Skip to main content

1994
Chevrolet 1500

Starts at:
$12,654
Shop options
New 1994 Chevrolet 1500
See ratings
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Shop Cars.com
Browse cars & save your favorites
Dealers near you
Find & contact a dealership near you
no listings

We're not finding any listings in your area.
Change your location or search Cars.com to see more!

Change location

Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • Reg Cab 117.5" WB
    Starts at
    $12,654
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab 131.5" WB
    Starts at
    $12,854
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab 117.5" WB
    Starts at
    $14,327
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab 131.5" WB
    Starts at
    $14,607
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab Sportside 117.5" WB
    Starts at
    $14,990
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab 117.5" WB 4WD
    Starts at
    $15,746
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab 131.5" WB 4WD
    Starts at
    $15,946
    See all specs
  • Ext Cab 141.5" WB
    Starts at
    $16,154
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab 117.5" WB 4WD
    Starts at
    $16,769
    See all specs
  • Ext Cab 155.5" WB
    Starts at
    $16,997
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab 131.5" WB 4WD
    Starts at
    $17,068
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab Sportside 117.5" WB 4WD
    Starts at
    $17,331
    See all specs
  • Ext Cab 141.5" WB 4WD
    Starts at
    $18,479
    See all specs
  • Ext Cab Sportside 141.5" WB 4WD
    Starts at
    $18,891
    See all specs
  • Ext Cab 155.5" WB 4WD
    Starts at
    $19,253
    See all specs

The good & the bad

This vehicle doesn't have any good or bad insights yet.

Use our comparison tool to look at this model side-by-side with other vehicles or view the full specifications list .

Start your comparison

Expert 1994 Chevrolet 1500 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

The problem with a diesel-powered truck is the commotion from the engine. Sometimes it sounds as if you just wandered onto the range during happy hour at the annual NRA convention.

A while back we ventured out in a 1994 Dodge Ram pickup with a 5.9-liter, 175-horsepower, six-cylinder diesel. At idle it sounded as if someone was dropping boulders into a metal drum.

So, when Chevrolet offered to park its diesel pickup in the driveway, we accepted with a bit of concern-and a wad of cotton in each ear to cope with the noise.

Yet when the 1994 Chevy Fleetside four-wheel-drive, extended-cab pickup arrived-with a 6.5-liter, 155-horsepower V-8 diesel, we quickly found that theconcern over diesel racket was unfounded.

The Fleetside’s V-8 was much quieter than the Ram’s six, with the sound more like pea gravel, rather than boulders, being dropped in a metal drum.

Once up to cruising speed the diesel quieted even more, as if sand was being poured into that drum.

Inside the passenger cabin when traveling at highway speeds, you’d be hard-pressed to tell whether it is a diesel or gas engine under the hood. About the only telltale clue is that the fuel gauge doesn’t move often or far with the diesel.

When we pulled up to the pump to refuel, however, diesel was 18 cents a gallon more expensive than gas. At least with diesel you get more miles of travel between pit stops. The Fleetside diesel is rated at 15 m.p.g. city/19 highway with four-wheel drive, which compares with a 13/17 rating with the 5.7-liter V-8 in the comparable gas-powered four-wheel-drive truck.

Like the Ram, the Fleetside comes with anti-lock brakes, or ABS, but unlikethe Ram, you can only get rear-wheel ABS and not four-wheel. Also, there’s no air bag in the Chevrolet, which won’t have one until the 1995 model year. Ram has one now.

While the Ram is a fine truck-except when equipped with a diesel engine-theChevy pickup boasts a major benefit over the Dodge. The Fleetside has a 3-inchlower step-in height than the Ram, which stands high to foster the bold, macho, big-rig look. The Chevy has easier step-in and slip-out capability.

Our test truck was an extended-cab version, which meant room behind the front seat to hold a few kids or several bags of groceries without having to stack them in the rear cargo bed. (The groceries, not the kids. Kids never should be carted in the open back. Cats, yes, but not kids.)

However, the truck didn’t have power outside mirrors. In such a wide vehicle you need power mirrors, because there’s no way to reach the passenger mirror from the driver’s seat unless you stop and pull over to the shoulder ofthe road.

A change that needs to be made is in the power window and power door-lock controls. The buttons are next to each other and are roughly the same size. Inthe dark you may think you’re lowering the window but end up unlocking the door. Chevy needs to redesign the size and shape of these buttons or relocate one to avoid the confusion.

The Fleetside started at $18,179. Options such as automatic transmission at$890 and the diesel engine package at $3,670, which includes the engine and twin batteries, block heater and five-year/100,000-mile warranty coverage, brought the sticker to $25,881. Add $600 for freight.

Let the designers have their way and you turn a workhorse into a showpiece,which is what Chevy did in transforming its full-size pickup into the Sportside Edition.

