What Is Chevrolet's RS?

This badge conveys special style for the automaker.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Jul 11, 2024 | 3 min read

Chevrolet

Standing out from the crowd and making customers feel special are successful strategies employed by car companies looking to move metal. One of the easiest ways to achieve both of these goals is by creating a trim package or vehicle model that stands apart and offers a sense of exclusivity and style.

Chevrolet's RS model has been doing exactly this for almost 60 years. While the badge might have humble beginnings, it blossomed into a significant force for the brand that is available across nearly its entire lineup.

Chevrolet

The History of Chevrolet RS

The Chevrolet RS badge dates back to 1967, when it was first offered as an appearance package on the original Camaro muscle car. The letters stood for Rally Sport, and the model included hidden headlights covered by retractable louvers, as well as RS badges, additional exterior chrome, and different taillights from the standard version of the vehicle.

The RS package could also be combined with other packages, such as the SS. This led to some versions of the Camaro being known as RS/SS or even RS/Z28 models.

Chevrolet kept the RS name in the Camaro family for decades, but starting in the 2010s began expanding it to other models in the lineup as a way of providing an aesthetic upgrade for buyers who craved an extra dose of style. On some models, it also provided modest suspension and gearing updates to improve handling and performance.

Chevrolet

What Chevrolet RS Has to Offer

Currently, Chevrolet has swung the RS pendulum back toward style. The RS badge today adds unique grilles for the trim level, along with red accents inside and out (particularly upholstery stitching), a black cabin treatment, black wheels, and a black Chevrolet badge to go with its RS badging.

LED lighting is standard on RS models, as is active noise cancellation inside the passenger compartment.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet RS Vehicles Currently on Sale

Chevrolet makes its entire SUV and crossover lineup eligible for the RS trim level. The most affordable model is the Chevrolet Trax, which costs $23,000 in 1RS trim or, if you want more features, $25,000 in 2RS trim. There's also the Chevrolet Trailblazer RS for $30,000, the Chevrolet Equinox RS for $34,000, and the Chevrolet Blazer RS for $44,000. Even the midsize Chevrolet Traverse can be had in RS trim for $58,000.

The bow-tie brand additionally extends RS trim availability to its electric SUVs. Both the Chevrolet Equinox EV for $45,000 and the Chevrolet Blazer EV for $57,000 feature RS options.

Chevrolet

The RS package is also available with Chevrolet's full-size trucks and truck-based SUVs, but it goes by a somewhat different name: RST, which is short for Rally Sport Truck. This includes the Chevrolet Tahoe RST for $69,000 and the Chevrolet Suburban RST for $69,000 as well as the Chevrolet Silverado RST for $57,000.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.