As we sampled the K2xx Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, which started from 2014 and will continue to be built alongside GM’s new T1xx Silverado and Sierra for fleet purposes this year, we got a good feel for their strengths and weaknesses. For the most part, they got a lot of things right. They’re quiet, good looking, packed with decent road-trip tech, boasted great fuel economy for their size, and at the end of the day could still tow and haul most of the things. However, that never stopped us from coming up with a couple of wish lists of features we would like to see on the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Straight from the wish lists, we now go through and see what was granted.
1. A Tailgate With Integrated Tie-Downs: Sort Of.
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 will feature three tie-down points in each corner of the truck bed, for a total of twelve, which is enough to make any Shibari practitioner knotted up with excitement. However, there are no tie-down points located on the tailgate. It’s still an improvement from before, but there’s still room for more tie-down points.
2. A Cargo Surveillance System: Expected.
Towards the latter half of their life cycles, the K2XX Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 were upfitted with a dealer-installed camera system that monitored whatever the trucks were either towing or hauling. The cameras are mounted to the outboard mirrors, and the third brake light above the rear cabin window. A similar system is expected on the T1 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups.
3. A Hands-Free Opening/Closing Tailgate: Sort Of.
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 introduce an automatic opening and closing tailgate with the touch of a button on the key fob. The action can also be done manually, as before. Yet there’s no foot-motion controls for opening and closing the tailgate, and we’re sure that anybody with two armfuls of mulch bags will be questioning why when they have to fumble for their key fob, or set their parcels down to open the gate manually. In effect, it would be the same amount of work to open the tailgate as before.
4. A Side-Step: Not Yet.
While nothing quite beats the vintage stepside aesthetic, Ford and Ram offer foot-controlled kick-out assist steps located just aft of the cabin and before the rear fenders to make it easier for workers to access the truck bed from its side. And while it’s very early into its lifecycle, the next-generation Silverado and Sierra pickups are missing this feature, and remain coy as to whether or not step assists will debut on the new trucks. We’ll keep wishing for a stepside configuration, while we’re at it.
5. Vertically And Horizontally Adjustable Bed Tie-Downs: Not Yet.
Rather than over-complicate the truck bed with rails that would allow the tie-down points to slide about to a desired position, GM simply increased the number of tie-down points, but none are located in the middle section of the bed. The accessories department could change that.
6. A Deeper Bed: Yes.
By nature of its larger design, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra now have class-leading box depth and cargo space, at 63 cubic feet. Which is great for anybody doing anything with a truck, basically.
7. 360-Degree Camera: Expected.
Navigating the biggest half-ton pickup trucks GM has ever built will definitely need the visual aid of a surround view camera. Not all of the safety and tech announcements have landed from either Chevrolet or GMC, but we fully expect a camera system such as this to make the cut.
8. Exterior Power Outlets: Yes.
Along with the added space and more tie-downs, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 will incorporate an exterior 110-volt outlet to optimize any work or play day. Think about running a miter saw, or plugging in a portable slow-cooker pot, or charging a laptop. All of it underneath the clear sky.
9. Integrated ladder racks and roof racks: No.
We expect any form of rack mounting system to come in the form of an accessory.
10. Power-folding tow mirrors: Expected.
Power-folding tow mirrors made it to the outgoing Chevrolet Silverado High Country HD and Sierra Denali HD, and we expect the technology and learnings from that program to trickle down into the upcoming T1 GM trucks.
11. Push-Button Start & Keyless Entry: Yes.
Welcome to 2018, where General Motors has finally integrated a push-button start system into its full-size trucks. Hopefully they’ve done something to soften the annoying horn alerts when the driver leaves the keys in the vehicle when its off, or exits the vehicle with the keys while the vehicle is on.
12. Optional Console-Mounted Shifter: Not Expected.
Where Ford has a console-mounted gear select, and Ram has a minimalist rotary dial, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra – even the 2019 Sierra Denali – are sticking with the space-saving column mounted shifter configuration. It’s basically tradition at this point.
13. Dual Exhaust Option: Yes.
Every trim level of either the 2019 Silverado 1500 or the 2019 Sierra 1500 that have so far been revealed publicly feature bumper-integrated exhaust ports. Don’t confuse them with the larger bumper assist steps.
