your towing needs.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab LB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.20 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$219/mo

$235/mo

Avg. Large Truck

Calculate my fuel costs

On top of the other engines already on offer — a turbocharged four-cylinder, a V6 and one of two V8s — there's a newly available turbodiesel. Chevy was a bit late to the game in adding a diesel to its full-size light-duty pickup truck, but what it did add is a totally likable option. This 3.0-liter straight-six diesel provides smooth acceleration, impressive towing capability, and a significant increase in fuel economy compared to the Silverado V8s.

On the safety front, the Chevrolet Silverado now gets adaptive cruise control as an available feature. Just about every truck in this class offers it, but it was oddly missing from last year's options sheet. Combine that with the user-friendly infotainment system and the new trailering package — which can display up to 15 different camera views all around the truck and trailer — and you've got a thoroughly capable towing rig.

In daily use, however, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 still has a few flaws. For one, the cabin design looks like it came from 2010 rather than 2020, and the quality of some of the materials is lackluster. While we might be inclined to give Chevy a pass on this — trucks are traditionally more about capability than looks — Ram has upped the game with its premium cabin in the Ram 1500. Is this a deal-breaker for the Silverado? Hardly. All the same, we recommend test-driving the Ram and the Ford F-150 before making up your mind.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Silverado 1500 drive? We tested a Silverado crew cab (High Country trim) with the 5.3-liter V8, 4WD and eight-speed automatic. Acceleration and braking are average but totally sufficient for daily driving or for towing. Our test truck covered 60 mph in 7 seconds from a standstill at our test track. An equivalent F-150 is a little quicker, but there's nothing wrong with the Silverado's power. Around town, the transmission shifts smoothly and makes the most of the engine's low-end torque.

The truck tracks straight on the highway, but the steering effort is a bit too light. Handling is secure, and body roll is held nicely in check as you drive around turns. But midcorner bumps can upset the Silverado pretty easily. Going off-road? A regular 4WD Silverado will do OK, but consider getting the Z71 off-road option package or the Trail Boss trim level to enhance its potential.

Comfort

7.0/10

How comfortable is the Silverado 1500? The Silverado's seating isn't quite as plush as what you'll find in the F-150 or Ram 1500, but there's enough padding and support to keep you comfortable on long drives. The ride is relatively smooth on the highway, and the truck ably absorbs most small impacts. But the truck can get bouncy when you drive on roads that have a lot of bumps and dips.

The climate system can easily heat and cool the cabin, but operating it can be a little tricky because a lot of the control buttons are small. We really like the optional ventilated and split-heated front seats (separate settings for the seatback and seat cushion), a GM-exclusive feature. Engine noise is nicely muted until you get hard on the throttle, at which point it gets a bit unpleasant.

Interior

7.0/10

How’s the interior? The Silverado crew cab has plenty of space for four or five adults, even tall ones. The back seat is absolutely massive and offers lots of legroom. Getting in and out is relatively easy, but the rear doors don't open as wide as we'd like. The power-adjustable seats have enough range of motion to accommodate almost any driver, and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel offers plenty of adjustment range.

There's a familiar look to the layout of the controls; it's the same basic design Chevy used in the previous-generation Silverado too. They're easy to use but don't give off a particularly modern vibe. Another demerit relates to visibility — the tall and broad hood plus thick windshield roof pillars impede your view ahead.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The Silverado is available with a lot of high-tech features. But the key word is "available." Systems such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist can only be had from the LTZ trim and up.

Considering the Silverado's size and weight, the adaptive cruise system follows the vehicle ahead at an unusually close distance in the shortest setting. The surround-view parking camera system is helpful, though the display could stand to be sharper. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. We were able to connect phones quickly and easily access music.

As for the High Country trim's power up/down tailgate, most of our test team thought it little more than a novelty.

Towing and Storage

8.0/10

How are the towing and storage? We tested a 5.3-liter V8-powered, short-bed 4WD crew-cab truck that had the standard 3.23 axle gearing. This configuration provided an impressive 9,600-pound tow rating. The payload capacity for this truck was a similarly strong 2,020 pounds. As for the bed itself, it's a bit longer, deeper and wider than its rivals, and it has more tie-downs.

The Silverado's boxy center console contains multiple pockets, but we'd expect more space given that this truck has a column-mounted gear shifter. For family duty, the crew cab's back seat has two sets of lower car seat anchors and three top tethers, so child safety seats will fit in any of the three positions. But loading the seats, not to mention the kiddos, might be difficult due to the truck's ride height.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Silverado High Country we tested had the 5.3-liter V8 mated to a 10-speed automatic and 4WD, which earns an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We found that number to be reasonably achievable in the real world. The best fuel economy for the Silverado comes from the available diesel-fueled six-cylinder.

Value

6.5/10

Is the Silverado 1500 a good value? The Silverado isn't outrageously expensive, but it is priced higher than its key rivals without offering any advantage in features, style or interior quality. The buttons and dashboard plastics are similar to those in the previous-gen truck: sturdy but somewhat cheap-looking. Chevy's warranty coverage is average, though you do get the first scheduled maintenance for free.

Wildcard

7.0/10

Full-size trucks such as the Silverado aren't necessarily fun to drive. But with its commanding view of the road, lots of towing power and a brutish front-end styling, the Silverado can put a smile on your face. However, the interior looks dated and borrows many pieces and design cues from the previous generation. It may or may not be a personality you want.

Which Silverado 1500 does Edmunds recommend?

