When GMC unveiled the all-new 2019 Sierra 1500, it showed off the truck in the high-end SLT and Sierra Denali trim levels. Shortly after, the brand unveiled the all-new truck in the new off-road-focused Sierra AT4 configuration. That left us with two lower-end trims – Base and SLE – for which we don’t have photos. In March, however, we brought you photos of the 2019 Sierra SLE undergoing testing completely uncovered, leaving only the base model as the one that we don’t have photos for – until today.
Our spy shooter just managed to catch up with a completely uncovered base model 2019 Sierra 1500 as the truck did its round of testing on public Michigan roads – finally giving us our first look at the base 2019 Sierra.
Compared to the high-end Sierra SLT and Denali, the exterior of the base-model 2019 Sierra wears several cost-saving elements, including:
- Smaller wheels
- Unique grille with black plastic inserts
- Deletion of fog lights/bottom LED lights, with the spaces covered by black plastic inserts (blanking plates)
- Black plastic daylight opening surround (trim around the windows)
- Black plastic door handles
- Black roof-mounted communications antenna
- Traditional single-outlet exhaust treatment
- Black plastic fender inserts (blanking plates) in place of the V8 badges
The last item is perhaps the most interesting: while all other variants of the 2019 Sierra that we’ve seen thus far have featured a V8 engine designation with the associated displacement, including 5.3L V8 or 6.2L V8, this model features no engine designation whatsoever – making us wonder what’s lurking under its hood. So far, GMC has only announced three engines – the aforementioned 5.3L V8 L84  and 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline mills, as well as the 3.0L I6 Duramax Diesel engine for the 2019 Sierra, conspicuously leaving out any lower-end engine(s).
We expect to have complete details on the 2019 Sierra 1500, including the equipment, features and powertrain of the lower-end models – which are currently missing from the 2019 GMC Sierra order guide, at some point in the new future – as the truck is set to launch this fall.
Comments
Hopefully the 4.3 V6 will be sticking around as the base engine. We have a 2018 with the 4.3 where I work and it’s just such a fantastic engine. It has all the torque you need down low in the powerband, which you can’t say about many other NA V6s, including the 3.6. If I were buying a basic work truck it would absolutely be a Silverado/Sierra with the 4.3.
As always, these Baseline Work Trucks will probably have the 5.3 Liter as an option rather than just the 4.3 Liter, that’s if the 4.3 Liter will be reintroduced for the 2019 model year, one thing I would admit about this truck though, despite the fact that this is a Work Truck, the GMC Canyon sized Wheel and Tire combination on this truck would have to go.
What strikes me as strange is that on the base that the front and rear bumpers have park assist on them.
Might be slightly optioned up from absolute base. Reverse camera is standard/mandatory, so GM may have it all included in a standard package
Base model vehicles always look horrible and cheap i HATE base models but i HATE toyota even more
Generally I agree. But in this case – except for the wheels and plasticy black interior – the GMC actually doesn’t look bad. With some 22″ wheels I bet most would never guess this is a base model.
LED CHMSL THANK YOU GM!
Haha, that is important? Wow so exciting! Great, so now if a bulb burns out or breaks instead of $3 bulb I can get at Walmart I have to go to the dealer and special order either an at best single bulb for $30, $100+ led strip or how manufacturers like to bend you over a $300 entire assembly. Super! All because some guys want led’s that look no different than a regular halogen bulb. What is the fascination with LED’s?
Apparently younger people today love to pay more for everything despite having no money
The 4.3 V-6 is a dog! GM needs to bring a turbo/twin turbo charged V-6 option to the table. The 4.3 really lacks the power that you would expect in a half ton and the gas mileage does not look any better than the 5.3 liter V-8. The towing capacity would be greatly improved. I have driven an F-150 with both the 2.7 liter and the 3.5 liter Ecoboost engines and there is no compromise for towing, power, or fuel economy.
The 2.7 ecoboost competes with the 5.3 and the 3.5 ecoboost competes with the 6.2 so no, it does not compare in terms of power and it’s not meant to. The 4.3 competes with the NA 3.3 from Ford (which I have driven) and the 4.3 is so much better for truck purposes. In terms of the 4.3 being a dog, maybe you’re thinking of the pre 2014? The current one makes around the same power and torque as the original 5.3. Like I said in my earlier post, I drive a 2018 with the 4.3 on a daily basis at work and I could be fooled into thinking it was a v8 if not for the sound.
The 4.3 is a base engine. Any turbo V6 would not be a base engine. The only turbo nefine GM has that would be a suitable replacement is the 2.0T and then you’re down on power and torque. The 4.3 is a solid engine, remember it has almost the same specs as the previous generation (2017-2013) 5.3L Vortec. And now the trucks are lighter.
I can only assume you are one of the uninformed who thinks the 4.3 is the old V6. It was all new in ’14, and is anything but a dog. Dealerships are mostly to blame for this, they pushed the 5.3…
The shame is the 4.3 is plenty of engine for most applications, and it gives the truck a much lighter, more nimble feel. My 2014 4wd with 4.3 gets 23/24 highway, the ratings are not accurate, the 4.3 is considerably better on fuel.
After putting 55k on my ’14, I just drove an ’18 Silverado with the 5.3, front end feels like a tank in comparison. Unfortunately, the v8 mentality, dealerships, and practically non-existent marketing from GM pointing out this engine was all new in ’14 will probably result in it getting cut.
Agreed, despite the tweaks that were made to the 4.3 Liter, true refinment has been MIA for quite sometime now, in my opinion.
Although not exactly a base (aluminum wheels) love seeing this! Thanks for posting. Would also very much like to see Silverado base pictures.
Look at the huge grill and hoodline from the side view . Looks like you need to be over 6ft to look up and over the hood just to get adequate visibility . Could be wrong , but I don’t see GM and Chevy trucks overtaking Ford anytime . Ford and Ram keep trimming their front ends , working on reliability and GM keeps making honking big mugs and neglecting reliability issues , in my opinion .