You probably already know that the Chevy Silverado is one of the most popular pickup trucks in America. You either read about their high sales numbers, or you’ve simply seen with your eyes just how many Chevy Silverados are out on the road. The Chevy Silverado is an incredibly reliable pickup. In fact, many can easily last 200,000 miles without requiring major repairs or parts replacements. That’s why online searches for “used Chevy truck dealer near me” remain high year after year. Even if you can find one with 100,000 miles on it, that pickup might only be halfway through its life and still have a lot left to offer a used car buyer.
People love how sturdy these trucks are and how many configurations and trim options are available. You can choose Silverados that are easy to handle and work well as everyday cars, as well as super tough, larger Silverados with massive towing and hauling capabilities. Within the family of Silverados, there is a lot of range. But there’s even more to this beloved pickup than many realize because Chevy has been adding eye-catching and buzz-worthy special editions to the Silverado lineup over the years. If you’re looking for something beyond the basic pickup, check out these Special Edition Silverados.
Special Edition Trims vs Packages
Before we get into the Silverado special editions, it’s worth taking a brief moment to differentiate between special edition trims and packages, as some of the ones we mention here are considered packages, and others are full special editions. A package is a collection of features––either cosmetic or functional––that are sold together and can be added to a vehicle for an extra cost. So, you could buy a Silverado trim and add a package to get a cool set of appearance upgrades or convenience features. In Chevy’s case, the brand often provides the option to get special edition packages that are usually cosmetic in nature. These packages are usually available year after year.
A special edition trim is a model that has been uniquely designed with a specific set of features. Many times, these special edition models are from partnerships with other brands or to commemorate certain milestones. They usually don’t come with a lot of wiggle room for customization and are often highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Special edition trims usually have a limited run, but there are some that seem to keep coming back due to popularity. We are going to look at a mix of both special edition packages and unique special edition trims in the Chevy lineup throughout the years.
The Realtree Edition
A model that was seen in 2016 and 2021, the Realtree Edition is ready for adventure. This camo-themed edition is available on Custom Trail Boss Silverados and can tackle all sorts of terrain. It enjoys a two-inch factory lift for better ground clearance, impressive 18-inch high-gloss Black-painted aluminum wheels (20-inch wheels are available), and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac mud terrain tires with deep treads that will keep you feeling stable when the ground beneath you is anything but. Don’t worry: there are tubular assist steps to help you get in and out of this tall truck.
As a nod to this edition’s hunting spirit, it has camo graphics throughout, including on the roof, in the tailgate, and even inside of the truck. Because you never know what you’ll have to pack in this robust truck’s bed, it has a spray-on liner to protect it from scratches and chips. Hopefully, you never find yourself stuck, but if you can’t get your truck out of a sticky situation, the red recovery hooks on the Realtree Edition will come in handy.
Since this truck is made to leave paved roads, that also means you might leave streetlights behind. That’s why it enjoys high-intensity discharge headlights that use a combination of gas and metal to create a strong, long-lasting light.
The Redline Edition
If you’re looking for something sporty, check out the Redline Edition. Out since 2015 as an option for the Silverado RST, this sharp-looking package boasts stylistic details that will turn heads, starting with red accents throughout. Find these bold additions on the wheels, the outline on the fender and tailgate, and even the rearview mirrors. This truck also has recovery hooks (red, of course) for times you need a rescue vehicle to pull your Silverado out of a tough spot. Its overall color scheme is black and red, so expect black-painted aluminum wheels, black rectangular tips on the dual exhaust outlets, and black tubular assist steps. This is the ideal truck for someone who loves the standard capabilities of a Silverado but wants a more modern aesthetic.
The Midnight Edition
You’ll feel like a superhero conquering the streets of your city in the sleek, all-black Midnight Edition. This is a package option you’ll see on the Silverado Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss trims. Chevy’s with this package are beautiful and tough. They enjoy a raised roof for more headroom and a more intimidating appearance, exclusive black badging throughout, and black-painted aluminum wheels.
As for capabilities, this truck can run with the best off-roading pickups and can handle all four seasons. They boast a two-inch factory suspension lift, letting you travel over rough roads and obstacles with more peace of mind, as well as Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac mud terrain tires that will keep your ride feeling smooth when the ground is unpredictable. You can opt for 20-inch high-gloss black-painted aluminum wheels, which will be paired with Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud terrain tires. The large treads and wide channels of these tires effortlessly move rocks and other small obstacles out of the way, improving your traction on muddy ground.
When you opt for the LT Trail Boss trim, you’ll get high-intensity discharged LED headlamps, offering long-lasting visibility in low-light environments. These come with stunning Black bezels to match the edition’s overall aesthetic.
The Rally Edition
The Rally Edition is relatively new to the Chevy family, having first come out in 2020. However, you can find it on used pickups now, and it’s been a fan favorite. It’s a youthful truck that’s ideal for metropolitan environments and was made to appeal to a new demographic.
The Rally Edition is great for city driving and is available on Custom and RST models. It’s a stunning and modern truck, with a black hood and tailgate rally stripes, black badging and bowtie emblems throughout, and signature tailgate lettering with black exhaust tips. You can opt for 22-inch high-gloss black-painted aluminum wheels or get the 20-inch ones that come standard. It has a body-colored grille and black assist steps.
Show Your Personality With a Special Edition Silverado
Special editions have always been a fun way for carmakers to introduce something new to a lineup without completely redesigning a vehicle. With the Silverado having been around since 1999, Chevy has basically perfected the bones of this pickup by now. So, making any major changes to its performance or capabilities would be a step in the wrong direction. Meanwhile, special editions let drivers enjoy the core features of the Silverado while also benefiting from additions that focus on their specific needs and style.
The Realtree Edition lets those who spend a lot of time out in the wilderness take advantage of a Silverado’s capabilities, but it has some special touches that make it perfect for hunting and similar activities. The Redline Edition package transforms the Silverado from a simple working truck to one that looks stylish and modern (while still absolutely serving as a great working truck). Meanwhile, the Midnight Edition package is bold and muscular and certainly falls under the category of luxury truck, while the Rally Edition package is a youthful, city-ready pickup that makes the Silverado accessible to urban dwellers. If you’re shopping for a used Silverado and need certain capabilities or just want a particular look, don’t forget to see if your local used Chevy dealer has any of these special edition Silverados on the used lot.
