Trim level custom/pro

Gary Doolin · June 22

Have a question concerning trim levels. Ive not bought a new vehicle since 2006, and I have decided on a 2500 gmc pro or silverado custom. For anyone that has one of these 2 trim levels have you regretted not stepping up to the LT or SLE. I look at things as the more electronics the more problems to arise. I love the look of the old school gauges on the dash as well. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Coastie05 · June 22

I have a 1500 but the Custom trim. I bought it solely for the simplicity meaning less electronics. I also love the old school gauges. The only thing that I like about the LT better than my Custom is the front grill. Otherwise, absolutely no regrets choosing this trim.

Edited June 22 by Coastie05

newdude · June 22

Sierra HD Pro:

- If you want a power driver's seat on the Pro, you can't get it. You have to go to SLE.

- Factory remote start? Can't get it on any of the Sierra Pro trim (1500 or HD). You have to go SLE.

- 7 inch radio has limitations for replacement if you wanted to upgrade the screen, etc.

- Steering wheel radio controls? Nope. Can you add them? Yes. NOT CHEAP. Requires a new instrument cluster, steering wheel and wiring harness mod kit.

- Fog lights? Nope. And no factory path to install them.

Sierra HD SLE:

- IMO, the larger radio screen is a much better interface.

- Fog lights? You can get them. Steering wheel controls? Has them. Remote start? Yep. Power driver seat? Available.

Silverado WT:

- Same as the Pro above however you CAN get factory remote start installed at the dealer for the WT Chevy.

Silverado Custom:

- Comes with 20" wheels only. Can you swap later? Sure. But. Truck is calibrated for the stock 20s (34" tire) and no path to properly recalibrate.

- Power seat? Yes.

- Steering wheel controls? Same as the Pro above. No but can be done and not cheap.

Silverado LT:

- Same as the SLE. You can get or it comes with many features you can't do on the lower trims.

I'd say its all going to come down to what you NEED and what you WANT to have that you'd benefit from. For me, things like power seat is a must (I hate the WT/Pro seating position), so I'd have to go Custom, LT or SLE right out of the gate. Steering wheel controls? Should be standard in 2026 across the board IMO, so again, puts me to LT or SLE.

Another JR · June 22

Are you going to take long trips in it? If so, try out the seats in the various trims. For me the lower trim level seats were not comfortable.

chris21 · June 22

I bought an SLE last year after driving both and a couple different 1500's. The difference in options and comfort between the pro and SLE is significant. If they had an Elevation trim equivalent for the 2500 I probably would have gotten that.

I think a 2500 gasser SLE or LT trim is the best truck you can get for the price right now.

The power seats allow you to adjust the angle of the seat as well as up/down/forward/back/recline and lumbar. The heated seats and steering wheel are nice in the winter here, as is remote start. Carpet with the all weather floor mats are way nicer than vinyl floors and easier to clean. The digital dash has grown on me a bit, GM doesn't exactly have a great track record with the prolonged function of analog gauges, the dash cluster was the weakest point on the 99-06.5 trucks which were probably the best trucks they ever made. I like the bigger infotainment screen. I will say that I like GM's wider screen vs other brands that have taller screens.

c4racer2 · June 23

Seats matter a lot. I would start there - good advise here. I had a 2018 LT Colorado before my 2026 LT Silverado, and the seats are so much better in the new one it's not even a contest. That was one thing I always hated about the Colorado and I owned two of them spanning 10 years - but I did it so I could park in the garage mainly. Now I have a much larger property and a huge barn so I have plenty of parking options and a full size is more useful for maintaining the property and current hobbies as well. I wasn't evenb thinking about the seats as part of the reason for the move to the Silverado, but after two back to back 700mile road trips I am sold on the LT seats w/ leather 100%. The other LT features are also nice - one thing I really like is the power rear window on the back window by the bed. And the lighting in the bed is also very nice to have - I doubt that comes on the lower models. Power tailgate - also quite useful - it's a heavy slug! What else - I could take or leave the screen - but heated seats and steering wheel and cruise control on the steering wheel is very useable - I would never want to live without that. Even the colorados had that.

NaturallyAspirated · June 24

Have a Silverado Custom 2500.

Try out the seats ahead of time but can always add a pad or two if necessary.

Love my truck. Only feature I thought I’d miss is Auto 4WD, but after driving it a few years, realize that it’s not necessary.

rjgvt · June 26

Just wanted to add that the GMC HD models all have LED headlights and tail lights, including the Pro model. I think the LTZ Chevy is the model that adds LED headlights. Something to think about as I read posts here about updating to LED headlights. Big price difference between Chevy Custom and LTZ.

newdude · June 26

17 minutes ago, rjgvt said:

Just wanted to add that the GMC HD models all have LED headlights and tail lights, including the Pro model. I think the LTZ Chevy is the model that adds LED headlights. Something to think about as I read posts here about updating to LED headlights. Big price difference between Chevy Custom and LTZ.

LT with the Trail Boss package gets them as well.

Edited June 26 by newdude