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Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trim Levels and Configurations Explained

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When it comes to full-size trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado remains a top choice among enthusiasts. This iconic nameplate continues to forge ahead without breaking a sweat.

Chevy’s flagship full-size truck is both rugged and adaptable, providing a wide array of features and trim levels to meet any need.

Of course, with so many choices, picking the perfect one can feel like a challenge.

In this article, our team of experts dives deep into the Chevy Silverado’s available configurations – we have broken down trims, body styles, engines, and everything else, to help you find the one that fits you best.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Configurations

The Chevrolet Silverado lineup consists of nine trims, three cab styles, three bed lengths, and four engine options.

While you have plenty of choices with trims, cab layouts, and bed sizes, it’s important to note that not all combinations are interchangeable. Depending on the trim you choose, you may need to prioritize certain body styles or engines.

Below, we’ll walk you through all the Silverado trims, along with their starting prices, available body styles, and engine options.

TrimStarting Price (2024)Body StylesAvailable Engines
WT$36,800Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab2.7L TurboMax, 5.3L V8
Custom$43,600Double Cab, Crew Cab2.7L TurboMax
Custom Trail Boss$51,800Crew Cab2.7L TurboMax, 5.3L V8, Duramax 3.0L Diesel
LT$48,000Double Cab, Crew Cab2.7L TurboMax, 5.3L V8, Duramax 3.0L Diesel
RST$51,400Double Cab, Crew Cab2.7L TurboMax, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, Duramax 3.0L Diesel
LT Trail Boss$58,000Crew Cab2.7L TurboMax, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, Duramax 3.0L Diesel
LTZ$57,200Crew Cab5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, Duramax 3.0L Diesel
ZR2$69,900Crew Cab6.2L V8, Duramax 3.0L Diesel
High Country$62,700Crew Cab5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, Duramax 3.0L Diesel

What Does the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Offer?

Before diving into the trims, let’s get a quick overview of what the Silverado has to offer. This will help you narrow down your choices more effectively.

  • Body styles

The Silverado comes in three cab styles: a two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab, and a spacious Crew Cab with full-size rear doors. You can choose from three bed lengths—8-foot, 6.5-foot, and 5-foot-8 inches—though not every cab style is available with all bed lengths.

Cab Style Bed TypeOverall LengthCargo Bed LengthCargo VolumePassenger Capacity
Regular CabStandard Bed210.9 inches79.4 inches71.7 cu. ft.3
Regular CabLong Bed229.5 inches98.2 inches89.1 cu. ft.3
Double CabStandard Bed231.9 inches79.4 inches71.7 cu. ft.5-6
Crew Cab Short Bed231.9 inches69.9 inches62.9 cu. ft.5-6
Crew Cab Standard Bed241.4 inches79.4 inches71.7 cu. ft.5-6

The Crew Cab/Short Bed is the most versatile, available across all nine Silverado 1500 trim levels. Other configurations, like the Regular or Double Cab, are limited to specific trims.

Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison
Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Body Style
  • Powertrain

When it comes to engines, Chevy’s lineup is as robust as ever, ranging from the powerful turbo four and the torquey six-cylinder diesel to the twin monstrous V-8s.

EnginePowerTorqueTransmissionEPA-Estimated MPG
TurboMax 2.7-liter inline-4 turbocharged310 horsepower @5,600 rpm420 or 430 lb-ft @3,000 rpm8-speed automatic transmission19 city / 22 highway (2WD)
5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8355 horsepower @5,600 rpm383 lb-ft @4,100 rpm10-speed automatic transmission17 city / 21 highway (2WD)
6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8420 horsepower @5,600 rpm460 lb-ft @4,100 rpm10-speed automatic transmission16 city / 20 highway (2WD)
Duramax 3.0-liter inline-6 turbocharged diesel305 horsepower @3,750 rpm495 lb-ft @2,750 rpm10-speed automatic transmission24 city / 29 highway (2WD)

And no points for guessing, the Silverado turbo diesel is the most thrifty of the lot, putting it among the most fuel-efficient truck choices in the class. 

