The 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 was the last year of the previous generation pickup. Compared to the all-new 2019 Silverado, some preferred this previous version better. But that’s not to say the 2018 pickup couldn’t use some improvements. We’ve compiled the pros and cons from industry consumer advocates like JD Power, Edmunds, and Consumer Reports. We’ve also included comments from owners. In this way, you can better determine whether a used 2018 Silverado is hitting all of the right buttons, or would be better to pass on.

Edmunds Pros and Cons 2018 Silverado:

Pros

• Quick acceleration and strong towing ability from the V8 engines.
• The front seats are comfortable for long drives.
• The cabin is pleasingly quiet at highway speeds.
• A long list of available options allows for extensive customization.

Cons

• Ride quality isn’t as smooth as that of some other trucks in the class.
• The eight-speed automatic is available only with V8s on upper trim levels.
• Cabin materials feel cheaper than those of rivals.
• Feels heavier from behind the wheel than its competitors.

Chevy offers a huge range of Silverado configurations. It’s sold with three cab layouts, three bed sizes, and three engine choices across six distinct trim levels. This jack-of-all-trades truck doesn’t excel in any particular area, but it’s a solid choice in a competitive segment.

Scorecard

Owners’ comments:

“I enjoy the quiet ride of the Chevy. My music can be played at tenable levels without competing for my aural attention with the exhaust system. I test drove a 2017 2500 HD gas double cab and for all the reasons I own a pickup, should have purchased it rather than a 1500, but the ride was just too stiff for me. In conclusion, I’m quite happy with my Silverado 1500 series truck as it suits all of my needs, and plan to be driving it for some time to come.”

“$50,000 truck that vibrates, shifts bad, drives terrible, jumps and jerks. And the dealer says it’s the way the truck should drive. I have owned 3 trucks and a suburban with the same motor and transmission and none of them drove like this piece of junk.”

“I wish I had kept my old truck, it would run circles around this one.”

“This Silverado has the 10-speed auto transmission. It lurches, clunks, and has very uncomfortable transmission shifts. I have been to the dealer twice. The service dept. could not do anything to make it shift smoothly. Service dept. re-flashed trans. computer changed to a different trans oil, all to no avail. Other than that, I like the looks.”

JD Power likes and dislikes for the 2018 Silverado:

Owners Like:

Measured owner satisfaction with 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 after 90-days of ownership.

• The vehicle’s heating and air conditioning
• The quietness of the vehicle’s interior
• How the interior materials feel

Owners Don’t Like:

The problems experienced by owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 during the first 90-days of ownership.

• The comfort of the 2nd-row seats
• Vehicle acceleration
• Ease of getting in and out of the vehicle

JD Power overall comments: “Choose from eight trims starting with the WT and moving through the High Country. Each is available with multiple cab and box choices. Three EcoTec3 engines are available to raise the performance bar. One gets best-in-class V8 fuel efficiency, one has best-in-class V8 power, and one has best-in-class V6 torque.

Z71 models are four-wheel drive only; all others come with two- or four-wheel drive. So haul away with up to 2 250 pounds of max payload. When it’s time to tow, the Silverado can pull over six tons—another best-in-class V8 rating. And since Silverados are the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickups on the road, you can haul and tow ’til the cows come home.

Inside the cavernous interior, you’ll find room for all your gear—plus the technology to keep you connected, like available 4G Wi-Fi and wireless charging. Choose from a variety of colors, options, and accessories, and build a Silverado that’s all yours. The Chevy Silverado 1500. Beauty, brains, and brawn.”

Consumer Reports Highs and Lows:

Highs

A very quiet cabin and relatively responsive handling provide a fairly carlike driving experience.

Relatively low step-in height makes access easy.

The MyLink touchscreen radio is easy to use.

Sophisticated electronic safety features are available on top-trim versions.

Lows

Long wet-braking distances.

Cloth seats are unsupportive.

Doesn’t ride as well as the Ram 1500.

The 5.3-liter V8 lacks the brawn of the 5.7-liter V8s in the Ram 1500 or Toyota Tundra.