For anyone looking to explore the path less traveled, the 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 lineup has plenty of options. Among these are the Silverado Z71, Trail Boss, and ZR2, each of which offers varying levels of capability, as well as their own style and cabin features. Now, we’re taking a closer look at all three, breaking down the key differences across the exterior, interior, and mechanicals.
Exterior Differences
Starting outside, the 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71, Trail Boss, and ZR2 each sport rugged styling cues. However, there are several exterior features that set them apart, as well.
To begin, we should clarify that the Z71 is an equipment package, rather than a distinct trim, meaning it retains much of the base model Silverado’s appearance while adding in specific off-road enhancements. The Z71 Off-Road package is available for the following trim levels:
- Work Truck (WT) – $945
- LT – $1,250
- RST – $950
- LTZ – $1,150
- High Country – $350
Meanwhile, the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss trims offer a more serious off-road look with things like black door handles, black badging, and black mirror caps, while the ZR2 takes things further with red performance recovery hooks and upgraded underbody aluminum skid protection. The ZR2 Bison Edition offers the most styling aggression of the bunch (not to mention the highest level of off-road capability) thanks to AEV-exclusive bumpers and additional skid plates for enhanced durability, plus AEV-branded wheels.
Lighting also varies across these models. The Z71 Off-Road Package and Custom Trail Boss feature halogen headlamps and incandescent taillamps, whereas the LT Trail Boss and ZR2 trims upgrade to LED headlamps with daytime running light animation. The ZR2 and ZR2 Bison feature a white animation lighting signature.
RPO | Z71 Off-Road Package | Custom Trail Boss | LT Trail Boss | ZR2 | ZR2 Bison Edition | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CornerStep rear bumper | BWN | S | S | S | S | - |
High Gloss Black bumpers | VB5/VT5 | - | S | S | S | S |
AEV bumpers | VHU/VPS | - | - | - | - | S |
Black door handles | D72 | A1 | S | - | - | - |
High Gloss Black door handles | D75 | - | - | S | S | S |
Front LED fog lamps | T3U | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Black Bowtie on front grille | A1 | - | S | S | S | |
Halogen headlamps and Daytime Running Lamps | A1 | S | - | - | - | |
LED headlamps and Daytime Running Lamps and Amber animation | A1 | - | S | - | - | |
LED headlamps and Daytime Running Lamps and White animation | A1 | - | - | S | S | |
Incandescent taillamps and reverse lights | A1 | S | - | - | - | |
LED taillamps with animation and incandescent reverse lights | A1 | - | S | S | S | |
Heated and power-adjustable mirrors | DEN/DLF | A1 | S | S | - | - |
Heated and power-adjustable/folding mirrors with turn signals, lighting and puddle lamps | DEZ | A1 | - | - | S | S |
Heated and power-adjustable trailering mirrors with turn signals and lighting | DPO | A1 | - | A | - | - |
Black mirror caps | A1 | S | - | - | - | |
High Gloss Black mirror caps | DP6 | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Ultrasonic front and rear park assist | UD5 | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Black recovery hooks | V76 | A1 | - | - | - | - |
Red performance recovery hooks | UGA | A1 | S | S | S | S |
Chrome recovery hooks | VLQ | A1 | - | - | - | - |
Skid plates | NZZ | S | S | S | S | S |
Underbody aluminum skid plates | - | - | - | S | S | |
AEV front skid plate | PZG | - | - | - | - | S |
AEV rear differential skid plate | PZL | - | - | - | - | S |
AEV transfer case skid plate | PZN | - | - | - | - | S |
AEV fuel tank skid plate | PZ9 | - | - | - | - | S |
Multi-Flex tailgate | QK2 | A1 | A | A | A | S |
EZ Lift tailgate with power lock and release | QT5 | A1 | S | S | S | S |
Power up/down tailgate with power lock and release | QT6 | A1 | - | A | A | - |
265/65R18SL all-terrain tires | XCK | A1 | - | - | - | - |
265/65R18SL all-terrain white-lettered tires | QDS | A1 | - | - | - | - |
LT275/65R18C Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires | R30 | A1 | S | A | - | - |
LT275/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires | QFL | - | - | - | S | S |
275/60R20 all-terrain tires | QAE | A1 | A | S | - | - |
LT265/60R20 Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires | QFV | - | A | A | - | - |
18-inch Bright Silver painted wheels | RCV | A1 | - | - | - | - |
18-inch High Gloss Black painted aluminum wheels | RD1 | - | S | A | - | - |
18-inch machined face aluminum wheels with Black painted spokes and Oxide Gold painted ring accents | RCW | - | - | - | S | - |
18-inch Gloss Black wheels | RQL | - | - | - | A | A |
18-inch Gloss Black AEV wheels | Q81 | - | - | - | - | S |
20-inch High Gloss Black painted aluminum wheels | RD5 | A1 | A | S | - | - |
- Availability varies by trim level
Interior Differences
Inside, the Z71 Off-Road Package, Trail Boss, and ZR2 trims differ significantly in comfort, technology, and convenience features. The Z71 Off-Road Package retains single-zone air conditioning, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system in the Work Truck. By contrast, the LT Trail Boss and ZR2 trims upgrade to dual-zone automatic climate control, a larger 13.4-inch touchscreen, and a Bose premium seven-speaker audio system, all features found in the higher trim levels on which the Z71 Off-Road Package can be added.
