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It’s no secret that truck prices have been going up in recent years, but we’re happy to let you know that there are still tons of affordable truck options available here at your local GMC and Chevy dealer. Even better, these more budget-friendly models are not the stripped-down work trucks of years past. Chevy and GMC have pulled out all the stops for the 2026 model year, and even their entry-level trucks now sport comfortable interiors, advanced tech features, and, of course, powerful engines that deliver the performance you require. more #1 – 2026 Chevy Colorado LT The midsize Chevy Colorado is the perfect entry point for anyone searching for an affordable new truck for sale. This pickup has come a long way since it was first introduced back in 2004, and now offers features and capabilities that rival full-size trucks from a few decades ago. With a standard Crew Cab and a best-in-class 7,700 lbs of towing capacity, the 2026 Colorado is ready to improve just about every aspect of your life on the road. Chevy has even given the Colorado the same standard engine as the full-size Silverado 1500—the 2.7L TurboMax—ensuring that you have plenty of power on tap wherever you go. For 2026, the base trim of the Colorado is the fleet-oriented WT, but the highest value option is easily the LT trim. Priced just above the WT, the LT gives you a stylish and feature-forward truck. Unlike the base trim’s black plastic details, the LT has color-matched bumpers, mirrors, and door handles, along with 17-inch alloy wheels for some sharp street presence. An EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate is another helpful upgrade that adds a small spring to the tailgate, making it easier to open and close. Inside the Colorado LT, you’ll be impressed by the standard 11-inch fully digital instrument cluster and matching 11.3-inch center touchscreen. These large displays make it easy to see important information at a glance while you’re driving. Plus, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, so connecting your phone for calls, music, navigation, and more is a breeze. Aside from the tech, the LT upgrades you to a standard eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, making it easy to get comfortable on the road. This truck may be affordable, but it has everything you could want. #2 – 2026 GMC Canyon Elevation The GMC Canyon is known as the more upscale twin of the Chevy Colorado, sharing the same basic platform and many of the same features and capabilities. However, despite sharing the same underpinnings, it brings a more sophisticated and adventurous air to the midsize truck segment, even in its base Elevation trim. Unlike the Colorado, the Canyon doesn’t have a work-oriented trim, so the Elevation is both the most affordable version and extremely well-equipped. Perhaps most surprisingly, it actually costs slightly less than the Colorado LT, making it an amazing deal for anyone searching for an affordable new truck. From its powertrain to its towing capacity, the Canyon is effectively identical to the Colorado. However, GMC’s model makes some radical departures when it comes to styling and off-road capability. The Canyon adopts a more imposing front end, with a larger grille and stacked lighting to announce its presence. It also leans into its rugged persona, with the Elevation sporting a two-inch factory lift, wider fender flares, and larger 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. Those features make the Canyon Elevation ready to head straight from our showroom floor to a backcountry trail. #3 – 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT While midsize trucks are more affordable, many of our customers are looking for the unmatched power and capability of a full-size pickup like the Chevy Silverado 1500. Like the Colorado, the 2026 Silverado 1500 trim lineup starts with the WT trim, but if you aren’t looking for a bare-bones work truck, we’d advise jumping up to the LT trim to enjoy some remarkable standard features without massively increasing the price. Even better, the Silverado 1500 LT isn’t that much more expensive than the Colorado LT, making it an extremely attractive option for anyone searching for an affordable truck. Unlike the midsize models, the Silverado 1500 LT offers multiple configurations and powertrains to choose from. The Crew Cab Short Box configuration is by far the most popular, but if you need more cargo space, you can opt for a Crew Cab Standard Bed, which gives you another foot of bed length. If you want that extra bed space in a smaller overall footprint, then the Double Cab Standard Bed is the configuration for you, combining the 6.6-foot bed with a slightly smaller cab. This model comes standard with the same 2.7L TurboMax engine as the Colorado and Canyon, giving you 310 hp. However, you can also opt for a 5.3L V8 with 355 hp or a 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel. The Duramax is the most capable engine in the Silverado 1500 lineup, giving you an incredible 495 lb-ft of torque and a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 lbs. It is also remarkably efficient, making it the ideal choice if you want to tow heavy trailers long distances without having to stop constantly to refuel. The reason to choose the Silverado 1500 LT over the lower trims is its wealth of features. It is the first trim to come with the upgraded interior, which includes a massive 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment center. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Google built-in, make accessing all of your favorite apps simple. You also get your choice of either a front bench seat to accommodate a total of six passengers or front bucket seats. A 10-way power driver seat is standard, as are heated front seats, making the Silverado 1500 LT an incredibly comfortable place to be. #4 – 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation The final model we suggest is the Sierra 1500 Elevation, which comes in at just over the $50k mark. As with the Canyon, this truck takes the same basic formula as its Chevy twin but goes in its own unique direction, providing a more upscale vibe. Unlike the Canyon Elevation, the Sierra 1500 Elevation doesn’t lean into off-road adventures, instead offering more of a sport truck appeal. With body color bumpers, gloss black 20-inch wheels, and a blacked-out grille instead of the bright chrome normally associated with GMC trucks, this trim stands out on the streets with a clean, modern appearance. When shopping for a 2026 Sierra 1500 Elevation, you will enjoy all the configurations and engine options available for the Silverado 1500 LT. This lets you easily tailor the truck to meet your personal needs. The base features include everything you could need in your truck, including the large digital displays that make accessing vehicle information, apps, and navigation simple. With a heated steering wheel and heated, power-adjustable front seats, you will be perfectly comfortable even in the most affordable version of this trim. However, if you have a bit more to spend, you can upgrade to a rich leather interior and enjoy features like a power sunroof and wireless charging, adding a bit more of that GMC premium experience to your truck.

