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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $33,127–$42,196 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.4/10, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns a Good rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10, while Technology at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.8/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 8.1/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance lands mid-pack at 7.9/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $33,127–$42,196, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Value lands at 7.4/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, but it needs the right buyer. Its reliability and technology scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranks #251 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 51% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $33,127 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 6%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.4 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $38,774 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $37,645 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $36,515 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $35,386 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $34,256 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $33,127 | |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $31,998 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $30,868 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $29,739 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $28,610 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $27,480 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 6.7/10 | $22,400 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Tires 25/02/2021 · 21V115000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC… |
|---|---|
| Electrical system / 12v/24v/48v battery / Cables 12/12/2019 · 19V888000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection… |
| Seat belts 17/12/2020 · 20V792000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt… |
| Tires 05/11/2020 · 20V684000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that… |
| Air bags / Side/window / Curtain / Inflator 30/07/2020 · 20V446000 | General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag… |
Showing 5 of 12 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's reliability 6.8/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
12 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #251 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 51% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 starts at $33,127 and ranges up to $42,196 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.