Chevrolet has pulled the covers off its all-new, 2019 Silverado 1500 half-ton pickup truck. While Chevy teased the truck back in December at the Texas Motor Speedway at Chevy’s centennial celebration, the full details only became available at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. Chevy also made sure everyone knew the 2018 Detroit show marked 100 years since the brand launched its first pickup.

The 2019 Silverado is completely new and shares almost zero parts from the outgoing truck. Even the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s are revised for increased efficiency. The truck’s fully boxed frame is now 88 pounds lighter but has 10 percent more torsional rigidity, and the truck’s overall weight has dropped 450 pounds when comparing crew cab V-8 models from 2018 and 2019. Chevy did this by using aluminum. Yes, after years of dogging Ford for building its trucks from recycled beer cans, Chevy has made the switch, too. But not every body panel made the transition – only the parts that swing, which includes the hood, doors, and tailgate. The rest is steel. This includes the bed floor, which Chevy says is made from higher-strength, roll-formed steel than before.

Of course, the interior has been completely revamped, too. You’ll find those details, along with so much more, down below.

Updated 06/29/2018: Chevrolet announced prices for the 2019 Silverado. Check out the "Prices" section for the full details.

Continue reading for more on the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Transmission: 10-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

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Exterior

- New overall design - Seven percent more aerodynamic - New stronger steel alloy in bed floor - Reduced weight by 450 pounds in crew cab V-8 model - Trailboss adds two-inch lift & all-terrain tires

It’s clear Chevy has reworked the Silverado into something we’ve never seen before. There is no retro feel here – it’s completely new, and in our opinion, better for it.

Gone are the squared-off fender flares seen on Silverados since 1973. The rounded cues continue thanks to a swoopy character line on the front fenders and an arching window line on the rear doors. There are plenty of straight lines, too. The grille, beltline, and tailgate are all arrow-straight.

Chevy also improved functionality by making the cargo bed larger. The popular short box, standard with crew cab models, has 63 cubic feet of volume, which Chevy says is 20 percent more than its competitors’ 2018 short-bed trucks. The wheel wells have been pushed apart nearly seven inches, making it even easier to fit 4x8 sheets of plywood or drywall into the bed. Every Silverado comes with more and stronger tie-downs. There are now 12 fixed tie-down loops and each has been reinforced to hold 500 pounds before bending – double the capacity of the previous truck. In addition, there are nine movable tie-downs that offer more flexibility in cargo management.

To compete with the Ram’s clever RamBox system, Chevy now has dealer-installed storage boxes that install over the wheel wells and against the inner bed wall. They offer almost seven cubic feet of lockable storage. Other new features include task lighting in the bed and a 120-volt household power outlet near the tailgate. Chevy’s super handy CornerStep bumper is now larger to better fit steel-toed boots. The extra area also makes finding the step easier when climbing out of the bed.

The New Trim Levels

The familiar trim levels carry over for 2019, but Chevy has injected more visual separation between them. Chevy further defines the trims by grouping them into three categories: high value, high volume, and high feature.

The base Work Truck trim has “CHEVROLET” embossed on its black grille and along the tailgate. Modest, 17-inch wheels and black trim pieces finish off the look. This is the go-to trim for fleets and blue-collar work.

The Custom trim returns, too, offering a more upscale look to the basic Work Truck grade. It includes body-colored trim, 20-inch wheels aluminum wheels, LED taillights, and the availability of the new integrated dual exhaust in the rear bumper. The Custom trim can also be optioned with the new Trailboss trim. This takes the Custom and transforms it into a, well, boss on the trail.

The Trailboss trim includes a 2.0-inch suspension lift, red tow hooks, and Goodyear Duratrac tires on 18-inch, double five-spoke black wheels in addition to the Z71 Off Road package, which adds the G80 locking rear differential, skid plates, and Rancho shock absorbers.

In the “high volume” category, Chevy offers the LT, a new street-performance trim called RST, and the LT Trailboss. The LT trim brings chrome on the bumpers, grille, and mirror caps, along with a Chevy bowtie on the grille. Upgraded LED headlights and daytime running lights are added, too.

