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2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: WT vs Custom Trail Boss vs LT, RST, LTZ & High Country
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

What 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gets a complete makeover this year. That makes the current Silverado the start of the fourth generation of this legendary pickup truck. The Silverado 1500 is a full-sized, light-duty truck. It comes in a wide array of body styles and configurations. You can choose from three different cab styles and three different bed lengths. It also comes in 4X2 or 4X4 variations.

The three available cab styles are Regular, Double and Crew Cab. The Regular is a standard, two-door model with no rear seats. The Double adds half-sized rear doors and a small rear-seat area. The Crew Cab offers four full-sized doors and plenty of rear-seat space for passengers to ride comfortably in. The available box lengths are 8 ft., 6.6 ft., and 5.75 ft. You even get the choice of six to twelve exterior colors depending on the trim package you select.

The Silverado 1500 comes equipped with one of four different engine choices for 2019. These are a 2.7-liter Turbo, a 4.3-liter V-6, a 5.3-liter V-8 or a 6.2-liter V-8. There are eight different trim packages available for the Silverado 1500 this year. Chevrolet has added in a trim package for just about every conceivable purpose.

With so many choices, you can easily find a trim package to suit your needs. Whether it's for work, transportation or some off-road fun, a trim level has been created for it. Many trim levels were designed for versatility. These can handle just about anything you need them to do. We will take a look at every Silverado 1500 trim and how they compare to the next level up. Armed with this information, it should be easier to find the truck that's right for you.

Compare the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT vs Custom Trims. What is the difference?

The Work Truck trim level lets you know what it's all about with the name. This is the base level, bare-bones model of the Silverado 1500. It comes standard with the 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V-6 engine. This gets you 285 hp with 305 lb-ft of torque. You also have the option to upgrade to the 5.3-liter V-8 should you require more power. You can select the 2.7-liter Turbo if fuel economy is your top priority.

The Work Truck comes in all three cab styles. You also have the choice of all three bed lengths here. This level gets you the StabiliTrak, stability-control system. The truck bed is made of high-strength steel. The 17", silver-painted wheels are steel as well. These are paired with some all-weather, black-wall tires. Chevy throws in a full-sized spare tire for good measure.

A corner-step rear bumper and daytime running lights are some of the stock features for the exterior. The Silverado Custom has all of the exterior features offered in the Work Truck, but with some upgrades and additions. Both trims come with the same standard engine and power-train options. The Custom is only available in Double and Crew Cab styles. You also lose the option for an 8 ft. bed with the Custom model.

The Custom Silverado adds on a single-speed Autotrac Transfer Case. You get a tire upgrade here as well with a set of 20" all-weather models. The outside mirrors are heated on the Custom trim, and you get upgraded, LED headlamps. The exhaust tips come polished on this trim level.

On the inside of the Silverado, both of these trims have 4-way, manually adjusting seats up front. Both get Chevrolet's Infotainment 3 System and a sound system with six speakers. Power door locks and windows come standard on both models. The Work Truck seats are vinyl while the Custom seats are cloth. For the Custom trim you also get keyless entry, cruise control and rubberized-vinyl floor mats.

Chevy has a lot of modern, driver-assist systems and alerts for the Silverado 1500. Their Teen Driver program is installed on both truck models. This helps you to monitor a young driver's driving habits and to set perimeters on what they can do inside of your vehicle. A rear-vision camera helps you to see behind your truck for both models too. Both trims come equipped with the same six airbags.

Compare the 2019 Silverado 1500 Custom vs Custom Trail Boss Trims. What is the difference?

Like the Work Truck before it, the Custom Trail Boss has a name that immediately lets you know what this vehicle was designed for. This trim is equipped with the same V-6 engine as the Custom model. You can once again upgrade to the 5.3-liter V-8 if you wish. The Custom and Custom Trail Boss both have the same 6-speed, automatic-transmission system with overdrive.

Being geared towards off-road performance, the Custom Trail Boss is only available as a 4X4. You can get a short or regular-sized truck bed for this model. Like the regular Custom, the Trail Boss is available in Double and Crew Cab versions. A 2-speed Autotrac Transfer Case and automatic locking rear differential are added on to the Trail Boss as well.

A set of 18" Wrangler, mud-terrain tires are included with the Trail Boss. These are fitted onto aluminum wheels finished in a glossy black paint. A trailering packages comes standard on the Trail Boss too. An upgraded suspension system is added on. A 2" factory lift gives you some more ground clearance for rolling over rough terrain.

On the inside of the Custom Trail Boss, things are mostly the same as the previous trim. A hitch guidance system is in place to go along with the trailering package. The seats and infotainment system are the same on both trims. All of the same safety features and equipment are identical on both models as well.

Compare the Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss vs LT Trims. What is the difference?

The LT comes standard with Chevrolet's 2.7-liter Turbo I-4. This engine has a higher horsepower rating than the V-6 that comes in a stock Custom Trail Boss. It can crank out 310 hp. It's a little more fuel efficient too. The I-4 is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. An auto-manual function allows you to manually move through the gears if you need to.

You can get an LT in Double or Crew Cab versions. Once again, the short and regular bed lengths are available. An automatic start/stop feature can save on gas and engine wear. The wheels move back down in size to 17" as opposed to the 18" set found on the Custom Trail Boss.

On the inside of the LT model, you get the 4-way, manual adjusting seats once again. This time you can opt for an upgrade to a 10-way power adjustable seat for the driver. The screen for driver info on the instrument cluster is bigger in the LT. The front seat for the LT is a 40-20-40 splitting bench model. This means you can get an extra passenger up front. There's a center arm rest with some extra storage space underneath for the LT too.

