What Chevrolet's Build Tool Does
Chevrolet's build tool is an online configurator on Chevrolet.com where you select a model, choose your colors, features, and options, and see the price before you contact a dealer. You do not buy the vehicle through the tool itself — instead, you create a configuration that you can save, print, or send to a dealer to order. The tool shows you what combinations are actually available and what each choice costs, so you arrive at the dealership with a clear picture of what you want and what it will run.
The process takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on how many options you want to explore. At the end, you get a summary sheet with your vehicle's specifications and estimated price. You can then take that sheet to a dealer, email it to dealers for quotes, or save it to revisit later.
Key Takeaways
- Chevrolet's build tool on Chevrolet.com lets you configure a vehicle's color, trim level, and features before you talk to a dealer.
- The tool shows real pricing for each option you add, so you know the total cost before you step onto a lot.
- You can save your configuration, print it, or email it to multiple dealers to compare their offers on the exact same vehicle.
- The tool does not reserve or purchase a vehicle — it creates a specification sheet you bring to a dealer to order.
Finding the Build Tool on Chevrolet.com
Go to Chevrolet.com and look for a button or link labeled "Build and Price" or "Build Your Chevrolet" — the exact wording changes by year, but it is usually near the top of the homepage or in the main navigation menu. Click it, and you will be asked to choose a model first (Silverado, Equinox, Malibu, and so on).
If you already know which model you want, you can sometimes jump straight to that model's page and find the build tool there. If you are not sure which model fits your needs, Chevrolet also has a "Find a Vehicle" tool that asks you questions about size, price range, and use case before you build.
How to Step Through the Configuration
After you choose a model, the tool walks you through these choices in order: trim level (base, LT, RST, High Country, and so on), exterior color, interior color or material, wheels, and then optional packages or individual features. Each step shows you the price change as you make selections.
Trim level is the biggest price jump — a base model and a fully loaded version of the same vehicle can differ by $10,000 to $20,000 or more. After trim, packages (like a technology package or towing package) often bundle several features at a discount compared to buying them one at a time. Individual options like heated seats, a sunroof, or upgraded audio come last.
The tool will gray out combinations that do not exist — for example, if a certain color is not available on a particular trim, you will not be able to select it. This prevents you from building something Chevrolet cannot actually make.
Understanding the Price the Tool Shows
The price shown is the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for that exact configuration. It includes the base vehicle price plus the cost of every option and package you selected. It does not include destination charges (the fee to ship the vehicle from the factory to the dealer), taxes, title, registration, or dealer fees — those are added when you actually buy.
Destination charges are typically $1,000 to $1,500 depending on the model and your location. Dealer fees vary widely by location and dealership. The MSRP shown is a starting point for negotiation, not a locked-in price — dealers may offer discounts, rebates, or incentives that lower the final cost.
Saving and Sharing Your Configuration
At the end of the build process, you will see a summary page with your full specification and price. Most build tools let you save the configuration to your Chevrolet.com account (if you create one), print it as a PDF, or email it to yourself or a dealer. Some tools also generate a unique link you can share.
Saving or printing your configuration is useful if you want to shop around. You can build the same vehicle, print or email the spec sheet to three or four dealers in your area, and ask each one for their best offer on that exact configuration. This removes guesswork and makes it easier to compare dealer pricing side by side.
What Happens After You Build
Once you have a configuration you like, you take it to a dealer. You can walk in with a printed sheet, call ahead and email it, or use Chevrolet's "Find Dealers" tool to locate dealers near you and contact them directly with your spec. The dealer will confirm whether they can order that vehicle, what the actual out-the-door price will be (including destination, taxes, and fees), and how long delivery will take.
Delivery times vary. Some dealers have the vehicle you want in stock and can sell it when ready. Others will order it from the factory, which typically takes 6 to 12 weeks depending on the model and current production schedules. The dealer will also discuss financing, trade-in value if you have a vehicle to trade, and any current rebates or incentives Chevrolet is running.
Common Reasons the Build Tool Helps You Save Time and Money
Walking into a dealership without a clear idea of what you want often leads to a salesperson steering you toward higher-trim or more expensive options. Building first means you arrive with a specific target and know exactly what it costs. You also avoid the back-and-forth of asking "what if I add this?" and waiting for the salesperson to look it up.
Comparing quotes from multiple dealers is much faster when you all start from the same specification. Instead of each dealer quoting you a different vehicle, you can say "I want this exact configuration — what is your price?" This also prevents dealers from padding the price with options you did not ask for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does building a vehicle on Chevrolet.com reserve it or lock in the price?
No. Building a vehicle creates a specification sheet only. It does not reserve the vehicle, lock in the price, or commit you to anything. You can build as many configurations as you want, walk away, and come back later. Prices and availability can change over time.
Can I build a vehicle that is not in stock at any dealer near me?
Yes. The build tool shows you what Chevrolet makes and what it costs. If no dealer near you has that exact configuration in stock, the dealer can order it from the factory. Lead times are usually 6 to 12 weeks, but it depends on the model, current production, and how busy the factory is.
What if I want to change my configuration after I show it to a dealer?
You can build a new configuration anytime. If you have already started the ordering process with a dealer, ask them whether changes are still possible — some dealers can modify an order before it ships from the factory, and some cannot. The earlier you make changes, the more likely the dealer can accommodate them.
Does the price on the build tool include rebates or dealer discounts?
No. The build tool shows MSRP only. Rebates, incentives, and dealer discounts are separate and vary by location, time of year, and current promotions. The dealer will tell you what rebates or incentives explore when you discuss the actual purchase.
Can I build a used Chevrolet on the tool?
No. The build tool is for new vehicles only. Used Chevrolet inventory is listed separately on Chevrolet.com and on dealer websites, but you cannot configure a used vehicle the way you can a new one.