It’s not that the current, third-gen Silverado is a bad place to spend time in. In fact, the cabin is quite functional and utilitarian, but there is also a lot of room for improvement in terms of aesthetics and high technologies. Having closely examined the spy shots of the new Silverado, here’s everything we do and don’t know about the 2019 Silverado interior prior to the official unveiling of the all-new half ton truck next week.
What We Know
The spy shots show an interior that is quite similar to the one in the current Silverado, with the design being more about functionality and practicality. But there are key differences worthy of mentioning. So, here’s what we believe we know for sure about the 2019 Silverado’s cabin.
1. Larger Cabs
From the looks of it, the the all-new 2019 Silverado 1500 will feature larger cabs than the current models.
Though we have yet to see the Regular and Double Cab models in spy shots or in official pictures, the Crew Cabs definitely appear to be larger than those of the current K2 platform Silverado. Here’s to hoping the Double Cabs, which replaced theExtended Cabs from the GMT-900 generation, also grow in size.
2019 Silverado 1500 undergoing testing
2. Driver-Side Step Assist Handle
One of the more common complaints of the current, K2 Silverado is that it doesn’t ship with a step-assist handle on the driver’s side from the factory, making it rather difficult to get into the truck, especially for models without running boards. Though the handle is available as a dealer-installed accessory, that’s the equivalent of shipping a four-door vehicle with three door handles, while leaving the fourth one as an optional extra.
Nevertheless, it looks like the 2019 Silverado interior will include the step-assist handle for the driver as a standard feature from the factory.
3. Keyless Entry, Keyless Start
Another common complaint about the K2 Silverado was the lack of two key features (no pun intended): keyless entry and push-button start. Even top-line models such as the Silverado High Country, which have as starting price of roughly $50,000, didn’t offer them, and their absence means that owners must always take out the key to enter and start the truck – a significant inconvenience in light of more modern solutions. The good news is that it would seem that the 2019 Silverado interior will finally gain both features.
We see the silver keyless entry buttons on the door handles in the reveal video, while a spy shot does show the presence of keyless start. But there’s a twist: it would appear that keyless start on the 2019 Silverado will be accomplished by turning a knob on the steering column, rather than pushing a button. We think it’s interesting why Chevy went with such a solution, though something tells us that an extensive amount of research played into the decision to go with “knob-turning” over “push button”.
Update: there’s some debate on whether or not the item on the steering column that we believe to be keyless start is actually that, or something else like the column shifter. We’ll have to wait for the official reveal to find out for sure.
4. Elimination Of The Column Shifter
Another area of debate on the K2 generation Silverado was the gear selector: some prefer to shift via a console selector over a shifter on the steering column. But based on the absence of any shift selection mechanism on the column or in the center console seen in the spy shots, it would appear that the 2019 Silverado cabin will shun both shifters and instead get a version of GM’s new Electronic Precision Shift (EPS).
AÂ digital shift selection mechanism, EPS enables two key advantages:
- Decoupling the gear selection interface from being associated with one specific mechanism, and
- Enabling the gear selection interface to be placed almost anywhere in the cockpit
The 2018 GMC Terrain implements EPS via R, N and D buttons on the center stack, immediately below the HVAC controls
The 2017 Cadillac XT5 implements EPS via a joystick-like shifter in the traditional spot on the center console
These benefits enable engineers to make the gear selection interface nearly anything they want and place it anywhere in the vehicle. In the third-generation Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac XT5, for instance, EPS is in the form of a joystick-like shifter in the traditional spot on the center console. By comparison, 2018 GMC Terrain drivers select gears by simply pressing a button.
Though we don’t know what form the EPS mechanism will take in the 2019 Silverado, we’re certain that designers will opt to keep the center console space “open” for storage, cupholders and the like – just as they did for the K2 Silverado.
Update: there’s some debate on whether or not the spy shots actually feature a column shifter or not. We’ll have to wait for the official reveal to find out for sure.
5. New Infotainment System, Steering Wheel Controls, But No CD Player
Though the MyLink infotainment system in the K2 Silverado gets the job done, it also leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the user experience, especially in terms of speed and responsiveness. Luckily, spy shots of the 2019 Silverado interior show the center screen running the new, third-generation GM infotainment system – which is significantly better, faster, and more responsive than the predecessors. The system first debuted in new Cadillac models as CUE 3.0.
What’s more, the spy shots show the steering wheel as having new controls for media and cruise, as well as the absence of a CD slot in the center stack. GM as well as other automakers have been actively removing optical media players from their vehicles in light of most consumers bringing digital media into their vehicle on their smartphones. Even so, Chevy might offer a CD player as an accessory that hooks up in the glovebox to appease those who yet to embrace the 21st century.