You get the same audio and infotainment system in the LT that was present in the Custom Trail Boss. Both models have most of the same safety features. The LT adds OnStar connection capabilities. While the differences may seem minor here, the LT does give you a ton of options you can tack on. Many features that are unavailable to previous trims can be added to customize the LT.

Compare the Silverado 1500 LT vs RST Trims. What is the difference?

Just like the LT trim, the RST comes stock with the I-4 Turbo engine and 8-speed automatic transmission system. It comes in Double and Crew Cab variations. The short and regular bed lengths are again available for the RST. You can select from 4X2 and 4X4 models again as well. There isn't a lot of difference in the performance of these two trim levels.

The RST moves back up to 18" wheels with some all-season tires. The grille is noticeably different on the RST. It's neither better nor worse. This is simply a cosmetic difference. Lights in the cargo bed, however, make a big functional difference between the RST and previous trims. The headlamps and taillights are upgraded to LED models, and you now get fog lamps for the RST.

The tailgate has a lift assist and power lock added on for the RST. The standard and optional seat choices remain the same for both trim levels here. There's some extra storage space under the front bench seat for the RST, but you lose the space beneath the armrest that's found on the LT.

The RST comes with a rear defogger and a remote-start function. The infotainment system is basically the same, but you now can upgrade the audio to a sound system by Bose. You get a few more USB ports throughout the RST to connect your various devices to. The standard driving-assist systems and safety features are the same on the LT and RST trims.

Compare the 2019 Silverado 1500 RST vs LT Trail Boss Trims. What is the difference?

The LT Trail Boss comes equipped with a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engine with DFM. This power plant will get you 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. DFM stands for Dynamic Fuel Management. This newer technology allows the engine to operate with more power and efficiency. This trim package only comes as a 4X4 model since it is designed with off-road performance in mind.

Chevy's LT Trail Boss is only available in Double and Crew Cab configurations. You can get a regular or small box size for this model. A 3.23 rear-axle ratio and 2-speed Autotrac Transfer Case increase its off-road potential. A locking rear differential, upgraded suspension system and factory lift further enhance its performance in this area.

A premium trailering package is included with the LT Trail Boss. You get some high-performance parts like a high-capacity air filter and dual-outlet exhaust. You have more options than previous trims to get high-performance parts as well. This model comes with the same 18" wheels and tires that are standard for the Custom Trail Boss.

Most of the interior and safety features are the same for the RST and LT Trail Boss. The big difference here is the off-road advantages and bigger engine of the LT Trail Boss. If you plan to stay on paved roads, the RST is a fine choice. If you need to take the truck off the beaten path, the LT Trail Boss can get the job done.

Compare the 2019 Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss vs LTZ Trims. What is the difference?

The LTZ trim shares the same 5.3-liter V-8 engine and 8-speed, automatic transmission system as the LT Trail Boss. Unlike the LT Trail Boss, you can get an LTZ in either 4X2 or 4X4 configurations. It comes in the form of a Double or Crew Cab with a regular or short bed length. The horsepower, torque and fuel-economy ratings are identical for both of these versions of the Silverado 1500.

The LTZ trim loses the off-road focused upgrades of the LT Trail Boss. They both have 18" wheels, but the LTZ also loses the Wrangler DuraTrac tires that come standard on the LT Trail Boss. The exterior features are mostly the same, but the LTZ gets some rear whealhouse liners. The headlamps, taillights and power tailgate are the same between these two models.

The LTZ is built more for comfort and convenience. You get the first standard seat upgrade here. The LTZ has 10-way, power-adjustable driver and passenger seats with power lumbar supports. There is a memory function here to save your personal settings. The infotainment system gets a larger, 8" touchscreen with color, HD graphics. The rear-view camera is upgraded to HD as well.

The seats and floor mats are upgraded for the LTZ. You also get a substantial increase in cup holders and small-space storage. The steering wheel comes wrapped in leather and now has a heating function for the LTZ. Even the rear seats get leather trim and an underneath storage area. The LT Trail Boss represents the best of off-road adventuring, while the LTZ is all about style and ride quality.

Compare the 2019 Silverado 1500 LTZ vs High Country Trims. What is the difference?

Finally, we come to the Silverado 1500 High Country. This is the top level trim package available for this Chevy truck. Once more, we get a truck equipped with the 5.3-liter, EcoTec3 V-8 engine. While previous models focused on budget practicality, off-road performance or luxury and comfort, this model offers some of everything.

The High Country gives you the off-road performance parts and trailering package. All of the top-level exterior and performance features are added on to this trim. The wheels are 20" and painted a bright-colored silver. They're made of machined aluminum and have magenta accented painted in the pockets. The High Country features a lot of chrome accents on the exterior as well.

The High Country gives you an enormous, 8" screen for driver information located on the instrument cluster. You also get Chevrolet's top-tier infotainment package and a premium sound system by Bose. While most of the safety features are the same on these two trims, the High Country adds on a bunch of driver assists and warning systems. Cross-traffic alert and forward-collision detection are just two of the most notable additions here.

Final Thoughts

One of the great things about the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado is that you have endless options. Each trim package is just a modest increase in price over the previous trim. For most truck lovers, the RST will be the best choice. It has great performance, good fuel-economy and plenty of comfort and safety features. It's a versatile truck that can do just about anything.

If you need a work-only vehicle, then the Work Truck is a great value. If you need an off-road beast, the Trail Boss trims should do the trick. For everyone else, the RST package offers something for almost every need or occasion. If there are features from higher trim levels that you just can't live without, you can always add most of them on as an option for the RST.


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Compare the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trim Levels