What is the Best Used Truck to Buy for the Utah Lifestyle?

When you live in Utah, you need a versatile vehicle. During the week, you’re commuting through heavy Salt Lake Valley traffic, and on the weekend, you’re heading down to Moab with a trailer filled with all of your gear. Our terrain and weather vary widely, so finding a pickup truck that can handle that variety is a top priority for local drivers.

So, what is the best used truck to buy? You’re likely looking for something that is reliable enough for safe winter driving, but also doesn’t break the bank at the gas pump. We’re going to go over the things you should look for when you’re shopping for a used truck in Utah so you can feel confident about your purchase.

What is the Most Popular Used Truck in Utah?

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a staple on Utah roads. You’ll see them everywhere, from construction sites in South Jordan to trailheads up AF Canyon. Its popularity is in large part due to the way it balances towing capacity and daily comfort for long commutes.

The Chevy Silverado is often considered the best used truck for local drivers because it offers so many different trim levels. Whether you need a basic work truck or you want something more luxurious, there is a version of the Silverado that will match your needs. Its reputation for durability makes it a very safe bet.

Another popular option that you’ll see is the Chevrolet Colorado. This is a great option for people who want a midsize truck. The Colorado is great for people who need off-road capability, but also want something that will be easy to park in a downtown Salt Lake City parking garage. 

Both of these Chevy models hold their value well because they’re built to handle Utah’s severe climate conditions.

Why Buy a Used Truck in Salt Lake City?

Luckily, the used truck market in Utah is super active because our local culture revolves around being outdoors. So many drivers in the Salt Lake City area choose used vehicles so they can put that extra money toward their hobbies and adventures.

Avoid Steep Depreciation

Buying used is one of the smartest moves you can make if you’re a Utahn who values affordability. New trucks experience steep depreciation the moment they’re driven off the lot, but a used vehicle has already gone through that initial price drop.

This means that you’ll be able to get a higher trim level or a more powerful engine than you would’ve been able to afford if you were buying a brand-new truck.

More Variety

Choosing to go with a used truck will give you access to a larger variety of configurations and model years. You might prefer an engine option or a specific style of infotainment system that was available a few years ago but has since been changed. 

Shopping at a local dealership like Riverton Chevy gives you the chance to see these different setups in person and test drive a bunch of different options.

Accurate Reliability Ratings

Another benefit of buying a used truck is the availability of information. For trucks that are a couple of years old, you can easily find more accurate reliability ratings and owners’ reviews that will tell you how a specific year has held up over time. This can provide a level of peace of mind that is hard to find with a freshly released vehicle.

How Does the Chevy Silverado 1500 Compare to Other Full-Size Trucks?

When you’re looking at a full-size truck, you’re usually comparing the Silverado to its main competitors, the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra. It’s always a good idea to compare all of your options so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Silverado 1500 vs Ford F-150

• The Silverado Offers More Torque: The Silverado 1500 gives 430 lb.-ft., while the F-150 only gives 400 lb.-ft.
• The Silverado has Best-In-Class Fuel Efficiency: The Silverado gets 23 city/28 hwy on 2WD setups, and 22 city/26 hwy on 4WD setups.
• The Silverado is Built for Off-Road Power: The F-150 has the fast Raptor and Raptor R models for high speed, while the Silverado has the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison for tough rock crawling and trail strength.
• The F-150 has a Higher Max Towing Limit: The F-150 has a small lead with a top towing limit of up to 14,000 pounds, while the Silverado stops at 13,300 pounds.
• The F-150 has More Engine Options: Ford gives a wider range of engines, including the 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid, while Chevy stays with classic V8s and the efficient 3.0L Duramax diesel.
• The Silverado has a More Versatile Bed: The Silverado gives 12 standard tie-down hooks and a strong steel bed, while the F-150 uses an aluminum bed.
• The Silverado has a Larger Touchscreen: The Silverado has a 14.3-inch center screen, while the F-150 only has a 12-inch screen.

Silverado 1500 vs Ram 1500

• The Silverado has Better Diesel Power: Chevy offers the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel, which is well-known for its great highway gas mileage and torque. Ram has gotten rid of its EcoDiesel choice, leaving the Silverado as the top pick for diesel fans in this group.
• The Silverado has a Higher Max Towing Capacity: The Silverado 1500 takes the lead here with a top towing limit of up to 13,300 pounds. The Ram 1500 stops a bit lower at 12,750 pounds.
• The Silverado has a More Functional Interior: Ram is often known for having one of the most fancy interiors in the group, with high-end materials. The Silverado focuses on a more useful, high-tech setup featuring a standard 13.4-inch screen and Google built-in on most trims.
• The Silverado Offers More Torque: The Silverado’s base 2.7L TurboMax engine makes 430 lb-ft of torque. This is much more than the 269 lb-ft of torque found in the Ram’s base 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque.
• The Silverado has Better Camera Tech: For those who tow often, the Silverado offers up to 14 different camera views, including a trailer view. The Ram offers a strong 360-degree camera system but has fewer special towing angles.

