2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: A Trim Comparison
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is now for sale at your local dealer! It’s powerful, durable, and ready to get the job done. For the 2023 model year, Chevy introduces a more powerful turbodiesel engine and a new ZR2 Bison package. The most immediate design change is the inclusion of highly-defined character lines flowing backward from the headlights and picking up toward the rear tail light.
Comparing Silverado 1500 trims
For this comparison, we’re focusing on the trims for the crew cab, two-wheel drive, 2.7-liter four-cylinder model. If you’re looking to increase the cabin size or the truck bed size, you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars on top of the prices listed below. Larger 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engines are also available for additional surcharges. There’s also a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine that generates 305 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Four-wheel drive models would also be a few thousand dollars more.
Overview
Many basic capabilities for all of the crew cab, two-wheel-drive models are the same. Each truck gets 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. They have a max GCWR of 14,500 lbs, max conventional trailering of 11,200lbs, and GVWR of 7,000 lbs when properly equipped.
WT
The WT, or “work truck” trim, has a starting MSRP of $36,300, 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, graphic grille, and tailgate. 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 two speakers. The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT also comes with Bluetooth and capability for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety-wise, the WT comes standard with a rearview camera, automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist. The seating standard is vinyl instead of cloth. This is definitely a truck designed to take some abuse compared to the more “lifestyle”-oriented trim levels.
Custom
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom has a starting MSRP of $43,600. To start things off, drivers will see 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 wheels are 20-inches and are a silver-painted aluminum.
Safety remains the same with no upgrades other than the OnStar Guidance Plan for three months. One of the biggest upgrades in the Custom trim is the addition of remote start, so you can warm up your truck before you get behind the wheel.
There are some infotainment upgrades as well. The audio system upgrades to a six-speaker stereo, and you’ll get wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and two additional USB ports.
LT
The Silverado 1500 LT has a starting MSRP of $48,000 for double cab models and has everything the Custom trim has and more. On the exterior, you’ll see body-color door handles and 17-inch bright machined aluminum wheels. The headlamps are LED with LED signature daytime running lamps as well. The 4.3L V6 engine is not offered on the LT trim. The standard option here is the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8.
The interior comes with Chevrolet MyLink, but there are also upgraded features here, as well. Instead of a 7-inch display, you get an 13.4-inch color touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, and proximity keyless entry. A locking rear differential is also standard with this trim.
RST
The RST trim has a standard engine offering is a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 with DFM. The starting cost is around $52,300. With that, drivers will find keyless open and start. Cosmetic changes include body-color center bar on the grille, bumpers, and door handles. Also on the exterior of the vehicle are LED headlamps, taillamps, foglamps, and cargo area lighting. The new wheels are 18-inch bright silver painted-aluminum.
Custom Trail Boss
Next up in price is the Custom Trail Boss trim. This rugged trim level starts at $51,800, but the standard engine goes back to the 4.3L V6 compared to the RST trim. Drivers who opt for the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss can expect a Z71 off-road package to come standard, as well as a 2-inch factory suspension lift. The touchscreen on this trim level drops to 7-inches again.
The only available drivetrain for the Custom Trail Boss is a 4WD option. The rugged Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac Off-Road tires are set off by 18-inch black wheels. There is also an Autotrac-branded 2-speed transfer case. Get it starting at $46,200.
LTZ
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ trim level reaches toward the upper-end in terms of expense. It has a starting MSRP of $51,800 for the 2×4 crew cab. This trim level also 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). There are also advanced trailering features included for better towing. Instead of the black wheels on the Custom Trail Boss, the LTZ features 18-inch bright silver painted-aluminum wheels. Perforated leather-appointed seating also comes standard.
LT Trail Boss
Like the Custom Trail Boss trim, the only available drivetrain for the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss is a four-wheel-drive option. The starting MSRP for this trim level is $58,000. This trim combines the best of the Custom Trail Boss’s off-road features and with a little bit more tech. For example, the LT Trail Boss infotainment system is an inch larger than the Custom Trail Boss version, clocking in at 8-in diagonal.
For those wanting leather seats, however, you will only find cloth standard on the LT Trail Boss. The Ecotec3 5.3L V8 engine does have dynamic fuel management and dual exhaust, however.
High Country
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country is the top-of-the-line when it comes to Chevy’s best-selling vehicle. It has a corresponding MSRP, as well, setting back drivers $62,100. For that price, buyers will find all the bells and whistles they could want, including an industry-first power up/down liftgate. Cosmetically, there is a trim exclusive grille and center bar with two-tone bronze and chrome finish. High-intensity LED headlamps are also on the front of the vehicle, while the wheels feature a 20-inch machined aluminum design.
ZR2
The ZR2 offers some enticing off-road improvements upon the High Country trim with higher suspension, 33-inch tires, front and rear locking differential, high-performance dampers, and heavy-duty skid plates.
New for 2023 is the Bison package which starts at $7,895. This includes 18-inch gloss black wheels, stamped steel bumpers, heavy duty skid plates and more.
Conclusion
The 2023 Chevy Silverado offers plenty of trim options to choose from but if you are looking for a Silverado that packs an even bigger punch, you might want to check out the 2500HD and 3500HD models.
(Featured image via Chevrolet)