Basically you take the regular cab (or extended), add a short bed (or a long bed), flare the rear wheel wells, add side steps, color the bumpers and grille the same as the body, and you have a pickup in which it should be illegal to haul a bale of hay. Base price: $14,690. Caution: You’ll want the sport handling package at $1,065 to complement the power of the 5.7-liter, V-8($845) and the ease of driving with the 4-speed automatic ($890), which means add at least $2,700 in options (rear-wheel ABS standard), plus $113 more for asliding rear window. Perhaps pick ’em up refers to what you need to do to yourjaw after you’ve seen the sticker.

1994 Chevrolet 1500 review: Our expert's take
By

The problem with a diesel-powered truck is the commotion from the engine. Sometimes it sounds as if you just wandered onto the range during happy hour at the annual NRA convention.

A while back we ventured out in a 1994 Dodge Ram pickup with a 5.9-liter, 175-horsepower, six-cylinder diesel. At idle it sounded as if someone was dropping boulders into a metal drum.

So, when Chevrolet offered to park its diesel pickup in the driveway, we accepted with a bit of concern-and a wad of cotton in each ear to cope with the noise.

Yet when the 1994 Chevy Fleetside four-wheel-drive, extended-cab pickup arrived-with a 6.5-liter, 155-horsepower V-8 diesel, we quickly found that theconcern over diesel racket was unfounded.

The Fleetside’s V-8 was much quieter than the Ram’s six, with the sound more like pea gravel, rather than boulders, being dropped in a metal drum.

Once up to cruising speed the diesel quieted even more, as if sand was being poured into that drum.

Inside the passenger cabin when traveling at highway speeds, you’d be hard-pressed to tell whether it is a diesel or gas engine under the hood. About the only telltale clue is that the fuel gauge doesn’t move often or far with the diesel.

When we pulled up to the pump to refuel, however, diesel was 18 cents a gallon more expensive than gas. At least with diesel you get more miles of travel between pit stops. The Fleetside diesel is rated at 15 m.p.g. city/19 highway with four-wheel drive, which compares with a 13/17 rating with the 5.7-liter V-8 in the comparable gas-powered four-wheel-drive truck.

Like the Ram, the Fleetside comes with anti-lock brakes, or ABS, but unlikethe Ram, you can only get rear-wheel ABS and not four-wheel. Also, there’s no air bag in the Chevrolet, which won’t have one until the 1995 model year. Ram has one now.

While the Ram is a fine truck-except when equipped with a diesel engine-theChevy pickup boasts a major benefit over the Dodge. The Fleetside has a 3-inchlower step-in height than the Ram, which stands high to foster the bold, macho, big-rig look. The Chevy has easier step-in and slip-out capability.

Our test truck was an extended-cab version, which meant room behind the front seat to hold a few kids or several bags of groceries without having to stack them in the rear cargo bed. (The groceries, not the kids. Kids never should be carted in the open back. Cats, yes, but not kids.)

However, the truck didn’t have power outside mirrors. In such a wide vehicle you need power mirrors, because there’s no way to reach the passenger mirror from the driver’s seat unless you stop and pull over to the shoulder ofthe road.

A change that needs to be made is in the power window and power door-lock controls. The buttons are next to each other and are roughly the same size. Inthe dark you may think you’re lowering the window but end up unlocking the door. Chevy needs to redesign the size and shape of these buttons or relocate one to avoid the confusion.

The Fleetside started at $18,179. Options such as automatic transmission at$890 and the diesel engine package at $3,670, which includes the engine and twin batteries, block heater and five-year/100,000-mile warranty coverage, brought the sticker to $25,881. Add $600 for freight.

Let the designers have their way and you turn a workhorse into a showpiece,which is what Chevy did in transforming its full-size pickup into the Sportside Edition.

Basically you take the regular cab (or extended), add a short bed (or a long bed), flare the rear wheel wells, add side steps, color the bumpers and grille the same as the body, and you have a pickup in which it should be illegal to haul a bale of hay. Base price: $14,690. Caution: You’ll want the sport handling package at $1,065 to complement the power of the 5.7-liter, V-8($845) and the ease of driving with the 4-speed automatic ($890), which means add at least $2,700 in options (rear-wheel ABS standard), plus $113 more for asliding rear window. Perhaps pick ’em up refers to what you need to do to yourjaw after you’ve seen the sticker.

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / up to 75,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years / 100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)
Dealer certification
172-point inspection

Compare similar vehicles

Select cars to compare for more detailed info.
  • 1994
    4.7
    Chevrolet 1500
    Starts at
    $12,654
    -
    MPG
    -
    Seat capacity
    -
    Engine
    -
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 1997
    5.0
    GMC Savana 1500
    Starts at
    $22,334
    15 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 1995
    4.2
    GMC Sierra 1500
    Starts at
    $13,507
    -
    MPG
    -
    Seat capacity
    -
    Engine
    -
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 1993
    4.0
    GMC Suburban
    Starts at
    $19,408
    -
    MPG
    -
    Seat capacity
    -
    Engine
    -
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2002
    4.5
    GMC Sonoma
    Starts at
    $13,975
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    3
    Seat capacity
    -
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • Compare more options
    Use our comparison tool to add any vehicle of your choice and see a full list of specifications and features side-by-side.
    Try it now