14. Uncompromising Off-Road Variant: Expected.
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trailboss and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 show promise to elevate the off-road wherewithal of GM’s half ton trucks. However, a rival to the F-150 Raptor remains to be seen, but it’s far from unexpected.
15. Second-Row AC Vents: Yes.
This one was a big one for anybody seeking even basic second-row comforts. Especially as full-size trucks have embraced the role as the important family carryall, just as much as trucks are used for work. Along with the second-row AC vents, heated seats are available in upper Silverado and Sierra trim levels, as well.
16. Smarter Bed Solutions: Yes.
Oh, yes. Look no further than the CarbonPro bed of the 2019 GMC Sierra Denali that’s allegedly designed to be apocalypse proof. Additionally, the trick MultiPro tailgate offers something that the rest of the industry has yet to conceive.
17. Updated Center Console And Dash Design: Sort of.
The interior of both the 2019 Silverado 1500 and 2019 Sierra 1500 are indeed all-new. Even the steering wheel is on center(!), but the layout remains very familiar to anybody that’s found themselves in the outgoing Sierra or Silverado. That familiarity can either be a strong asset, or a weakness depending on one’s point of view.
18. Higher-End Silverado Trim Level: Unsure.
The current range-topper for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado is expected to be the High Country variant, while the 2019 GMC Sierra Denali escalates further upmarket with its cutting-edge bed solutions. It’s possible that eventually Chevrolet will enjoy a CFRP truck bed or configurable tailgate, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee a higher trim level. That said, the 2019 Silverado Trailboss off-road-oriented variant is a new entry into the lineup.
19. Half-Ton Diesel: Yes.
Both the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 are expected to offer a Duramax-branded 3.0L inline-six turbodiesel engine to compete with the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and F-150 V6 Power Stroke. Horsepower, torque and fuel economy remain a mystery.
20. Less Weight: Yes.
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is said to be as much as 450 pounds lighter than before. This could pay dividends in the fuel economy department. However, fuel economy numbers aren’t official just yet.
About Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a lineup of full-size pickup trucks sold primarily in North America but also the Middle East and in certain markets in South America. Slotting above the mid-size Chevrolet Colorado, it is Chevrolet’s largest pickup truck and consists of the 1500 light duty model and two Heavy Duty models – the 2500HD and 3500HD. The family will soon expand with the addition of the Conventional Class 4 and Class 5 Medium Duty trucks – the Silverado 4500 and Silverado 5500. The vehicles will be significantly larger than the Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 variants and ride on a completely different chassis co-developed with Navistar.
The 2018 Chevy Silverado represents the fifth model year of the third-generation Silverado. It is based on the GM K2 platform shared with other full-size pickup trucks and SUVs from GM. Though the line continues to sell relatively well, it is becoming less competitive in the marketplace when compared to its primary rivals such as the Ford F-Series as it lacks cutting-edge features such as turbocharged engines, a rugged off-road variant such as the Ford F-150 Raptor, a diesel engine option in the light duty (1500) model, and also various modern features and equipment.

All-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country
Luckily, an all-new Silverado is on the way that is expected to address the issues of the K2 model. Chevrolet showed off the all-new Silverado 1500 in a surprise reveal at the Chevy Truck Centennial celebration in Texas on December 16th. The brand says that the all-new truck is the result of over 7,000 customer interviews – the most intensive research in its history. In addition, Chevy announced 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 will launch for the 2019 model year and is believed to ride on GM’s new T1 platform shared with other future GM full-size trucks and SUVs.

All-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country
Chevy then revealed the all-new Silverado at an invite-only media event on January 13th, 2018 ahead of the 2018 North American International Auto Show. However, the brand did not share all the details about its all-new half ton truck, but did state that the model is significantly lighter (by roughly 450 pounds over the K2 model). It also showed off the eight trim levels of the 2019 Silverado 1500, and also stated that it will be available with six powertrain combinations, including 5.3L and 6.2L gasoline V-8 engines as well as an all-new inline-six 3.0L Duramax Diesel engine. The other three powertrain options have yet to be announced, something we expect to take place once GM unveils its all-new 2019 Sierra on March 1.
