When you’re shopping for a new Silverado, you can easily find yourself torn between the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST and LT Trail Boss. These Silverado 1500 trucks might be adjacent in the trim lineup, but they’re different enough to appeal to very different kinds of drivers. Let’s take a closer look.
Configuration
With rear-wheel drive, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST is available with a crew cab and the line’s short, 5-foot-8-inch bed. Add four-wheel drive to your RST, and two more configurations become available: the crew cab with the standard, 6.5-foot bed, and the double cab with the standard bed.
Every LT Trail Boss comes standard with four-wheel drive. It also comes standard with a crew cab, which you can pair with either the standard or short bed.
Power and Performance
These Silverado 1500 trucks feature two different engines. With its 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the RST is thrifty but powerful. If you crave extra towing capabilities and even higher fuel mileage, choose the optional turbo diesel engine. For more horsepower, the 5.3-liter V8 is available.
When you choose the LT Trail Boss, extra horsepower comes standard, via the 5.3-liter V8 engine. But the Silverado’s top-of-the-line is also available for this model. Add the 6.2-liter V8 engine for a speedy ride on the pavement and a very capable trail performance.
Both:
- Automatic locking rear differential
- Trailering Package
- Optional Advanced Trailering System
RST:
- 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (310 hp, 348 lb.-ft.)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Standard rear-wheel drive, optional four-wheel drive
- Optional Duramax turbo-diesel I6 engine (277 hp, 460 lb.-ft.)
- Optional 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine (355 hp, 383 lb.-ft.)
- Optional 10-speed automatic transmission
- Optional Max Trailering Package
LT Trail Boss:
- 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine (355 hp, 383 lb.-ft.)
- Optional 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine (420 hp, 460 lb.-ft.)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Four-wheel drive
- Two-speed Autotrac Transfer Case
- Skid plates
Exterior Features
Outside, these Silverado trucks have a lot in common, including LED cargo bed lighting and LED headlamps. Both include the EZ Lift tailgate, which gives you easygoing access to your cargo.
When it comes to performance gear, that’s where these trucks diverge. Because the LT Trail Boss was designed for rugged off-road performance, it comes standard with the Z71 suspension and a 2-inch lift. You also get mud-terrain tires, perfect for slogging through riverbanks.
Both:
- Body-color door handles
- Body-color front and rear bumpers
- Cargo bed LED lightning
- Cargo tie-downs
- Optional Chevytec spray-on bedliner
- Daytime running lamps
- Deep-tinted glass
- Heated power outside mirrors
- LED fog lamps
- LED reflector headlamps and LED tail lamps
- Painted mirror caps
- Tailgate with EZ Lift assist, power lock and release
RST:
- 18-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels
- Black recovery hooks
LT Trail Boss:
- 18-inch High-gloss Black-painted aluminum wheels
- 18-inch LT275/65R18C Mud-Terrain Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac blackwall tires
- Performance Red recovery hooks
- Z71 Suspension with 2-inch factory lift
Interior Features
Inside, these light-duty trucks also have lots of overlap, especially when it comes to tech features like the rearview camera and Infotainment 3 system. Both models offer little luxuries, too, including heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Shoppers should note that the RST comes standard with a front bench seat, though front bucket seats are optional.
Both:
- 10-way power driver seat with power lumbar
- Four-way manual front passenger seat
- 4.2-inch color Driver Information Center
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capable
- Six-speaker audio system
- Carpeted flooring
- OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Access capable
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with color touch screen
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Heated front seats
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Rear Seat Reminder
- Rear Vision Camera
- Rear air vents
- Remote Start
- Cloth seat trim
- Teen Driver
RST:
- 40/20/40 split-bench front seat
- Optional front bucket seats
- Optional front center console
- Rubberized-vinyl floor mats
- Rear underseat storage
LT Trail Boss:
- Front bucket seats
- Front center console
- Carpeted floor covering
Choose Your Chevy Silverado 1500
In the end, the major differences between the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST and LT Trail Boss come down to power and performance. If you intend to do a lot of off-roading, the LT Trail Boss has the extra power and hardware you need to make that happen. However, if you prefer to balance full-size truck capabilities with excellent fuel economy, the RST is an excellent option.