May 29, 2018
Steel construction, butch-styling, new engine technologies, and an option for a diesel engine is what the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brings to the table. The 2019 Silverado retains many of the superb qualities of its predecessors, yet adds some new and improved features to make it the best Silverado ever.
With a mix of high-strength steel and aluminum, this truck shaves about 450 pounds off of its total weight. Lighter materials can be found in the hood, doors, and tailgate. In turn, this not only makes the truck perform better but also increase gas mileage. Even though it is lighter overall, the 2019 Silverado has grown. It is 1.6 inches longer and has an extended wheelbase that is nearly 4-inches larger than previous versions of this Chevy truck.
This new Silverado boasts an aerodynamic efficiency improvement of 7%, thanks to a steeper windshield and an integral roof spoiler. This is true even with the 2019 Silverado riding an inch higher than other model years.
In the past, many full cab trucks have had to skimp on back seat room in order to allow room for other areas, but not with the new Silverado. Legroom has grown nearly a full 3-inches. Additionally, 2 large storage bins can fit in the rear seatbacks and there is also more storage space under the rear seat bottoms. The growth didn’t stop at the cab. The bed is almost 7-inches wider than previous models. An optional power-operated tailgate that is controlled with the key fob or a button mounted in the cabin adds to its ease of use.
With a steel bed floor, it is 1.5 times stronger than the 2018 bed. It also features 12 double-strength stationary tie-downs as well as another optional set of 9 removable ones. Chevy stamps this bed as two pieces as it reduces the weight and maximizes the bed space. The bed is covered in carbon fiber with Corvette’s composite transverse leaf-spring technology which reduces the total vehicle weight by another 24 pounds.
Buyers also have the choice of 6 different powertrain combinations. Two new gasoline V8 engines, one in a 5.3-liter unit and one in a 6.20-liter unit, have better efficiency with the Dynamic Fuel Management system from General Motors. This is the most notable upgrade to its cylinder-deactivation technology since its inception in 2005. This system is predicted to enhance fuel economy as much as 5 percent compared to previous systems.
For buyers who prefer a diesel engine, the Silverado 2019 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with stop/start technology along with a 10-speed transmission. The diesel 2019 Silverado is manufactured in Turin, Italy. Chevy has not yet revealed why the straight 6 system was chosen other than its noise and vibration characteristics.