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Poll: What’s The Best Chevy Silverado 1500 Trim Level?

The Chevy Silverado 1500 is popular for a number of different reasons, but the sheer breadth of trim levels on offer is undoubtedly a significant contributing factor. From the barebones WT to the off-road-specialist ZR2, customers have no less than nine trim levels to choose from, each offering its own benefits. The question is – what’s the best Chevy Silverado 1500 trim level?

Exterior of the Chevy Silverado 1500.

Silverado 1500 LT

Obviously, selecting the “best” Chevy Silverado 1500 trim level is something of a subjective task, with every individual customer weighing the various vehicle features differently. Still, it would be interesting to hear from you, dear reader, which Silverado 1500 trim level you think is the best. Things to consider include price, technology, performance, and appearance.

The WT serves as the base variant of the lineup, and as such, it has the fewest standard features. However, it’s also the least expensive, and for those customers that prefer to minimize the technological gadgetry, the WT might be the top pick.

Silverado 1500 Custom

Next up is Custom, which includes basics like carpeted floor covering and body-color front and rear bumpers. The Custom Trail Boss incorporates a two-inch factory lift with Rancho shocks, plus 18-inch High Gloss Black wheels. The Custom Trail boss also offers the new 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax engine.

Moving on to the LT trim level, we find a 13.4-inch infotainment system and 12.3-inch Driver Information Center in the cabin, plus chrome bumpers and 17-inch Bright Silver wheels outside. The RST trim adds a dash of sportiness with things like 18-inch bright Silver painted aluminum wheels and a black Bow Tie badge for the front end. The LT Trail Boss is next, once again offering the Z71 suspension of the Custom Trail Boss, but with several other features included as standard as well.

Silverado 1500 High Country

The LTZ matches chrome bumpers with chrome mirror caps and chrome door handles, plus 20-inch wheels. The High Country is offered as the most luxurious trim level in the lineup, while at the top of the heap we find the ZR2, the most-capable off-roader of the bunch, with a unique suspension package, Mud Terrain tires, skid plates, and the optional Bison package.

As a reminder, the Chevy Silverado 1500 offers four engine options, including the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, and the 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax. The GM T1 platform provides the underpinnings. Production takes place at the GM Fort Wayne plant in Indiana, GM Oshawa plant in Canada, and GM Silao plant in Mexico.

Silverado 1500 ZR2

So then, we want to know – what’s the best Chevy Silverado 1500 trim level? Tell us by voting in the poll below, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Silverado news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. I bought a 2023 RST last spring.
    At the time, it was the cheapest truck available on the lot with a V8. (Still about $61k).
    I traded in a 2015 Sierra SLT.
    The RST doesn’t have a few of the technical things I would prefer – specifically no parking assist sensors, but, I lived without them before the GMC, and have got used to not having them again.
    The rear camera is really all I need.
    Mine is “RED HOT” with the blackout kit – sharp looking truck. I think the exhaust is tuned differently from the LT models and it has a mild rumble at idle. Still it’s a quiet truck going down the road.

    Reply
    1. Best part about the rst is that it’s so easy to mod and still look super clean. Mine has a 2 inch lift and 33s on the stock 20 inch wheels and runs great

      Reply
    2. Dump it know or buy a warranty

      Reply
  2. I love the High Country but I’m not willing to pay for it.

    Reply
  3. WT is my pick but I would also like to have a 3.0 diesel too. But GM says no. Why?

    Reply
    1. It really shouldn’t matter what package you want, you should also be able to have whichever engine you want in it!

      Reply
  4. They should make the regular cab long bed in an LT not just an ugly work truck!!

    Reply
    1. 100% agree. Not everyone needs a 4 door station wagon. Some of us still just want a truck for what it is intended for, hauling cargo. But we want more “goodies” than a WT.

      Reply
  5. I wanted a custom trail boss limited for the 6.2 but couldn’t get it so I ended up with a rst with a 6.2 and trail boss 20 inch wheels then I lifted it 2 inches so now I have a better truck than I would have gotten very happy with it.

    Reply
  6. ZR2 since it doesn’t have the grandpa fake wood trim

    Reply
    1. It’s got the fake carbon fiber instead… lol

      Reply
  7. I purchased a 2022 High Country and was disappointed by what wasn’t included in the package. I thought High Country was top tier especially due to price. Basic safety features such as automatic breaking, adaptive cruise control, following distance control are not included in the High Country trim package. Also I’m not pleased with the lack of dependability of the infotainment system. Car play is hit and miss each time I drive my Silverado.

    Reply
    1. Was yours a 2022 or the 2022 MCE with the new interior? The 2024 HC’s come standard with adaptive cruise and the safety features you’re describing, including automatic braking and following distance indicator. On the 2022-2023’s I believe adaptive cruise may have been included in the optional technology package, but it’s pretty rare to find a “base” High Country that doesn’t include at least that and a couple other packages.