Chevrolet 3.0 liter Duramax diesel engine
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with Duramax Diesel Engine

Related: Diesel Trucks that Last Long

  • Towing and Payload

The Silverado can tow up to 13,300 pounds when equipped with the diesel or 6.2L V8 and the Max Trailering Package, placing it among the top performers in the full-size truck segment. Other engine options like the 5.3L V8 can tow up to 11,500 pounds, while the four-cylinder pulls 9,500 pounds.

EngineMax Towing Capacity (2WD)Max Towing Capacity (4WD)Max Payload Capacity (2WD)Max Payload Capacity (4WD)
2.7L TurboMax 4-Cylinder9,500 lbs9,300 lbs2,260 lbs2,140 lbs
5.3L EcoTec3 V811,300 lbs11,000 lbs2,180 lbs2,110 lbs
6.2L EcoTec3 V8N/A13,300 lbsN/A1,980 lbs
DuraMax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-613,300 lbs13,000 lbs1,970 lbs1,960 lbs

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trim Levels

Now that we’ve grasped a basic understanding of what trim levels are, let’s get into Chevy’s available trim levels for the Silverado platform!

WT (Work Truck)

The WT (Work Truck) trim is the most accessible variant of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, essentially a dependable workhorse built to handle tough jobs with efficiency and reliability. 

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: TurboMax 2.7L I4 (Standard), 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (Available)
  • Body Styles: Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (standard) and four-wheel drive (Available)
Silverado 1500 WT infotainment system
Silverado 1500 WT Rear seat

Standard Features:

Most importantly, apart from essential truck features and a durable design, Chevy hasn’t skipped out necessary features from the WT. It gets Chevy safety assist as standard along with a Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with a 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen.

Key features of the Silverado WT include:

  • Exterior:
    • Semi-gloss Black front and rear bumpers
    • Halogen reflector headlamps with daytime running lamps
    • Durabed with 12 standard tie-downs
    • CornerStep rear bumper
    • 17-inch Ultra Silver Steel Wheels wrapped in all-season tires
    • Cab-mounted cargo area lamps
  • Comfort and Convenience:
    • Power windows
    • Push-button start and Remote Keyless Entry 
    • Single-zone semi-automatic climate control 
    • 40/20/40 split-bench front seat
    • Covered armrest storage
    • Front under seat storage
    • 60/40 split rear seat (Double and Crew Cab)
    • Rubberized  Vinyl floor covering for easy cleanup
  • Entertainment and Technology:
    • Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with a 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
    • Two USB ports on the instrument panel 
    • Two speakers (Regular Cab) or six speakers (Double and Crew Cab)
  • Safety:
    • Rear Vision Camera
    • Teen Driver technology
    • Automatic emergency braking
    • Forward collision alert
    • Front pedestrian braking
    • Following distance indicator
    • Lane-keep assist with lane departure warning
    • IntelliBeam auto high beams
    • Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Custom

The Custom trim of the Silverado 1500 hits a sweet spot between style and affordability. It adds a range of valuable features to the Silverado, while maintaining an accessible price point. 

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: TurboMax 2.7L I4 (Standard)
  • Body Styles: Double Cab, Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (standard) and four-wheel drive (Available)
Silverado 1500 Custom trim
Silverado 1500 Custom trim interior
Silverado 1500 Custom instrument cluster

Standard Features:

Building on the WT trim, the Silverado Custom adds several valuable features, including:

  • Exterior:
    • Body-color front and rear bumpers 
    • 20-inch Bright Silver-painted aluminum wheels
    • Deep-tinted glass
    • Heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors
    • Black recovery hooks
    • LED cargo bed lighting
  • Comfort and Convenience:
    • Remote Start
    • EZ Lift power lock and release tailgate
    • Rear-window defogger
    • 10-way power driver seat including lumbar control 
    • Remote vehicle starter system 
    • Carpet floor covering with rubberized vinyl mats
  • Entertainment and Technology:
    • Cruise control
    • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
    • SiriusXM with a 3-month trial subscription
    • 120V power outlets in the cab and bed
  • Towing

The Custom adds the trailer package that includes a host of towing-related equipment.