The RST package takes the LT and transforms it into a more menacing street truck. It includes body-color trim; full LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights; and optional wheels up to 22-inches in size. Sadly, no performance or suspension modifications are included. As for the LT Trailboss, it includes all the same equipment found on the Custom Trailboss but features the LT’s more upscale appearance and interior equipment.

For those wanting a luxury truck, the LTZ and High Country trims return for 2019. The LTZ comes with chrome accents on the bumper, grille, mirror caps, door handles, and the new “hockey-stick” beltline. The mirrors are upgraded to have power folding and heating. The High Country trim is a cowboy’s dream. It includes a completely different front grille design with a two-tone chrome and bronze hue. Things like the door handles and mirror caps share the body color, while the side steps are chrome.

The High Country also comes standard with Chevy’s new power tailgate. The motorized tailgate operates by pushing a button where the handle is normally located, or by pressing a button on the key fob or inside the cabin. The power tailgate is optional on the LTZ, as well.

Interior

- Three cab sizes - Three new trim levels - Three more inches of rear-seat legroom - Updated in-dash technology - 7.0-inch MyLink is standard, 8.0-inch on higher trims - Flat rear load floor - Hidden storage behind rear seats - Finally push-button starting!

The 2019 Chevy Silverado’s interior is completely new, though it isn’t a massively drastic change from the previous Silverado. The dash features a two-tone design in upper trim levels, along with bucket seats and a full-length center console. Lower trims come with a black or gray dash and a 40/20/40-split bench seat. Impressively, Chevy has made the 7.0-inch MyLink infotainment system standard, even in the base Work Truck grade. The 8.0-inch MyLink system is optional in mid-level grades and standard in the LTZ and High Country trims.

The redesigned steering wheel looks more high-class but comes with familiar controls. The column shifter is about the only carry-over part in the truck. It still features a toggle switch for manually shifting gears and a button on the end for the Tow/Haul mode. A revised gauge cluster offers digital gauges vehicle stats, much like the out-going GMC Sierra.

The center stack’s redesign simplistically arranges the MyLink controls, HVAC knobs, and a row of toggle switches for ancillary equipment like parking sensors, auto stop/start, traction control, downhill descent control, and on those equipped with the power-operated tailgate, a button for raising and lowering. Integrated trailer brakes, USB and USB-C connection, a 12-volt power port, and a 110-volt household outlet take up the bottom rung.

Does the 2019 Silverado’s Dash Resemble A Porg?

The 2019 Silverado offers tons of storage space. The dashboard’s double glove box returns, there are pockets on the side of the center console, the under-armrest console is larger, and there are even secret storage boxes hidden under the cushions in the rear seat. Yep, inside the backrest of the rear seats in the extended and crew cab models are two, 10-liter bins designed to hold smaller items like tie-down straps or jumper cables. Another storage spot lurks under the folding seat bottoms in the second row. It holds 24 liters of stuff and is wide enough for a gallon of milk and long enough for fishing rods. Depending on the trim level, the Silverado comes with vinyl, cloth, or leather seats in various colors.

What’s more, the Silverado’s rear floor is finally flat, with nearly no humps or transmission tunnels to disrupts the storage of cargo. Another new (and very welcomed) addition is the rear HVAC vents. Both the flat floor and HVAC system help make the most of the 2019 Silverado’s extra three inches of rear-seat legroom thanks to the longer crew cab design.

Drivetrain

- Six engine/transmission combinations - Expected fuel economy improvements - Updated V-8s - All-new 3.0-liter Inline-six Turbodiesel - Eight- and 10-speed automatics

Despite the 2019 Silverado’s debut at Detroit, Chevy is being coy with powertrain details. The “official” news is the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s are “new” and a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbodiesel is coming. The 10-speed automatic will be the premium transmission, presumably making the current eight-speed automatic the standard gearbox.