      Reply
      1. @cole You should see what the manager at Autonation Chevy in Denver orders in. The guy is completely disconnected.

        Reply
    2. Call service and ask about a infotainment update, no doubt there probably is one available after 2 years.

      Reply
    3. Do a hard reset on your information system. You can watch you you clip on it and that usually fixes these bugs.

      Reply
  8. I would pick RST IF I could option power fold mirrors, adaptive cruise, and the technology package. To get those options requires an LTZ or High Country.
    I also would like to be able to delete the sliding rear window option. Not needed or wanted in a crew cab.

    Reply
  9. I bought a 2024 Lt double cab z71 diesel with every package available . Ordered it took 7 months. Worth the wait.

    Reply
    1. Same here, only with 5.3. Ordered Sept. 22nd, picked up Jan. 2nd. So about 3 months 1 week.

      Reply
  10. I got the 2023 High Country. Very nice truck and I’m enjoying it. I have 2 concerns. Sometimes the turn signal lights won’t operate on the front of the truck. If I turn the truck off then on they start working again. This truck has a ton of electronics and I usually keep my vehicles for a long time. I just wonder if the electronics will hold up for the long haul.

    Reply
    1. Safety issue.
      When it does it drive carefully and show it to service and get it documented on PAPER.
      If they cannot get it repaired report it to the feds.

      Reply
  11. I have the 2022 Silverado 1500 HD LTZ. Purchased May 2023. I have to say that GMSV made the right decision on the 3 models on importing to Australia. I purchased mine just at a time of the 2023 models been released in Australia. I’m very happy with my vehicle and the technology in the vehicle including the safety technology. We are seeing a issue with 6.2 litre L87 engines and that is lifter failure and I seen a couple of crankshaft failures by other owners. It really is disappointing that with today technology on manufacturing the lifter failure still hasn’t been fixed fully. I have the L76 & L77 engines in two other vehicles, and both have had lifters fail on them, my 2009 VE SSV Ute was the 1st vehicle I owned with AFM.

    Apart from that I think the LTZ trim offers the best value for money. I would prefer that were built RHD in the USA though. Nothing against the GMSV on converting them, but I always feel that is wasting money and time in double handling the vehicle and adding extra cost.

    Even through I’m not a big 4WD person, I like the ability of having the option on the LTZ, I see a lot people happy with the 1500 ZR2 and the 2500 HD LTZ. All suit the market here down under and the towing capabilities is also good even through GMSV have to restrict them to 4.5-tonnes towing capacity due to our ADR’s for brakes on trailers over 4.5-tonne ATM park and emergency braking requirements.

    Reply
  12. I got the 2022.5 LTZ refresh with the Premium Package II, Tech package, and the Z71 package new at supplier pricing. This one allowed me to get everything I wanted from a High Country, & none of the fluff they include to inflate the price. So for $60K I probably got the most loaded truck possible, before the interest rates got ridiculous.

    Reply
  13. As someone who has had 4 Silverado’s and 2 Sierra’s in the last 20 years, I can say I like the LTZ (and GMC SLT) trim level, but in the long run the High Country (and Denali) are worth the extra money, if for no reason then the seats. The two top trim level GM trucks use better quality leather for the front seats and leather instead of vinyl on the back seats.

    The LTZ’s and SLT that I previously owned were all showing quite a bit of wear on the driver’s seat, with in 35K-40K miles. On my last SLT the front carpet was worn through beside the gas pedal at about 40K, so much so that it was replaced under warranty. My 21 Denali has 56K miles on it and the seats show no wear what so ever and the carpet looks almost new too. The High Country’s two tone black & umber interior is the best looking interior GM puts in a truck. Even though I love my Denali, the umber interior might be enough to go with a High Country next time.

    The ZR2 is probably the coolest truck in Chevrolet’s lineup, but with a 5 foot box and it’s massive lift kit, the ZR2 is really just an $80K toy and useless as a truck.

    Reply
    1. Agreed with you

      Reply
  14. The LS TO ME WAS THE BEST….I NOTICED THAT TRIM IS NO MORE

    Reply
  15. I opted for a 2023 LT Z71 standard bed DuraMax with several package upgrades. A standard bed was a MUST! I first drove a High Country but wasn’t excited about the monochrome look nor the wheel options compared to the look of my previous truck, but otherwise it was very nice. I was bummed to then see that the leather available in an LTZ is not the same caliber as that offered in the High Country. Seeing so many fairly new LTZs with cracked leather, I was fine with a cloth interior again. So I ordered my truck with the things I wanted vs. what a dealer wanted to stock. At the time, there was no LT like in the nation. It arrived in about 3-months (June 2023). I really would have preferred having the Bose stereo, but I’ve also read many comments from customers who are disappointed with it. Overall, I have no regrets with my decision. Bought it with an extended warranty that offers some coverages up to 20-years. At age 60, this might be my last new truck as I do keep them for at least 10-years.

