Chevrolet Silverado Trim Levels Explained

With every model vehicle having so many different trim levels to choose from, forming an educated decision on which one is right for you can seem like a daunting task. Should you be considering a Chevy Silverado and want to know the details of each trim level, we can help you. We researched this popular pickup truck from multiple professional sources to have all the information you need.

For the 2022 model year, the Chevy Silverado comes in nine trim levels, separated by three groups. The three groups are Work Truck, LT, and Luxury. Across all three groups, the available trim levels are:

  • Chevy Silverado Work Truck
  • Chevy Silverado Custom
  • Chevy Silverado Custom Trail Boss
  • Chevy Silverado LT
  • Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss
  • Chevy Silverado RST
  • Chevy Silverado ZR2
  • Chevy Silverado LTZ
  • Chevy Silverado High Country

Now that we know the different trim levels for the Chevy Silverado, we'll examine each one closely. You might also be curious about the best year of Silverado, or maybe which year(s) to avoid. For the answers to these questions and more, keep reading!

Used Chevy Silverado on display. With current supply issues, Chevrolet is relying on Certified pre-owned car sales while waiting for parts, Chevrolet Silverado Trim Levels Explained

Details Of Each Chevy Silverado Trim Level

 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 display.

There are nine different trim levels for the 2022 Chevy Silverado. We've separated them into three distinct groups and given details of the features of each trim level.

Work Truck Group

For those wanting a pickup truck that is built for heavy hauling but has cab configurations available for a crew, you'll want to look at the work truck group from Silverado.

Chevy Silverado Work Truck

This base level trim has a regular cab, crew cab, and double cab available. Standard and long beds are available in regular and double cabs, with the crew cab only having a short bed. 

The 2.7L 310.0 horsepower engine works with the eight-speed automatic transmission to give you a smooth but powerful ride.

Chevy Silverado Custom

This trim level offers more features than the base level through both features and packages. Only available in the double cab and crew cab configurations, it rides on 20-inch wheels. A remote start, heated and powered exterior mirrors, and an upgraded suspension system set it apart from the work truck.

Additionally, the driver's seat is powered and offers lumbar support. 

Chevy Silverado Custom Trail Boss

The Trail Boss is a work truck upgrade for those needing one in this group that is built for working off-road. It comes with recovery hooks and has a 2-inch lift.

Hill descent control, a trailering package, and heavy-duty air filters make the Custom Trail boss a great vehicle option for towing off-road and assisting vehicles that might be stranded away from the pavement.

LT Group

The LT classification is built for those drivers who want a base-level truck but might wish to features and upgrades among higher trim levels. Costing less than the luxury class, this group still lends for comfortable and powerful rides.

Chevy Silverado LT

Silverado's base trim level has a 2.7L 310.0 horsepower engine under its hood. Onboard has replaced all the gauges with a 12.3-inch "instrument cluster," making it easy to find and read important information. A 13.4-inch infotainment screen adds to the ease of audio and navigation.

Heated front seats are also equipped on this trim level.

There is an option to upgrade the engine in the LT to a 3.0L Duramax engine. This will increase the towing capacity to 13,300 pounds if you equip it with the max towing package.

Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss

The LT Trail Boss is available only in the crew cab configuration. This powerful four-wheel-drive pickup truck comes with an inline four-cylinder 2.7L engine and a standard 8-speed automatic transmission. 

This trim level has more standard features and optional packages, a more comfortable version of the Custom Trail Boss. You'll find all the creature comforts you need on board, including satellite radio, a wi-fi hotspot, and adaptive cruise control.

Chevy Silverado RST

This trim level offers the owner a great combination of comfortable luxury and sport. LED fog lamps and LED tail lamps are standard on the RST. There are multiple engine options for the RST, including 5.3 and 6.2L V8 and the Duramax diesel.

The double cabs will have the 2.7L engine as the base engine, while a crew cab will come with the 5.3L under the hood.

Chevy Silverado ZR2

The ZR2 is designed for those wanting an optimum off-road experience. Built with hill descent control, Pedal mode with rock crawling, and an upgraded suspension system, the ZR2 can travel places the other trim levels cannot. 

While meant for off-road, it still comes equipped with great onboard features. These include most of the High Country trim-level features and a power/tilting steering wheel option. 

