The Chevy Silverado 1500 is back again in 2019 to compete in the crowded full-sized pickup truck market. It brings a long history of solid, reliable trucks with it, as Chevy continues to slug it out with the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, and others for sales supremacy among those seeking a rugged truck for all their business or recreational needs.
The 2019 Silverado is definitely a contender, with a familiar nameplate and a handful of nice upgrades and tweaks that could make the new model their best one yet. Chevy is currently in their third generation of Silverado production, dating back to 2014, and it’s available in a ton of different versions, depending on what engine size, cab layout, and optional features you want! Oddly enough, it’s also almost completely identical to the differently branded GMC Sierra, since General Motors owns the Chevrolet brand too.
History
In January 2018, Chevy announced a fresh take on the Silverado. It would continue to manufacture the third-generation of the truck, but also unveiled plans to sell it alongside the fourth-generation of production — coined the Silverado 1500 LD (short for “light duty”). The third generation trucks will be built in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, while the new fourth-gen versions will take over production lines in Detroit and Mexico.
The Basics
Loses 450 pounds thanks to newly designed engineering. It’s also slightly slightly longer than previous versions. The 2019 Silverado comes in eight different trim packages: WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. If you’re looking for something with even more durability, there are also 2500, 3500, 4500HD, and 5500HD (heavy duty) models of the Silverado available.
Engine
The engine for the 1500 comes in four different options: a 4.3L V6, two different 5.3L V8 versions (one with eAssist, a “mild hybrid” option), and a massive 6.2L V8. They range in horsepower from 285 up to 420, and from 305 lb-ft of torque, up to 460 in the largest model. It comes with an automatic 10-speed transmission (although the base model may end up being an eight-speed) and an active fuel management system (dubbed the Dynamic Fuel Management feature by Chevy) that will shut off unneeded cylinders under certain conditions, conserving fuel. Chevy claims it’s about 5-percent more efficient than current systems.
There is a diesel option as well, a 3.0L inline-six engine that will be manufactured in Italy. There’s also an all-new 2.7L Turbocharged L3B four-cylinder engine available as an option. It won’t be quite as powerful, but it should save you some cash the pumps.
Interior
Legroom for the backseat increased by about three inches, with extra storage behind and under the rear seats. There are plenty of storage compartments, and various upgrades will take the interior of the Silverado from “really nice” to “luxury driving.” It will also come with steering wheel controls and dual climate control.
Exterior
The truck bed itself has grown from previous years, featuring a bed that is almost seven inches wider. It’s made of high-strength steel and has 12 stationary tie-down points for securing whatever load you’re throwing in it. The new Silverado bed is made in two pieces, which allowed Chevy to both save a lot of weight and maximize storage space — up to 23% more.
The Silverado uses aluminum to make up the hood, doors, and tailgate, but maintains high-strength steel for most of the truck — the roof, fenders, and bed are all steel. Despite keeping the aluminum parts to a minimum, the 2019 Silverado is almost 450 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which will help out with fuel efficiency.
One more thing about the exterior that will help save fuel: Chevy claims a steeper windshield and a roof spoiler will add 7-percent improvements on wind resistance.
Safety
The Silverado comes with all the normal safety features you would expect in a new vehicle, like front and side airbags. More advanced safety features are also available, such as Lane Change Assist and Blind Spot Alert, Front and Rear Park Assist, Low Speed Automatic Braking, IntelliBeam headlights, automatic high beams assist, and front pedestrian braking.
Off Road Capabilities
The Silverado comes with an available four-wheel drive option, the Z71 package. It features a raised suspension, adding two inches of ground clearance, and a bunch of extra technological sensors to ensure a smooth and steady ride regardless of rough terrain.
Technology
The infotainment system is a Chevy MyLink with optional navigation. It’s upgradable to a Bose sound system. There’s also a whole host a goodies available who those people who love tech upgrades. A rear-seat DVD/Blu-Ray player, wireless charging, heated seats, and power sunroof are some of the upgrades. It will support Apple Car Play or Android Auto, as well. Other options include OnStar and 4G LTE Wi-Fi connections.
Optional Packages
As mentioned above, there are eight different trim levels with varying upgrades and options included in each one. Even the base model (the WT, or “Work Truck”) packs a solid punch though. It comes with 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl or cloth seats, and black exterior trim. The front grille skips Chevy’s classic “bow tie” logo in favor of large block letters reading CHEVROLET. Inside, it comes with a 7.0″ infotainment screen.
The Custom model adds more exterior trim, 20-inch wheels, and LED taillights. The Custom Trail Boss version adds two more inches of ground clearance and the Z71 off-road package (locking rear differential, skid plates, Ranco shocks, and 18-inch wheels with Goodyear DuraTrack tires).
The LT model goes back to bow tie grille, with extra pieces of exterior chrome, LED headlights, and an 8.0 inch touchscreen in the cab. The LT Trail Boss version features everything from the Custom Trail Boss and the LT models (as you may have guesses from the naming).
Need more trim levels? Of course you do! There’s also the RST version, which is Chevy’s “sporty” version of the Silverado. It’s more stylish, with body color exterior trim, all LED lighting, and available 22-inch wheels. Nothing is confirmed, but the RST version may have a bit of beefed up horsepower too.
The final models are the LTZ and High Country versions, which turn your truck from work horse to… well, luxury work horse! The LTZ adds leather seats and power-folding mirrors. The High Country adds a special two-tone grille, chrome running boards, and a standard power tailgate.
Pricing
The base model of the 2019 Silverado starts around $30,000 and could go all the way up to the $70,000+ range depending on what trim, options, and packages you add.
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