Does the Silverado Have Too Many Choices? Or Just Enough?

If you’ve ever shopped trucks, you’ve likely noticed that the number of options is truly amazing. On the whole, this is a good thing. You’re buying a vehicle you expect to last, and you likely plan to work with it––or at least do some serious playing. Given these facts, it’s important that you get exactly the truck you need, and the array of options makes that possible. At the same time, lots of choices can make the final selection tough. Maybe you’re considering heading to Raceway Chevrolet, your Chevy dealer in Allentown, PA, to try out the iconic Silverado 1500, but you’re unsure how to get through those choices. Fear not! If the time has come for you to drive a truck into your life, we are here to demystify the number of options. Even if you choose a different model year or a different truck, we can help you work your way through the trims, engines, cabs, and more in a way that makes sense.

First, A Little Background

We picked the Chevy Silverado 1500 for a reason. Even if you’ve never driven a truck in your life, you’ve likely heard of it. First arriving on the scene in 1999, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is a worthy heir to its predecessor, the Chevy C/K line. It may seem like it’s been around even longer because it takes its name from one of the C/K trim levels––and they’ve been around for a very long while. In fact, the name “Silverado” has been in use on Chevy trucks since 1975.

Long known for being one of the first truck models to incorporate tube hydroforming in its design––a way of shaping metals that results in easier blending of metal types, reduced weight, and greater flexibility––the Silverado continues to be a trendsetter. In the fourth generation, which began in 2019, Chevy introduced a body-blend of aluminum and steel that lightened the Silverado’s weight by up to 450 lbs, depending on the trim. Over the years since then, Chevy has added engine options, increased the availability of its top 6.2L V8 engine and 10-speed transmission, improved connectivity and towing power, added safety features, and more.

The Motherlode Silverado

The 2022 Silverado 1500 has the usual plethora of options. Overall, it’s available in nine trims––the WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, High Country, and ZR2––with additional choices in bed size, cab size, and drivetrain. There are also four engine options (availability depends on your trim choice), ranging from the 2.7L Turbo that comes standard in the base WT to a 6.2L EcoTec V8. MSRPs run from $33,800 for the standard WT with 2WD, regular cab, and standard bed to $67,600 for the ZR2. Are you confused? Then we’ll dig into those options in an effort to help you understand what’s really available and how to select what you need.

Cab Configurations

Let’s begin with a fairly easy question––how many people do you need to bring along? This will determine the kind of cab you choose. Typically cabs come in three forms: First is the standard cab, with no back seat and only two doors––the traditional truck cab. Second is the double cab, which has a bench seat behind the front seat and is usually accessible via two smaller doors behind the front doors, as in the Silverado. Technically a double can six if you opt for the front bench seat, though you’ll likely get objections if you try to make anyone besides kids or dogs ride in the back for more than an hour. The third option is the crew cab, which also seats up to six, but features more legroom (43.4″ in the Silverado, compared to 35.24″ in the double cab) and is accessed by regular-sized doors.

Evidently, Chevy has noticed our tendency to bring along dogs, children, helpers, or actual crew members, because only the base WT trim for the Silverado is available with a regular cab configuration. Even the double cab is only available up to the RST trim. In contrast, all trims offer a crew cab version, and the top four trims are only available with crew cabs. Fortunately, opting for a crew cab doesn’t add much to the price of a Silverado.

2WD or 4WD?

Your next choice––what sort of drivetrain you want––is simple but not always easy. It requires that you think about how you plan to use your truck and how much you want to spend––on the initial purchase, in gas, and even in repairs. Chevy trucks can come in rear-wheel drive (usually called 2WD or RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD or 4×4). These terms refer to which wheels actually turn to move the car, and each method has its strengths and weaknesses. Briefly, 2WD is usually less expensive to purchase, has better gas mileage, and often has lower repair costs. These factors all have to do with weight and drivetrain complexity––4WD vehicles, for example, are heavier and have more parts to break. The tradeoff is that while 2WD usually handle well, they cannot negotiate tough terrain as well as 4WD vehicles.

