Trim Levels

[Matthew]

can any of you let me know what Trim Leveles mean ion cars? I know the LT on GM mean Alloy wheels with Matalic paint but what does the LTZ and LS mean on GM? whats the GL mean on VWs?

Topic

[Chevypower]

This is a great topic! KUDOS!

As an entry level GM Tech with dreams of greatness, (read my info next to the post) I really ought to know this stuff. My knowledge is more along the lines of what models ran for which years and what body styles, what engines came stock, etc.

I find Trim levels to be slightly annoying. When you talk to other car guys (or gals) and you don’t know your trim levels, they give you smack lol

As far as GM goes, off the top of my head I can say with 70% certainty that:

CAMARO5 has a base trim of 2LT. The cheapest CAMARO you can get. Automatic V6

Next is 1LT. As far as I know, the only difference is the addition of a proper transmission (i.e. MAN-ual shift)

Next is 2SS. V8 Girl’s transmission. I believe the 09 had a rating of 425HP

1SS. Again, the only difference I know is a proper transmission. Also, assuming that I remember correctly, the 09 CAMARO5 with 1SS Trim level was rated at 426HP. — I don’t know/care what they’re rated at now, as long as those lucky enough to have the $$ to own a CAMARO are spanking those losers who own Mustangs. I HATE F*RDS!!!! :angry: lol

Now you’re getting into performance territory….

<<>>

I don’t have a clue which is which, but you have the Z28 (Z/28? Z-28?), and then if I’m not mistaken, the ZL1 is the drag racing KING of 5th Gen CAMAROS. Or the KING of all late-model Pony cars for that matter… :banana:

Let’s not even get into the COPOs. I. Just. Don’t. Know. ….. :silly:

Now I’ll check myself: If you visit the dot com for Chevy, the top menu on the left next to the bowtie has a drop menu for CARS. We’re talking about the CAMARO here, so click on Cruze :silly:

The same home page menu we used is on every page. Right below that you’ll see another and on the right side of it “Build Your Own”

The list goes 1LS & 2LS which is $1200 more, 1LT & 2LT ($2900 more), then 1SS & 2SS ($3500 more)

<<>>

I had my 1’s and 2’s backward & forgot LS. That’s why I’m fact-checking myself

Compare trim side by side:

1LT has nicer wheels than 1LS for over $3G more. LT appears to have real fog lamps whereas LS looks to have those annoying black plastic thingys there.

1SS: Lower, wider appearing grille/front fascia, w/a larger opening to the lower-half of the grille, and what looks like a non-functional vent/snout on the tip of that Cowl Induction-looking hood. Do I need to mention the fact that Chevy *always* has special SS wheels?

I don’t see any visual difference between 1 & 2 models in LS, LT, or SS.

I assume the LS has the same engine as the LT, but the PCM in the LS will detune the performance in favor of fuel mileage. (Yuck!)
In addition, I *think* the SS has the best sport-tuned suspension, handling, and brakes, whereas the LS isn’t as great in those areas.

Taking a S.W.A.G., I’d say the LS & LT use the same trans. They would do that because it’s cheaper to engineer since they run the same engine, *IF* my assumption of detuning the same engine is correct. I wouldn’t be surprised to take apart the tranny in all of them (LS LT SS), and find out they’re all pretty much identical.
All of the CAMARO models have the same basic uni-body, so I imagine they saved some Pesos by running the same high performance components in lower performing models, and simply detuning them.

As for differentials, I know for a fact the old stuff had low-cost gearing, and performance gearing, so today’s CAMARO probably has fuel mileage and performance gear options. Perhaps that’s another difference between LS and LT. In fact, I think the LT is just a poor man’s SS, meaning it’s the racer’s V6.

Trucks: Z71 is like the SS trim of pickups. I always hear it referred to as “the Z71 off-road package”.

<<>>

Trim: 1WT, 2WT, LT, LT Z71, LTZ, and LTZ Z71 And that list goes from cheap to expensive.
Side note: Say LTZ Z71 out loud…Sounds stupid

Trim on pickups upgrades them to purpose-built work-horses, which is where I actually like the concept of trim level.

The 1WT will be fuel friendly, cloth seats, AM/FM maybe single CD, etc.

Each higher trim will add tougher bumpers, front/rear towing, hitching, or pulling package

Once you have for example a tow package, each higher trim may/not upgrade that amenity.

Eventually, it’s fully loaded: AM/FM/XM, 6 Disc CD/MP3, and fuckin iPod dock. Plus GPS Navi, moon roof, leather, ass warmers, etc, etc, etc, everything AND the kitchen sink.

If WT’s are your basic truck (no bells, whistles, other hoopla), then LT and LTZ most likely have more and still more creature comforts inside.

Cause that’s what everyone *NEEDS* to have in their work truck, am I right? :unsure: You’re hauling a crew to a construction site, and you just *NEED* to have that sun roof, right? :ohmy: :huh:

I digress…

Think the higher 2WT and LTZ come w/tow packages whereas 1WT and LT don’t. Think of the 1WT as the entry level of WT’s, and the LT as the entry level for LT/Z71’s.

