The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is one of the best-selling trucks in America, and there’s a reason for that. It’s powerful, durable, and ready to get the job done.
There’s a world of options for the Silverado, and each truck is built with different priorities in mind, from cost to performance to comfort. We’ll help you pick the right one for you.
For this comparison, we’re focusing on the trims for the regular cab, four-wheel drive, 4.3L V6 engine model. If you’re looking to increase the cabin size while sticking with the standard truck bed, you can expect to pay an additional $4,000 for the double cab or $8,000 for the crew cab models on top of the prices listed below. The larger 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine options also bump the price even higher. Two-wheel drive models would be a few thousand dollars cheaper.
Overview
Many basic capabilities for all of the regular cab four-wheel-drive models are the same. Each truck gets 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. They have a maximum curb weight of 4,904 pounds, maximum payload of 1,870 pounds, and a maximum towing capacity of 8,600 pounds if properly equipped.
WT
The WT, or “work truck” trim, has a starting MSRP of $33,320, making it the cheapest of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500s. It’s also the most stripped down and commercially-focused of Chevy’s trim levels. This truck has front and rear black bumpers, solar absorbing tinted glass, black outside manual mirrors, and 17-inch painted steel wheels. The black accents continue throughout the truck with black door handles. It also comes with a locking, manual tailgate.
The interior of the Silverado 1500 WT comes with a 3.5-inch diagonal color driver information system. It also comes with a 7-inch diagonal color infotainment display with USB ports, auxiliary jack, Chevrolet MyLink, and four total speakers. The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT also comes with Bluetooth, which is an upgrade from the 2017 model.
Safety-wise, the WT now comes standard with a rearview camera, which is an improvement from the 2017 model. Seat standard is also vinyl instead of cloth. This is definitely a truck designed to take some abuse compared to the more “lifestyle”-oriented trim levels.
LS
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS has a starting MSRP of $35,345 and comes with more options than the WT, starting with three free months of OnStar’s Guidance plan. Additionally, it comes with a front and rear chrome bumper and deep-tinted glass. Heated power-adjustable mirrors, still in black, replace the previous trim's outside mirrors. The 17-inch wheels see an upgrade from painted wheels to stainless-steel.
Power windows are introduced with the LS. Safety remains the same with no upgrades other than the OnStar Guidance Plan for three months. One of the biggest upgrades in the LS is the addition of a remote keyless entry. This allows you to access your truck using a key fob. Other than these changes, there’s very little difference between the LS and the WT.
LT
The LT has a starting MSRP of $39,115 and has everything the LS has and more. On the exterior, you’ll see body-color mirror caps, 17-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, body-color door handles, and an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate. You also have the option to pay more for additions like thin profile LED fog lamps, 18-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, or 20-inch polished aluminum wheels.
The interior comes with Chevrolet MyLink, but there are also upgraded features here, as well. Instead of a 7-inch display, you get an 8-inch color touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and visor vanity mirrors. You’ll also find under-seat storage below the split-bench seating. Finally, the Silverado 1500 LT comes with steering wheel audio controls.
Safety gets a major upgrade with the implementation of a standard rearview camera and the option to add the Enhanced Driver Alert Package for $945. This package gives you safety alert seats, IntelliBeam headlamps, front and rear park assist, forward collision alerts, lane-keep assist, and low speed forward automatic braking.
LTZ
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ trim level reaches the upper-end in terms of expense. With this trim, the regular cab is no longer available. It has a starting MSRP of $43,335 for the 4x4 and comes with everything you’d expect from the LT and more. This trim level skips the 4.3L V6 engine and, instead, offers the 5.3L V8 as the basic engine option. The trim also comes complete with chrome accents (including door handles, mirror caps, and grille); full LED headlamps, fog lamps, and taillights; 18-in. aluminum wheels; and heated leather seats standard.
(Featured image via Facebook.)