In terms of safety, the Chevy Silverado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison Edition offer more standard driver-assist technologies, such as Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Rear Pedestrian Alert, and HD Surround Vision, whereas these features are optional on Z71 and Trail Boss trims.
RPO | Z71 Off-Road Package | Custom Trail Boss | LT Trail Boss | ZR2 | ZR2 Bison | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Safety Alert Seat | HS1 | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert | UKC | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Rear Cross Traffic Braking | UFB | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert | UKV | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Rear Pedestrian Alert | UKK | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Single-zone air conditioning | C67 | A1 | S | - | - | - |
Dual-zone automatic climate control | CJ2 | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with 7-inch touchscreen | IOR | A1 | S | - | - | - |
Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with 13.4-inch touchscreen and Google built-in | IOK | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto projection | PPW | S | S | S | S | S |
Wireless charging | K4C | A1 | - | A | S | S |
2 charge/data USB ports on instrument panel | UBJ | S | S | S | S | S |
2 charge/data USB ports inside center console | UBC | A1 | - | A | S | S |
2 charge USB ports in rear-seat area | UBI | A1 | S | S | S | S |
6-speaker audio system | UQF | A1 | S | S | - | - |
7-speaker premium Bose Sound System | UQA | A1 | - | A | S | S |
SiriusXM trial subscription | U2K | A1 | S | - | - | - |
SiriusXM with 360L trial subscription | A1 | - | S | S | S | |
6-gauge instrument cluster with 3.5-inch digital Driver Information Center | UDC | A1 | S | - | - | - |
12.3-inch digital Driver Information Center | UDV | A1 | - | S | S | S |
15-inch multicolor head-up display | UV6 | A1 | - | - | A | A |
Floor-mounted center console with cupholders | D07 | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Adaptive Cruise Control | KSG | A1 | - | A | A | A |
Keyless open and start | AVJ | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Rubberized vinyl floor mats | B32/B33 | A1 | S | - | - | - |
Floor liners with removable carpeted inserts | BKF/BKE | A1 | A | A | - | - |
All-weather floor liners with Z71 logo, LPO | AAK | A1 | A | S | - | - |
All-weather floor liners with Chevy Bowtie logo, LPO | RIA | A1 | - | - | S | - |
AEV brand floor liners, LPO | AAO | - | - | - | - | S |
Rear Camera Mirror | DRZ | A1 | - | - | A | A |
HD Surround Vision | UV2 | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Trailer camera provisions | TRG | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Bed View Camera | UVN | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Auxiliary Trailer Camera, LPO | TRO | A1 | - | A | - | - |
Leather seating package | CXH | A1 | - | A | - | - |
Front 40/20/40 split bench seat with covered armrest storage | AZ3 | A1 | S | S | - | - |
Front bucket seats with center console | A50 | A1 | - | A | S | S |
10-way power driver seat including lumbar | A2X | A1 | S | S | S | S |
10-way power front passenger seat including lumbar | A7K | A1 | - | - | S | S |
Driver memory presets for power driver seat and outside mirrors | A45 | A1 | - | - | S | S |
Heated front seats | KA1 | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Ventilated front seats | KQV | A1 | - | - | S | S |
Heated second-row outboard seats | KA6 | A1 | - | - | S | S |
Rear 60/40 split folding bench seat | A68 | A1 | S | S | - | - |
Uplevel rear 60/40 split folding bench seat with storage | SNR | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Urethane steering wheel | NK5 | A1 | S | - | - | - |
Wrapped steering wheel | N57 | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Heated steering wheel | KI3 | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Tilt-Wheel steering column | N33 | A1 | S | - | - | - |
Manual tilt and telescoping steering column | N37 | A1 | - | S | S | S |
Power tilt and telescoping steering column | N48 | A1 | - | - | A | A |
Power sunroof on Crew Cab models | CF5 | A1 | - | A | A | A |
Universal Home Remote | UG1 | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Power sliding rear window with defogger | A48 | A1 | - | A | S | S |
Power driver window with express up/down | AXG | S | S | S | S | S |
Power front passenger window with express down | AED | A1 | S | S | - | - |
Power front passenger window with express up/down | AEF | A1 | - | - | S | S |
Power rear windows with express down | AEQ | S | S | S | S | S |
- Availability varies by trim level
Mechanical Differences
Under the skin, the Chevy Silverado Z71 Off-Road Package, Trail Boss, and ZR2 each equip different powertrain and suspension setups. For example, depending on the trim level, the Z71 Off-Road Package is standard with the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, and can be optioned with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 or the 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax engine. Meanwhile, the Trail Boss is standard with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine and optional with the 5.3L V8 L84 and 3.0L I6 LZ0, while the Custom Trail Boss does not offer the 6.2L V8 L87, whereas the LT Trail Boss does offer the 6.2L V8 L87. Both ZR2 trims run the 6.2L V8 L87 as standard.
