The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lasts around 250,000 miles with some average check engine light and transmission issues reported. At $29,998 to $57,000, it’s a decent value for a large truck with great towing and hauling capabilities.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Chevy Silverado 1500 series since it offers a nice cabin paired with powerful engine choices. Owner reviews praise the turbo engines, smooth suspension, along with the great passenger room.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are pretty nice for a large truck in the 2020 Chevy Silverado, the seats are comfortable on longer drives, there are also three bed lengths offered.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2020 Chevy Silverado. Models from 2015–2017 have a lot of transmission issues and should be avoided, while 2018–2022 are much more dependable.
- Performance 8/10 – The base engines are relatively weak, while the optional V8 motors offer more power than many other full size trucks giving it a very high towing capacity.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2020 Silverado is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control, along with automatic emergency braking.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 27 MPG giving 648 miles of range out of the 24 gallon tank. Gas costs are $38 cheaper than average at $245 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 is cheaper than some other full size trucks with slow depreciation, giving it a high overall value score.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Chevy Silverado?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 series offers excellent power for a large truck with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the 2020 Silverado a 3.4/5, praising the excellent passenger room in the four-door model, but doesn’t like the rough suspension.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Silverado at 3.9/5, enjoying all the available engine choices, but owners don’t like the smaller touchscreen.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado include check engine lights, difficulty changing gears, along with some brake assist warning lights on the dash. Overall, these problems are similar to some other large trucks on the market, leading to average repair costs as the Silverado ages.
Check engine lights are the most widespread complaint from 2020 Silverado 1500 series owners in the first 20,000 miles. Usually, a check engine light will turn on when there is a problem with one of the sensors on the engine or exhaust. To diagnose the source of the problem you will need to use an OBD-II scan tool. Once you know the issue, you can replace the damaged parts, which can cost $20 to $400.
Difficulty changing gears is another issue found on the 2020 Silverado in the first 2,000 miles. The transmission control module learns how an individual drives to improve shifting performance over time. Usually the transmission just starts to change gears better as the truck gets more miles on it. In other cases you may need to have the control module reset, which costs around $150. There are also some very rare reports of transmission failures, which are usually covered under warranty.
Brake assist warning lights on the dash also show up on some Silverado models at around 2,500 miles. The problem is usually caused by a dirty or damaged front brake assist sensor. Cleaning off the sensor fixes the issue in some trucks, while others need a new sensor which costs about $700 if it’s not under warranty.
There are ten recalls on the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 series, which is more than some other trucks on the market. The most serious recall is on the alternator connectors, which may cause the alternator to overheat. Chevy will replace the connection on the alternator to fix the issue. Other recalls cover the brake calipers, seat belts, along with the tires.
How Long Will the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 series can last around 250,000 miles, which is around 50,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota Tundra. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other large trucks according to data provided by Repair Pal at $670 per year.
As a used 2020 Silverado reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the oil pan costing $650, muffler costing $755, along with the radiator fan motor which costs $1,000.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good with a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen and a more powerful stereo system.
Standard safety technology is basic only, including a rearview camera and rear-seat reminder.
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rearview mirror with integrated camera display
- Lane departure warning with lane keep assist
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Safety alert seat which vibrates
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert
- Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Head-up display
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 Series is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other full size trucks with great towing capabilities. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $29,998 to $57,000, making it less than a Ford F-150 or Toyota Tundra. When new, the price range was $28,500 to $57,100. Depreciation in current market conditions is nearly nonexistent, although in normal times we expect it to lose about 5% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chevy Silverado?
There are eight models of the 2020 Chevy Silverado offered from the fleet-focused Work Truck all the way through to the very luxurious Silverado High Country. The Silverado comes standard with rear-wheel drive while four-wheel drive is optional.