If you shop for an all-new Chevy Equinox at a Chevy dealer like ours here at LaFontaine Chevrolet St. Clair, our associates will ask you whether or not you want a model with the available all-wheel drive (AWD) system. However, you might not know what that is or if you need it. If you live in St. Clair, you know we see some good snow during the winter and rain during other times of the year. It impacts the roads, making driving to and from your regular activities a little more treacherous (while, admittedly, making for some gorgeous snow days). We love the true four seasons we get here, but we know it presents some driving challenges unique to the area. Because of the weather here, we recommend getting the available AWD, along with some solid snow tires (the experts in our tire center can help). more The conversation around all-wheel drive does lead many of our customers to ask what the benefit is of switchable all-wheel drive. Living in a snowy climate leaves many with the choice between going for AWD, four-wheel drive, or — this newer option — switchable AWD. We often tell our customers that those who spend most of their time on paved roads but do need to tackle snow and rain will do well with AWD. Those who do more heavy-duty towing or spend more time in off-road environments will do better with 4WD. If you have determined that AWD is right for you, here’s a look at why switchable AWD is a great feature to have. What Exactly Is Switchable AWD? Switchable AWD is an available feature of the 2024 Equinox that you can activate when you aren’t sure what sorts of surfaces you’ll be driving over. Once activated, it will remain in two-wheel drive as its default but is prepared to send power to the rear wheels when a loss of traction is detected. This is helpful because if one or two wheels are on a slippery surface, the system will ensure that all four wheels are spinning, enhancing the chances you retain a good grip on the road. It’s ideal for wet roads, light snow, and mud. Some drivers choose to always keep the feature activated. Since its default setting is front-wheel drive (FWD), you can feel confident that, when appropriate, the vehicle will stay in FWD in order to maximize fuel economy. During the fall and winter, when we might see a few days of wet roads with dry days sprinkled in between, it can be nice to have switchable AWD activated so you don’t have to remember to switch between one or the other as the road conditions change. The vehicle will do it for you. Who Needs Switchable AWD? Switchable AWD can be a smart choice for drivers whose work or fun takes them to new destinations on a regular basis and sometimes even off the grid. AWD is good for moderate off-road terrain. So, if you need to leave paved roads for dirt ones to get to a job site but won’t be traveling in serious off-road terrain, AWD is appropriate for your needs. We often recommend it to professionals who visit clients in remote areas, where they might not see perfectly paved roads all the way to the front door. When cruising down the freeway or city streets between neighborhoods, the Equinox will switch back to FWD to get you optimal fuel economy. Once it senses slippery or rough roads, it will switch to AWD mode. You can find the AWD button next to the gear shift switch, so it’s easy to access at any time. Living in St. Clair County makes you a good candidate for switchable AWD. You know that some roads see the snow plow a bit more than others. The more rural and suburban areas might not get it at all. So when you have to take remote roads that have been left a bit slippery with powder, AWD will kick in to keep you in command. Why Not Just Get a Full-Time AWD Vehicle? Many drivers ask us, “Why not just get a vehicle with full-time AWD?” The truth is that most folks who live near paved roads don’t need full-time AWD. When traveling down dry roads, you’re better off staying in FWD for the fuel economy. AWD, put simply, causes the transmission to work harder, which can lead to a dip in fuel efficiency. It’s not major, but it adds up over time. You wouldn’t want to be in AWD all the time if not necessary because you’d be paying the price of worse fuel economy for no reason. The AWD components of a vehicle also require additional maintenance than FWD ones. Full-time AWD vehicles simply need more frequent maintenance for that reason, which can be costly and time-consuming. But if your vehicle has switchable AWD, there might be long stretches of time when it remains in FWD, putting less strain on AWD components. Speak to one of our technicians about how often you drive in AWD, and they’ll be able to recommend the right maintenance schedule for your vehicle. Full-Time AWD Vehicles Are Usually Pricier It’s also worth noting that full-time AWD vehicles tend to cost more than part-time ones. Some examples include the Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery, and Volkswagen Touareg, each of which comes with substantially higher price tags than the Equinox. So, we tell our customers, don’t pay for full-time AWD if you don’t need it. AWD Capable Vehicles Have Better Resale Value Many experts say that AWD vehicles have better resale value as they are more versatile than FWD vehicles. In fact, they’re more versatile than 4WD ones, as they tend to get better fuel economy while still offering improved traction in moderately slippery situations. So, when you have an Equinox and you’re ready to sell it down the line, you’ll be able to appeal to a larger range of drivers. Buyers who don’t think they’ll ever need AWD won’t mind the feature, since the vehicle can run in FWD full-time. Meanwhile, drivers who need some extra traction sometimes will like the AWD capability. Experience the 2024 Chevy Equinox for Yourself Visit us and check out the Chevy Equinox for yourself. We’d love to show you a model with the available switchable AWD feature and take you for a test drive in it. You can experience how the traction and control feel different when the system is activated. We can even go down some wet roads so you can experience the system’s benefits in real time. We’re excited to show this terrific compact SUV to our customers. It offers incredible value and is a practical model for all sorts of drivers, from families with young children to entrepreneurs who have to drive far to see clients. Its attractive MSPR is undeniable, and its head-turning looks will be right at home wherever you need to go. Our sales representatives know the ins and outs of every Equinox trim. They can help you identify the right one for your needs, whether you’re looking for something basic or more upscale. Once you’ve found your perfect Equinox, stop by our finance center. Our finance experts can help you pick a payment plan that fits your budget. They’ll show you several options and ensure you are informed about the buying process. We think you’re going to love the Equinox. Chevy has put many impressive standard and available features in it on top of the switchable AWD. Come check it out for yourself today.