The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was offered in five trim levels in regular, extended, and crew cab variants. The pickup could be as basic as a regular cab ‘Work Truck’ with a bench seat, to a leather-loaded LTZ crew cab that would look at home at the country club or the jobsite.
Key Points
- The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was available in a wide variation of cab and bed length configurations, with a choice of five trim levels on extended and crew cab models.
- The Work Truck trim is, as its name implies, a simple work truck. With vinyl seats and flooring, small engines, and a four-speed transmission, the work truck had one mission: To get the job done.
- LS and LT trims were the volume sellers and added luxuries like standard cloth or optional leather seats and dual-zone automatic climate controls.
- The XFE and Hybrid models sought to fight rising fuel costs with reduced drag and weight, and a two-mode hybrid system on the latter.
- Top trim LTZs, only available on extended and crew cab models, feature a bespoke interior and standard luxuries like leather-trimmed front bucket seats, remote start, and dual-zone automatic climate.
Silverado 1500 Work Truck: Built for the Jobsite and Not Much More, with Few Creature Comforts and a Standard V6
The Work Truck was mostly sold to corporate fleet buyers and therefore cut out most of the modern amenities today’s pickup buyers expect. These trucks were not completely barren inside and had a list of features that include:
- 17-inch steel wheels
- Six airbags
- Tire-pressure monitoring system
- Daytime running lights
- Easy-to-clean vinyl seats and floor coverings
Available with all cab configurations, the Work Truck’s interior amenities were sparse, relating back to the intended purpose of the trim level. Vinyl-covered seats and the floors make for easy cleanup and low maintenance costs. AC was standard, but only as a manual single-zone system. Power door locks and windows were optional.
The standard 4.3L V6 in the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado lacks power, and the base four-speed automatic transmission bolted to it didn’t help matter much either. We suggest stepping up to Chevy’s 5.3L V8 which makes 315 horsepower and comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Silverado 1500 LS: For only $200 Over the WT, You Get Power Windows and Locks, and Some Chrome Exterior Accents
With an average price increase over the Work Truck of about $200 on the used market, the LS offers a lot of value to the average consumer. Stepping up to the LS meant a comfortable interior without the cost-saving omissions employed on the Work Truck.
Gone are the dark plastic front bumper and grille, replaced with body-colored bumpers and chrome grille surround. The underpowered 4.3L V6 is still the base engine, however, we still suggest you opt for the 5.3L V8 and say goodbye to the four-speed transmission. Interior appointments improve with standard cloth seating surfaces and color-keyed carpeting, albeit with standard rubber floor mats. Windows are powered with an express-down feature on the driver’s window. Door locks are also powered and come with remote keyless entry.
Opt for the LS and get:
- 17-inch chrome-styled steel wheels
- Chrome or body-colored grille surround
- Cloth seating for up to six
- Power windows and locks
- Audio system with AM/FM, CD, MP3 compatibility, and XM antenna
Silverado 1500 LT: Adds Premium Cloth Seating, 18-inch Alloy Wheels, and Optional Z71 Off-road Package
LT-trimmed pickups could still be had in all bed and cab configurations, making it the top trim for regular cabs. Standard premium cloth seating was a step above the scratchy cloth in LS models, and leather seating is available. Optional packages could spec an LT extended or crew cab pickup to be as nice as the LTZ and included the 5.3L V8, upgraded wheels, dual-zone automatic climate, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Off-road wanderers would do good shopping the LT as well with its optional Z71 off-road package. Upgraded tires, skid plates, Rancho shocks, and badging make the Z71 stand out.
Standard items on the LT trim include:
- Power adjustable driver’s seat
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Remote keyless entry with remote vehicle start
- Heated outside mirrors
If you’re looking for a well-appointed regular cab 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, the LT was your last bet as the XFE, Hybrid, and LTZ were all extended or crew cab models.
Silverado 1500 XFE and Hybrid: XFE Has Lower Rear-end Axel Ratio, and Hybrid Model Uses Unique Two-mode System for 40% More MPG
Much like today, by May 2011 average fuel prices had risen by over 115% since the beginning of 2009, and full-size pickups began to focus on fuel economy. Chevy’s answer was the Silverado XFE and Hybrid.
The Silverado XFE, or Xtra Fuel Economy, was first introduced for the 2009 model year and implemented mostly cosmetic changes to improve fuel economy without many mechanical advantages. Employing the same 5.3L V8 with active cylinder deactivation that was available in other trims, the XFE relied mostly on a more efficient 3.08 rear axle ratio and improved aerodynamics to achieve its single mpg boost over other 5.3L-equipped Silverado models.
New for the 2009 model year, the Silverado Hybrid took a different approach with its two-mode hybrid powertrain that was revolutionary for the time taking home “Best New Green Technology” honors from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.
Available only as a crew cab model, the Hybrid featured nickel-metal hydride batteries under the rear seats and two continuously variable electric modes, and four mechanical gears replace the standard transmission. This hybrid system is good for a fuel economy increase of up to 40% over non-hybrid models.
Silverado 1500 LTZ: Extra Luxury Comes Courtesy of Memory Leather Seats, Bose Sound System, and Exterior Chrome Accents
The Silverado LTZ, available only in extended or crew cab models, features standard leather front bucket seats and a floor-mounted center console. The more upscale dash gives the LTZ a premium look with wood-like trim and good ergonomics.
Other luxuries included on the LTZ are:
- Leather-trimmed seats with 10-way power front bucket seats
- Two-position driver seat memory
- Bose Premium sound system with subwoofer and USB input
- 18-inch chrome wheels
- Body-colored front bumpers, grille surround, and door handles
At an almost $5,000 average premium over the Work Truck in today’s market, the 2011 LTZ could be your bargain entry into a luxury pickup.
2011 Chevy Silverado’s LT Trim is the Best Option, Especially with Optional 20-inch Wheels and 5.3L V8 Engine
The optional extras on the LT trim are what make it the one to get. With average pricing for an LT at just under $2,000 more than the base Work Truck and just over $2,000 cheaper than top tier LTZ, the 2011 Silverado LT is an easy choice. Opt for the 20-inch wheels and 5.3L V8 for the best experience.
Photos: Chevrolet