The Chevrolet Silverado is built across the following GM plants:
- GM Flint Assembly in Flint, Michigan, USA
- GM Fort Wayne Assembly in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
- GM Oshawa Assembly in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
About GMC Sierra
Based on the GM K2 platform, the 2018 GMC Sierra represents the fifth model year of the third-generation Sierra. Though the vehicle continues to sell relatively well, it is becoming less competitive in the marketplace when compared to its primary rivals such as the Ford F-Series, as it lacks features such as turbocharged engines, a rugged off-road variant such as the Ford F-150 Raptor, a diesel engine option in the light duty (1500) model, and also various modern features and equipment.
Luckily, an all-new Sierra is on the way, which will hopefully mend the issues with the current model. Expected for the 2019 model year, the new Sierra is rumored to be based on the new T1 platform and is expected to become lighter than the current model. See more on the future Sierra.
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Comments
I don’t think the follow was too much to ask for:
a) 10% Power and torque bump on V8s
b) Nicer interior, what we got is basically just an update from the current trucks
c) better sunroof and rear window options
d) a better reveal, this BS of dragging it out only giving away bits and pieces here and there is not ok
HONESTLY THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST PUT THE 455HP/455TQ LT1 UNDER THE HOOD AND CALLED IT A DAY.
ENGINE LINEUP SHOULD HAVE LOOKED SOMETHING LIKE THIS
3.0 DURAMAX I-6 TURBO DIESEL ALLISON TRANSMISSION & DANA AXLES
5.3L V8 400HP/405TQ 10-SPEED AUTO
6.2L LT1 455HP/455TQ 10-SPEED AUTO
6.2L HIGH PERFORMANCE S/C VERSION ZL1 SPEC 10-SPEED AUTO
INTERIOR COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE NICER, BUT NOT A MAJOR GRIPE, WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN IT BETTER COMPETE WITH THE MOPAR BOYS.
LIKE I SAID I MORE JUST WISH THAT WE COULD GET MORE STREET PERFORMANCE TRUCKS. PERSONALLY I’D LIKE TO SEE FORD, GM AND DODGE GIVE ONE LAST GOOD HURRAH WITH MUSCLE CARS AND MUSCLE TRUCKS BEFORE THE WORLD GOES ELECTRIC AND HYBRID AND GIVE US SOME REAL ENGINES. WOULD LOVE TO SEE FORD GIVE US A 7.0L DOHC 428CI V8 IN A MUSTANG AND AN F150 LIGHTNING, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE CHEVROLET GIVE US ANOTHER 427CI SMALL BLOCK WITH THE LT1 STYLE TOP END AND PUT IT IN A CAMARO AND A SILVERADO 1500 AND FOR DODGE TO BRING OUT THE 7.0L 426 BANSHEE AND PUT IT IN A NEW CHALLENGER, MAKE A CHARGER COUPE AND SEDAN WITH THE 426 BANSHEE, A 426-DURANGO AND A 426 RAM 1500 STREET PERFORMANCE REBEL TR PICKUP TRUCK. JUST GIVE US FIVE GOOD YEARS TO ENJOY CARS LIKE THAT AGAIN. GIVE US THE COLORS AND THE ENGINES WITH ALL THE NEW TECH AND COMFORT AND THEN GO AHEAD AND GO ELECTRIC OR WHATEVER THIS AUTOMOTIVE WORLD IS GOING TO DO. WE JUST NEED THAT ONE LAST GOOD OLD-FASHIONED AMERICAN HURRAH!
SO WHAT ABOUT A HIGH PERFORMANCE V8 POWERED STREET VERSION OF THE SILVERADO 1500?
What is THAT GUY going to post about now that the steering wheel is on-center?
They got is 3/4 right but dropped the ball on the volume powertrains and the interior. I’m also worried about the 8 speed going volume like the 6 speed before it and that was a good transmission. The 8 speed has garnered a lot of complaints from various magazines and owners in the trucks and Escalade/Denali series so I sure hope they straighten that out before this truck goes prime time.
As much as I love GM, they are really starting to let me down. Its not like they have done anything to make me leave the brand(s) (yet), but the little things are becoming more overlooked and forgotten.
No large sunroof in the Silverado.
Ass-ugly new designs (Camaro, Malibu, Silverado HD, and to an extent, the terrain). A few have grown on me (terrain, Silverado 1500, CT6), but IMO the designers are a bit…… lost.