What We Don’t Know
And now, here’s a list of features we don’t know for sure that the 2019 Silverado interior will have… but we certainly hope that it will.
1. Rear Camera Mirror
General Motors surprised the industry when it introduced the Rear Camera Mirror on the 2016 Cadillac CT6. The extremely helpful and innovative solution effectively delivers a live super-wide-angle, high-resolution digital video feed of the area behind the vehicle into where the traditional rearview mirror resides.
Traditional rearview mirror (left) vs. Rear Camera Mirror (right)
A key selling point of the feature is that it does away with unnecessary distractions one often sees in a normal rearview mirror, such as rear seat occupants, headrests, pillars and glass. Currently available on a small yet growing number of GM vehicles, the Rear Camera mirror would be right at home in the 2019 Silverado; not only would it be useful, but it would also a major competitive advantage for the new Chevy truck, giving Chevy the ability to leverage its presence in marketing materials and to deliver a pretty unique, not to mention cool, demo at the dealer.
Those concerned about the rear-mounted camera lens that makes this all possible getting dirty need not to worry: a small washer sprays down the camera when windshield washers are activated. To note, the camera mirror can be disabled by simply “pushing” the mirror’s stem forward; doing so switches to the good-ol’ regular mirror.
2. More Active Safety Features & Super Cruise
The current K2 Silverado offers various basic active safety features, such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, and GM-exclusive Active Seat Alert. But the truck doesn’t offer more advanced collision avoidance features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (available on GM’s full-size SUVs), Surround Vision and the ultimate in GM active safety – the Super Cruise autonomous driving system.
2018 Cadillac CT6 with Super Cruise autonomous driving system activated
We’d like to see all of these make their way to the 2019 Silverado interior as optional features. Each one will be highly useful in a full-size pickup truck while also enabling GM to charge more for the features, thereby raising ATPs and per-unit profit margins.
3. HVAC For The Second Row
Selling a full-size pickup truck with four doors without real A/C vents for the second row is just bewildering in today’s market. What’s even more head-scratching is that every single competitor has one except for the Silverado (and its GMC-badged twin, the Sierra). Sure, the current K2 Silverado has smaller vents under the front two seats… but that’s a lame excuse of a feature.
The bottom line is that those sitting in the back, whether kids, fellow colleagues or other family members, are no different from the driver and front-seat passengers in that they, too, get hot and cold. So, why don’t they get any love from the Silverado’s HVAC department? We’re hoping that the rear seats of the 2019 Silverado gains real air vents, as well as tri-zone or quad-zone climate control.
4. Factory Camera System For Towing
Truth be told, the K2 Silverado does offer a towing camera system. Made by EchoMaster, the optional system adds up to four cameras in an effort to eliminate blind spots and enhance the driver’s ability to line up to the trailer and hitch it when backing up. While that’s great, there two problems with this solution.
The first is that the system is dealer-installed, and a significant difference between a dealer-installed item, and one that comes straight from the factory. The second is that its integration with other the Silverado features leaves a lot to be desired.
So, we hope that the 2019 Silverado offers an integrated trailering camera system straight from the factory.
5. Centered Steering Wheel
You won’t notice it unless you really closely, but the K2 Silverado’s steering wheel is not centered to the driver’s seat. It’s not necessarily a big deal, but it might be important to discuss how and why it took place.
While the K2 Silverado grew in width compared to the GMT-900 Silverado that preceded it, the placement of the steering system was not accordingly moved to the port side, or to the left. This hints at corner-cutting, and we sincerely hope it doesn’t take place with the all-new 2019 Silverado on the T1 architecture.
6. More In-Cab Storage
Though the K2 Silverado aptly delivered an increased amount of storage space in its dual glove box, center bin and console, it doesn’t provide any storage in the rear of the cab. By comparison, rivals such as Ram provide removable in-floor storage bins for things like tools and valuables. And though the K2 Silverado is offered with a plastic under-seat bin as an accessory, its quality leaves a lot to be desired. All that means that there is an opportunity for better and smarter in-cab storage areas in the 2019 Silverado.
Spy shots appear to show that the dual glovebox design will continue in the 2019 Silverado interior, but we’re also hoping for the addition of more useful storage space in the rear of the cab.
