2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SL
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $37,193–$48,337 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SL is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.0/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10, while Value at 6.5/10 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. At 6.5/10 for reliability, this truck trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.8/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.5/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.9/10 — 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 $37,193–$48,337, 13 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. The value score of 6.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SL sits in the middle of the field. Until its technology and reliability and value scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
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 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SL ranks #425 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $37,193 starting price is about 6% above the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $50k →
Across the Silverado 1500 SL model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $50,406 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $48,938 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $47,469 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $46,001 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.3/10 | $44,532 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.4/10 | $43,065 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $41,597 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $40,128 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $38,660 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $37,193 | |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $35,724 | Read review → |
We rate the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SL's reliability 6.5/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.
It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #425 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 18% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SL starts at $37,193 and ranges up to $48,337 across trims (MSRP when new). At 13 MPG, expect roughly $4,038/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.