Plastic in a 60k Cadillac.
Lack of variety in the Cadillac lineup,
little to no support for sedans (Gas prices will eventually increase again).
Having to spend $40,000 for a midsize diesel.
Too many EPS systems, and push button gear selectors.
Hopefully we will see a 3.0L Duramax in the new Suburban.
Still no lowered ZQ8 sport version.
There is an LPO side step that is currently available, similar to what Ford offers. It will most likely be offered in the NG 1500 GM trucks.
I guess I am looking for something different. I want a half ton truck that can do everything I need it to. Yes I like all of the electronic goodies, but what is most important to me is the following? 1. Does it have enough power to pull a 8,000 pound trailer up a mountain highway at 65 mph. I think they are meeting this, but I haven’t seen tow ratings yet. I love all of the tow features they have added to the GMC Sierra seen here (http://www.gmc.com/gmc-life/trucks/trailering-and-towing-technology-in-the-next-generation-2019-sierra 2). I want a 4 wheel drive system that works both great on the highway in snow and still does well in 4 low off road. My 2004 GMC Sierra Z71 does the off road great, but is only ok on the highway. 3. A multi function tailgate. I Love the multi function tailgate on the GMC Sierra, it should be optional on Chevrolet. 4. Can it haul a good sized heavy payload? We know the size is good, but I haven’t seen payload numbers yet.
I am a homeowner, a do it yourselfer, and an rv owner and I need the truck to meet all of my needs, I am hoping that this meets them.
Get an auto-transfer case (4Auto) and you’ll have a truck with 4WD for highway driving. Can leave it in 4auto even on high traction surfaces, so no need to worry in the winter when i go from unplowed streets to plowed and salted streets. I sure hope you aren’t running 4HI on asphalt highway? With 4Auto, 4HI is basically never needed and honestly 4LO should almost never be needed, I daily drive through f***ed up mud-silt-loose gravel/stone/cobbles-sticky wet clay conditions, like mud soup up to the axles and clay that sticks like cement, and only once have I put it in 4LO and that was coming off a frozen lake (ice fishing) up a snowy ditch embankment to get back on the highway with a sled in the bed. Duratrac, OpenCountry AT2, KO2, those are what make the difference off road and still quiet and comfy on road.
Thanks for your advice. My 2004 that I purchased new has 4Auto and it is what I use for slick highway, but it doesn’t click in until it has some slippage. My AWD Equinox gives you the confidence of always being engaged. I agree that when I have used 4Low I probably would have been ok with 4Hi, but I love the torque you get in 4Low. I also have the OpenCountry AT2 and they are great.
Yup I run AT2s as well. Not as good as duratracs in the rain, but they are quiet and treadlife is phenomenal.
Under what highway speed conditions do you benefit with AWD?
One time when I was in my Equinox with AWD, I was coming down a highway pass and a hail storm hit and all of the cars in front of me were skidding off the road, because the hail completely covered the road, I was the only one that made it through for as long as I could see in my rear view mirror, including 4wd trucks. I am sure part of it is that this was in California and I was probably the only one that grew up driving in the snow, but I have to give a lot of credit to the AWD system. I don’t know if 4 auto would have kicked in in time before I was off the road, as there was no time to slow down and was doing at least 60 when the hail storm hit.
Not doubting it, but remember AWD is only an advantage when accelerating. As soon as no torque is going to the wheels it’s just like every other vehicle.
For me, 4Auto has been seemless and you would never notice/feel it engaging and it’s used, it’s not until you switch back to rwd and just skid and slide about with TC taking over, then you realize how much torque transfer was being made on demand to the front end.
The difference between a true AWD and 4Autonis this:
4Auto, at least on GM vehicles, is not AWD (which you and I both know). AWD indicates that there would be a center differential so all four wheels are receiving some sort of input all the time. 4Auto works by monitoring wheel speed difference between the front and rear wheels and engaging the transfer case using a viscous coupling (essentially a clutch, like shifting gears in an auto transmission) very quickly to engage the front wheels. When engaged, however, there is no differential action between the front and rear axle. While in 4Auto the transfer case does apply a slight amount, maybe 5% of overall torque demand, sent to the front wheels at all times, so it’s always slightly sending torque upfront. When the vehicle senses a difference in speed from the rear axle to the front, the clutch within the transfer case applies more torque to the front driveshaft to make the front and rear axle turn at the same speed. Kinda like a slightly slipping 4 wheel drive. If the vehicle continues to see a speed differential from the front and the rear axles, the clutch within the transfer case continues to add more torque and eventually will be locked in. As the wheel slip goes away, the transfer case returns to the 5% mode and waits for the next slip event.