2014-2018 Silverado introduced dual glovebox and improved center console storage
In-floor rear storage compartment in the 2019 Ram 1500
7. Oversized Moonroof
An oversized moonroof would be the proverbial bee’s knees of a full-size truck. And with Ford offering the feature in its F-150, we see no reason why Chevy can’t do the same. Sure, there are weight-related concerns in adding a huge piece of glass on the roof… but we’re sure that the benefits will negate any downsides by those who truly want it.
About 2019Â Chevrolet Silverado
The 2019 Silverado 1500 was surprisingly revealed at the Chevy Truck Centennial celebration in Texas on December 16th. Chevrolet says that the all-new truck is the result of over 7,000 customer interviews – the most intensive research in its history. The brand has stated that the pickup will use “higher grade alloy steel” in the bed floor as well as various mixed materials that will result in a reduction in weight and improved performance. The truck will also offer an expanded amount of models for a total of eight, including the new 2019 Silverado Trailboss, with more engine/transmission combinations and more technology and convenience features. The new truck is believed to ride on GM’s new T1 platform set to be shared with other full-size trucks and SUVs.
We’ll know complete details about the new Silverado and its interior 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 &Â Resources
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Chevrolet Silverado sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- GM incentives and offers
- Future GM vehicles
- GM Forum
Comments
I am surprised that these are the things that keep people up at night to try and decide if this is a truck I really want to buy!
I can’t believe that some of these things are real selling points!
I’m not. The truck is (and has been for the last 10-15 years) becoming America’s family sedan. It has the room, the hauling/storage capacities, you can tow with it like the V8 RWD family sedans of yesteryear, it’s safe and it has better resale value than about anything else you can buy. What you need for more sales is more amenities and options. Chevrolet has been lacking big time here with their lack of standard features and lack of high end interior trims.
And it’s not like they’ve been focusing of the hard core truck crowd either. No Raptor fighter, No SFA Super Duty/Power Wagon competitor for those off roading or out in the fields, lack of wheel well space for larger tires, lack of e-coated frames (though the Colorado fixed this) etc. Ford and Dodge have had no problem covering both ends of the luxury and work truck spectrum for each and every type of buyer. It’s about time Chevrolet got it’s act together.
I’m not surprised either….increasingly, informed and objective consumers are demanding value for their money…as we should! You’re absolutely right in that it’s time GM got its act together.
Hey Brian. Give me one good reason why someone would buy a Silverado over the Ford or the Ram… outside of blind brand loyalty.
I’ll save you the trouble and tell you that there isn’t one. The other trucks offer more capability and more features, and the devil is on the details in this space.
If you think it’s ok for GM to have the only product in its class that doesn’t offer comparable features to what’s offered by the competition, great. But in the real world, that is called a competitive disadvantage.
Must be a lot of “blind loyal” GM fans out there since once again GM sold the most trucks than anyone else.
You poor guy couldn’t come up with one reason to buy a GM truck, yet GM found 950,000 fans out there. Year after year.
With lower incentives, huge cut back on fleet sales and record increase in retail deliveries, I might add.
The reason that so many less-than-competitive K2 Trucks found homes over the years is sky-high incentives coupled with established loyalty… but how long will that loyalty last when the product continues to be less competitive than the competition?
Like any other business employing this strategy, GM and its brands will only last so long riding on their laurels of the past… and after that it will be the 80s, 90s and early 2000s all over again – declining sales, poor brand and model reputation/perception, low desirability… and then that word that starts on BANK and ends with Ruptcy.
Meanwhile, Ford makes a class-leading truck, not only on paper But also in terms of features and creature comforts… a truck that truly lives up to its reputation of being the all-time best seller… outselling both the Silverado and Sierra COMBINED.
So, you keep being on the defensive, Greg…. but I see noting wrong with holding GM to a higher standard, expecting them to push themselves to make a better, class leading vehicle in any segment they compete in… and ultimately win in sales, revenue, profits, and reputation.
By comparison, the K2 trucks just barely made the cut… they weren’t outstanding by any stretch.
Not what average customer would say, but hey, it’s your opinion and you’re entitled to have it.
80s/90s are behind us. GM vehicles are way better than they used to be.
Ford trucks of those years weren’t any better and it anyone is looking for 15-20 year old truck Chevy trucks are always at the top of the list.
Ford makes a fine truck but don’t even try to tell me that it’s above everything out there. It has its own flaws and issues. It’s not perfect and retail sales prove it. Retail customers are choosing Chevy over Ford. Ford had record number of fleet sales last year. About 35% of all Fseries trucks sold were fleets.
GM is selling its product just fine. Their brands are above any other domestics in terms of reputation/perception, reliability. Have you been living under a rock for the last couple of years? Why am I even wasting my time on this?
