The 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500: This Is Your Next Big Buy

Buying a truck can be a major decision for most drivers. With the price of a new 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 starting at an MSRP of $36,900, as your local car dealership, we understand that you are making a major investment in this vehicle.^[a]  In fact, pickup trucks tend to cost more than other passenger vehicles, like sedans and SUVs. This is due to their size, equipment, and larger engines. The fact is that there is a lot more metal and materials in a full-size pickup than you’ll find in your average sedan or SUV. As a result, you want to ensure you are getting the right truck when you are ready to make this significant purchase.

At LaFontaine Chevrolet Dexter, we take pride in helping drivers like you find the information you need when considering a truck like the 2026 Silverado 1500. This fourth generation of Chevy’s flagship pickup gives you so many options and choices that it is crucial to understand what each one brings to the table when you are buying a new truck. The key is to find one that has the features and capabilities you need to accomplish the task.

Nine Different Trim Levels

When you start the process of choosing your next Silverado 1500, you begin by setting a budget. This involves determining how much you can afford to spend on the truck. We make it easy by providing you with the online tools you need to make this decision, such as a financing application that will get you prequalified for a loan or lease and a payment calculator that allows you to see how much your truck will cost you each month.

Once you have set your budget, you need to see which trim level makes the most sense for you. Chevy makes it easy by offering nine different trims on the 2026 Silverado 1500. Some trims, like the WT and Custom, are more utilitarian by design. They’re built for drivers who rely on their trucks for work, offering solid towing and hauling capability at a more budget-friendly price. 

Other trims, such as the ZR2, Custom Trail Boss, and LT Trail Boss, are ideal for off-roading with advanced 4×4 systems and other features that excel in unpaved conditions. Chevy also offers premium trims like the High Country and LTZ that go all out, featuring luxurious interiors that make you feel like you’re in a fancy sedan or SUV, not a rugged pickup truck designed to handle the toughest conditions. The key for you is to get the right balance of price and features.

Four Different Engines

The 2026 Silverado 1500 offers four engine choices, each delivering its own level of power and capability, which will be a key factor to consider when making your purchase. It is also an important consideration if fuel efficiency is a priority for you. Since not every engine is available on every trim, that will further influence which Silverado is the best fit for you. 

The 2.7-liter TurboMax turbocharged engine delivers efficient performance in your truck. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it delivers 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, with a combined fuel economy of 20 MPG. This is the standard engine found on the WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, and LT Trail Boss models.

Chevy also offers two different V8 gas engines on the 2026 Silverado 1500. The 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It is the standard engine on the LTZ and High Country trims, and also available as an upgrade on the WTs, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, and LT Trail Boss. This provides an impressive 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.

The other V8 gas engine is the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8. It is not standard equipment on any specific trim, but available on the RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, ZR2, and High Country when equipped with 4×4. This is the largest engine in terms of size among the Silverado 1500 options, boasting an impressive output of 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This is the most horsepower you will get in a 2026 Silverado 1500.

The final engine option is a Duramax 3.0-liter Turbo-Diesel. This six-cylinder diesel uses a turbocharger to boost performance without impacting size or efficiency, giving you 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. This is the standard engine on the ZR2, and is available on the Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. As you would expect from a turbo-diesel, the Duramax delivers a best-in-class highway fuel economy of 28 MPG.

Three Cab Styles and Payload Bed Sizes

The cab style and payload bed size will also impact your capabilities when choosing your 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500—generally, the larger the cab, the heavier the truck, which reduces your towing capacity. On the other hand, choosing a larger bed size will increase the amount of cargo your truck will be able to haul. 

The 2026 Silverado offers three different cab styles. Some of the lower trims offer all three, while the higher trim levels come with a standard Crew Cab. The Regular Cab features two doors and a single row of seats. This means that you can only fit up to three passengers. However, this will also improve your towing capacity, making it more suitable for contractors and others who plan to use their truck primarily for work. 

The Double Cab has four doors, but the rear doors are half-size. This vehicle features two rows of seats and can accommodate up to six passengers. The Crew Cab is the largest, with four full-size doors and two rows of seats. It can also seat up to six passengers, but provides more legroom than a Double Cab. Generally, this will increase the cost of your truck while reducing its towing capacity. However, if you plan to use your Silverado 1500 for personal use, such as for your family, then a Crew Cab may be your best choice.

Similarly, there are three payload bed sizes available on most Silverado 1500 trucks. The short bed measures five-feet-nine-inches, and can fit up to 62.9 cu.ft of cargo. The standard bed, which is the most common one, is six-feet-seven-inches, and offers 71.7 cu.ft of cargo space. The largest is the long bed, measuring an impressive eight-feet-two-inches that can fit 89.1 cu.ft. of cargo.

Towing and Hauling

All of these decisions, including trim level, engine, cab style, drivetrain, and payload bed size, will impact the towing and hauling capabilities of your Silverado 1500. The good news is that, regardless of the combination you choose, you will get a rugged truck that delivers impressive capability in its class of full-size pickups.

In general, if you choose a 2026 Silverado 1500 with the TurboMax engine, you can expect a towing capacity up to 9,500 lbs, depending on the trim level and configuration. This increases to a maximum of 11,300 lbs with the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine. Opting for the available 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 raises the capability to an impressive 13,200 lbs, again varying by trim and setup. The highest rating comes from the Duramax Turbo-Diesel, which allows the Silverado 1500 to tow up to 13,300 lbs, making it the best choice for drivers who want to maximize towing capability, provided it fits within your budget.

Interestingly, the capabilities are reversed when it comes to payload. Depending on the trim level and configuration, the Silverado 1500 equipped with the TurboMax can carry up to 2,260 lbs, giving it the highest payload rating in the lineup. This surpasses the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8, which can handle up to 2,180 lbs, as well as the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8, which offers up to 1,980 lbs of payload carrying capability. Even the Duramax Turbo-Diesel maxes out slightly lower at 1,970 lbs, again depending on how the truck is equipped. 

The Choice Is Yours With the 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500

When you choose to make your next truck a Silverado 1500, you are literally in the driver’s seat when it comes to designing your truck. From the interior features to the choice of engine and capability, you get to decide on the things that matter to you. This is important because no two drivers are exactly alike, which is why we enjoy helping you choose the trim level and other items on your Silverado 1500. Come in today and let us help you choose a 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 that will truly meet all your needs.

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^[a] MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, destination charge, and accessories. MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.

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