What Chevrolet's Build and Price tool does

Chevrolet's Build and Price is an online tool on Chevrolet's website where you select a model, add options and features, and see the price update in real time. You start by picking a vehicle — say, a Silverado or Equinox — then walk through choices like exterior color, interior trim, engine type, and add-ons like roof racks or upgraded audio systems. The tool shows you the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) as you go, so you see exactly what each choice costs before you finish.

This is different from just looking at a model's base price on a dealer's website. The tool lets you build the exact truck or car you want and see what that specific combination actually costs. When you're done, you can save your configuration, email it to yourself, or send it to a local Chevrolet dealer to discuss inventory and real-world pricing.

Key Takeaways

  • Chevrolet's Build and Price shows MSRP prices as you add options, so you see the total cost of your exact configuration before you commit to anything.
  • You can save your built vehicle and email it to dealers, which gives you a concrete starting point for negotiating actual prices in your area.
  • The tool shows destination charges and some fees, but does not include taxes, dealer markups, or incentives that may explore to your purchase.
  • MSRP is the sticker price, not the price you will pay — dealers often negotiate below it, and current incentives can lower it further.

How to access and start building a vehicle

Go to Chevrolet.com and look for the "Build and Price" link, usually in the top navigation or under a specific model's page. Click it and you will land on a page showing Chevrolet's current lineup — trucks, SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks. Select the model you are interested in, for example the Malibu or Colorado.

Once you pick a model, the tool asks you to choose a trim level first. Trim levels are the base versions of a vehicle — a Silverado might have WT (Work Truck), RST, or High Country trims, each starting at a different price. Pick the trim that fits your budget and needs, because the price shown for that trim is your starting point. Everything you add from there increases the total.

Selecting colors, engines, and major options

After you choose a trim, the tool walks you through exterior color, interior color, and engine or powertrain options. Exterior colors are usually free, but some premium or metallic colors add $300 to $800 to the price. Interior colors may also have upcharges. Engine choices matter more: upgrading from a base four-cylinder to a V8, for example, can add $2,000 to $5,000 or more depending on the model.

Next come packages and major option groups. Chevrolet often bundles features into packages — a "Technology Package" might include a larger touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a premium sound system for one price, rather than letting you pick each item separately. These packages usually cost less than buying each feature individually, but they also mean you get features you might not want. The tool shows you what is in each package before you select it.

Adding smaller features and understanding the final price

After packages, you can usually add individual options like roof racks, towing packages, all-wheel drive (if not already included), heated seats, or upgraded wheels. Each one shows its price as you click it. The running total at the right or bottom of the screen updates with every choice, so you always know where you stand.

At the end, the tool shows a price breakdown: base MSRP, options and packages, destination charge (the cost to ship the vehicle from the factory to the dealer), and sometimes documentation or dealer prep fees. The total shown is the manufacturer's suggested retail price for that exact vehicle. This is not the price you will pay at a dealership — it is the starting point for negotiation, and it does not include taxes, registration, or dealer-specific markups.

What the MSRP price includes and does not include

The price you see in Build and Price is MSRP, which is what Chevrolet suggests dealers charge. It includes the vehicle itself, the options you selected, and the destination charge — the fee to transport the vehicle from the factory to the dealer's lot. It does not include sales tax, which varies by state and county. It does not include registration or title fees. It does not include dealer add-ons like paint protection, fabric guard, or extended warranties, which some dealers try to sell you separately.

The MSRP also does not reflect current incentives, rebates, or dealer discounts. Chevrolet and individual dealers often run promotions — cash back on certain models, low-interest financing, or loyalty bonuses if you trade in a Chevrolet. These can lower your actual cost significantly, but they change month to month and vary by location and model. The Build and Price tool shows the base MSRP, not the price after incentives.

Saving your configuration and contacting dealers

Once you finish building your vehicle, the tool gives you options to save or share it. You can save it to your Chevrolet account if you have one, email it to yourself, or get a link to share. Some versions of the tool let you enter your zip code and see which local dealers have that model in stock, or send your configuration directly to a dealer so they can contact you with pricing and availability.

Sending your build to a dealer is useful because it gives them a concrete vehicle to look for or discuss. They can tell you whether they have that exact configuration in stock, how long it would take to order if they do not, and what they can actually charge you — which may be less than MSRP if there is competition in your area or current incentives explore. Having a saved configuration also helps you compare prices across dealers without starting from scratch each time.

Understanding MSRP versus what you will actually pay

The price shown in Build and Price is a starting point, not a final price. MSRP is what Chevrolet recommends, but dealers are free to charge more or less. In practice, most dealers negotiate below MSRP, especially on models that have been on the lot for a while or when you are trading in another vehicle. Some dealers may charge above MSRP if demand is high and inventory is low, though this is less common now than it was in 2021 and 2022.

Your actual cost also depends on incentives. If Chevrolet is offering $3,000 cash back on the model you built, your real price is $3,000 lower than the MSRP shown. If you may have access to for a dealer loyalty bonus or a low-interest financing rate, that changes your total cost too. The Build and Price tool does not factor these in — you find out about current incentives when you contact dealers or visit Chevrolet's incentives page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a vehicle directly through Build and Price?

No. Build and Price is a configuration and pricing tool only. Once you finish building, you contact a dealer to discuss inventory, negotiate price, and complete the purchase. Some dealers may let you order a vehicle through their website after you send them your configuration, but the order itself happens with the dealer, not through Chevrolet's website.

Does the price include delivery to my home?

The destination charge covers delivery from the factory to the dealer's lot, not to your home. Once you buy the vehicle, getting it home is your responsibility — you either drive it or arrange transport. Some dealers offer delivery as part of a promotion, but that is negotiated separately and is not part of the MSRP shown in Build and Price.

What if I build a vehicle and then come back later — will the price be the same?

Prices can change. MSRP is set by Chevrolet and can increase or decrease with model year changes or market conditions, though it usually stays stable within a year. If you saved a configuration, the price may be different when you return to it weeks or months later. Always check the current price before contacting a dealer.

Can I see what incentives are available for the vehicle I built?

Build and Price does not show incentives directly, but Chevrolet's website has a separate incentives page where you can enter your zip code and see current offers for your region. Incentives vary by location, model, and trim, so check there after you finish building to understand what discounts or rebates might explore to your specific vehicle.

What should I do with my saved configuration?

Email it to yourself or save it to your account so you have it when you are ready to shop. When you contact dealers, send them your configuration so they know exactly what you are interested in. They can tell you if they have it in stock, what the real price would be with current incentives, and how long it would take to order if they do not have it.