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2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: WT vs LT, LTZ & High Country
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

What 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

The Silverado is a capable truck in many regards, and the 3500HD model is one of the most reliable trucks in the industry. It's bigger and tougher than the 2500HD and 1500 Silverado models, and in fact, the 2020 Silverado 3500HD is the strongest truck that Chevrolet has ever made.

Two engines are available on the pickup. The first is a 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine that has best-in-class torque, at 464 pound-feet. Horsepower isn't far behind, at 401. This engine is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, and it has variable valve timing. It's ideal for those who prefer to fuel up with regular gasoline, and it offers plenty of kick.

The other engine is a Duramax 6.6-liter V8 that runs on diesel fuel. It has 445 horsepower, edging out the gas engine by just a bit with this statistic. Where the diesel really impresses is in torque, as it has 910 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with an Allison ten-speed transmission that has been released for the 2020 model year. When properly equipped with the right hitch, maximum trailering weight is 35,500 pounds. This compares with the maximum trailering weight of 17,370 pounds that the gasoline engine comes with.

Throughout the truck, heavy-duty materials have been used. Seven different kinds of steel have been incorporated into the body, including in the cargo bed floor. That floor, which Chevrolet calls a Durabed, has been expanded for the 2020 truck, and it comes with 12 tie-downs to keep everything in place. To provide better access to the bed, the truck can come with CornerSteps and BedSteps; these are cut-outs strategically placed so that people can step up to reach into the cargo area.

There are many options to think about when buying a Silverado 3500HD truck. First, the cab can come as a regular cab with one bench, a double cab with two rows of seating, or a crew cab with a roomier back seat. The crew cab can either come with a standard or long bed, measuring approximately 82 and 98 inches, respectively. The regular and double cabs are automatically paired with the long bed.

Beyond this, there is the choice of getting two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. There's also the opportunity to get a dual rear wheel if anyone needs more stability when carrying or pulling heavy loads.

There are four trims, which allows the Silverado 3500HD appeal to people with different budgets. The selection starts with the WT trim. The LT and LTZ are the mid-level options, and the High Country is at the top of the line. This guide will go over the differences between each so consumers can gather all the facts before making a purchasing decision.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD WT vs LT Trims. What is the difference?

The prices on the WT and LT are very comparable. There are slightly different wheels on each, as the WT uses 18-inch steel painted silver wheels and the LT rides on 18-inch machined aluminum wheels with six spokes and silver painted accents.

In some ways, the two trims feel pretty basic, but they do come with the options to get LED lighting in the cargo bed, black power-adjustable mirrors, and assist steps to help people enter and exit the truck. On the LT, deep-tinted glass is standard, as is the EZ lift function on the tailgate that makes it easier to close.

The LT has some noticeable upgrades inside the cabin. Rather than having a 3.5-inch driver information screen, it has a larger 4.2-inch one that has a color display. It has storage below the front bench seat, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability is standard instead of available, as it is on the WT.

Both trims have Bluetooth so calls can be made over the truck's speaker system. The Chevy Infotainment 3 system is standard on the WT and LT, but the WT has a seven-inch screen while the LT has an eight-inch version. Fortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come with all trims of the Silverado. Of the two trims, only the LT is capable of supporting Chevrolet Connected Services and OnStar services, and it comes with remote keyless entry for greater convenience.

The seating isn't anything to praise, but it is comfortable. Vinyl seats that are easy to clean are included on the WT, and this may be preferable if people are using this truck around the work site or in the back country. The LT has cloth seats, and heated front seats are available.

Both of these 3500HD trims come with with a rear-view camera for more safety while backing up. The LT has an option to upgrade to a high-definition rear vision camera that provides an enhanced image.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LT vs LTZ Trims.  What is the difference?

The LTZ, like the LT, has daytime running lamps, and it also has LED reflector headlamps, LED taillamps, and LED fog lamps. In contrast, the LT has traditional halogen reflector headlamps. The LTZ has more advanced side mirrors that can extend and automatically dim when the conditions call for it. The tailgate on the LTZ is easier to use because it has the EZ lift assist feature along with a power lock and release.