Since the Silverado 1500 is available in 2WD and 4WD, your decision here should be based a bit on what you wish to tow but mostly on where you plan to be driving. All trims (except the two Trail Boss trims and the ZR2, which are only available as 4WD) are available with either drivetrain, but if you plan to drive off-road, you’ll want to spring for 4WD. In the standard WT trim, that will amount to a difference of $4,600, so you’ll need to consider the importance of the purchase price. Your gas bill will also be a bit pricier with 4WD, though your engine choice will have a greater effect there.

And Back to Capacity…

A third important choice for any truck purchase involves the bed. How much stuff do you want to put back there? Trucks usually come in three different bed lengths, though the actual measurements can vary. Fortunately, the Silverado has best-in-class bed volume, giving you plenty of room for cargo. In the 2022 Silverado 1500, you can choose a 69.9″ short bed, a 79.4″ standard bed, or a 98.2″ long bed (all Silverado 1500 beds are 50.6″ wide at the wheel housings).

If you’re firm on your cab size, that will narrow the options a bit for you here. Again, the WT trim has the most options, but no matter what trim you choose, the regular cab is only available with a standard or long bed, and the double cab is only available with a standard bed. Conversely, the crew cabs are only available with a short or a standard bed. You will additionally be somewhat limited by the drivetrain you selected because the RST, the LTZ, and the High Country are only available with a crew cab and a short bed if you picked 2WD.

Four Not-So-Little Engines That Can

The next two decisions you’ll need to make––engine and transmission––will largely affect your ability to tow, your gas mileage, and, to some extent, where you’ll be able to go. Bigger engines result in greater towing ability and more freedom to get into (and, more importantly, back out of) difficult terrain. Usually, however, the bigger the engine, the more gas you’ll need to run it, so there’s no point in getting a bigger engine than you need.

The Silverado 1500 has four different engine options and two different transmissions (an 8-speed and a 10-speed) that are paired with them. The base trims (WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, and LT Trail Boss) are equipped with a standard 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder that can generate 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. It’s powerful enough for most jobs, and it’s paired with an 8-speed transmission that gives you a Tow/Haul mode and powertrain grade braking (which helps conserve your brakes when going downhill.) The 2.7L Turbo is rated for up to 20 MPG and, with the required towing package, can haul up to 9,500 lbs.

Your second engine option is a 355 hp 5.3L EcoTec3 V8, which is paired with either the 8-speed or 10-speed transmission, depending on the trim. The 5.3L is standard in the RST, LTZ, and High Country, but it is an option on every trim. The 5.3L gas mileage can be up to 18 MPG, depending on tires and drivetrain, and generates 383 lb-ft of torque. This engine’s towing capabilities vary quite a bit depending on the options you choose, but when fully equipped, the max tow rating for this engine is 11,200 lbs.

Two other engines are possibilities for the Silverado. The first is a 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6. It’s not standard on any trim but is available on the LT, LT Trail Boss, RST, LTZ, and High Country. This engine is packaged with the 10-speed transmission and a diesel exhaust system and pulls 460 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with the trailering package, this engine will pull as much as 13,300 lbs, though ratings vary a bit depending on trim.

Your last engine option is the big 6.2L EcoTec3 V8. It generates 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, is paired with the 10-speed transmission, and uses Dynamic Fuel Management tech to help keep your gas bill a bit lower (it is rated at up to 17 MPG combined). It’s only standard in one trim––the off-road ZR2––but it’s also available in both Trail Boss trims, the RST, the LTZ, and the High Country. When properly equipped, you can tow as much as 13,300 lbs with this engine. If you like power, this is the engine for you!

Your Perfect Truck Is Waiting

Once you’ve worked your way through the above decisions, you’ll be well on your way to finding the truck you love. Most of the rest of the choices you’ll need to make involve what level of luxury you’d like to embrace, so stop by Raceway Chevrolet, your Allentown, PA, Chevy dealer, ask us questions, and take the time to experience all the different options. Your perfect Silverado 1500 is out there, waiting!