Silverado 1500 vs Toyota Tundra

• The Silverado 1500 has a Higher Max Towing Capacity: The Silverado 1500 is the clear winner, as it offers a top tow rating of 13,300 pounds and a payload limit of 2,260 pounds. The Tundra only hits a top tow rating of 12,000 pounds and a payload of 1,940 pounds.
• The Silverado has More Engine Choices: Chevy gives you four different engine choices, including classic V8s and a 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel. Toyota has moved only to a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 setup, which includes a high-power hybrid version.
• The Tundra Offers More Torque: While the Tundra’s i-Force MAX hybrid makes a great 583 lb-ft of torque, the Silverado’s 3.0L Duramax diesel is often picked by those who want top towing torque (495 lb-ft) with better gas mileage on long trips.
• The Silverado has More Cab and Bed Choices: The Silverado offers more ways to build your truck with ten different cab and bed mixes across nine trims. The Tundra offers ten trims but fewer total ways to set up the cab and bed.
• The Silverado has More Useful Bed Features: The Silverado is available with the Multi-Flex Tailgate. This gate offers six different uses, including a step and a work desk. The Tundra offers a modern bed but does not have a similar multi-use tailgate system.
• How Does the Chevy Colorado Stack Up Against Other Midsize Trucks?

Midsize trucks are super popular in Utah because of the way they’re able to balance easy daily driving with off-road capabilities and towing capacity.

Chevy Colorado vs Toyota Tacoma

• The Colorado has a More Powerful Engine: The Colorado offers more power with 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Tacoma’s 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque.
• The Colorado has a Higher Max Towing Capacity: The Colorado has a higher maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, while the Tacoma maxes out at 6,500 pounds.
• The Colorado has a Higher Max Payload Capacity: The Colorado can carry a heavier maximum payload of 2,046 pounds, which is more than the Tacoma’s 1,705-pound limit.
• The Colorado has More Legroom: The Colorado provides more rear-seat legroom and a more spacious cabin overall compared to the Tacoma.
• The Colorado has a Larger Center Console Screen: The Colorado comes with a much larger standard 13.2-inch infotainment screen, whereas the Tacoma starts with an 8.0-inch touchscreen.
• The Tacoma has More Body Style Configurations: The Colorado is sold exclusively as a four-door Crew Cab with a five-foot bed, while the Tacoma offers more variety in body style configurations.

Chevy Colorado vs Ford Ranger

• The Colorado has a Higher Max Towing Capacity: The Colorado leads the class with a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, while the Ranger is slightly lower at 7,500 pounds.
• The Colorado has a More Powerful Engine: The Colorado’s standard turbo four-cylinder produces 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The Ranger’s base engine offers 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
• The Ranger Gets Better Gas Mileage: The Ranger gets better gas mileage because it has a less powerful engine, reaching up to 26 mpg on the highway. The Colorado maxes out at 24 mpg on the highway.
• The Colorado Offers More Legroom: Drivers who need more space will find it in the Colorado, which offers 45.17 inches of front legroom compared to 43.2 inches in the Ranger.
• The Colorado has a Higher Payload Capacity: The Colorado has a higher maximum payload capacity of 1,846 pounds, compared to the Ranger’s 1,809 pounds.
• Differences in Infotainment Style: The Colorado uses a horizontal screen layout that many find more functional, while the Ranger features a vertically oriented screen that requires looking down more often.
• Chevy Colorado vs GMC Canyon
• The Colorado has a Lower Price Point: The Colorado is designed as a more affordable truck with a starting price significantly lower than the Canyon.
• The Colorado has More Trim Options: Chevrolet offers more choices with six distinct trims, while GMC streamlines the Canyon into five more premium-focused trims.
• The Canyon has More Ground Clearance Options: Every 2024 Canyon comes with a factory-installed 2-inch lift and a wider track as standard, while the Colorado offers different heights depending on the trim you select.
• The Canyon is Built with More Luxurious Details: The GMC Canyon, particularly in the Denali trim, uses upscale materials and leather, while the Colorado focuses on durability with vinyl or cloth in its work-ready trims.

Chevy Colorado vs Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline

Other competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and the Honda Ridgeline offer very specific niche benefits:

• Jeep Gladiator: The Jeep Gladiator is great for an open-air feel, but it can be noisy on the freeway and has a lower towing capacity than the Colorado.
• Honda Ridgeline: Offers the most car-like ride because of its AWD system, but it lacks the low-range gearing and ground clearance needed for serious off-road Utah adventures.

What Used Trucks Should You Stay Away From?

Modern trucks, in general, are built to last, but there are certain things you should look for to save yourself trouble. It’s super important to do your research and ask questions while you’re at the dealership so you don’t end up with an expensive repair bill and a truck that’s more trouble than it’s worth. Here are a few specific things to watch out for:

• Early High-Tech Engines: Some early versions of turbocharged engines had issues with cooling and frustrating software glitches that are hard to fix.
• Transmission Cooling Leaks: Certain older midsize trucks were known for radiator leaks that could completely ruin the transmission if they weren’t caught early enough.
• Electrical Issues: Some trucks from the mid-2010s are known to have frequent problems with their infotainment systems and other power accessories.
• Suspension Wear and Tear: Heavy-duty trucks that were used for intense towing jobs are more likely to have a worn-out suspension system, which can result in a rough or unsafe ride.

Is a Vehicle History Report Really Necessary?

You should always ask for a vehicle history report before you sign anything. If you’re purchasing a used truck from a private seller, doing your due diligence before you write a check is going to be especially important.

At Riverton Chevy, we’ll be able to give you a detailed analysis of any used vehicle on our lot so you have a clear view of what you’re purchasing. Trucks that have a history of major engine or transmission work likely aren’t going to be a smart purchase, so it’s probably best to steer clear of those.

Buy Your Next Used Truck at Riverton Chevy in South Jordan, UT

When you’re ready to see these trucks in person, Riverton Chevy is a trusted dealership in South Jordan, UT, that is ready to help. 

We maintain a full inventory of both new and used trucks, making it easy to find one that fits your specific needs and budget. You can visit our website to explore our current selection of used vehicles and take a test drive to see how each model handles.