What Are Trims and Configurations for New Vehicles?

When shopping for new vehicles for sale, you will see two terms thrown around in your search. Every model on our lot has a specific trim or configuration. While these terms are similar, there are some key differences for you to know about so you can make an informed decision about which model you want. Read our guide to learn more.

What Are Vehicle Trims?

Vehicle trims are different versions of the same model. Think of them as different types of hamburgers or salads. The base is the same, but you can customize your favorite meal with different toppings, flavors, and sauces.

A base model represents the most basic version of a particular car with the fewest features. The base model is also the most affordable. For example, the 2025 Buick Envision has three trim levels, the Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. The Preferred trim has a specific set of features and serves as the base model. The Sport Touring adds more features, while the Avenir is the top trim with the most features. The Avenir is also the one with the highest price.

With higher trims, you could see these extra features improved from the base:

• Different wheel styles or wheel sizes, like 20-inch wheels instead of 18-inch wheels 
• Leather seats, nicer materials, a larger touchscreen, and a premium sound system
• More powerful engines, better handling, and improved brakes
• More advanced driver-assistance systems and safety features

Let’s continue with our example of the 2025 Buick Envision. 

The base model of the Envision, the Preferred, has these standard features:

• Largest-in-class ultrawide 30-inch diagonal screen
• Google built-in
• Remote Start
• Suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies
• QuietTuning with active noise cancellation 
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Bose 9-speaker premium audio system 
• Head-Up Display 
• Memory presets for driver seat and side mirrors 
• 18-inch machined alloy wheels with Technical Gray finish 

The middle trim, the Sport Touring, has the standard features of the Preferred plus these standard features that increase the price:

• 20-inch Carbon Flash Metallic painted alloy wheels with high gloss-black center caps
• High gloss-black exterior accents and mesh patterned grille
• Perforated front leather-appointed seats with synthetic suede inserts
• ST-embossed front-seat head restraints
• Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel
• Alloy sport pedals

As you can see, the Sport Touring trim has 20-inch wheels instead of 18-inch wheels. Larger wheels generally have better handling because a larger part of the tire hits the pavement. The interior seats are leather, and the steering wheel is also wrapped in leather.

Now, for the top trim, the Avenir, which adds these features from the standard ones with the Sport Touring trim:

• 20-inch alloy wheels with Pearl Nickel finish
• Panoramic moonroof
• Hands-free programmable power liftgate with LED logo projection
• Quilted perforated front leather-appointed seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Eight-way power and 4-way power lumbar front seats
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Massaging driver seat
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Air Quality Indicator
• Automatic air recirculation
• Universal Home Remote

One thing to note is that many of the features on the Avenir, like the moonroof and heated seats, are available features on the lower two trims. However, those add-ons will raise the price of the model with standard features.

What Are Vehicle Configurations?

Vehicle configurations refer to the specific combination of components and features that make up a particular vehicle. It goes beyond just trim levels to encompass a wider range of choices that can significantly impact the car’s performance, efficiency, and overall character.

For example, you can purchase a GMC Sierra 1500 Pro trim, which is the base model, that has similar features for the interior and exterior. However, you can configure it based on the cab size (Regular, Double, Crew) and bed size (Short, Standard, Long). You can also choose a more powerful engine from the base model.

So, whichever cab or bed size you choose, the Pro trim will have similar features. Think of a configuration of a vehicle like the hamburger or salad we mentioned earlier. They have the same basic ingredients. They are just different sizes. The same is true when selecting your GMC truck.

Other ways to configure a vehicle include:

• Drivetrain (two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive)
• Engine size and fuel type (6.8L gasoline, 6.8L diesel, 3.0L turbodiesel)
• Tire size and type (all-weather, all-terrain, high-performance)
• Transmission (automatic, manual)
• Suspension (regular, off-road)

What Are the Differences Between a Base Model and a Fully Loaded Model?

The main difference is in the amount and quality of features you find. A base model typically has essential features you need for basic operation and safety. A fully loaded model has many more features that take your driving experience to new levels.

For example, a base model might have a six-speaker audio system with AM/FM radio. A fully loaded vehicle would have 12 speakers, generating a surround-sound experience that comes from a high-end brand known for its reputation for sound quality. 

Other higher-end features to look for include:

• Leather seating
• Moonroof/sunroof
• Advanced driver-assist features like automated parking or Super Cruise technology
• Stronger suspension for off-roading
• Heated, ventilated, and massaging seats

An analogy for this would be a basic flip phone that costs $30 and works well for calling and texting. Meanwhile, a fully loaded smartphone for $400 lets you take HD photos and videos, use apps, and play music, among many other features. 

How Do I Budget for Different Vehicle Trims? 

Budgeting for different vehicle trims is easy with our payment calculator. 

Simply input:

• The vehicle price
• Interest rate
• Loan term
• Down payment amount
• Any trade-in value

You can see how that will change your monthly payment based on the variables you change. One thing to keep in mind is that the final calculation for the auto loan amount may change depending on the lender’s requirements and your credit rating. 

