Though we won’t know the complete details surrounding Chevy’s all-new 2019 Silverado 1500 until January 13th, 2018, we were just able to glean a minor yet important detail about the truck’s cabin: the 2019 Silverado interior will gain a step-assist handle on the driver’s side.
The most recent 2019 Silverado spy shots clearly show the presence of a driver step-assist handle located on the inside potion of the A-pillar. We couldn’t gleam this from the 2019 Silverado Trailboss that was shown at the reveal event because the windows on that model were tinted, and Chevy didn’t allow anyone to come close enough to the truck to peek inside.
The latest 2019 Silverado 1500 spy shots show the presence of a driver’s-side step assist handle (click to zoom)
The step-assist handle is very helpful when entering a high-riding vehicle such as a pickup truck, as it provides a secure point that a person can grab onto when getting in. This is even more important in models that are lifted or otherwise have a higher ground clearance. In the case of the 2019 Silverado interior, the addition of the handle is noteworthy given that the current-generation, K2 platform Silverado did not feature said handle for the driver (albeit the item is available as an add-on accessory installed by the dealer). The K2 Silverado did, however, provide the handle for the front passenger as well as for both of the rear passengers (on Double Cab and Crew Cab models). Not providing such a handle on the driver’s side left the driver no choice than to grab on to the steering wheel entering the truck. Needless to say, a steering wheel makes for a poor alternative to an actual handle – so we can see why the new Silverado is adding it.
The current/K2-platform Silverado (2014-2018) does not have a step assist handle for the driver. 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country pictured.
We should also note that both of the Silverado’s primary competitors – the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 – feature step-assist handles at every door, and it looks like the 2019 Silverado is doing the same. Regardless of who was first to add the feature, making it easier for owners to get into their truck is a worthy cause.
About 2019 Chevrolet Silverado
Believed to ride on GM’s new T1 platform, the 2019 Silverado 1500 is the result of over 7,000 customer interviews – the most intensive research in Chevrolet’s history. The brand has gone on record in saying that the all-new Silverado will use “higher grade alloy steel” in the bed floor as well as various mixed materials, resulting in a reduction in weight and improved performance. The truck will also offer an expanded amount of (eight) models (including the new 2019 Silverado Trailboss variant) with more engine/transmission combinations and more technology and convenience features.
We’ll have more details about the 2019 Silverado interior and the new Silverado as a whole at Chevy’s upcoming media event scheduled for January 13th, 2018 ahead of the 2018 North American International Auto Show. In the meantime, be sure to follow our Chevy Silverado news coverage.
[nggallery id=937]More Information & Resources
- Running GM sales results
-
- Running Chevrolet sales results
-
- Running Chevrolet Silverado sales results
- GM incentives and offers
- Future GM vehiclesFuture Chevrolet vehiclesNext Silverado
Comments
Actually the current trucks do offer it, and its actually standard on the 2500/3500’s, and can be added to the 1500’s as an accessory, I added it to my ’15 Midnight Edition.
So… as an accessory = Not from the factory = weak sauce.
I’m really surprised that GM is so far behind on the current trucks. Given that these are there principal ways of making money, I would expect them to really pay much more attention to the details here… and that didn’t happen with K2. Here’s to hoping that the T1s will be much more competitive.
I agree! And rear AC duct under the seat is not the same as rear AC vents! My older 2002 Ext Cab LT MY had rear AC vents, so I was surprised and disappointed to find my 2014 Crew Cab LTZ didn’t? GM cut corners there so I’m happy they’re finally addressing shortcomings!
I know of a lot of door handles on fords that have broke off in the driver’s hand.
I would prefer that Chevy would start making trucks again. The 1991 Cheyenne and the 1999 Dodge Ram were/are stronger, tougher, faster and easier to service than my 2015 Silverado, which I purchased new 12/20/2015.
I will concede that GM makes an attractive truck, however, I will probably spend 40-50K rebuilding a late 1990’s truck than to purchase a current model GMC product.
Truthfully,
Bryan Coulson
You are the exact customer Chevy hopes they can attract you to their previous Gen Silverado…
1991, 1999 and 2015 all have drastically different safety, mpg and emissions regulations to adhere to…And why stop at 1991? I’m sure a truck from 1982 would be easier to work on than a 1991…
GM in 2015, GM, along with many other automakers, joined the effort to block people from working on their own cars; GM went as far to say that purchasers of their vehicles are not “owners” but rather “license” them from GM…Most of their statements cite the dangers of “owners” gaining access to vehicle computers yet they bury a tiny little statement: “vehicles are so intertwined that they shouldn’t be allowed to be tinkered with.”
https://jalopnik.com/carmakers-want-to-make-working-on-your-car-illegal-beca-1699132210
Rich is correct on the handle.
Also the early mules were seen with there a long time ago.
i hit my head on these in fords a fair few times, mostly cause they stuck them in headspace areas, drivers can just grab the steering wheel just as easilly
Lol. Grabbing the wheel is not a good solution. Do we want another ignition switch recall, but this time because of people dislodging the steering wheels?
