2019 Silverado: The Newest Iteration of the Working Man’s Truck

Starting from the front of the truck, Silverado enthusiasts will realize a number of changes immediately. For starters, although the typical split front headlight design remains, the fenders protrude between the headlight and the turn signals. The hood is also friendlier with the headlights, shirking the intermediate pieces from previous generations.

The fog lights now reside in the front valence, lower than they were on the previous Silverado models, making them more effective. Granted, having fog lights in the first place is dependent on your Silverado sub-model of choice. The standout front grille is no longer a singular chrome or color matched strip. Instead there are a couple of vents into the engine bay to better handle greater engine demands.

Moving to the front side of the Silverado, we encounter more changes. The most notable of them all is the wheel arches. Those of you new to the Silverado line up may wonder why of all things we choose to shift our focus here. This is because the 2019 Silverado is the first of its kind to have rounded wheel arches instead of the usual square shape. Aside from the break in tradition, rounded wheel arches allow for larger rim and tire size combos. Think of it as avoiding the “fitting a round peg into a square hole” issue. Because of these rounded wheel arches, certain sub-models will come with 33-inch tires off the assembly line. Another added detail to the wheel arches are the fender vents to help with brake cooling. The last subtle change in the front is windshield angle.

The rest of the major changes are in the business end of the Silverado, a.k.a. the bed. For starters, Chevy engineers squeezed out an additional 10 cubic feet of space in comparison to the previous year (53 cubic feet up to 63 cubic feet when comparing short bed Silverados). In fact, there’s an extra seven inches of space between the wheel humps. The rear step in the bumper is also larger, and the bed features 12 welded in place tie-downs along the rim of the bed capable of restraining 500 lbs. a piece. Near the passenger side rear corner of the bed, there’s a 120-volt power outlet for all your tailgating and emergency equipment needs.

Speaking of tailgates, the 2019 Silverado features a fully electronically controlled tailgate. Press the button on your key fab, the button inside the cab, or the button on the tailgate handle itself, and you’re in business. There’s even a camera in the tailgate which we’ll talk about more a little later. This powered tailgate comes standard on the RST, LT Trail Boss, and LTZ. It’s an option on the Work Truck, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, and the LT Silverados.

You still might be wondering about Chevy shaved 450 lbs. of an otherwise sizeable truck. The answer is aluminum. Each swing panel (hood, doors, tailgate) is constructed of aluminum. The rest of the body and frame is steel. Specifically, the ’19 Silverado has a reinforced floor, a roll-formed steel bed. Overall the 2019 Silverado has 8.9 inches of ground clearance and four more inches of wheelbase.

*All photography courtesy of Arv Voss from TFLTruck.com*

In terms of suspension, some Silverado models will feature carbon composite springs akin to those on the Corvette as well as forged aluminum control arms. The drive modes are only selectable via an electronic knob on the left side of the steering wheel. Some models will feature a 10-speed automatic as well as a new fuel management change. The fueling change is an update on Chevy’s active fuel management system (the new version is called dynamic fuel management). This system allows for seventeen different firing orders to maximize fuel efficiency. If you’re stopped for more than three seconds, the system will shut down the engine to boost MPGs. The dynamic system is only available on the 5.3L and 6.2L engines.

6.2L V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management

• 420 horsepower & 460 ft-lbs of torque
• 10-speed automatic
• Automatic stop/start
• Available in the LTZ and High Country

5.3L V8 with Active Fuel Management or Dynamic

• 355 horsepower & 383 ft-lbs of torque
• 8-speed automatic (Dynamic Fuel) or 6-speed automatic (Active Fuel)
• Automatic stop/start
• Available with the 8-speed in the LT Trail Boss, LTZ, High Country, LT, and RST
• Available with the 6-speed in the WT, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss

4.3L V6 with Active Fuel Management

• 285 horsepower & 305 ft-lbs of torque
• 6-speed automatic
• Available in the Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss

2.7L Turbo with Active Fuel Management

• 310 horsepower & 348 ft-lbs of torque
• 8-speed automatic
• Automatic stop-start
• Available in the LT and RST

3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel

• 10-speed automatic
• Automatic stop/start
• Available in the LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country
• Not available at the start of 2019

The biggest changes to the interior are hidden. The logic behind the 2019 Silverado’s interior is based on the success of the previous generation. In truth, there aren’t many changes to highlight here aside from the increased legroom and shoulder room. As we mentioned before, the panel on the left-hand side of the steering wheel has changed up.

