With full-size pickups remaining a dominant force in the American automotive market, General Motors has introduced new generations of the GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Both models are now available for order, prompting four Car and Driver staffers to utilize the brand's configurator to build their ideal versions. Despite the potential for high costs in the modern truck segment, none of the editors opted for a build exceeding $60,000, favoring practical configurations over top-tier luxury trims.
Carter Fry selected a base Work Truck (WT) with a regular cab and standard bed, aiming for a "street truck" aesthetic suitable for future aftermarket modifications. His factory configuration includes the 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, two-wheel drive, and Apex Red paint at no extra cost. To keep the price reasonable while prioritizing interior durability, he chose cloth seats over Evotex and added only a black bowtie emblem for $325. The base vehicle totals $41,720. Fry plans to invest further in aftermarket parts, including a McGaughy's lowering kit, Mickey Thompson wheels, and Nitto tires, bringing his projected total to approximately $45,168 before a planned engine swap with an LT6 V-8.
Eric Stafford also chose the Work Truck trim but opted for a regular cab with four-wheel drive to handle Michigan winters. Starting from a base price of $41,395, he added the 4x4-specific WT package for $970, which includes all-terrain tires and skid plates, alongside an automatic locking rear differential for $395. His build features cloth upholstery, steel wheels intended for replacement, and several comfort upgrades such as a power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the Assisted Driving package with a 360-degree camera. With the WT Convenience package adding remote start and extra outlets, Stafford's final price reached $49,920.
Caleb Miller prioritized practicality by selecting the LT trim with a crew cab and short bed. His build starts at $53,195 with the standard 2.7-liter turbo engine and rear-wheel drive. He chose White Sands paint and standard 18-inch wheels to maintain ride quality. Inside, Miller upgraded to black-and-tan upholstery by adding the Comfort and Convenience package for $2,290, which swaps the bench seat for bucket seats and adds a Bose stereo system with wireless charging. Although he considered features like a head-up display and ventilated seats, he skipped the Silverado Premium Package to keep costs down, finishing his build at $55,770 with all-weather floor mats.
Jack Fitzgerald avoided high-performance trims in favor of a budget-friendly Work Truck that still offers substantial space. He upgraded from the regular cab to a crew cab with a standard bed for approximately $9,000 and selected 17-inch silver wheels over the standard steelies. While he noted the lack of luxury features in the WT trim, he added the WT Convenience package for $1,175 to gain remote start and an EZ-lift tailgate. Crucially, Fitzgerald upgraded from the standard four-cylinder to the 5.7-liter V-8 engine for $2,690, citing its sound and increased towing capacity of 16,100 pounds. His final configuration totaled $57,415.
Sources: Car and Driver.