Details of the V-8s include Chevy’s new Dynamic Fuel Management system that actively shuts off any number of cylinders – not just four – in order to save on fuel when full power isn’t needed. For example, the V-8 can run on six, four, and even two cylinders. We knew General Motors was developing this technology back in early 2015. Back then, it was called Dynamic Skip Fire. As for the exhaust note, Chevy says it has fitted the Silverado’s cabin with extra thick sound insulation to combat unpleasant noises when not in V-8 mode. Aside from Dynamic Fuel Management, the V-8s continue to employ direct fuel injection and variable valve timing.

The big news, however, is the Silverado’s new 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbodiesel. The only information Chevy announced about the new engine is that it will pair exclusively with the new 10-speed automatic transmission. Beyond that, we only know this will be Chevy’s first inline six-cylinder since it ended production of the Trailblazer SUV and its 4.2-liter Atlas I-6 in 2009.

It is, however, easy enough to speculate Chevy’s new light-duty turbodiesel will have to be competitive against Ram and Ford’s 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesels. The Ram’s updated EcoDiesel will make 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, while Ford’s Power Stroke V-6 will make 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.

Naturally, the Silverado will come standard with rear-wheel drive, but part-time 4WD will be offered on every trim. The Trailboss will come standard with 4WD. As for the rear differential, the Silverado continues to use the G80 automatic locking rear differential from Eaton. It mechanically detects excess wheel spin and locks itself to power both rear wheels at the same speed. While convenient that the driver doesn’t have to do anything, both the new 2019 Ram 1500 and the current Ford F-150 offer electronic locking rear diffs that engage at the push of a button.

Fuel economy ratings have not been announced but we fully expect to see a jump in efficiency. Currently, the 2018 Silverado with the 5.3-liter V-8 and rear-wheel drive can achieve 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado engine lineup

4.3L V-6 w/AFM (6-spd.)

5.3L V-8 w/AFM (6-spd.)

2.7L I-4 Turbo w/AFM (8-spd.)

5.3L V-8 w/DFM (8-spd.)

6.2L V-8 w/DFM (10-spd.)

3.0L I-6 Turbo-Diesel (10-spd.)

Work Truck

Std.

Avail.

--

--

--

--

Custom

Std.

Avail.

--

--

--

--

Custom Trail Boss

Std.

Avail.

--

--

--

--

LT

--

--

Std.

Avail.

--

Avail.

RST

--

--

Std.

Avail.

--

Avail.

LT Trail Boss

--

--

--

Std.

--

--

LTZ

--

--

--

Std.

Avail.

Avail.

High Country

--

--

--

--

Std.

Avail.


2019 Chevrolet Silverado capabilities

4.3L V-6 w/AFM (6-spd.)

5.3L V-8 w/AFM (6-spd.)

2.7L I-4 Turbo w/AFM (8-spd.)

5.3L V-8 w/DFM (8-spd.)

6.2L V-8 w/DFM (10-spd.)

3.0L I-6 Turbo-Diesel (10-spd.)

Horsepower

285

355

310

355

420

TBA

Torque

305

383

348

383

460

TBA

Max towing

8,000

11,000

7,200

11,600

12,200

TBA

Max payload

2,500

2,430

2,280

2,190

2,100

TBA

EPA-estimates (city/hwy/comb)

N/A

N/A

N/A

17/23/19

16/20/17

N/A


Pricing

Chevy set pricing for the 2019 Silverado at $29,795, however, that’s for the bare-bones, regular cab, work truck. Moving up to the double cab work truck or crew cab work truck increases your entry-level price to $33,695 or $36,095, respectively. If you want more than the bare bones, you’ll have to pony up at least $36,095 for the Custom double cab with a standard bed. Move up to crew cab, and you’ll pay $38,495. Prices go up incrementally from there, with the range-topping High-Country commanding $54,495. In double cab configuration, your range-topping model is the $44,495 LTZ trim level.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado Prices

Reg Cab Long bed

Double Cab Standard bed

Crew Cab Short bed

Work Truck

$29,795

$33,695

$36,095

Custom

--

$36,095

$38,495

Custom Trail Boss (4x4 only)