In general, adding $500 to an auto loan with an interest rate of around 5% will make the payment $10 more with a 60-month loan and $13 more with a 48-month loan.

What Trims Are Available for 2025 Buick Vehicles?

Buick trims for the four SUVs available generally follow similar patterns. Each trim has different features, so we encourage you to explore what models fit your requirements. 

Buick Envista

Buick’s newest and most affordable SUV, the Envista, comes in three trims, the Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. Each one has a 1.2L turbocharged ECOTEC engine, family-friendly tech, advanced safety features, and more. If you want a powered liftgate and heated front seats, they are optional on the lower two trims and standard on the Avenir.

Buick Encore GX

Bigger than the Envista but with similar trim levels (Preferred, Sport, Avenir), the Buick Encore GX has all-wheel drive (AWD), which is an upgrade from the Envista. There are also many types of packages you can add like a trailering package for towing, advanced technology, and some of the Avenir features for the lower trims.

Buick Envision

The Buick Envision trim levels follow similar naming conventions as the Envista and Encore GX. The Sport Touring adds leather seating, while the Avenir has front seats with heating, ventilation, and a massage function. The 2.0L, four-cylinder turbo engine also provides an AWD powertrain. Look for the gigantic 30-inch screen on the dashboard. The Envision also has GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver-assistance system as an option among all trims.

Buick Enclave

The Enclave follows in the footsteps of its smaller siblings with the same three trim names. However, this Buick SUV has three rows of seating, making it the largest of the Buick SUVs. The base trim has some features of the Avenir trims from the other models, like heated seats. The Avenir features a premium Bose sound system.  Like the Envision, the Enclave has GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver-assistance system as an option for advanced safety technology. 

What trims are available on 2025 GMC vehicles?

Now, we’ll get into the trims for the 2025 GMC vehicles, including some off-road varieties and luxury models for pickup trucks and SUVs.

GMC Terrain

The GMC Terrain, the smallest SUV in the lineup, has three trim levels for 2025. The base trim, the Elevation, combines features from the previous SLE and SLT trims. Standard features include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, and remote start. The mid-level trim is the AT4, which has off-roading features for when you want to set a course for your favorite Ozarks wilderness destinations. The top-tier trim, the Denali, piles on the upscale features. 

GMC Acadia

Similar to the Terrain, the three-row midsize GMC Acadia has Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims. A 2.5L turbo that generates 328 horsepower, perfect for towing and off-roading. Again, the AT4 has off-roading features, while the Denali has upscale and luxury features. Acadia has Super Cruise technology as an option starting with the 2024 model year.

GMC Yukon and Yukon XL

The GMC Yukon and Yukon XL are the largest models from the automaker, with three rows of seating and an expansive cargo compartment. The Yukon XL has a longer wheelbase, which means more legroom and a larger cargo area. Rather than three trims, these SUVs have five trims, adding an AT4 Ultimate and Denali Ultimate. Configure your Yukon with a 5.3L V8 as standard, or upgrade to an enhanced Duramax 3.0L turbo diesel engine or a 6.2L V8 powerplant under the hood. We highly recommend all-wheel drive when selecting your powertrain option. The Ultimate trims for the AT4 and Denali feature upscale items like Bose sound systems, rear touchscreens, Air Ride Adaptive Suspensions, and Super Cruise technology. 

GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon, the midsize pickup from the automaker, keeps things streamlined with a 2.7L TurboMax engine producing 310 horsepower and best-in-class torque for towing. This truck has Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims. You’ll find stout, off-road-ready items on the AT4 trim and Denali styling on the top trim, including HD Surround Vision cameras, a color Head-Up Display, and diamond-cut aluminum 20-inch wheels.

GMC Sierra 1500

One of the most popular models on our lot, the GMC Sierra 1500 trims balance features, affordability, and capabilities for light-duty tasks. There are eight amazing trims: Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate. All of them have different features and configurations based on your preferences, which are too many to count here. The AT4 and AT4X trims provide off-road-ready features, while the Denali and Denali Ultimate have upscale and luxury features throughout the cabin to complement the practical and functional items.

Each GMC Sierra model offers a mobile workspace for job sites and managing your farm or acreage. You can easily tow 10,000 pounds or more, depending on the engine and cab/bed size combination you select, and the comfort, connectivity, and convenience features in the cabin make these pickups a great choice for working hard and playing hard.

GMC Sierra HD 

Tow between 20,000 to 36,000 pounds, depending on which GMC Sierra HD trim you select, for your heavy-duty towing tasks. With seven trims, you can use a conventional hitch or fifth-wheel/gooseneck hitch, depending on your towing requirements. Look for Pro Trailering upgrades that help you connect a trailer with ease. 

Test-Drive a New Buick or GMC Vehicle With Us

Thompson Sales is happy to help you find your dream car, truck, or SUV. We have hundreds of vehicles on our lot, including many trims of new Buick and GMC models.

Contact us or call (417) 763-6811 if you have questions or want to take a test drive at Thompson Sales.