GM sales 60k a month so I don’t think anybody can say that the GM twins are a failure. I bet you were one of the guys who said this truck would be a sales bomb! Do you remember all of those guys on this site that said this current truck would never sale? I do!
So the GM twins don’t have all the features you want, the truck must be so good that it doesn’t need to pack all these features on a truck to sale them.
Your complaining about GM putting money on the hood to move metal for a truck the is in the last year of production? Seems like that is the normal thing to do so you can make room for the T1!
If the GM trucks were garbage they won’t sale no matter what incentives were thrown at it!
GM has a better truck! Rear ac doesn’t make a better truck!
“lower incentives” is just plain wrong…The big 3 always offer huge pickup incentives…
Let’s look right now, if one were to go to http://www.chevrolet.com/ right now…Main page “START THE NEW YEAR OFF STRONG, get $9,678 off the 2018 Silverado”…
You didn’t bother to look that it’s only on Crew Cab LT All Star edition? Or you saw that and didn’t bring it up intentionally to push your agenda?
Off course there are good deals out there on all truck brands. Always were, if you’re willing to be patient and wait for right time of the year.
With that, GM has cut back on incentives and is willing to sell less vehicles for more $ than more vehicles for less $
You’ve exposed my agenda to get you guys to look things up prior to posting, this is all in the greater effort to stop spreading misinformation…
There has only been five days in this new year, front page of chevy.com throws nearly a $10K incentive in our faces of their latest truck…Now I click on the “Current Offers” page and there’s at least 15 Silverado incentive offers, you’re welcome to look through them (I’d take a Vegas bet you won’t)…
“GM has cut back on incentives and is willing to sell less vehicles for more $ than more vehicles for less $”
Consider strengthening your position by replacing vague phases with actual examples…There’s a FRONT PAGE $9,678 incentive right now, are you telling me it was actually higher last month? If so then your vague statement is actually true…
I didn’t have to look at Chevy’s page to know that. That incentive has been offered throughout the years and has always been offered only on the All-Star edition truck. So every time someone comes up with the “10K off” crap I automatically know they went to Chevy page, saw that on the first page, got excited and never bothered checking details and now try to tell us all that Chevy will sell you ANY Silverado you point your finger towards for 10K off, no questions asked.
It is you who’s spreading misinformation.
Once again, because I know that you didn’t know and still refusing to acknowledge:
Chevy Silverado LT 4WD, Crew Cab, All-Star Edition.
Now, go search for that truck within 100 miles of your zip code.
I gave you a chance to strengthen your argument…You take this opportunity to accuse me of saying “ANY”/”no questions asked” when I didn’t, ignore me mentioning there are 15+ other available Silverado incentives and elect not to expand your own vague claim with any examples…lol…This kind of entertainment is what keeps me around… 😀
Some owners do not want to be associated with anything that takes away from a truck’s macho-ness…
If we bring in the HD trucks, towing is a huge one.
https://youtu.be/2GxztJit22A
I think that your representation of the K2 truck is a little less than accurate. While the interior does look a little plain (especially on higher trims), I can confidently say the interior quality is on par with, if not greater than both Ford and Ram (especially in mid-level trims). I work for a rental company that rents Silverados, F-150s, Rams, and titans, so I handle all 4 trucks on a regular basis.
Additionally, the F-150’s max towing and payload numbers are only marginally greater than those of the K2 trucks (more than you’d want to haul with any half ton anyway), and the K2 trucks have significantly higher max payload and towing numbers than Ram 1500 and both Japanese competitors.
I guess the other trucks are a little ahead of the GM twins on some features, but then the GM twins are a little ahead than the competitors with other features. For example, with both the Silverado and Sierra come STANDARD with HID headlights.
Now I will say that GM is behind the 8 ball with rear seat features (vents), as well as cab space. The high hood and low roofline of the current trucks pinches off the windshield area and makes the cab feel smaller than it really is.
With all of this being said there are a lot of good reasons why someone would by a Silverado or Sierra over Ford or Ram other than “blind brand loyalty”. Like real world v8 fuel mileage, interior quality on low and mid trims (as I mentioned) and COMPETITIVE capabilities.
There are plenty of reasons to buy a GM truck and loyatiy just happens to be at the top of the list!
And you could say the same thing about the F-150. All I’m saying is that the current trucks aren’t the uncompetitive trucks that magazines make them out to be.
I’m not saying that the current trucks don’t need to be improved. They do need more features like push button start, rear vents, as well as e-coated frame.