    Reply
    1. You can buy some nicer speakers and subwoofer with all the money you saved.

      Reply
      1. Very true!

        Reply
  16. For value, I have to go with the RST. I have a 2020 Trail Boss LT with the 6.2 V8. Coding in in 56,000 miles. My only complaints about the truck are what it didn’t come with for the price paid considering GM refers to it as a 2LT. Memory seats, wireless phone charging, and factory navigation weren’t even options. Trail Boss shouldn’t be a trim level. Trail Boss should be an option package. If I could go back and do it again I’d buy the LTZ and add the Trail Boss features myself, but that’s not because of value. It’s because of creature comforts. Trail Boss is overpriced for what you don’t get, and it’s only become $20,000 more expensive since I bought my truck.

    Reply
    1. I have been looking for a ‘22 or ‘23 trail boss loaded with everything possible but they are hard to find. Ltz has too much chrome and high country doesn’t have the off road capabilities I need for driving in fields during harvest season. Zr2 s are my best bet but pretty spendy. Even though they are coming down. I have found some with 12k miles for $55k

      Reply
  17. On my 4th High Country,2014,2021,2022,2023.I’ve been fairly happy with all of them,hated the 8 speed transmission,had 1 of them with the lifter failure. I do wish the 5.3 v8 had a little more power. There was a 2019 Ram that I had with the 5.7 Hemi really liked the power from it

    Reply
    1. But that ram fuel mileage!!!!!!

      Reply
  18. Had a 2022 refresh LT Trail Boss with 3.0 diesel it was the worst piece of junk ever..Burnt 2 quarts of oil in 3k miles and had shiny metallic flakes on the dipstick. The turbo leaked exhaust fumes in the cab .Dealer said it was normal. The dealer got me a 23 ZR2 and it to is junk. The cylinder deactivation vibration at low rpms is awful! The dear said it’s normal! It didn’t come with a spare and the dealer refused to get. Wow GM is broken! Yep it took two years to even get this junk!
    I can’t tell you how many lies I’ve gotten from corporate. No one a GM even cares about your experience.. The biggest loss is value! First truck paid 76k ,worth at trade 52k with 6k miles 10 months old, second truck cost with all upgrades 84k and after two months of driving this junk its value is 56k with 2k miles. GM only thinks about the sale for the money and they care not about the quality. Lol so much for wanting a Chevrolet. I should have never !

    Reply
    1. For me answer is simple: ZR2.

      I ‘wanted’ to have a truck, as I never had it before, with: a comfortable and nice interior as daily rider, V8, and both Lockers. Within GM trucks, ZR2 met these requirements and compared to the competition, the lowest cost out of the door.

      But worst part of all GM vehicles is the trade in value in first couple of years. This tells that they are way too over priced. Let’s see what the long term reliability is. It may be worth long term.

      Reply
    2. I e had the total opposite experience. I have a 2023 RST z71 5.3 the cylinder deactivation that would be DFM is great. Most of the time I don’t even notice. Had a round trip of 57 miles and got 26.4 mpg. As far as the dealer saying that’s normal. I would get to know your Lemmon laws in your state. I type this not to argue with you. I’m just saying this was different for me. I really hope that Gm does a better job with th customers that get trucks that are not right. They can start by ripping into that dealer for there not caring to fix the problem. God bless brotha

      Reply
    3. I am was a gm person for 56yrs.but they have went down the tubes every thing about them is a complete joke,,,,,,,,, looks and quality

      Reply
  19. I like the wood in my RST! Is it really fake?

    Reply
    1. it burns, just like real wood, so it must be real.

      Reply
  20. gm only uses the best of the best it is teak harvested from a rainforest.

    Reply
  21. good to know, thanks.

    Reply
  22. By the way the RST was not fully described well in this article. It does come with Z71 option, Texas edition, Texas edition plus, and a bunch of other packages that are on the LTZ. I chose the RST over the LT trail boss because the color matched bumpers ( trail boss is black chromed bumpers) also I can add the 2 inch lift and still be under the price of LT trail boss. I got a great deal on this RST because everyone was all about the LT trail boss and this RST was ordered for a customer that bought a gmc Denali and left them hanging with it. Love the look and sound of the RST!

    Reply
  23. The last worthy Silverado was 1987.
    I have a 2015 Siverado. What a boring truck, but not quite as hideous as the 2020 and above trucks.
    You’ll never see these become an enduring classic.
    Mostly because these trucks aren’t made to last.
    They’re more interested in the dash board screen and whether it can connect to your lettuce crisper at home.

