The El Camino is coming back, but not in 2025
Chevrolet announced in 2022 that the El Camino would return to the U.S. market, but the truck will not arrive until 2026 at the earliest. The company has not released a specific month or confirmed pricing. What Chevrolet has confirmed is that the new El Camino will be built on the same platform as the Silverado and will sit between the Silverado and the Colorado in size.
If you are shopping now and need a vehicle in 2025, the El Camino will not be an option. Chevrolet's current truck lineup — the Silverado, Colorado, and LUV — will remain your choices. If you are willing to wait, the El Camino's return means a new body style that combines a passenger cab with an open cargo bed, something no major U.S. automaker has offered since the GMC Caballero was discontinued in 1987.
Key Takeaways
- The El Camino will not be available until 2026, not 2025, so current shoppers cannot order one yet.
- Chevrolet has confirmed the El Camino will use the Silverado platform and sit in size between the Silverado and Colorado.
- Pricing, engine options, and trim levels have not been announced and may not be confirmed until closer to the 2026 launch.
- If you need a truck or car-truck hybrid in 2025, you will need to choose from existing Chevrolet models or competitors like the Ford Maverick.
What the El Camino platform means for size and capability
The Silverado platform gives the new El Camino a foundation built for trucks. The Silverado itself comes in regular cab, double cab, and crew cab versions, with bed lengths ranging from 5.5 feet to 8 feet. The El Camino will not use all those configurations — it will be a single fixed design — but the platform means the new truck will have genuine payload and towing capacity, not just styling borrowed from a truck.
Sitting between the Silverado and Colorado means the El Camino will be smaller than a full-size Silverado but larger than the midsize Colorado. This positions it as a vehicle for buyers who want truck capability without the full footprint of a Silverado, or who want the car-like driving experience of an El Camino without stepping down to the smaller Colorado.
Engine and powertrain options remain unconfirmed
Chevrolet has not announced which engines will power the 2026 El Camino. The Silverado offers a 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder, a 5.3-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter V8. The Colorado offers a 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter turbo diesel. The El Camino could draw from either lineup, or Chevrolet could develop a unique powertrain combination for it.
Transmission options, fuel economy estimates, and whether the El Camino will offer hybrid or electric variants have not been disclosed. These details typically emerge within six months of a vehicle's launch, so expect more information sometime in 2025 if the 2026 launch date holds.
Pricing is not yet available
No starting price or trim structure has been announced. The Colorado starts around $28,000 for a base model, while the Silverado starts around $35,000. The El Camino will likely fall somewhere in that range, but Chevrolet has given no guidance. Trim levels, option packages, and whether certain features will be standard or optional are all unknown.
Historical context offers limited help: the last El Camino, produced in 1987, cost around $10,000 in base form, which translates to roughly $30,000 in 2025 dollars. That suggests a starting price in the low-to-mid $30,000 range is plausible, but Chevrolet has not confirmed this.
Alternatives if you need a truck-car hybrid now
If you want a vehicle that blends car comfort with truck capability and cannot wait until 2026, the Ford Maverick is the closest current option. The Maverick is a compact truck with a car-like interior and starts around $20,000 for the base model. It offers a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine or a hybrid option, with payload capacity around 1,500 pounds.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is another alternative — a unibody truck with a 2.5-liter turbo engine, starting around $35,000, with a 1,500-pound payload capacity. Both vehicles offer the El Camino's core appeal: a passenger cabin with an open cargo bed. Neither is as large as the El Camino will be, but both are available now.
What to expect when the El Camino launches
Chevrolet typically reveals new models at major auto shows or through press releases several months before production begins. The 2026 El Camino will likely be shown sometime in 2025, with order books opening a few months before production starts. Dealer inventory usually begins arriving 4 to 8 weeks after production begins.
If you are interested in reserving one, contact your local Chevrolet dealer in 2025 when more details emerge. Some dealers may accept non-binding interest lists before official ordering begins. Pricing and financing terms will be clearer once Chevrolet announces the full specification sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order an El Camino for 2025?
No. Chevrolet has not opened orders for the El Camino, and the truck will not be available until 2026. You cannot place an order or reserve one through Chevrolet's official channels yet.
Will the El Camino be available with all-wheel drive?
Chevrolet has not confirmed drivetrain options. The Silverado and Colorado both offer all-wheel drive, so it is possible the El Camino will too, but this has not been announced.
How much will the El Camino cost?
Pricing has not been released. Based on its platform and size, a starting price in the low-to-mid $30,000 range is reasonable to expect, but Chevrolet has given no official guidance.
Will the new El Camino be electric?
Chevrolet has not announced powertrain details. The company offers electric trucks like the Silverado EV, so an electric El Camino is possible, but nothing has been confirmed.
What is the difference between the El Camino and the Ford Maverick?
The El Camino will be larger and built on a full truck platform, while the Maverick is a compact unibody truck. The Maverick is available now starting around $20,000; the El Camino will arrive in 2026 at a higher price point with greater payload capacity.