That being said, LT Z71 is gonna be your entry-level off-road pickup.
You’ve made an excellent choice, Mr. Leo. With this truck, you can easily pull your buddy’s F*rd out of the mud, and out-tow your brother’s Ram so much, it ain’t funny!
Not to mention that after you pull the F*rd, you can pull him to the Service Dept. (where he belongs with his junk F*rd), and laugh as every employee there greets him like an old friend. He’s a regular. :silly:

Sorry, I digress again…

Anyhow, LTZ Z71 is the granddaddy of pickups. It has the best motor, trans, T-case, differential gears, and axles for off-road, towing, and Blue-Collar work, but not necessarily the best fuel mileage out of the 6 Trim Levels.

Tuck Trims come with varying amounts of strictly visual upgrades, too. Just like cars, SUVs, Crossovers, and those Hybrid turds.

Example: 2 guys in trade school had identical ’97 GMC 1/2ton ext-cab, short-box Z71s with the same everything. Both had like 18″ wheels and identical tires, but one had Alloy, the higher trim had Aluminum.
Other than wheels, the higher trim had like a different seat cloth/pattern, floor mats, and I think like 4.11 Diffs Vs. 4.10 or some gears like that. IDR.
Those are the only differences I remember. These guys talk about an MSRP difference of like $3500. Go figure.

No idea how Trim on pickups matches engine/power train due to the fact pickups are, to my knowledge, the most customizable vehicles that GM offers. I personally have noticed a wide range of options for engine; trans; 2wd Vs 4wd & I think there’s T-case options for otherwise identical trucks; regular, extended, crew cab, short or long bed; step side; dually… The list goes on. Shit that’s on every truck, but you can get the same options on different trucks.

Typically on late model trucks, I’ve noticed the 1/2ton has a 5.3L. Few have a 5.7, I’ve seen one 4.8, and one V6. Heard of but never saw a 6.0

The 3/4Ton has 5.7, 6.0L, I’ve seen some with 5.3L, & a couple 6.2L’s. Plus discontinued 8.1L.

3/4Ton HDs have 6.0, 6.2 (rare), 7.4 (rare), 8.1 (all 8.1s had 5spd Allison), and of course, the 6.6L DuraMax (Now with 6spd Allison).

1Tons have 6.0 (less frequent on newest years), 6.2 (rare), 7.4 (rare), 8.1, and Dmax

Seems to me that all of the engines available for each payload are available in multiple or all trims.

Lastly, I’ll mention higher trims come with better creature comfort inside. And they should. If a higher trim level comes with more cargo room, towing capability, horsepower, etc and higher price, then it better get some interior bullshit so you can impress your friends who can’t understand/appreciate your off-road capabilities or low E.T.’s.

That’s all I got. Sorry if it’s LONG wind. I tend to do that.

Hope I clarified something for you. I know you didn’t ask about CAMARO or Silverado *specifically*, I went with 2 examples that I’m most familiar with.

When anybody discovers that I’m wrong, and I know something *has to be* wrong, please inform me so that I may gain knowledge.

Like I said, I never cared about trim and which comes with what or is higher. However, as a (struggling) GM Tech, I’m aware that this is information that I *should* know.

While we’re on the subject (GM, Chevy, CAMARO, Trims, Z28): Can anyone explain Z/28 Z28 Z-28, etc? Isn’t there a 4-banger version called Z24 on the Cavaliers or Cobalts?

How many ways do you see Z/28 and why? I notice ’69 was “Z/28”. Unless I’m mistaken, 3rd Gens were “Z28”. Stuff like that irritates me. Is it just appearance? Did they do it with other Trim Badging?

I think if the ’28 is going to be a half-assed performer such as mid-late 70’s or late 4th Gen, then GM should give it that half-ass “Z28” badge. But when performance is there and it’s spanking Mustangs, it should have proper “Z/28” badges to match proper performance!
Just my not so humble opinion..

SS was also changed FAR too much and placed where it didn’t belong (4bangers & trucks).
To my knowledge, ’67 Chevelles are the only cars with “Super Sport” badges. Everything else has “SS” Badges. Why do they do that?!

Later guys…

J~

[Matthew]

As interesting as your post is it dont reall seem to actally answer the question at hand. You didnt explain what the difference between a 2000-2005 Impala and Impala LS didnt really explain what the difference between the 2006-present Impala LT and LTZ. and you didnt at all explain what GL means like 99 VW Beetle GL

[Chevypower]

That’s because

1. IDK

2. I didn’t know those were the only ones you were looking for –My bad

3. Not only do I not know, but I’m also uninterested in VW :whistle:

Sorry I couldn’t help…

[Billy]

On VW trims GL is base, GLS is mid level with leather premium sound and moonroof optional and GLX is every option standard plus VR6 on Jetta and Passat. You can get the VR in the GLS as an opion, but on the GLX it becomes standard for applicable vehicles. Also, in the Passat, you get the option of VR6, Audi V6 or W8

[Author]

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