The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado can be had with a new four-cylinder, turbocharged engine, however, the truck is now facing criticism for its poor fuel economy. According to the EPA, the Silverado with its new four-cylinder engine will deliver a combined economy of 21 miles per gallon, 20 mpg in the city, and 23 mpg on the highway.

Smaller Isn't Always More Efficient

The new unit is a 2.7-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder that produces 310 horses and 248 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission system. It will be available in the mid LT and RST trims. The current 4.3-liter, V-6 engine will be available on the Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss Trims.

The fuel economy ratings for the rear-wheel-drive models are not that great either. It features a 5.3-liter, V-8 engine that achieves 19 mpg combined, or a meager 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highways.

The 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine, will reportedly offer maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, which is 600 pounds more than the Ram and Ford models. The maximum payload capacity is rated 2,280 pounds.

Silverado Vs Competition

Ford offers a 2.7-liter, twin-turbo, V-6 engine that delivers a combined efficiency of 22 mpg; 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Even the new Ram 1500 beats this four-cylinder engine with its 3.6-liter, V-6 engine with a mild hybrid system that offers 22 miles to the gallon combined; 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Chevrolet Silverado

Ford F-150

Ram 1500

Engine

2.7-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder

2.7-liter, twin-turbo, V-6

3.6-liter, V-6 engine

Fuel economy city/highway/combined (mpg)

20/23/21

20/26/22

20/25/22


Other Relevant Details

The same engine RST model starts at $40,300. For the short bed and crew cab bodies, the cost is $2,400 more. The four-cylinder models are expected to begin arriving in dealers by the end of the year.

Our Take

Even luxury and sports cars, which were once known to be gas-guzzlers, are becoming more and more fuel-conscious these days. This shows that people see this as important criteria when they make a purchase. With Chevrolet introducing a four-cylinder engine in a pickup truck, the only logical explanation was that it will be less thirsty. If the truck’s economy did not improve, why even bother launching the new engine? It doesn’t make sense to me because I believe that there’s no replacement for displacement. We’ll have to wait and watch if the four-cylinder engine actually sells in the market. What are your thoughts on this? Share them in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review of the 2019 Chevy Silverado