Custom Trail Boss

The Custom Trail Boss builds on the Custom trim with enhanced ruggedness and style. It is the most accessible lifted Chevy truck in this lineup, as it comes equipped with an off-road-focused Z71 suspension and a 2-inch factory lift, and a host of other off-road biased features.

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: TurboMax 2.7L I4 (Standard), 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (Available), Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6 (Available)
  • Body Styles: Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive (4WD) only

Standard Features:

The Custom Trail Boss adds to the Custom feature set:

  • Exterior:
    • Chrome front and rear bumpers 
    • High intensity LED reflector headlamps with LED signature daytime running lamps 
    • 17-inch Bright Silver-Painted Aluminum wheels 
  • Mechanical
    • Standard 4WD
    • Z71 Off-Road suspension with 2-inch factory suspension lift
    • Hill Descent Control
    • Heavy Duty Air Filter
    • Autotrac 2-speed transfer case
    • Automatic locking rear differential
    • Protective underbelly skid plates
    • 18-inch high-gloss Black-painted wheels with Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac mud-terrain tires
    • Performance Red recovery hooks
  • Exterior
    • High-gloss Black front and rear bumpers
    • Raised hood with styled Black insert
    • Power retractable assist steps

LT

The LT, or Luxury Touring trim, significantly elevates your Silverado experience. Starting from 2022 Silverado models, expect a more refined interior with premium materials and advanced technology in the LT trim, making it a major step up from the lower trims.

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: TurboMax 2.7L I4 (Standard), 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (Available), Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6 (Available)
  • Body Styles: Double Cab, Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (standard) and four-wheel drive (Available)
Silverado 1500 Updated interior
Silverado 1500 12.3-inch diagonal reconfigurable Driver Information Center 
Silverado 1500 13.4-inch diagonal color touch-screen

Standard Features:

The Silverado LT includes all features of the Custom, as well as: 

  • Exterior:
    • Chrome front and rear bumpers 
    • High intensity LED reflector headlamps with LED signature daytime running lamps 
    • 17-inch Bright Silver-Painted Aluminum wheels 
  • Comfort and Convenience:
    • Dual-zone automatic climate control
    • Heated driver and front passenger seats
    • Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Entertainment and Technology:
    • Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium system with 13.4-inch diagonal color touch-screen
    • Google built-in compatibility
    • 12.3-inch diagonal reconfigurable Driver Information Center 
    • 2 charge-only USB ports for second row
  • Safety
    • HD Rear Vision Camera

RST

The RST trim, which stands for Rally Sport Truck, first appeared on Chevy trucks in 1987. This trim adds various aesthetic upgrades for a sport-truck appearance and is the first option to include the powerful 6.2L V8 engine.

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (Standard on Crew Cab), TurboMax 2.7L I4 (Standard on Double Cab), 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (Available), Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6 (Available)
  • Body Styles: Double Cab, Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (standard) and four-wheel drive (Available)
Silverado 1500 RST
Silverado 1500 RST trim badge
Silverado 1500 RST side profile

Standard Features:

The RST adds several aesthetic upgrades to the LT feature set, including: 

  • Mechanical
    • Active exhaust – sport mode enabled
  • Exterior
    • Body-color center grille bar, front and rear bumpers, and door handles 
    • Black Chevrolet bowtie emblems
    • 18-inch Bright Silver-Painted Aluminum wheels
    • LED fog lamps

LT Trail Boss

Think of the LT Trail Boss as the rugged cousin of the Custom Trail Boss, but with a touch of luxury. It blends off-road capability with the advanced features of the LT trim, making it ideal for those who want a tough, yet upscale ride.

