2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Silverado 1500 comes in a staggering eight trims: WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. Pricing ranges from $29,895 including destination for the WT to $57,390 for the High Country with the Crew Cab, Standard Bed, and turbodiesel.

The Chevy Silverado 1500 comes with a choice of five different engines and three transmissions. The 6.2-liter V8 is has the best towing capacity, but the new turbodiesel is the undisputed efficiency champion.

Both the 6.2-liter V8 and the turbodiesel get a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base 4.3-liter V6 exclusively uses a six-speed automatic, while the turbocharged four-cylinder gets an eight-speed automatic. The 5.3-liter V8 is available with all three gearboxes, depending on the trim level. Efficiency varies accordingly.

All-wheel drive is a $3,300 option regardless of trim, but it’s mandatory if you want the 6.2-liter V8.

The Silverado 1500 can seat up to six passengers with a front bench and a Crew Cab or Double Cab, or seating can be trimmed to just three with the Regular Cab. The box comes in three lengths: 70, 79, and 98 inches. The Long Bed is only available with the Regular Cab, and the Short Bed is only available with the Crew Cab.

The Chevy Silverado 1500 has a mixed record in the safety department. Active safety features only become standard at the range-topping High Country trim level, but they're available in add-on packages at much lower levels. Things like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking are available.

The truck carries a four-star overall safety rating (out of five) from the NHTSA. It also aced the IIHS crash testing outside of the passenger-side small overlap front test.

Even the WT gets a 7-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. An 8-inch color touchscreen takes over at the LTZ trim, while the High Country also gets navigation and wireless charging.

The Work Truck, or WT, trim is mainly aimed at contractors, so it keeps things simple. It comes with vinyl flooring, vinyl or cloth upholstery, and 17-inch steel wheels. This trim is available with all cab and bed styles, plus a choice of three engines: the turbo-four, the V6, and the smaller V8.

Adding a little luxury means opting for the WT Convenience Package ($1,610), which includes niceties like cruise control and keyless entry. Trailering essentials are bundled into the Trailering Package ($395). In what seems like a no-brainer, these two packages can be selected together for $1,505.

The substantial price jump to the Custom trim buys cruise control, power locks and windows, remote keyless entry, cloth seat trim, 20-inch wheels, LED lights, and better options. Though it uses the same engines as the WT, the Custom is only available with a Double or Crew Cab.

Remote start is the big ticket item for the Custom Convenience Package ($800), which can once more be bundled with the Trailering Package.

The LT trim starts with the 2.7-liter turbo engine, but it’s the first trim to open up the turbodiesel option (an extra $6,705). The 5.3-liter V8 falls in between. The LT gets 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, and a chrome center bar in the grille.

Buyers can add creature comforts like dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a heated leather steering wheel with the Convenience Package ($2,025), which is much more comprehensive than on lower trims.

The LT trim can break into five-digit towing capacities, but only with the Max Trailering Package, which costs $1,125 but requires the 5.3-liter V8 and the Trailering Package.

The RST starts to push into luxury territory with LED lights all the way around, remote start, keyless entry, push-button start, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The front gets a body-color center bar for a sleek look. Engine selection is the same as the LT trim. Although it’s not available at launch, this trim will see the 6.2-liter V8 later on.

At this trim, the Convenience Package costs $1,060, but it can be bundled with front bucket seats (instead of the front bench) for $1,655.

The Custom Trail Boss is based on the Custom trim, but it only comes with all-wheel drive and the 4.3-liter V6 or the 5.3-liter V8. This trim will also soon see the 6.2-liter V8, and for a relatively modest price increase.

To earn its name, the Custom Trail Boss also gets a 2-inch suspension lift, 18-inch wheels with off-road tires, a two-speed transfer case, Rancho shocks, a locking rear differential, and skid plates.

Front leather upholstery comes included at this trim, as do power-folding heated side mirrors, chrome accents, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and all of Chevy’s advanced trailering features. The LTZ can come with the turbodiesel or either V8 engine.

An 8-inch driver information display is available with a head-up display, all bundled in the Technology Package ($2,125) with upgraded rear- and bed-view cameras. Getting that package requires the selection of both Convenience Packages ($1,350 and $1,070, respectively), which include ventilated bucket seats at this trim.

This trim is the cheapest way to get adaptive cruise control, but it’s still not particularly cheap – it requires two safety packages totaling $2,035.

Like the Custom Trail Boss, the LT Trail Boss is based on its namesake trim. It's only available with the Crew Cab and 5.3-liter V8 engine. It gets all the same off-road upgrades as the Custom Trail Boss, but also a leather steering wheel, four-way manual front seats, remote start, keyless entry, and all-weather floor liners.

Package options are similar to the LT trim, but generally a couple hundred dollars more expensive. Bucket seats can be swapped in up front for $595 (when bundled with the Convenience Package).

The range-topping High Country trim builds on the LTZ and comes with everything Chevy can think of. This means an exclusive bronze and chrome grille finish, plus a power up-down tailgate that Chevy claims is an industry first. The High Country trim is only available as a Crew Cab with either a V8 or the turbodiesel

Also standard are front bucket seats with 10-way power adjustment, ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, heated rear outboard seats, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, 20-inch wheels, and HID headlights.

Compare Silverado 1500 Trims Side-By-Side