All brands are extremely competitive and I don’t think one truck in the segment is significantly better or worse than the other. I think for a lot of buyers it comes down to loyalty, personal preference, and pricing.
With that being said, GM needs to hit these trucks out of the park, especially with the next gen Ram coming out at the same time.
In the case of the high country, where GM makes the most profit, a lot of their buyers own second cars…So if they’re use to driving say a CT6, they’re going to want these “things” even when they’re infrequently towing their boats…
As long as GM offers a Silverado configuration that meets your needs, there’s no need to worry about how other people use their vehicle…
Especially the shifter style. Give me a break.
Maybe I’m seeing things, but it looks to me like the picture about keyless start is actually the picture of the column mounted shifter. But it could just be me.
I’d like to see a screen that’s at least 9″ if not 10. The 7 or 8 should be base.
I’d love to see a roll down rear window too.
Agree with roll down rear window…..would also love to see a pano sunroof
The keyless start pointed out in the spy shot is the end of the column shifter tow haul button. It is the exact same column shifter shape as the current and last gen trucks.
Guys. That is a column shifter. Button on the end is Tow/Haul. Same as a couple others have noted.
I noticed that too, I got worried when I read the article though. The day Electronic Precision Shit makes it into the trucks is the day a buy a Ford, but if the Expedition is any hint, they might not be far behind either :(.
It could very well be. We’ve updated the article to include the uncertainty about this area. We’ll see on the 13th 🙂
Alex, Any word on a time on the 13th?
You do realize most cars today from Toyota all the way to Benz use off set steering wheels.
Currently certain legal requirements for steering wheels which means there has to be a mechanical link between it and the front wheels so there is steering column and steering rack mounted to the front of the car. Combine this with the need to make the car crash in a controlled manner (within limits) to protect the occupants and that necessitates a certain amount of structure to either side of the engine running from the front bumper and into the passenger cabin firewall and under the floor; add in the amount of space needed to enable the front wheels to turn to steer the vehicle and this pushes the structure even further inboard. Getting the intermediate shaft around the structure then often necessitates angling the steering column inboard to join up to the steering rack as the line between the steering wheel and the steering rack should be as straight as possible to reduce the amount of backlash in the knuckles in the column so that it is not felt by the driver.
It is more geometry and regulations vs. cost cutting.
No rear AC and push button gear selector (if that’s correct) current 6 speed transmission and off center steering wheel would certainly equal no sale to me!
Manual transmission? Im sure a few people said that out of the 7000
aka regular cab short box 6.2 manual
Many cars and trucks have the off-center steering wheel design element. Some people think it is engineers cutting corners, while others incorrectly believe it is because of crash safety standards or to help keep driver bodies in some kind of optimum position. It’s pretty obvious to me though, and should be to anyone who’s ever driven a small car. To turn a wheel, you need elbow room. If engineers design a large arm rest on the door, then there needs to be enough space to allow drivers to comfortably turn the wheel with their left arm. Moving the seat further inward negates the point of the fancy new arm rest, so instead they slightly offset the steering wheel.
I have zero issues with where the steering wheel Is positioned and I have been driving chevys all my life. If a person doesn’t but a GM car or truck because of this so called issue then they must not be happy unless they are complaining about something.
Do you think GM could even build a truck interior that people won’t complain about? After being on these types of forms I am convinced that giving the customer everything they want will still not make then happy and content! They will find a reason to not like something about it!
I always try to speak to my own experiences. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion, and can buy whatever they want. I bought a 2007 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax Classic new with 46 miles. Drove that truck 140,000 miles it saw a dealer 1 time first year transmission cooler lines leaking. 10 years 22 MPG on highway 16 city. In April bought a new Denali 2500 HD Duramax. Thought I could live with no rear HVAC vents, was told it will be ok, it’s not. Was told DEF fluid needs to be filled 5000 miles or at oil change but at 2200 miles my DEF fluid low warning came on. At 1800 miles the headliner developed a rattle, dealer fixed. Now a Recall and a Campaign. 18 MPG highway 13 city. This thing pulls a trailer like a tank, but all around isn’t near the truck my LBZ was. I am a 34 year GM loyalist, but lately it is hard to stay. For the first time in my life I looked at Audi, BMW, and Ford. My 2015 Canyon has a low speed down shift glitch, no fix. A 2015 and a 2017 both have been to dealer more than the LBZ with 140,000. Most friends and family switched to Ford, and Toyota. Hopefully the new one will be better. We will see. Than again trade more $$$$. Not Happy. Hate moving backwards.
I love this jeep monster.
Under the console is a small seat for a child? Is it safe for children to ride there?