I think all trucks with 4Auto also have the G80 auto locking rear diff.
The interior is a huge let down.
I am kind of disappointed. Now that they let the cat out of the bag on the horsepower and tow ratings for the 5.3 and the 6.2. It just don’t seem like they put all they could into it. I know that’s not everything but the interior is very similar as well. I’m glad they are lighter and more fuel efficient. But I just feel let down about the new engines being the same as the ones they had for the past 5 years. I don’t know if it’s at its threshing point but I would like to see the 5.3 at least around 375-380hp and torque around 400lbs-ft since it is the bread and butter engine being sold the most. Your up against the 5.7 and 5.0 and the 5.3 doesn’t compete with those motors anymore. I’m sorry I love the 5.3L, but it needs more power and Chevy always had more power than Ford. And the whole “ Oh boy! but we have the 6.2L and nothing can compete with that” but not everybody is going drop $60,000 for the best motor. That to me is silly. I want a truck with more horsepower I should be able to get it on a mid-level LT model. It just makes me mad that they do that. Now I’m just left with a sour taste in my mouth. They geared everything so tall to max out fuel economy, and don’t offer 4.10’s or 3.93’s. I hope I’m wrong about this, but I don’t like how they package trucks.. I don’t have to have air cooled seats and 360 degree cameras and HUD etc.. although that’s stuff nice.
I like a TrailBoss truck with a 6.2L and still have 4.10 gears if I ever wanted to tow. Doesn’t have to be the max tow edition just a nice truck that isn’t tampered.. I hope GM is listening. You could do better with updating the engine or refine it to have more power. Secondly dont ignore the fact that people do want a 6.2L without wanting a LTZ or High Country. I know what people like and I have good taste so you should listen lol.
Everyone keeps screaming gears gears gears, these trucks are geared well. With all the gears in the transmission the first gear is something crazy like a 6.10 geared truck just 10 years ago, 4.10’s aren’t needed. Then with the taller OD gears it can get great mpg on the highway. When towing it is ok for the truck to run down a couple gears or shift down when needed, it is saving you gas as well as giving the power for the hills. All people hear is the end number in the rear end and that isn’t what matters anymore, the transmission gears are key. People need to adjust their train of thought to the times…
Wishes not granted:
True offroad beast of a truck to compete with Raptor – fail.
Release date in 2018 – fail.
Updated interior instead of rehashed version of the previous gen – fail.
They’re beautiful trucks, but severely lacking in many areas.
The rehashed interior is spot on, it is truck derived and useful, not some car based interior made to look pretty and not function as well. They took an excellent useful truck interior and added better quality and soft touch stuff which everyone was complaining about, it can also be used with gloves, has tons of storage and be durable. Not sure what the complaint was other than I bet you want a Tesla or Audi interior with a huge honkin i-pad in the dash?
Teslas and Audis and Caddys are what trucks like Denali and High Country are compared to. If you’re doing heavy duty work, you’d be nuts to buy one of those. We’re talking about family vehicles to be used for light duty work.
If they want to put the basics in a base model truck, so be it. But compared to high end Ford and Ram models, it looks weak. GMC did a much better job than Chevy, but I’d wager the average consumer would much rather have the time and $$ that was put into the swiss army tailgate be put into the interior and/or drivetrain instead. Hard to imagine that this new truck that is supposed to leap 2 generations ahead will have exactly the same power as the old model.
And, yes, the Ram’s huge display set a high bar that GM ignored. So does the ram and ford panoramic sunroofs. But hey, they can waste $$ on an engine that can run on one cylinder, even while admitting that you’ll likely never experience the truck running on one cylinder.
Ram has pulled well ahead of Chevy in appearance, IMO. I don’t trust Ram’s reliability, but this lifelong Chevy guy now has a hard time seeing why he should continue to choose Chevy over Ford.