Work Truck is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Vinyl Seating
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Manual Bench Seat
- Halogen Headlights
- Power Windows and Door Locks
Custom is a step up, adding:
- 20-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- Power and Heated Mirrors
Custom Trail Boss adds features such as:
- Two-Inch Suspension Lift
- Standard Four-Wheel Drive
- Skid Plates
LT is a popular choice which has:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Automatic Climate Control
- LED Headlights
- Tailgate Damper
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
RST adds upgrades including:
- 18-Inch Wheels
- Push-Button and Remote Start
- Power-Locking Tailgate
- Fog Lights
LT Trail Boss offers items such as:
- Raised Suspension
- Locking Rear Differential
LTZ is a more luxurious model with:
- Leather Upholstery
- Heated Front Seats
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Satellite Radio
- High-Definition Rearview Camera
High Country is the flagship model which adds:
- 20-Inch Wheels
- Premium Leather SEats
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Seats
- Wireless Phone Charging
- Bose Audio System
- Power-Up-And-Down Tailgate
- Spray-On Bedliner
What Engines Come In the Chevy Silverado?
- The base engine is a weak 4.3L V6 which makes 285 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. of torque at up to 17 MPG. This motor can tow up to 7,000 pounds.
- An available upgrade is the stronger turbocharged 2.7L four-cylinder, which produces 310 horsepower and 348 lb.-ft. of torque while getting 21 MPG. It can tow up to 7,000 pounds.
- Next in the lineup is the more efficient 3.0L six-cylinder diesel, which generates 277 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque which gets 27 MPG. This engine pulls up to 9,400 pounds.
- The next engine is the stronger 5.3L V8, which makes 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque and gets up to 19 MPG. It can tow up to 11,600 pounds.
- The flagship engine is the very powerful 6.2L V8 which is good for 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque while getting up to 17 MPG. The towing capacity is great at up to 13,400 pounds.
What Colors Does the Chevy Silverado Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Chevy Silverado?
The 2020 Chevy Silverado is designed with comfort in mind, making it an enjoyable ride for both drivers and passengers. Its spacious interior offers ample headroom and legroom across all three cab configurations: Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab. The higher trim levels, such as the LTZ and High Country, come with premium materials, including leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats, adding to overall comfort.
Furthermore, the Silverado provides a smooth and composed ride, thanks to its well-tuned suspension system. Its cabin is well-insulated, effectively minimizing road and wind noise. Overall, the 2020 Chevy Silverado delivers a comfortable and pleasant ride for those seeking a reliable and versatile full-size pickup truck.
How Much Storage Space Does the Chevy Silverado Have?
The 2020 Chevy Silverado offers a generous amount of storage space to meet the needs of truck owners. This full-size pickup truck comes in three cab configurations: Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab.
The Regular Cab features an 8-foot long bed, providing up to 89.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Double Cab offers a choice between a 6.5-foot standard bed with up to 71.7 cubic feet and an 8-foot long bed with up to 89.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
The popular Crew Cab configuration provides two bed length options as well, a 5.8-foot short bed with up to 62.9 cubic feet of storage and a 6.5-foot standard bed with up to 71.7 cubic feet of storage space. With such versatile options, the 2020 Chevy Silverado caters to a wide range of storage needs, making it a reliable choice for both work and leisure.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Chevy Silverado 1500 series came out in 2019.
2015: New eight-speed automatic transmission on all models with the 6.2L V8.
2016: Improved touchscreen, minor exterior styling changes, along with LED lights added.
2017: Low-speed automatic emergency braking added, new active grille shutters.
2018: Standard rearview camera and 7-inch touchscreen across the entire lineup.
2019: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new styling, engines, and technology.
2020: 3.0L Turbodiesel engine offered, optional adaptive cruise control, new camera system.
2021: New tailgate offered, upgraded towing camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
How Does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Chevy Silverado is a very nice truck since it offers strong engines, decent reliability ratings, along with technology improvements from earlier years.
The Ford F-150 is another full size truck which costs about $1,500 more. Reliability ratings are slightly better on the Ford F-150, while the Chevy Silverado has a nicer interior for the money with less cheap plastic. We recommend the Ford F-150, although both are good trucks worth test driving to see which brand you prefer.
The Toyota Tundra is a competitor available for around $2,500 more. Ownership costs are much lower on the Toyota Tundra compared to all other large trucks, while the Chevy Silverado does have more safety technology available. We recommend the Toyota Tundra since it’s one of the longest lasting full size trucks, but both are decent choices for 2020.