Luxury Group

For owners that want a maximum level of comfort and class, there is the luxury group of the Silverado. Better seating and enhanced onboard options provide the driver with a more relaxing and easy ride.

Chevy Silverado LTZ

This luxury trim level only comes with a crew cab, but it has three engine options. You can equip this pickup truck with the standard 5.3L V8 engine or upgrade it to the 6.3L or the Duramax diesel engine.

Onboard is a seven-speaker Bose sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, a power tilt steering wheel, and a wireless charging pad. 10-way powered driver and passenger seats have power lumbar support.

Available packages will add heated and ventilated rear seats, hitch guidance, and adaptive cruise control.

Chevy Silverado High Country

This luxury trim level is crew cab only, with the 5.3L V8 engine as the standard. Like the LTZ, it has the option of equipping it with a 6.2L V8 or a Duramax diesel engine. The High Country has all of the base features of the LTZ that make it a luxury pickup truck but has added most of the optional amenities as a standard. 

In addition, automatic lane changing and trailering are unique to this trim level. A premium package adds a powered sunroof, all-season tires, and 22-inch wheels.

What Do LS, LT, And LTZ Stand For?

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 display

Automakers will often use abbreviations to differentiate between all the available trim levels. Chevy has long used LS, LT, and LTZ. Are they letters lumped together at random, or do they have a real meaning?

LS stands for "luxury sport." Chevy has used this to signify vehicles that have a higher performance. It is regularly associated with their V8 engine.

LT is short for "luxury touring." It traditionally meant that it was a trim level above the base model that is offered.

LTZ is an abbreviated version of "luxury touring z," the "z," meaning this trim level is the highest available.

A 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup Truck at a dealership.

What Is The Top Of The Line Chevy Truck?

The most luxurious pickup truck for Chevy Silverado is the LTZ. As we said, this trim level combines the durability of the base model Silverado with the highest grade onboard entertainment and the most comfortable seating available.

Things like adaptive cruise control, a powered tailgate, and upgraded engine options make the LTZ a more attractive ride for owners. The choice of adding heated and ventilated seats for the rear row in the cabin also makes it more appealing to riders.

Chevrolet Silverado

What's The Difference Between Silverado LT And Custom?

While the Silverado LT and Custom trim levels share many similarities, they also have a few notable differences. The Custom is equipped with the 2.7L inline four-cylinder engine and has no other options.

The LT, however, allows you to upgrade to a 5.3L turbo V8 or 3.0L inline-six diesel engine. Both trim levels have the eight-speed automatic transmission as a standard, but the LT gives you the option of upgrading to a ten-speed automatic.

The Custom trim level is also engineered to be a work truck. While it offers more onboard amenities than the base trim level work truck, it won't have all the bells and whistles that the LT offers. Apple Car Play/Android auto, dual climate control, and more comfortable seating differentiate the two trim levels. 

In addition, heated front seats, optional bucket seats, and keyless start separate the LT from the Custom. Add in the packages that the LT can have, and you'll see that though these two trim levels look alike, that looks can be deceiving.

Which Year Of Silverado Is Best?

Copilot Search rates the 2018 Silverado as the best one Chevy has produced. The onboard features, comfort level, and overall reliability make this model year stand out among the rest that Chevy offers.

The iconic golden Chevrolet automobile manufacturer's logo

What Year Silverado Should You Avoid?

Car Complaints rates the worst year for the Silverado as the 2017 model. This is due to the number of transmission issues this year has. Even though the 2014 model year had the most overall complaints, the costliness of the problems associated with 2017 made it the worst year.

Helpless man beside his car

To Wrap Up

The 2022 Chevy Silverado has a trim level to suit virtually every need imaginable for those wanting a half-ton pickup truck. Selecting the trim level that is best for you will be based primarily on what you are looking for in a truck, as well as your budget.

Furthermore, a model truck with a long-standing reputation for reliability, there are still a few model years to avoid. Carefully research the background of any prospective used truck purchase, and make certain that it has a collision-free history and has been appropriately maintained. Drive safe!

If you found this post on the Chevy Silverado to be helpful, we believe you'll enjoy reading these:

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Chevy Silverado Dimensions [Inc. How Long a Chevy Silverado Bed Is]

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