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: TurboMax 2.7L I4 (Standard), 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (Available), 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (Available), Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6 (Available)
  • Body Styles: Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive (4WD) only

Standard Features:

The LT Trail Boss includes all of the features of the LT, as well as: 

  • Mechanical
    • Standard 4WD
    • Z71 Off-Road suspension with 2-inch factory suspension lift
    • Hill Descent Control
    • Heavy Duty Air Filter
    • Autotrac 2-speed transfer case
    • Automatic locking rear differential
    • Protective underbelly skid plates
    • 18-inch high-gloss Black-painted wheels with Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac mud-terrain tires
    • Performance Red recovery hooks
  • Exterior
    • High-gloss Black front and rear bumpers
    • Black Chevrolet bowtie emblems and mirror caps
    • Raised hood with styled Black insert
    • Power retractable assist steps

LTZ

The LTZ, short for Luxury Touring Z, takes luxury to the next level. This trim enhances the already impressive LT with additional high-end features and marks the point where the V8 engine becomes standard.

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (Standard), 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (Available), Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6 (Available)
  • Body Styles: Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (standard) and four-wheel drive (Available)

Standard Features:

The LTZ builds on the LT trim with:

  • Exterior:
    • Chrome front and rear bumpers
    • Power-up/-down tailgate with power lock and release 
    • 20-inch Painted Aluminum wheels 
    • Chrome power-adjustable, power-folding mirrors 
    • LED fog lamps and taillamps
    • Rain sense automatic wipers
  • Comfort and Convenience:
    • Perforated leather-appointed front bucket seats 
    • Center console
    • Power tilt/telescoping steering column 
    • Heated and ventilated front seats 
  • Entertainment and Technology:
    • Bose premium 7-speaker audio system
    • Wireless smart phone charging
  • Safety
    • Rear Cross Traffic Alert Braking
    • Rear Pedestrian Alert
    • Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert 
    • Trailer Camera Provisions
    • HD surround-view camera system (offering eight cameras with up to 14 views)
    • Safety Alert Seat
    • Front and rear park assist

ZR2

With the Silverado ZR2, Chevy goes all out on off-road performance. This trim offers aggressive looks and tough underpinnings designed to tackle the toughest terrains with ease.

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (Standard), Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6 (Available)
  • Body Styles: Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive (4WD) only
Silverado 1500 ZR2
Silverado 1500 ZR2 interior
Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison interior
Silverado ZR2 Wheels

Standard Features:

The ZR2 trim comes is the go-to option for serious adventurers. Over the LT trim, the ZR2 adds:

  • Mechanical
    • ZR2 Suspension Package with high-performance lifted suspension and Multimatic DSSV dampers
    • Standard 4WD
    • Off-road chassis and suspension calibrations
    • Enhanced 2-speed Autotrac transfer case with Terrain mode
    • 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud-terrain tires with ZR2-specific 18-inch aluminum wheels
    • High-intensity LED reflector headlamps with Black bezels, LED curtain DRLs, and White tracer animation
    • Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Pedestrian Alert
    • High-clearance steel bumpers
    • Front and rear electronic-locking differentials
    • Dual-outlet exhaust
    • Hill descent control
    • Performance Red recovery hooks
    • Large underbody aluminum skid plates
  • Exterior
    • Raised hood with styled Black insert
    • Black Chevrolet bowtie emblems and flowtie grille badge
    • Chevytec spray-on bedliner
  • Comfort and Convenience
    • All-weather floor liners
    • Heated rear outboard seats
    • Exclusive Graystone/Jet Black interior trim with Strike Yellow accent stitching
  • Safety
    • Bed View Camera
    • Rear Park Assist

High Country

The High Country is the epitome of Silverado luxury. It combines the ruggedness of a truck with the refined features and premium touches typically found in high-end SUVs.