While we like several of the lower trim levels for their more reasonable prices and pick-and-choose approach to available equipment, the LTZ and the High Country are the only two trim levels that offer the optional 6.2-liter V8 and Chevy's full suite of safety features. The optional Safety package II available on both those trims includes this year's new feature, adaptive cruise control, and items such as blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup available in eight trim levels: Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ and High Country. Like most full-size trucks, the Silverado is available with varying cab and bed configurations such as two-door regular cab, the four-door extended (Double) cab, and the crew cab with four full-size doors. Depending on cab selection, the three available bed sizes are an 8-foot-long bed, a 6.5-foot bed and a shorter 5-foot-8-inch bed.

The base WT is powered by a 4.3-liter V6 engine (285 horsepower, 305 lb-ft of torque) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes steel wheels, air conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. The Custom trim level adds front tow hooks, power and heated mirrors, and cruise control. Above the Custom is the Custom Trail Boss trim level, which is four-wheel-drive only and has a trailering package and the Z71 off-road suspension package.

Building on the Custom trim, the LT gets a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (310 hp, 348 lb-ft) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also has LED headlights, a tailgate damper and an 8-inch touchscreen. The RST adds a power-locking and power-release tailgate, in-bed lighting and remote start. The LT Trail Boss gets a 5.3-liter V8 engine (355 hp, 383 lb-ft) paired to 4WD and a 10-speed automatic transmission. You also get the contents of the trailering and Z71 suspension packages.

The LTZ has the 5.3-liter V8 with an eight-speed automatic. It also comes equipped with a higher-definition rearview camera, a heated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trailer brake controller, two 120-volt power outlets, dual-zone automatic climate control, a navigation system, leather upholstery and heated front seats.

In addition to the LTZ's equipment, the High Country pads on front and rear parking sensors, a power-up-and-down tailgate, a spray-on bedliner, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, wireless phone charging, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Many features on upper trim levels are offered on the lower ones as packages or stand-alone options. Other available features include various axle ratios, off-road-oriented tires, and trailer monitoring systems that allow for trailer tire-pressure sensors or trailer rearview-camera connections.

A 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged diesel engine (277 hp and 460 lb-ft) and a 6.2-liter V8 engine (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) are optional and both are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive High Country trims with the 5.3-liter V8 also come with the 10-speed automatic.

An optional Safety package (available on LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, and LTZ) adds lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Safety package II (LTZ and High Country only) includes everything in the standard Safety package equipment plus forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, forward pedestrian detection with braking, and a safety alert seat. The Technology package (LTZ and High Country only) adds a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera, a bed-view camera, and provisions for two trailer cameras.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#5 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 from 2008-2022.}

$630/yr

vs. $752/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.69x/yr

vs. 0.98x/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

19.1%

vs. 19.9%
for Average Fullsize Truck

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

5 (43%)

4 (17%)

3 (9%)

2 (6%)

1 (25%)

3.5

65 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Engine died in heavy rain storm.

2020Trailboss, 07/26/2021

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A)

Dealer said water got into intake and disabled engine. Still in disbelief. Truck is labeled as a Trailboss but can't handle conditions normal cars don't have a problem with on public street. GM won’t cover under warranty and have to go through insurance for new engine. So try to avoid driving in heavy rain /over large puddles of water or sides of road where water puddles up during a …

Exactly what's wrong with the 2020 silverado

Johnny4Track, 03/14/2020

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A)

Good truck, but there are some dumb GM issues... First, the custom trim doesn't have any center console storage. This is insane because it would cost GM less money to install one good center console on their trucks instead of trying to force buyers into a trim upgrade. Second, the truck has a blind spot mirror on the driver's side. This would be a useful mirror on the passenger side, …

Motor blew up at 200 MILES!

Michael Sites, 10/28/2020

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A)

I purchased a 2020 Silverado Trail Boss 6.2L on 10/17/2020. One 10/22/2020 with only a little over 200 miles a valve spring broke and cracked my block. Needs a new engine! This should be fun. Awaiting GM to inspect the engine to see "if it is covered". What out GM 6.2 owners!!!

Much improved - better look and ride!

Lawson46038, 03/13/2020

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A)

I actually held off buying a Silverado due to the previous squared off fender wells. I did not like that look at all. An opportunity came for me to trade out of my 2019 Colorado into a 2020 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab and what an amazing truck this is! I would definitely recommend the CREW cab versus the DOUBLE cab if you can swing it. There is so much more room in the back of a crew …

See all 65 reviews of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 video

2020 Chevy Silverado Review: Silverado Trail Boss Towing Capacity, Engines, Off-Road & More!

Outfitted with a lift kit and more aggressive off-road tires, the Chevy Silverado Trail Boss is built for general purpose off-roading. Carlos Lago explains what you should know about the 2020 Chevy Silverado in general while reviewing the Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss.

2020 Silverado 1500 Highlights

Type:

Crew Cab

Trim:

Work Truck

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$34,600
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$219/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	9,700 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Silverado 1500 models:

Rear Vision Camera: Displays an image of the area immediately behind the Silverado in the central touchscreen. Standard on all trims.
Front and Rear Park Assist: Sounds an alert as the Silverado approaches an object in front of or behind the vehicle.
Forward Collision Alert: Warns the driver of an imminent front-end collision and can apply the brakes at low speeds.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover19.1%

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2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 Review

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2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Towing and Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Silverado 1500 does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Engine died in heavy rain storm.

Exactly what's wrong with the 2020 silverado

Motor blew up at 200 MILES!

Much improved - better look and ride!

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 video

2020 Chevy Silverado Review: Silverado Trail Boss Towing Capacity, Engines, Off-Road & More!

2020 Silverado 1500 Highlights

Safety

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