    Reply
  24. I have a Blue 22 ZR2, I absolutely love it and I’m bias obviously. But having looked at a 23 High Country I personally like my interior more not to mention all the other goodies the truck has, in the market of 90k Raptors that don’t have lockers, I’m ok with the price of the ZR2

    Reply
  25. I have a Lt Trail Boss LTD. Only one package, the liner package. It’s a tough a$$ truck that has been a blast to own and use. No mods, no issues. Just a tough Chevy truck!

    Reply
  26. I ordered a 2023 GMC AT4 1500 with the 3.0 diesel, but then found out that the 2023 Chevy High Country could be had with the Max Towing Package, so I let the AT4 go, and bought the Chevy High Country 1500, 3.0L. I love the 24.4 average MPG, the oversized rear differential and the kick ass power (.373) differential!
    What I don’t like is the fact that I have 9 SXM radio stations programmed in, and twice, the truck added duplicate stations, and once again, I have 14 radio stations. Pain in the ass when driving and I can’t find the station I want!

    Reply
  27. In my opinion, the LT is the sweet spot in the current lineup. My local Chevy dealer doesn’t think so though. They refuse to include LT and LTZ trims in their inventory. If you want to do business with them, you have to buy or lease what THEY want you to have, based on THEIR taste. Chrome is like Covid to them. They don’t want it on their lot. All the other dealers in my province (I’m in Canada) carry LTs and LTZs, yet they still don’t care.

    Reply
  28. Why does Chevy/GM not offer the metallic blue on the HD trucks. I will be getting a new truck this year and when I try to “build” what I want on their website, the blue I want isn’t even an option. The option is the darker more navy blue. If I’m paying for it, I want what I want!

    Reply
  29. The best trim level is undoubtedly the LT Trailboss
    Gives you the luxury and off road capabilities
    But won’t brake the bank. My only Quam is for the price of the
    Lt trailboss it could of atleast came with power folding mirrors and Ac seats.
    I wanted a zr2 but I wasn’t about to pay $97,000cad for a half ton with less payload capacity than a Chevy Colorado so I decided to get a 2022.5 glacier blue LT Trailboss fully loaded and I’m sure glad I did.

    Reply
    1. What did the trail boss run you? I’ve found both zr2 and a loaded trail boss with roughly the same amount of miles for around 55-56k. 2022.5

      Reply
      1. The Trailboss ran me $83,000 Canadian when I bought it new.
        The Zr2 was$97,000 Canadian

        Reply
  30. My favorite would be an LTZ with a 6.2 that’s under 55k dollars with a column mounted shifter and paint that doesn’t flake off if you take it through a car wash. A simple request for sure but I’d need 3 wishes and a genie in today’s GM market.

    Reply
  31. I hav a 2023 HC and owned a 2022 both came with all the safety features and some extra. But the features that was missing in a previous comment is rare. I have had 3 and they all came with the safety features.

    Reply
  32. I’d like the custom with a 5.3 liter V8 in that color blue shown above with the black wheels, the interior can be like my equinox lt has gizmos and gadgets I have lane keep assist, forward collision warning, blind spot warning all the good stuff I always turn off lane keep assist I don’t like it that’s the only safety feature I could do without…oh and I would like a sound system.

    Reply
  33. LT
    Moved to a cold climate, so heated seats, steering wheel, and auto start are very nice.
    4wd is important, but having low range is not. The large infotainment screen is nice for navigating.
    Leather isn’t important to me, so for me, the LT is a lot of options for the money.
    Time will tell if the 2.7T is good. I have no complaints with how it drives. If I still towed regularly, I probably wouldn’t have taken the chance, but I don’t, so here we are.

    It’s a bit disappointing that Chevrolet doesn’t put adaptive cruise control in the lower priced trim levels. Other manufacturers offer it as a standard feature in vehicles that cost much less than these trucks.
    Also, the 120v outlet in the bed only good for 400 watts? Almost useless.
    …and Nit-picking here, but playing around with all the drivers screen options, there doesn’t seem to be a numerical rpm option.

    Reply
  34. Bought a 23 high country with the 6.2 and every available option. Even super cruise, which is a waste of money in my opinion. The only complaint is the android auto. It sucks. I traded in a 18 LTZ with 6.2 and every option. It’s electronics were flawless. So, for the money, a fully loaded 6.2 LTZ is the way to go

    Reply
  35. I have a 2023 LT. Besides power rear slider and trailer brake, I’m fine with mine. Love the refreshed look. 2.7 turbo

    Reply
    1. Had a 4 cyl in my 2019. Traded it in no problem. Had equity after 4 years. It has 76k miles.

      Reply
  36. Hope you like the 4 cylinder, you will be stuck with it, it will be hard to sell.

    Reply
  37. RST I hate chrome

    Reply

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