--

$40,995

$43,395

LT

--

$38,395

$40,795

RST

--

$40,295

$42,695

LT Trail Boss (4x4 only)

--

$47,395

$49,795

LTZ

--

$44,495

$46,895

High Country

--

--

$54,495


Competition

2018 Ford F-150

The biggest competitor in the half-ton pickup category is the F-150. It’s also the best-selling vehicle in America, regardless of vehicle category or price point. That’s saying something. Still, Chevy will have time to one-up the F-150, whose latest version debuted in 2017 as a 2018 model. The F-150 comes in literally hundreds of bed, cab, trim, drivetrain, and option combinations, making the truck incredibly customizable.

The powertrain list is long. It starts with a 3.3-liter V-6 as the base engine. A 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 and 5.0-liter V-8 are the mid-range engine choices, while the 3.5-liter EcoBoost is what Ford wants you to buy. Those getting the F-150 Raptor will automatically get a high-output version of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost that’s rated at an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Most models come with Ford’s new 10-speed automatic transmission Lower trims get the six-speed automatic.

Ford's latest engine is a new 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel. This new Power Stroke makes 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy and towing specs have not been announced, though the engine is expected to go on sale in late 2018.

Prices range wildly depending on trim and options. The base XL truck starts at $27,380, but a decked-out Limited trim with all the options checked will top $68,000.

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford F-150.

2019 Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 also underwent a massive generational update for the 2019 model year. Like the Silverado, the truck is completely new from headlights to hitch and offers some tantalizing new interior features including a new 12-inch touchscreen. The new frame is lighter and stronger and the suspension has been revised for a smoother ride while boosting the Ram’s payload and towing capabilities to an impressive 2,300 and 12,750 pounds, respectively.

The 3.6-liter V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8 are both heavily updated and offer an available mild-hybrid system. It uses an electric motor in place of the alternator that receives power from a small battery pack to help provide low-end torque via the engines’ belt drives. On the V-6, the system will supplement 90 pound-feet of torque and an extra 130 pound-feet on the 5.7- liter Hemi.

Top-end horsepower and torque specs remain unchanged from the previous generation. The V-6 still provides 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. The Hemi kicks out 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy ratings haven’t been announced.

The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 will return in the new Ram, though the date has yet to be announced. Power levels have increased to 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque.

Of course, prices for the new 2019 Ram 1500 haven’t been announced, though we won’t have to wait long. Ram says the new truck will arrive in showrooms by the end of Q1 2018. Prices for the current Ram 1500 start at $26,495 for the base Tradesman trim and peak around $56,000, just to give an idea.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 1500

Conclusion

Chevrolet has done a good job at revitalizing the Silverado. It shares almost nothing with the outgoing truck and improves on nearly every metric save (undoubtedly) on price. Its longer cabin provides more rear legroom and storage area, while rear HVAV vents and keyless starting bring the truck in line with its competitors.

Chevy’s new RST and Trailboss trim levels should prove popular among retail customers wanting a more stylish – and with the Trailboss, more capable – truck. The added interior storage compartment will make everyday life more organized, while the new cargo bed with its wider floor and reinforced tie-downs will make using the Silverado for truck stuff more effortless.

We can’t wait to hear more about the new powertrain upgrades, especially the new 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel, and how they improve the Silverado’s fuel economy. It’s an exciting time in the half-ton truck market, for sure. Ram’s new 1500 is extremely impressive and the revised-for-2018 Ford F-150 continues to be the most popular vehicle in America. It’s a tough race, but Chevy has an impressive new runner.

References

Chevrolet Silverado

Chevy Offers the 2019 Silverado in Eight Trim Levels Across Three Groups

Does The 2019 Silverado’s Dash Resemble A Porg?

Watch The 2019 Chevy Silverado's Power-Lift Tailgate!

Chevrolet Gives the 2019 Silverado a Proper Diet

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71: An Overview

Read our full review on the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado.

Read more Detroit Auto Show news.