Consumer reviews

4.7 / 5
Based on 19 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.5
Interior 3.9
Performance 4.4
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.4
Reliability 4.7

Most recent

  • Last carbureted 350 efi ever after that vortech the last

    Last carbureted 350 efi ever after that vortech the last true truck. All steel all galvanized body, get you the 4x4 Z71! Not one of these newfangled plastic and aluminuminum car/trucks. SilverAdO
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • this truck=good

    overall a great truck for work/play etc. mine runs great and never had any problems. this truck in my opinion is one of the best trucks ever made.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Perfect builder truck

    Great truck but with age comes problems and most common problem I’ve found is bad transmission and that’s among multiple trucks of the same year me and my friends have owned
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    28 people out of 31 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Like a rock

    This truck won’t let you down, it is hands down the most dependable truck ever built. It’s easy to fix, fast, tough, and just all around reliable.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    18 people out of 18 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Not as advertised

    It was advertised as in near perfect condition. In the six weeks we have had it the headliner, which was not glued in, has fallen out; we have had to replace the condenser, compressor, evaporator, and all lines for the air conditioner (didn’t work from the start); the headlights were incorrect and therefore were loose, grill was broken, the grill was cracked, and there are marks in the paint that was most likely done by the dealer’s mechanics because these “chemical splash marks” were not there in the pictures provided (salesman said there was small clear coat pealing but these marks are down to the metal). Being a used car I did not expect perfection but I did expect honesty.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
    26 people out of 36 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very reliable!

    This vehicle has been used solely in town, by my parents. Used to go to the grocery store and church. My Parents have owned this vehicle for many many years.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The Most Indestructible Truck GMT400 (88-98)

    I bought my 94 Silverado Z71 (4:10 rear gears G-80) 350tbi X-Cab in 2000 with 175K (now 335K), it's low maintenance, easy to work on. My Silverado is heavily modified: headers, roller rockers, modified tbi w/spacer, dual electric fans, open k&n air cleaner, cold air hood induction, stage 2 jet chip, Belltech rear sway bar, 4L60E shift Kit, and much more. I installed HID kit-10K about 10 years ago, still turns on every time just like my truck. I would recommend any Chevy or non Chevy owner this truck especially the 96-98 Vortecs. These trucks are slowly disappearing and increasing in value, and are known for high mileage, mileage is just a number to these trucks...Like A Rock, the most longest lasting trucks on the road... Indestructible truck GMT400 88-98 Chevy/GMC trucks....
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The easiest truck to work on

    Who would possibly be influenced to buy a 1994 Chevy truck? Anyone who has to also work on it... Parts are cheap and plentiful. Most things can be done with a $49 tool kit, duck tape and WD-40. I have put my truck though a lot, if it doesn't rust out I'll probably rebuild the automatic transmission (4L60e) and fix the air conditioning so I don't have to recharge it every year.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 3.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Like a rock!

    Bought my 1994 K 1500 used with 225'000 miles on it, I've owned all the major truck brands around the mid 90's .. this truck is by far my favorite, super comfortable except I had to move the drivers seat back about 4 inches, I'm only 5'9 and with the seat all the way back it's was just bearable, simple fix. I get 21 mpg average out of the 5.7 with 5 speed auto. Since I've got it it's got a crate motor and brand new transmission..simply because I WANT to drive this truck another 20 years before I give it to my son.. only other truck I love from that era is the f-150 with 4.9 4 or 5 speed manual, but the comfort of the 1500 going up the highway/interstate can't be beat or even compared.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Towing
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best truck ever

    I've owned this truck for 20 years and in that time it has been very reliable only requiring regular maintenance such as oil changes and ties. In 2016 the ac compressor went bad but it didn't affect the performance of the truck. It runs great and looks good for a 24 year old truck. I love it but have to sell it just sits on my drive way and someone else can get some use out of it now.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • LA TRUCKA

    One of the best stiles for pick ups year it is still going strong and it is one of the easiest trucks I ever worked on it is definitely a DYS very reliable and comfortable love the inside although have done some modifications to it (Captains Chairs added for the front) the most good looking pick up I seen wouldn't change it for a new one .
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Hard working trucks that can last a lifetime

    Great look and design with a square body style. 5.7L v8 350 climbs up hills and mountains with ease on highways. Very sturdy and dependable truck
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

Latest news from cars.com

See all news

Chevrolet dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1994 Chevrolet 1500?

The 1994 Chevrolet 1500 is available in 1 trim level:

  • (15 styles)

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 1994 Chevrolet 1500?

The 1994 Chevrolet 1500 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 1994 Chevrolet 1500 reliable?

The 1994 Chevrolet 1500 has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1994 Chevrolet 1500 owners.

Is the 1994 Chevrolet 1500 a good Truck?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1994 Chevrolet 1500. 94.7% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.7 / 5
Based on 19 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.5
  • Interior: 3.9
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.4
  • Reliability: 4.7
Your list was successfully saved.
 
 
 
 
Save list Compare
[{"cat":null,"stock_type":"used","bodystyle":"Truck","page_type":"research/make-model-year","oem_page":false,"search_fuel_types":[null]}]