Engine and Body Style Options:

  • Engines: 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (Standard), 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (Available), Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6 (Available)
  • Body Styles: Crew Cab
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (standard) and four-wheel drive (Available)

Standard Features:

The High Country includes all standard features of the LTZ, as well as: 

  • Exterior
    • Exclusive Galvano grille with Black accents
    • Chrome recovery hooks
    • 20-inch Machined-Aluminum wheels with Charcoal pockets
    • Power-up/-down tailgate with power lock and release
    • Chrome wheel-to-wheel assist steps
    • Enhanced LED headlights
    • Body-color bumpers and mirror caps
    • Chevytec spray-on bedliner
  • Comfort and Convenience
    • Power-sliding rear window
    • Universal home remote
    • Perforated leather-appointed front bucket seats with exclusive perforation and stitching pattern 
    • Authentic open-pore wood trim 
  • Safety
    • Bed view camera
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Available Enhanced automatic emergency braking
    • Available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology with Trailering

Which Silverado is right for me?

The sheer variety of configurations and options makes it difficult to recommend a singular Silverado for every buyer. 

There are so many aspects of the configuration that can influence your buying decision, so we recommend going with this decision form

  • Choose Your Body Style

First, consider what you need from your truck and choose a body style that best aligns with them. This will help narrow down your options right from the start.

  • Pick the Right Engine

In case, the engine choice is a priority,  it’s better to finalize with that before moving with a specific trim.

Diesel engines, for example, are excellent for towing and long-distance driving due to their efficiency and relaxed performance. Diesel options start with the Custom Trail Boss. 

Similarly, if you’re interested in other engine choices, be aware that your trim options may vary. For instance, the 6.2 V8 engine might have more limited availability.

If you are confused between a Diesel and a Gas truck, refer to this guide: Gas vs Diesel Trucks – Which is Better?

  • Select Your Trim Based on Priorities

Once you’ve decided on the basics of your truck, focus on selecting the trim. Think about which features are most important to you and which ones you can do without. Consider the value of each feature versus its cost. Optional packages can add specific features to your chosen trim without the need to upgrade to a higher trim.

Keep your budget in mind, as Silverado trims can vary significantly in price. For example, an entry-level 1500 WT is priced just under $37,000, while a fully loaded ZR2 can reach $70,000.

  • Decide on Drivetrain

Next, decide if you want standard RWD or if you’d prefer to upgrade to 4WD. Note that some off-road trims come with 4WD as standard.

Our Recommendations

For a reliable workhorse truck, the WT or Custom trims offer functionality without sacrificing essential amenities. If you’re looking for a daily driver, consider the LT, RST, LTZ, or High Country trims, depending on your budget. Each can be customized to meet your needs.

For off-road performance, the Trail Boss or ZR2 trims are highly recommended. Both offer exceptional off-road capabilities right off the lot.

If you are considering to go for a used truck, you can refer to our expert guide on buying a used truck.

Our expert team at Schumacher Used in New Jersey is here to help you find the right used Chevy SUV or truck to fit your lifestyle. 

Contact us or directly choose from a large selection of used vehicles for sale online.

As one of the top-rated dealerships in the New Jersey state, with nearly a century of service, we pride ourselves on offering top quality used Chevy cars, trucks, and SUVs.

FAQs

Which Silverado trims have a backstepping climbing feature?

The corner step bumper comes standard on all Silverado trims.

Which Chevy Silverado trim has built-in climbing steps?

Power retractable steps are standard on Trail Boss trims, while the High Country features chrome wheel-to-wheel assist steps.

Does the Chevy Trail Boss LT come with a lift?

Yes, the Chevy Trail Boss trims come equipped with the Z71 off-road suspension and a factory 2-inch lift.

Which Chevy Silverado trim includes a 2-step lift gate?

The Multiflex tailgate, which offers six different functions, is available on all Silverado trims.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trim Levels and Configurations Explained