Chevy has been selling the Silverado for decades now. Although the company keeps updating the product frequently, and it serves quite well for the general folks, it does not have enough to please enthusiasts. The Silverado has some real powerful trucks in the form of the heavy duty ones, but there is no truck that is 'fast'; not even in the light pickup category. Ram and Ford have that covered with the Rebel TRX and the F-150 Raptor, but Chevy lags behind here (no, I don't count the Trail Boss as a fast one). So, it was imperative for an aftermarket manufacturer to take over the reins and offer customers what they are looking for, and, Callaway has taken that position.

2019 Chevy Silverado by Callaway

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Chevy Silverado by Callaway
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Overview

Perhaps, that is why it realized the potential of this niche market and decided to step in. Callaway currently has plants in Connecticut and California where it works on vehicles from Mazda, Aston Martin, and GM, to name a few. This company has worked on the Chevrolet Silverado and it sure fills the vacuum left by the American automaker. But, do enthusiasts accept it as the 'performance-oriented Silverado'?

Exterior

- The face does not feel as blingy as the rivals - Callaway SC480/SC560 badges - Tow hooks are placed way too close to the foglamps and can damage them - No telescopic mirrors - No MultiPro Tailgate

The Callaway package can be had on any trim and any box configuration. I'll be basing this review on the High Country trim. The center strip penetrates into the headlamp section that splits the vertically-stacked headlamp clusters. The headlamp clusters come with LED Daytime Running Lights and they look good in action. Chevrolet has installed a body-colored bumper, unlike the lower trims that offer a steel unit. At least that's a little less chrome. The bumper comes with an air damn section at the bottom that also houses the fog lights and two tow hooks. The Callaway package adds an SC480 badge for the smaller engine truck and SC560 badge for the bigger one. Being a limited production package, the company has installed a Callaway build plaque with Vehicle Identification Number under the hood.

The side profile of the High Country looks as generic as it can. Even a five-year-old can draw it with a 100-percent precision. The square wheel arches are square and look very muscular. I find the ones on the LT Trail Boss much better-looking. The Silverado 1500 misses out on the telescopic wing mirrors. In the 2500 and 3500 Series, Chevy uses a four-bar link system that extend out and retract to give a clearer view behind. These are very helpful when you have a trailer hitched to the truck. The High Country adds a side step to the truck, unlike the lower trims. On the front door, you can find the Callaway sticker to differentiate it from the standard Silverado 1500.

The tailgate has no special features whatsoever. Just like the front, the taillamps are vertically-stacked and feature the same design as the headlights. he truck bed can be accessed without opening the tailgate. 'Callaway' badges can be found here as well. I believe Callaway should have featured slightly larger badges to differentiate it from the standard Silverado. Take Hennessey, or Roush, or Tuscany, for instance. Their products look mighty different from the products they are based on. There is no MultiPro tailgate here, which is quite shocking because GMC has offered it on the Sierra. Nevertheless, news has surfaced that the 2021 models could come with the MultiPro tailgate; but that will be the Heavy Duty Series. The 1500 Light Duty will offer it as an option.

Interior

- Callaway-branded key fobs, floor liner, etc - Leather-wrapped steering wheel - Eight-inch touchscreen system - Build plaque with serialized numbers

The cabin is not as plush as the ones found on rivals. People spending over $50,000 would prefer a cabin that looks and feels more upmarket. However, that does not apply for the Callaway editions. People equipping this package on their truck are mainly doing it for what's being offered under the hood. Even in that case, I'd suggest going for the GMC Sierra Denali, which comes with the same powertrain, but better interior. The cabin also feels slightly old with more buttons and knobs than touch-sensitive stuff. Speaking of the space and comfort, there are no complaints in this department. The other features include:

-* Eight-inch touchscreen systemDrive

-* r Information Center with 4.2-in. multi-color display

-* Chevrolet MyLink Radio

-* HD Radio with Sirius XM Satellite Radio

-* Digital Steering Assist

-* Leather-wrapped steering wheel

-* Remote Keyless Entry

-* Outside heated power-adjustable mirrors

-* EZ Lift & Lower tailgate

-* Remote locking tailgate

Callaway, on the other hand, has made its presence felt through exclusive Callaway-branded floor mats, door sills, interior badging, Callaway key fobs, and an authenticity documentation package. Although it worked in case of the Callaway Sierra, the Silverado, without a doubt, feels lackluster.

Drivetrain

- 5.3-liter, V-8 engine - 480 Horsepower - 477 Pound-feet of torque - 6.2-liter, V-8 engine - 560 Horsepower - 553 Pound-feet of torque - Towing capacity up to 12,500 pounds - Payload capacity up to 2,030 pounds - Callaway GenThree Supercharger System - TripleCooled Intercooler System

After criticizing the way Callaway approached the exterior and interior, let's talk about its strong point - the engine. The standard Chevy Silverado 1500 comes with a choice of two engine options. First one is the smaller 5.3-liter, V-8 engine that develops 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. In case of a two-wheel-drive setup, power is sent to the rear wheels. In case of the four-wheel-drive configuration, power is sent to all the wheels. Irrespective of the drive setup, the engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The second one is a bigger 6.2-liter, V-8 engine that churns out 420 ponies and 460 pound-feet of twist. Power is sent to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission here. Callaway has gone ahead and installed a twin-Vortex supercharger that the company likes to call the 'GenThree Supercharger System'. A huge cold air charger intake system has also been added that helps bump up the power significantly. An integrated intercooler system helps cool down the intake air on its way to the intake manifold.

Getting back to the topic at hand, these changes have increased the power figures by almost 25-percent. The 5.2-liter engine now makes 480 horses and 477 pound-feet of torque, whereas the bigger 6.2-liter mill develops 560 horses and 553 pound-feet of torque. Like I mentioned earlier, both these engines can be paired to either a two-wheel or four-wheel drive setup. The tuner has also installed its trademark Low Restriction Exhaust System on the Silverado.

As for the fuel economy, the smaller engine needs a gallon for every 17 miles covered, whereas the bigger engine drinks a gallon to take you 19 miles. Wait a minute; these are the figures before the Callaway mods. The SC480 and SC560 will definitely be even more thirsty. On that note, the towing and payload capacities are not altered. The truck can tow up to 12,500 pounds, and comes with a payload rating of 2,030 pounds.

Pricing

The Callaway package is priced between $17,000 - $28,000 depending on the engine you choose. The High Country trim starts at $53,000. So, the starting price for the Callaway Silverado 1500 will be around $70,000. This also includes the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

Final Thoughts

The Callaway package adds a good amount of oomph factor to the engine, but if you were to look at the Silverado as a complete package with these mods, I think you should look at other options. While the engine does its bit, the rest of the things don't stand out as much as, say, the F-150 mods by RTR and Roush. The creature comforts and the whole cabin needs to be pleasant and plush, but the Callaway Silverado is nowhere as good. If you are hell-bent on getting a GM product, better go for the Callaway Sierra 1500. It is offered only in the Denali trim which shoots the price high, but that trim is at least loaded to the gills and feels a lot more premium than the top-of-the-line Silverado 1500.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado.

Read our full review on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT.

Read our full review on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD.

2020 Chevy Silverado HD Debuts with New Engine, Massive Towing Rating

14 Things You Have to Know about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD