Henry Ford famously stated that, “You can have the Ford Model T (their only model) in any color you like, so long as it’s black.” From day one, Chevrolet has taken the opposite approach. Almost to a fault at times. There are, right now, 18 different consumer models of Chevrolet: each with several different trim levels, and several different available colors and option packages for each. Not to mention special-edition vehicles. So you’re looking at a lot of different permutations for each model of Chevrolet. Today, let’s focus on trim levels.
If you’re like I was, you see those chrome letters on a vehicle you’re purchasing and – well, I didn’t want to look dumb, so I pretended those letters didn’t mean anything important. Now I sell cars, and I’m here to tell you those letters could mean thousands of dollars of difference between prices for a given model. Not to mention a world of difference in comfort and performance. Let me explain…
A trim level refers to standard sets of features found on a vehicle. Each model of car can have several different levels, or tiers. One might feature a more powerful standard engine than another… a different suspension system, or a higher-end paint coat and color.
Chevrolet is no different, so here’s a breakdown on the trim levels you are going to encounter when shopping for a new Chevrolet vehicle at Sir Walter Chevrolet in Raleigh.
This is one you will see on our pickup trucks. It stands for “Work Truck”, and that means it was made for the professional truck user: no frills, minimal entertainment and comfort items. Strictly business. Consequently, this is often the lowest-priced option for shoppers who might be willing to sacrifice the extras.
“L” is the “base model” trim level of the Cruze and Malibu: the only two models that have “L” trim levels. Incidentally, these are pretty rare to encounter, as Chevrolet has found that most consumers would rather go with a less expensive model at a higher trim level than a step up in model at this lower trim level and miss out on the technology and safety features.
For most other models, “LS” is the base, lowest-tier trim level available. Not many extras here either. If, for your money, you’re a car traditionalist who has no appetite for Chevrolet’s gadgetry, this trim level may be for you.
The next step up is “LT”. Here you are going to start seeing some luxury-type options making their way onto a unit: leather seats maybe. An optional more powerful engine. For nearly every Chevrolet model, “LT” is the most popular trim level.
Sometimes simply “LZ” on certain models – represent the highest level of accessories and options… the most powerful engines, the best performance. But, just to keep Sales Consultants like me on our toes, for 2017 this designation has been changed to… “Premier”.
Shopping Trim Levels
A word on encountering trim levels on a dealer’s car lot: some trim levels sell better than others in certain markets, so sometimes a dealership like Sir Walter Chevrolet or its competitors are not going to carry, say, a base Malibu L. So give me a call before coming in so I can check our inventory.
So here’s the big question that I see bugging you: “what do these acronyms actually stand for?” In the beginning, “LS” would have stood for “Luxury Sport”; LT standing for “Luxury Touring”. In recent years, Chevy has taken some liberties with this naming convention, and eventually threw their hands in the air declaring that these trim level designation letters don’t stand for anything in particular. And happily, that’s about the most disappointing thing you’ll encounter in a Chevrolet these days.