Cmon guys. This is a good feature. There is a reason why everyone has it standard with their trucks. Where it’s positioned is key. Im sure GM can do better than ford in this regard.
The only legitimate way I could see this happening is when a tall person for whatever reason has to move the drivers seat far forward…Otherwise they’re out of the way for just about everyone except those who are super tall…
We have 3 super duties at work and have broken 3 out 3 assist door handles.
I work at GM and I’ve installed the driver’s side assist handle on many 1500 trucks as a factory PDI add-on. This is nothing new unless they’re making it standard on every truck.
A PDI item installed at the dealer is not the same thing as the item being installed from the factory.
When you say you work for GM, do you really mean you work for a dealer?
Yes, a GM dealership, my apologies.
The phrase Day Late and a Dollar Short comes to mind here. Rear vents anyone? LOL
You do realize there are vents under the seats and the use if bi level routs AC to them or just putting the full floor mode in heat Channels Air.
While I agree they could do better they did address this with vents. Just look under the seat of any Chevy Be it HHR, Nox, Colofado or Silverado they all have them.
Yep, my ’99, ’04, ’07, and my current ’15 all have rear seat HVAC ducts, I love when people complain about not having them…..they do!
But do you live in a country where there is real snow and it gets REALLY cold?
Try heating the back properly driving 70 MPH into -30 degree Celsius weather mixed with some fog where you need to have it at full defrost.
While I like GMC product a truck without real rear seat vents——come on—are those engineers still going to kindergarten school?
Yes I do live where it gets cold and there is snow, in the single digits here now in Pittsburgh with plenty of snow, as said before the trucks have rear seat heat vents.
Exactly! And same applies for those who live in very warm tropical climates.
I too live where it was 5 degrees today.
Like stated by me above the rear vents are not the best but they are there if you know to use them. Most people have no idea they are there or what setting to get them to work.
GM should state they are there and how to get them to function. Many of us found them sweeping the car out.
I am wagering the new GM trucks will get vents in the roof like the suv models.
This falls under GM’s design philosophy, “Build what we want, the customer can live with it”. Non defeat-able start/stop anyone?
You may need to check but it may be undefeatable due to meeting goverment Regs.
They may not be able to count CAFE MPG number if the system can be shut off. We see this on the skip shift issues too.
There isn’t a “cannot be disabled” mandate/reg anywhere globally, beyond it being enabled by default to count yet it’s possible GM knows something the public doesn’t…One XT5 article stated:
“Before you rush to judgment on this, give it a try; chief engineer Paul Spadafora noted to us that they don’t allow you to disable it, in part because they put so much effort into making it unobtrusive; if you hold securely on the brake pedal and lift the slightest bit, the engine will restart ahead of a left turn, for instance, and it will even “learn” that you don’t want the engine to turn off in some situations.”
You can find tuners/companies that can disable it, just like you can disable AFM/DOD and the skip-shift, I disabled the AFM on my last two trucks, as well as the skip-shift on my 2011 Camaro SS.
You are correct that many tuners can and will disable some of these systems.
The skip shift and AFM shut off is very popular.
I expect the same will happen on the auto stop as it become much more common on the larger engined vehicles.
When you get into things that can effect emissions or mpg the goverment can be very particular on some of these systems.
There is no stated rule it can not be included but you h ave to consider that the agencies can deny the mpg or emissions gains if the button is included.
In this day and age of needed every MPG and emission cheating this is a very sensitive area.
Has anyone tried to find a O2 sensor simulator in the last 5 years. They have been pretty much been banned even from the aftermarket. The EPA can enforce things ala cart or even with out stated rules.
I posted in another tread where the EPA 2 years ago tried to reinterperate the laws on the books to say it was illegal to tamper with emissions on everything including off road and full on race cars. There is now pending legislation to prevent this.
It is scary how a goverment agency could be permitted to go rogue and to change laws as passed by congress and the Senate.
The auto makers also work to skirt other areas. Drive By noise is played with by putting exhaust is specific locations or like GM on their two stage mufflers.
Chip tuners used to skirt things by making them work at WOT where at the time there was no regulations.
This is just a dance that the automakers do not take lightly. One mistake can be millions in fines.
The future of this is still in flux as more companies will add this system and many will not be able to be disabled unless you go to manual mode or push a button every time you start the car. Many customers will be unhappy and the MFGs will have to walk that line between the customers and the goverment.
Seems the ergonomics of entering or exiting a truck is to grab the closest thing like the steering wheel which has been used for generations. Woops I forgot we are prepping everyone for self driving vehicles.
Driver side assist handle can be had from the factory or GM parts department, dealer or online for about $50 on two color a grey and tan. Check out ebay and Flow CHEVY.
Useless for me. Have one but never use it because I am tall, light and agile. But people do complain about not having one in the forums all the time so I guess other people need it.