Competing against the Ford F-Series, Ram pickup, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan, the Silverado is among the best-selling vehicles in the United States, having sold over 12 million trucks since its introduction in 1998 as a 1999 model year.

[2] The Silverado nameplate made its debut for the 1975 model year, becoming the top trim level on all Chevrolet C/K trucks,[3] slotted above Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale, and Cheyenne.

In 2018, at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, Chevrolet unveiled the first medium-duty Silverado, expanding the model line to a 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD chassis cab.

This is in fact a very similar nod to how the Avalanche did not have a GMC Yukon–based equivalent, but instead, Cadillac would take its place as the former's rebadged counterpart, the Escalade EXT.The GMT800 Silverado/Sierra 1500 and 2500 pickup trucks were released in August 1998 as 1999 models.

On December 13, 2012, the fully-redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra were both introduced in Detroit, Michigan, later making their public debut at the North American International Auto Show.

It included A2DP stereo streaming technologies, Bluetooth hands-free telephone, USB hookups, and an input for an Apple iPod or iPhone.

The third generation Silverado introduced the all-new upmarket top-of-the-line "High Country" trim level which includes saddle brown leather interior, which is Chevrolet's very first entry into the luxury truck market since the 1955–1959 Task-Force 3100 "Cameo Carrier."

A fully-squared front fascia takes retro-modern styling cues from the GMT400 and 1981–1987 Square-Body trucks, and on Z71 models, a Z71 badge was added to the bottom right place of the grille.

On January 14, 2014, the Silverado, along with the Corvette Stingray, received the 2014 North American International Auto Show's Car and Truck of the Year awards, respectively.

[12][13] For the 2015 model year, the 6.2L EcoTec3 is now paired with the new 8-speed 8L90 transmission, offering a wider ratio spread with more closely spaced gears, quicker shifts, improved acceleration, and fuel economy.

Other new options for the Silverado and Sierra 2500HD/3500HD models included an eight-inch, full-color, reconfigurable LCD Driver Information Center (DIC) screen (for Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Denali models only), a 110-volt AC household-style power outlet, up to six available USB ports, an available eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a power-sliding rear window with integrated defroster.

Silverado and Sierra Double and Crew Cabs also received several new safety features, including GM's Rear Seat Reminder[21] and Teen Driver Mode.

[22] Starting in 2016, GM offered an eAssist mild hybrid version of the 5.3L V8 engine in the Silverado LT and Sierra SLT, but only in the state of California.

[31] In retrospect, the first-generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was sold alongside its predecessor—the fourth-generation C/K 1500—for 1999, with the predecessor only being available with the V8 gasoline engine, automatic transmission, and the three-door extended cab/short bed configuration.

[38][39] The Silverado 1500 features a more sculpted exterior design, with headlamps that integrate into the grille (similar to more recent Ford trucks), and the former also incorporates LED Daytime Running Accent Lamps (DRL's).

The 2021 model was based on a Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss in Crew Cab Short Box configuration, adding 20-inch black wheels and Realtree camouflage graphics inside and out.

The 2020 Silverado 3500 HD can tow up to 35,500 pounds (16,100 kg) in a regular cab dual rear wheel configuration with the Duramax 6.6L L5P turbodiesel V8 engine.

The regular cab option is not available in other trim levels in the United States and Canada, as these trucks are geared mainly towards fleet and commercial buyers.

Starting in 2022, regular cab models with a 6.5-foot (2.0 m) bed were made available in the United States and Canada, albeit only in WT trim and with the 2.7L L4 engine.

Most notably, the Silverado 1500 offered the newly named Multi-Flex six-position tailgate, which was borrowed from the GMC Sierra, and the introduction of wireless CarPlay and Android Auto projection capability.

Notable changes for the 2022 Limited models included the discontinuation of both the 4.3-liter LV3 EcoTec3 V6 and 5.3-liter L82 EcoTec3 V8 with active fuel management (AFM) gasoline engines, as well as the previous "6L80" six-speed automatic transmission, leaving only the 8-speed and 10-speed available.

The short 6.5-foot (2.0 m) pickup box option has returned for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cabs since last being offered in the US market on the previous generation from 2018.

Other trim levels like RST and Trail Boss for the Silverado and Elevation and AT4 for the Sierra have been available with this configuration in the Middle East since 2019 but are not offered in the U.S. Base Silverado 1500 WT and Sierra 1500 Pro Regular Cab models now received standard power windows, door locks, and push-button start,[61] although keyless entry remained an extra-cost option.

In April 2023, GM introduced the 2500HD version of the ZR2, a new heavy-duty off-road model, as well as a special edition called the ZR2 Bison, in partnership with parts supplier American Expedition Vehicles.

[65] Sitting higher than other consumer vehicles, the Chevrolet Silverado has significantly larger blind spots in which people or other cars are invisible to the driver.

[82] In contrast to smaller Silverado pickup trucks, the 4500HD/5500HD/6500HD and CV are only offered as a chassis cab vehicle intended for modification by upfitters/body builders, typically by adding specialized rear bodywork.

[84] Both the Silverado medium-duty and CV are powered by a 350 horsepower (260 kW), 700 lb⋅ft (950 N⋅m) variant of the Duramax 6.6L V8 diesel engine[83] paired with an Allison 1000 or 2000 series automatic transmission.

[76] At its launch, GM introduced the model line primarily through its dealer network that specialized in fleet and commercial truck sales, known as the 'Business Elite' program, alongside an additional limited number of selected dealerships.

[89] The Militarization of standard GM trucks/SUVs to become LSSVs includes exterior changes such as CARC paint (Forest Green, Desert Sand, or 3-color Camouflage), blackout lights, military bumpers, a brush guard, a NATO slave receptacle/NATO trailer receptacle, a pintle hook and tow shackles.

The truck also can be equipped with weapon supports in the cab, cargo tie down hooks, folding troop seats, pioneer tools, winches, and other military accessories.