Today we are taking our first look at the all-new 2019 Chevy Silverado, and when I say all new, I really mean it. It’s been redesigned from the ground up.
Let’s start with the size. The 2019 is longer, wider, and taller. It has a longer wheelbase, which gives you 3 extra inches of back seat legroom. They also widened the truck bed by 7” so a 4x8 piece of plywood fits with the tailgate down.
Chevy is also using aluminum on the hood, the tailgate, and both doors. The inside of the bed is still steel and the use of aluminum cut 450-pounds versus the 2018 Silverado models.
There are also plenty of engine choices for 2019. My review truck has an updated 5.3-liter V8 and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Together they are putting out 355-horses. You can also get a 4.3-liter 6-cylinder, the 6.2-liter V8, a 6-cylinder diesel engine, and coming later is a 4-cylinder.
My review vehicle is a 4-wheel drive package called the Trail Boss, which features large tires and glossy black wheels, a 2” lift from the factory (a first for me). You’ll notice a lot of glossy black trim on the exterior, redesigned larger exterior mirrors, square dual exhaust tips integrated into the rear bumper, and new Z71 and Trail Boss emblems.
This is the mid-level LT trim, but there are many more choices from years past, like the Work Truck, LTZ and High Country. Although not the top-of-the-line model, the interior of this LT is nice. Not a lot of stitching, but enough to notice. I thought GM designers would put a console shifter in this all-new truck, but opted instead to stick with the steering column shifter to give you more center console room. It worked, the center console storage is very large, has a couple of USBs inside, and a nice touch-it has a light inside, and lots of places to put your cell phone.
I felt at home in the cabin, it is reminiscent of the last generation Silverado. The touchscreen is easy to operate, the gauges and driver info readout is easy to see, and they moved all the lights and 4-wheel drive controls to the left of the steering wheel. This truck has storage, cup holders, and cubbyholes everywhere, including dual glove boxes. Fold the back seat up and you have a ton of cargo area.
Standard equipment includes a Bose stereo, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple Car Play, Android Auto, and remote start. Under the air conditioning controls are a row of buttons that lets you turn off start/stop, turn off parking sensors, turn on the 110-volt power source, and something really cool, you can lower the tailgate from inside. On the upper line trims, you can close it the same way, another first I’ve seen. It also operates from the key fob.
A few other cool features include: storage actually built into the back seats, GM made the corner steps on the rear bumper larger to accommodate boots, and this year you get pushbutton start and keyless entry.
This truck comes well-equipped with power seats, power sliding rear window, heated seats and heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, voice activation, and trailer towing package. It’s rated to tow 9800 pounds as this one is equipped.
Although larger, the ride and drive is very good and it was less bouncy than I expected. The 5.3 V8 under the hood has plenty of power.
Total MSRP on this one is just a little over $57,000 but bear in mind, it’s missing air conditioned seats and a moonroof.
Fuel economy is about average at 15 in town and 20 on the highway.
