2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Review
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado kicks off the 4th generation of this venerable pickup truck with less weight, more size and plenty of powertrain options.
2019 Chevrolet Silverado – chevrolet.com | Shop 2019 Chevrolet Silverado on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado?
Launching the fourth generation of the Bowtie brands’ venerable pickup truck, the 2019 Chevy Silverado is a top-to-bottom redesign. The new Silverado 1500 has a 4” longer wheelbase for a more comfortable back seat but drops almost 450 pounds in weight compared to its predecessor. Eight trim levels and six powertrain options make for a dizzying array of configurations and include a new Duramax, turbodiesel option. The sheet metal has been aero optimized with striking new looks up front and additional active safety systems are now on tap.
The Breakdown
There is a 2019 Silverado for virtually all needs
The big 6.2-liter V8 hauls up to 12,200 pounds
Trail Boss trim makes off-road duty easier
Touchscreen infotainment is standard
4-cylinder mpg isn’t dramatically better than V8
Chevy does its part to fuel the fire of the endless pickup truck wars
2019 Silverado Specs
- 285 horsepower from base engine
- 305 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- Wi-Fi hotspot enhances the cabin
- Teen Driver system helps teach kids to drive safe
- One complimentary maintenance visit is included
- Surround vision camera view improves visibility for towing
2019 Chevrolet Silverado Powertrain
Chevy has a little bit of everything on the powertrain front for the 2019 Silverado. The smallest option is a turbocharged, 2.7-liter inline-4 making a healthy 310 hp. The long running, 4.3-liter V6 comes with a 6-speed automatic and makes just over 300 lb-ft of torque. The other six-cylinder is a new, turbocharged diesel with an inline layout. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic and will not be available until later in the model year.
The big news for the 355 horse, 5.3-liter V8 is the option for Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM), which expands the Silverado’s cylinder deactivation programming with 17 combinations to improve efficiency. Also featuring DFM and working with Chevy’s 10-speed transmission, the 6.2-liter V8 cranks out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of twist. The availability of each configuration varies from trim to trim but generally, as the cylinder count increases, so does the price.
Towing & Payload
The touted, 12,200-pound towing capability requires the 6.2-liter motor and Max Towing package which has a unique rear axle, beefier rear suspension, enhanced radiator and bigger alternator. The lowest trailering capacity is 7,200 pounds from the turbocharged four-cylinder. Payload ranges from 2,100 to 2,280 pounds depending on motor, drivetrain and body style combination.
StabiliTrak vehicle stability control is standard equipment and makes towing duty less stressful with trailer sway control and hill-start assistance.
2019 Chevrolet Silverado Fuel Economy & MPG
The 2019 Chevy Silverado features new aerodynamic improvements like active grille shutters to incrementally improve fuel economy. Idle start/stop tech is in use as are Active and Dynamic Fuel Management systems, which deactivate multiple cylinders at a time, to increase efficiency. The miles per gallon champ is the new diesel, inline-six that can hit up to 33 mpg on the highway or 23 in the city.
The gasoline V6 is estimated at 15 and 19 mpg in the city and on the highway, respectively. The small, turbo four does an admirable job with figures of 19/22 for city/highway economy. But the 5.3 V8 isn’t far behind, achieving 17 mpg around town and 23 on the highway, when fitted with DFM. The larger V8 should see 16 mpg in the city and 20 on open road.
While the 6.2-liter V8 is only paired with 4WD, all other configurations here are based on 2WD. Fuel economy is reduced with the 4WD option.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Thanks to a lengthened wheelbase, the 2019 Silverado has 43” of rear legroom, which is 3” more than the previous generation. Overall interior volume is up by 4 cubic feet and there is storage aplenty with a pair of 10-liter seatback bins and a 24-liter sized storage compartment beneath the rear seats.
While hard-wearing vinyl and manual windows are standard equipment, as you ratchet up the trim hierarchy, niceties like heated and ventilated, perforated leather seating are available. Additional options like a power sliding rear window and dual zone, automatic climate control further the ability to spruce up the Silverado’s cabin ambiance.
Entertainment & Technology
All eight Silverado trims are equipped with a touchscreen infotainment interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The screen increases in size as you move up the trim ladder and more tech, like navigation and in-vehicle apps, are unlocked. A Wi-Fi hotspot is also available as is Qi wireless charging and a head-up display.
Safety Features
Front, side and curtain airbags are standard on the new Silverado, as is a backup camera but the latest active safety tech typically requires an optional package. Safety Package I, included only on High Country trim, has parking sensors, lane change alert, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Features like auto-emergency braking, forward collision alert and automatic high beams are part of the available Safety Package II.
2019 Chevrolet Silverado Trims & Pricing
Work Truck – $29,795
The Silverado Work Truck is what it sounds like, a basic pickup that benefits from the fourth-gen upgrades but skips the frills. Outside you’ll find steel wheels and black plastic trim while inside; vinyl is the name of the upholstery game. However, a 7” color touchscreen display does come standard and integrates Apple and Android smartphone capabilities.
Custom – $36,095
You can dress up the Custom Silverado with 20” alloys and body color trim but you’ll still find manual crank windows and locks. LED tail lights are a nice touch and like most trims, you have the ability to pick and choose two- or four-wheel drive, power from four, six or eight cylinders and regular, double or crew cab body styles.
LT – $38,395
Chrome comes into play on the LT along with full, exterior LED lighting treatment. The larger, 8” touchscreen is also featured at this level with the next generation of Chevrolet Infotainment software. Push button start and keyless entry are standard while leather can be optioned.
RST – $40,295
If chrome isn’t your thing, the Silverado RST applies a street performance look to the LT trim. Shiny bits are swapped for body color trim and wheels up to 22” in diameter can be selected. When fitted with the 420 horse V8, it does an admirable job of living up to the looks.
Custom Trail Boss – $40,995
Trail Boss trim takes the regular Custom and adds a factory installed 2” suspension lift along with the Z71 Off Road goodies. Those include knobbier off-road tires, Rancho monotube shocks and electronic hill descent control.
LTZ – $44,495
Moving upscale, the Silverado LTZ applies additional chrome bits versus the LT. it also nets heated and power folding side mirrors plus standard leather upholstery.
LT Trail Boss – $47,395
Much like the Custom Trail Boss, this trim starts with the LT model and preps it for getting off the beaten track. Along with the 2” lift and features mentioned above, the Z71 package also includes a two-speed transfer case, locking rear differential and front skid plates.
High Country – $54,495
Sitting atop the Silverado trim chart, High Country editions have a unique front grille design and exterior accents. Optional on lower trims, a power operated tailgate, climate controlled seating and heated steering wheel are all standard here.
Warranties
All 2019 Silverados receive a single, complimentary service visit within the first year or 12,000 miles of ownership. The bumper-to-bumper warranty is good for 3 years or 36,000 miles while a term of 5 years or 60,000 miles covers the powertrain and roadside assistance warranties.
What we think
2019 Chevrolet Silverado – chevrolet.com | Shop 2019 Chevrolet Silverado on Carsforsale.com
Chevrolet has been making solid pickup trucks for a very long time and it shows with the all-new, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. The design may not be for everyone but there is no arguing it is a better Silverado in every other regard than its predecessor.
