What is a Chevy Cheyenne truck?
The Chevy Cheyenne is not a separate model; it’s a historic trim package used on Chevrolet pickup trucks, most famously on the C/K series, denoting a higher-end or special edition with distinctive styling and equipment. A higher-spec Cheyenne Super variant existed as well. Today, the name is rooted in classic-truck lore rather than current production.
Origins and purpose
The Cheyenne designation emerged as Chevrolet refreshed its pickup lineup to offer a more premium appearance within the truck family. The name was chosen to evoke the rugged imagery associated with the American West, while delivering practical utility for work trucks and personal-use buyers alike.
Cheyenne vs Cheyenne Super
Over the years, Chevrolet offered variations within the Cheyenne line. The standard Cheyenne typically carried styling upgrades and optional features, whereas the Cheyenne Super was a higher-end tier with additional chrome trim, unique interior touches, and more extensive equipment, depending on year and body style.
What the Cheyenne package included
The following elements were commonly part of the Cheyenne line, though exact equipment varied by model year and configuration:
- Distinct exterior styling, including Cheyenne badging, two-tone paint options, and upgraded grilles
- Interior enhancements such as different upholstery and trim accents
- Chromed or upgraded exterior trim, and sometimes more conspicuous badges
- Convenience features that could include power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, and upgraded audio
- Availability across various C/K pickup configurations (2WD and 4WD, multiple bed lengths)
In some years, the top-tier Cheyenne Super carried additional features or styling cues that further distinguished it from the standard Cheyenne, reinforcing its premium image within the Chevrolet lineup.
How to identify a Cheyenne today
If you’re evaluating a vintage Chevrolet pickup, these cues commonly indicate a Cheyenne or Cheyenne Super edition:
- Badges on the tailgate or doors reading “Cheyenne” or “Cheyenne Super”
- Two-tone exterior paint and distinctive chrome or trim treatment not standard on base models
- Interior details such as unique seat fabrics, embroidery, or specialized dash and trim
- VIN and build sheet information that lists the Cheyenne option package or trim
- Original window sticker (MSRP) showing the Cheyenne/ Cheyenne Super trim
When evaluating a specific truck, cross-check with a GM heritage resource or a trusted VIN decoding service to confirm the exact trim and year.
Modern context and legacy
Today, Chevrolet’s pickup nomenclature has shifted away from the Cheyenne branding. The current Silverado and Sierra lines use modern trim designations such as WT, LT, LTZ, and High Country, rather than Cheyenne. Nevertheless, the Cheyenne badge remains a beloved marker among classic-truck enthusiasts and is a common reference in restomod projects and vintage market listings.
Summary
The Chevy Cheyenne was a mid- to late-20th-century trim package for Chevrolet pickups, signaling a more premium appearance and equipment level within the C/K family. Variants like Cheyenne Super offered even higher-end features. While no longer used on new models, the Cheyenne designation endures in classic-truck culture as a symbol of styling and capability from Chevrolet’s past.
What does Cheyenne mean for Chevy?
The prototype is named after the Cheyenne trim badging used on Chevrolet C/K pickups prior to 1998. In Mexico, the Chevrolet Cheyenne is also a luxury trim for the Chevrolet Silverado, available in Regular Cab since the 1980s, Extended Cab since 1998, and Crew Cab since the 2005 model year.
What's the difference between a Chevy Silverado and a Chevy Cheyenne?
The main difference is that the Cheyenne is sold exclusively in Mexico, while the Silverado is sold in the United States. Both are almost identical trucks built on the same platform, but in Mexico, the "Cheyenne" nameplate is used for the premium, top-tier trims, whereas the "Silverado" name is used for the entry-level and mid-range models. Historically, both "Cheyenne" and "Silverado" were trim levels for the Chevy C/K truck line in the US before Silverado became the standalone model name.
Modern models (Mexico)
- Cheyenne: The name is reserved for the higher-end trims of the Chevrolet pickup truck in Mexico, such as the RST, Trail Boss, ZR2, and High Country.
- Silverado: The name is used for the entry-level and mid-range models in Mexico, equivalent to the Work Truck (WT) trim in the US.
Historical models (USA)
- Cheyenne: Was originally one of the trim levels for the Chevy C/K pickup trucks, sitting at a mid-to-high level.
- Silverado: Was introduced as the top-of-the-line trim level for the C/K trucks, replacing the "Cheyenne Super".
- What happened: When the C/K series was replaced, Silverado became the primary name for the truck in the US. The Cheyenne name was discontinued as a trim level in the US but continued in Mexico.
Key takeaway
For modern trucks, the difference is geographical and based on trim level branding. If you see a "Cheyenne" pickup today, it is a premium model sold in Mexico, while a "Silverado" in the US can be any trim from entry-level to high-end.
What makes a truck a Cheyenne?
It was first introduced at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. The Cheyenne had innovative designs not available in production vehicles at the time, such as its side access doors and unique cargo bed.
What is the Chevy Cheyenne package?
The Scottsdale and Cheyenne trims were introduced in the 1970s, the former being a mid-range trim and the latter adding fancier features like wood trim and upgraded upholstery and audio systems. Finally, the Silverado was the top-tier trim introduced in 1975, and the rest is history.