The 4-wheel buttons have become a singular knob, and there are a few more selectable modes: terrain mode and sport mode in addition to tow/haul, off-road, and snow/ice modes. Your parking brake is now electronic (in fact, most features of the interior are electronic), and the screen in the center of the dash is a source of trailering information, parking camera views, and more. You also have a heads-up display to reduce the time your eyes are off the road.

If all the electronic doo-dads aren’t to your fancy, the most interesting aspect of the 2019 Silverado in comparison to its predecessors is the rear seats. Hear us out. In an effort to make the Silverado feel more like a luxury truck, Chevy engineers added sound deadening in the rear seats rather than in the body panels. All to make more room in the cabin and quiet down the interior. Another feature of the rear seats (no joke) is the “secret” compartments in the seats themselves. In fact, you could easily play a game of hide and seek with your valuables. The 2019’s interior has numerous storage compartments aside for the rear seats to solve that proverbial truck interior storage issue.

In short, with the 6.2L engine, the max trailering package, and 4WD has the highest towing ability at 12,200 lbs. At the lowest, you’ll be looking at a 6,700-lb. towing ability (the 2.7L Turbo with 4WD and the standard size bed). Within these thresholds, tow your heart out. The great thing about the 2019 Silverado, is there are several other features to assist with your towing needs aside from the raw towing numbers.

Your biggest assets are the dash display and the myriad of cameras hidden all over the Silverado. The dash display has a step by step checklist for hooking up a trailer, trailer profiles, a way to test your trailer’s lights, and even service reminders for your trailer based on those handy trailer profiles. The trailer profiles are like different loadouts for your Silverado. The profiles monitor trailer mileage, trailer tire pressure, maintenance reminders, and even reminders that you have a trailer hooked up in the first place. This system will even automatically put your Silverado in tow mode if it notices you have a trailer hitched up.

So what about those cameras? From front to back you have one in the front (mostly for safety features and parking assists), one in each mirror (for lane departure safety reasons and trailer theft alerts), and one in the tailgate (this one powers your hitching assist features). The beauty of all these cameras plus your dash display is you can hitch your trailer by yourself. The dash display even provides a top-down view of your hitch.

The trailer theft alert comes into play when you're parked. Since you’re in tow mode, your Silverado knows there’s a trailer hanging out behind it. Should anyone tamper with the hitch, the theft alert sets of the truck’s horn and alarm as well as alerting OnStar. The tow mode itself changes the acceleration maps so you’re not slogging from stopping at a red light while facing uphill. The trailer system even automatically engages the parking brake when you shift your truck to park.

To start with, let’s identify which sub-models are available.

• Work Truck (2WD or 4WD, Double Cab w/ Standard Bed, Crew Cab w/ Short Bed or Standard Bed)
• Custom (2WD or 4WD, Double Cab w/ Standard Bed, Crew Cab w/ Short Bed or Standard Bed)
• LT (2WD or 4WD, Double Cab w/ Standard Bed, Crew Cab w/ Short Bed or Standard Bed)
• RST (2WD or 4WD, Double Cab w/ Standard Bed, Crew Cab w/ Short Bed or Standard Bed)
• LTZ (2WD or 4WD, Double Cab w/ Standard Bed, Crew Cab w/ Short Bed or Standard Bed)
• High Country (2WD or 4WD, Crew Cab w/ Short Bed or Standard Bed)
• Custom Trail Boss (4WD, Double Cab w/ Standard Bed, Crew Cab w/ Short Bed or Standard Bed)
• LT Trail Boss (4WD, Crew Cab w/ Short Bed or Standard Bed)

Not on this list is the Z71 Off-Road package, but rest assured it’s a sub-sub-model so to speak. Silverados with the Z71 package will be offered with four-wheel drive with a low-range option, an automatically locking rear differential, hill descent control, Rancho shocks, a heavy duty air filter, all-terrain tires, and an engine skid plate. This setup is perfect for those of you who are eager to take your new Silverado off the beaten path for some adventure.

