To say that there are plenty of trucks for sale on the market today is a huge understatement. From light trucks to heavy duty haulers, trucks make up a large percentage of the vehicles on American roadways today. While pickup trucks were originally created for farm and worksite purposes, the need to move heavy objects has been combined with the desire to have a versatile vehicle. Today’s trucks reflect a myriad of needs, from the simple work truck, to the luxurious family-appointed extended cab models that can step up to duty as a second home on the road.
Since trucks became a mainstream American mode of transportation in the early 1900s, Chevrolet has been manufacturing some of the most popular models on the roads and beyond. Models such as the Colorado, the Silverado 1500, and the Heavy Duty Silverado 2500 and 3500 are something of a standard for the modern truck. Not only is each model highly capable and reliable, but Chevy gives drivers a chance to create the truck of their dreams with numerous options for customization. From basic choices, such as bed and cab size, to engine type and size, to more complex selections, such as trim level and special editions, Chevy stands out amongst all the other trucks for sale with its truly customizable options.
The Chevy Colorado: Midsize and Multi-Talented
The 2020 Chevy Colorado is a great example of Chevy’s “build your own best truck” philosophy. Drivers can choose from extended cab or crew cab, standard or long bed, and from a selection of three engine options, depending on the trim level. The Colorado is available in five different trims: Base, Work Truck, LT, Z71, and ZR2.
The Base truck, for example, is only available as extended cab with the standard 2.5L inline four engine. This highly capable engine is the standard on all models except the ZR2, offering 200 horsepower, 191 lb/ft torque, and towing capacity for up to 3,500 pounds. This engine is paired to a six speed automatic transmission, and is rear-wheel drive only on this model.
Drivers who choose the Work Truck trim or above have two additional choices. The 3.6L DOHC V6 engine option features a best in class 308 horsepower, with 275 lb/ft of torque. As a result, drivers can tow up to 7,000 pounds with proper towing equipment. Diesel fans can rejoice at the Duramax 2.8L Turbodiesel option, which increases the towing capacity to 7,700 pounds with its 369 lb/ft of torque.
While fuel economy typically is not a strong suite in trucks, the Chevy Colorado makes good use of its resources. The standard 2.5L engine offers 20 miles per gallon city and 26 mpg highway, while the V6 engine drops these figures only slightly to 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The standout is the Turbodiesel, which offers a best-in-class 30 mpg highway.
Chevy Colorado Special Editions: More Choices to Love
In addition to a choice of size, engine, and trim, Chevy offers a number of special editions that allow drivers to customize the appearance, performance, and features of their Colorado.
The LT trim, for example, can be customized with the RST or Redline Editions. The RST includes a new, specially designed grille, 20 inch low gloss black wheels, black moldings and emblem, and RST badge. The Redline Edition includes black window trim, mirror caps, handles, emblems, grille, and assist steps, with red accents in the 18 inch wheels and recovery hooks. A spray-on bedliner is also included on the Redline.
The Z71 can be customized with black exterior, grille, emblems, and features in the Midnight Edition, which also includes all weather floor liners, spray-on bedliner, LED off-road lights, and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires. Alternately, drivers of the Z71 can choose the Trail Runner package, which adds some of the ZR2’s off-road features, like skid plates and rocker protection, as well as DuraTrac tires.
Even Work Truck drivers can get in on the customization trend with the Custom Special Edition. This package is designed to bring more work-focused features to the cab, including a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot. Of course, there are also appearance additions, like body-colored grille, mirror caps, and bumper.
Silverado 1500: Chevy’s Full-sized Tradition
If the Colorado doesn’t offer enough choices, the Silverado 1500 is sure to deliver all the options anyone searching for the perfect full-size pickup truck could think of.
First, there are eight possible trim levels: Work Truck, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. Depending on the trim, drivers can then choose a two-door regular cab, four-door Double cab, or a crew cab, which features four full sized doors. From there, drivers can choose an 8 foot bed, 6.5 foot bed, or 5 foot 8 inch bed, though there are limitations based on cab and trim.
The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 has six available engine choices; however, the number of selections per trim varies. The 4.3L EcoTec V6 with Active Fuel Management is standard on the Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss, while the 2.7L Turbo is standard on LT and RST, but available on Custom or Work Truck. The 5.3L EcoTec V8 is available in both Active Fuel Management and Dynamic Fuel Management versions, with the DFM version standard on LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country.
The top-performing engines are offered with limited availability. The Duramax 3.0 Turbodiesel I-6, which tows up to 9,300 pounds with its 277 horsepower and 460 lb/ft torque is only an option for LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country trims. Alternately, drivers of LT, RST, LTZ, LT Trail Boss, Custom Trail Boss, and High Country can take advantage of the 6.2L EcoTec V8 with DFM, which offers a best in class 420 horsepower and 460 lb/ft of torque, as well as a segment-topping 13,400 pound towing capacity.
Creating a Custom Tradition: Silverado Special Editions
Beyond the standard offerings, the 2020 Silverado is offered with a choice of many special edition packages.
While the Z71 off-road features are included in their own trim on the Colorado, Silverado drivers of all trims but Custom can choose this package to add off-roading capability to their truck. These features are also standard on the Trail Boss trim, and include off road suspension, Rancho shocks, Hill Descent Control, automatic locking rear differential, along with all terrain tires and a metal underbody shield.
The LT Trail Boss Midnight Edition adds a sleek black appearance to that trim, with black badging, emblems, bumpers, grill, exhaust tips, and assist steps. 18 inch black high gloss wheels and DuraTrac tires add to the package, along with high intensity LED headlamps. This edition also gets the 6.2L engine with its best-in-class performance capabilities.
Two Rally editions are available as well: the Custom Rally Edition and the RST Rally Edition, each of which is available on the respective trim. Both feature black hood and tailgate rally stripes, along with black badging, emblem, lettering, assist steps and exhaust tips. The Custom trim version includes 20 inch high-gloss black aluminum wheels, while the RST version takes it up to 22 inches. The Custom can only be paired with the 2.7L Turbo engine, but the RST Rally can include the standard engine, the 5.3L V8, or the 6.2L V8.
When it comes to choosing from the many trucks for sale, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by options. At the same time, Chevy offers drivers the ability to include all of the things they need in the truck of their choice. For those who crave a personalized experience, the 2020 Chevy Colorado and Silverado are available in a full range of sizes, shapes, and trims. For those who want to take the process even further, special editions allow drivers to make every drive the best one yet.