The two Trail Boss variants include off-roading suspension with a two-inch lift and monotube shocks. The ZR2 and ZR2 Bison Edition take things a step further, featuring high-performance Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear locking differentials, and an exclusive Terrain Mode, whereas the Z71 and Trail Boss feature an auto-locking rear differential.
RPO | Z71 Off-Road Package | Custom Trail Boss | LT Trail Boss | ZR2 | ZR2 Bison | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turbo 2.7L I4 engine | L3B | -1 | S | S | - | - |
5.3L V8 engine | L84 | S | A | A | - | - |
6.2L V8 engine | L87 | A2 | - | A | A | A |
Turbodiesel 3.0L I6 engine | LZ0 | A2 | A | A | S | S |
Off-road suspension | Z71 | S | - | - | - | - |
Off-road suspension with 2-inch lift and monotube shocks | Z7X | - | S | S | - | - |
High-performance lifted suspension with Multimatic DSSV dampers | ZRX | - | - | - | S | S |
Hill Descent Control | JHD | S | S | S | S | S |
Heavy-duty air filter | K47 | S | S | S | S | S |
Auto-locking rear differential | G80 | A2 | S | S | - | - |
Driver-selectable full-locking front differential | G93 | - | - | - | S | S |
Driver-selectable full-locking rear differential | G94 | - | - | - | S | S |
Autotrac 2-speed transfer case | NQH | S | S | S | S | S |
Terrain Mode | - | - | - | S | S | |
Single exhaust | NB5 | S | S | S | - | - |
Dual exhaust with polished outlets | N10 | A2 | A | A | S | S |
Dual Active Exhaust, sport mode enabled | NPP | A2 | - | A | A | A |
Cat-Back Performance Exhaust, LPO | WBC | A2 | - | - | - | - |
Performance Front Brake Kit, LPO | 5JL | A2 | A | A | - | - |
- Not available in conjunction with Z71 Off-Road Package
- Availability varies by trim level
Breaking it all down, the 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71, Trail Boss, and ZR2 all offer impressive off-road capabilities, but cater to different customers in terms of styling, comfort, and agility in the dirt. While the Z71 Off-Road Package provides an entry-level off-road enhancement for those who want added capability without sacrificing everyday usability, the Trail Boss trims takes things a step further with a factory lift and additional suspension goodies. For serious off-road enthusiasts, the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison Edition stand out as the most extreme options, featuring advanced dampers, front and rear locking differentials, and heavy-duty skid plates.
Which would you rather have?
Comments
95% of buyers really need none.
The only time they go off-road is when they pull into their driveway.
True.
Why not buy an LT/WT w/ a 5.3 V8 and add BFGs and an OEM lift kit (I think they offered one at some point), that would be better than directly getting a Trailboss.
Part of the point is factory duratracs, which if I were to buy a WT, then immediately go get some BFG’s or duratracs, that would be almost 2K right out the gate. Maybe 500$ if I negotiated hard with the dealer to take off the factory LT tires. At that point, the trailer boss is looking attractive as it also removes the lower air damn and has a decent looking bumper that won’t look like I ran off a curb. Out the door, your saving money with a TB than buying a custom/LT and then configuring it that way. The ZR2 definitely isn’t worth the upcharge for just a steel bumper and spool valve shocks.
negotiate hard with the dealer to take off the factory tires and eat them? Yeah, then what does he do with them? If he sells them they are used tires regardless of wear. Stick them in his parts inventory for what? Essentially you are suggesting that the dealer stick them up his a** Steve
Overpriced lifted truck that is never take off road. The ZR2 and Bison edition should have a supercharger on it for the price increase.
GM needs to offer a performance oriented sport truck! At least offer a package like Ford does with it 5.0L and a whipple supercharger
I think putting the 5.3 in the RCSB WT would be a good way to start.
Then comes the fun bits.
“Which would you rather have?”
A less confusing list of options!
All of these “Editions” is completely ridiculous. You need 2-3 trims, base work truck and a couple nicer levels. Not all of what they have now.
Just bought the Z71 1500 diesel last week, for the price I paid the truck should come with a front camera, blind side lights on the mirrors, and vented seats, if I wanted this stuff I would have to by the ZR2, after comparing the two trucks, there’s not enough features on the ZR2 to be worth 20k more from the Z71
Why on earth did gm make the nose of these new trucks so obscenely high? I just had to change the driver’s side motor mounts on one of these and is an absolute miserable job. You have to remove the airbox and just about stand on your head to get the bolts. The nose is a foot higher than the intake! Why? Good luck seeing a small child or dog in front of it while making slow maneuvers in parking lots. I guess huge blind spots are ok now. No need of it being that high. I’ll take my 04 body style all day long.