There are a few functional upgrades on the LTZ. It comes with a 120-volt box-mounted power outlet which is an available upgrade on the LT. This can come in handy when using portable power tools or charging other devices when you're out on the road. Its advanced trailering system comes with maintenance reminders, security alerts, electric diagnostics, and more to help drivers keep everything safe and secure.

Chevrolet enhanced the infotainment system on the LTZ trim. While the LTZ has the eight-inch color screen, the LTZ has a screen of the same size that has high-definition resolution. The system - called Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus - can be used with certain in-vehicle apps, and it accepts certain voice commands. A similar configuration that includes navigation is available on the LTZ, which is something people might consider if they're often traveling through unfamiliar areas. HD and SiriusXM radio compatibility are present on the LTZ to give passengers more listening choices.

The upgrades on the LTZ are apparent in terms of seating. Instead of being confined to having a front bench seat, this trim can come with front bucket seats if consumers don't mind losing that middle seat. The trade-off is that the driver and front passenger gain more space and comfort.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, as are rear air vents to improve air flow. The LTZ has the ability to remember two different positions for the driver's seat. The seat can be adjusted in 10 different ways, and the memory system includes positioning for outside mirrors as well. Both front seats are heated, as is the steering wheel, and the heated rear seats come with the heating option. In addition, the front seats are made with perforated leather so they feel much more classy.

With keyless open and start, drivers can keep their key fobs tucked away while they unlock the vehicle and start things up. Remote start is standard if the truck needs to be warmed up for a few minutes.

The safety category is where the LTZ starts to pull ahead of the lower trims, but only if someone chooses to get available upgrades. A whole collection of driver-assist features start to become available on the LTZ, and they include forward collision alert, a parking assist feature that can help with maneuvering, a 360-degree view of the truck from a bird's eye-view, and blind spot monitoring that can help with changing lanes.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ vs High Country. What is the difference?

It's clear that the High Country trim is the most upscale version of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. It rides on 20-inch 16-spoke polished aluminum wheels and has six-inch rectangular assist steps as standard features. The High Country is the only trim to have standard cargo bed lighting and the Chevytec spray-on bedliner. This bedliner is an option on the LTZ, and it provides a textured surface that minimizes skidding. Further, the High Country has a power tailgate that can open and close on its own, and its rear window has its own defogger and can be power-operated.

If anyone has plans for going off the pavement for an extended period of time, the Z71 Off-Road package is offered on the High Country trim. It comes with Rancho twin tube shocks so that the truck can handle the ups and downs of the trail. It also comes with skid plates and the ability to control speed on downhills, along with special Z71 badging.

In the technology category, the High Country shines. Its driver information center is much bigger than in other trims, at eight inches, and it uses a Bose premium sound system that has seven speakers, to include a Richbass woofer that pumps out the low notes. The trim's Universal Home Remote can be programmed to open or turn on/off three different devices, such as garage doors and security systems.

The High Country's Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium system has built-in navigation that can account for changing traffic conditions to help people find the quickest routes to their destinations. Wireless charging is a cool feature that anyone who relies on their phone can appreciate.

Front bucket seats and a front center console are standard on the High Country. That console area has cupholders, storage for mobile devices and power cords, and more compartments that can be convenient to have. A heating element has been built into both the front and rear outboard seats, and the front seats come with ventilation to improve comfort in the summer months.

Both the LTZ and High Country have the option to include those driver-assist features previously mentioned. Having features like automatic emergency braking or warning systems that can alert drivers when they're off course can make a difference in overall safety.

Which Trim to Choose?

Having options is a good thing, and this is certainly the case with the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. If anyone is looking for a simple truck with a more affordable price tag, the WT would be the wise purchase. However, it does have its limitations in areas other than performance, and its vinyl seats might not be what many consumers are looking for.

While the LT does have some nicer elements to it, the LTZ has even more. For this reason, the LTZ seems to be a great option if anyone wants his or her truck to look nice inside the cabin and have advanced technological features to match. The High Country is always a possibility if anyone wants the most premium details to be incorporated into his or her showstopper of a truck.

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