An easy way to divide the eight sub-models is the Trail Boss models have a two-inch spacer lift, the RST is an LT with painted bumpers, the LTZ is your chromed out model, and if you don’t want chrome you’ll want to go with the High Country.

As far as specifics go, let’s start with the Work Truck. With the Work Truck, you’ll get the classic Chevrolet graphic on the grille and tailgate, black trim pieces, and 17-inch wheels. Your interior options are vinyl or cloth, but you still get the 7-inch dash display. The Work Truck is only offered with the EcoTech 4.3L V6.

The Custom Silverado is all about color matching. Parts like bumpers and mirrors will match the body instead of being black or chrome on other models. The Custom also features 20-inch aluminum wheels, LED tail lights, and you can elect for dual exhaust.

If you’re looking for a little more, there’s the Custom Trail Boss. The Trail Boss nets you the 2-inch factory lift setup as well as the Z71 package. Enjoy you locking rear differential, don’t forget about the skid plate, and with this set up you’ll be sitting on 18-inch wheels and Goodyear off-roading tires.

The LT Silverado is the showier cousin. Chrome adorns the bumpers, front grille, and the mirrors. You get LED, reflector headlights, and the in-dash screen is bumped up to 8 inches. Leather is also an option with the LT, but you’ll be rolling on 17-inch aluminum wheels painted bright silver.

The RST Silverado is a stepped up LT. This truck is more oriented around street performance, and there are some additional lighting upgrades. On top of LED headlights, you’ll get LED fog lights and tail lights. You can also elect to boost up to 22-inch wheels, but 18s are standard. They’re the same bright silver, aluminum wheels on the LT.

Another way to bump up the LT sub-model is going for the LT Trail Boss. Just like the Custom Trail Boss, you get all of the off-roading goodies, but keep in mind this Trail Boss is only available with the EcoTech 5.3L, the 8-speed automatic, and the updated dynamic fueling system. A dual exhaust system sets this model apart from its other LT cousins.

The LTZ Silverado has even more chrome options for those of you who need that extra dash of flair. Chrome bumper accents, chrome front grille, chrome mirror caps, and chrome door handles. Not to mention those mirrors are now power folding and heated. Vinyl and cloth interior isn’t good enough for this luxury truck. The leather interior comes standard.

The High Country Silverado’s claim to fame is an exclusive front grille as well as side steps with chrome accents. The grille is two-tone, chrome and bronze, and the High Country is the only model that comes standard with HID headlights. If you’re looking for a one of a kind Silverado, the High Country fits the bill.

Crew Cab w/ Short Bed

• 2 inches wide
• 7 inches long
• 9-inch bed
• 5-78.2 inches tall

Crew Cab w/ Standard Bed

• 2 inches long
• 4-inch bed
• Max bed volume: 71.7 cubic feet
• 2,180 lb. payload
• 12,100 lb. max trailering capacity

Double Cab (only comes with the standard bed)

• 2 inches wide
• 7 inches long
• 4-inch bed
• 6-78.5 inches tall
• 7 cubic feet in bed volume
• 2,190 lb. payload
• 12,200 lb. max trailering capacity

Regular cab (only comes with the long box)

• 1 inches wide
• 1-inch bed
• 6 inches tall
• 5 inches long
• 9 cubic feet in bed volume
• 2,250 lb. payload
• 10,100 lb. max trailering capacity

*All photography courtesy of Arv Voss from TFLTruck.com*