As the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 continues to trickle into dealerships, the comparisons tests cometh. Edmunds rounded up the three major players in the truck segment to see which of them delivers what truck buyers will appreciate most.
And unfortunately for the new Silverado, it didn’t fare too well. Judges put the pickup in last place compared to the Ford F-150 and redesigned Ram 1500. The panel noted the 2019 Silverado simply didn’t feel like a brand new truck compared to the refreshed F-150 and new Ram 1500.
Interior and road noise was also more prevalent in the Silverado and the driving style didn’t match the extra performance found in the Ford, or the more refined aesthetics in the Ram. Overall, the ride was thought of as unrefined with the 5.3-liter L87 V8 engine and eight-speed automatic.
The Silverado did earn marks for its larger bed compared to the two rival pickups, though.
And finally, the interior. As we’ve crowed since we first saw spy shots of the 2019 Silverado, it doesn’t stack up compared to the F-150 and Ram 1500. Judges found the interior rather blase and not as functional as the Ram.
Comments
How could GM BE SO IRRESPONSIBLE!!! IN AN AUTOMOTIVE WORLD WHERE EVERYTHING IS EVER SO COMPETITIVE AND NIT PICKED AND THE HIT PIECES WRITTEN BY JOURNALISTS. They chance it and pretend no one will notice. The interior is destroying it for these trucks. I was waiting for these trucks ever so patiently, so I could finally buy another new one. The problem now is, Ford and GM both offer superior products, that ride, handle and are way more refined….. I’m just blown away by this stupid interior and how every media piece and shooting it out their to the buying consumer.
GM you royally screwed the pooch here. Whoever made the interior choices should be fired. The engines are just not enough and why not add Magna Ride as an option or standard now on high level trims, not discontinue it.
I don’t think anyone is saying the Ford rides or handles as well. Most say the Ford is far more jittery and stiff. The jury is out if the Denali rides as well as a Ram (test drives on 22s in Canada? 20s are better up north where the roads are rough). The Ram doesn’t haulbas much either.
GM’s interior is nicer than Fords for sure as theirs is complete crap. Basically the GM interior does well in entry to mid line trucks.
Personally I think Rams are gaudy AF inside and the Ford is cheap cheap cheap.
I totally agree!
This is the year Ram trucks will outsell Chevy. Interior is nicer set up but a little gaudy on Ram. The GMC rides better than Ram or Ford but Ram and Ford has affordable lease programs on their crew cabs. I agree GM screwed the pooch and they won’t be able to sell enough double cabs to hold Ram from #2
I think GM is going to learn a hard lesson, it’s good to know what your customers wants, so having focus groups is good, but ultimately your engineers and designers need to be more in touch with the product and decide what is needed for the future.
It sounds like they listen to Bob and Joe in focus groups too closely. Ford went against the grain with turbos and now they make up 75% of F150 sales. Ram has a 400hp eTorque engine that gets better mileage than the Silverado 4.3 V6
In such an important class, why mess around, you have to put both feet forward.
They pretty much said what everyone here said at the launch. The interior in the Chevy was a letdown for an all new truck. Functional sure but in no way upping the game. And the odd origami looking front end with it’s side air scoops/curtains just doesn’t look right. Give it a fresh world class interior.. Ditch the air scoops, shorten the mutton chops looking front fenders to a normal length and give it a full length front bumper again. It’s easy stuff here to fix.
Both of these things can be done with a quick update or during the MCE and I hope they are. We aren’t stuck with either for another 7 years because it’s baked into the engineering. No way Chevrolet can be losing out to Dodge and Ford like this.
No surprise here. The look of the “old” truck was never a problem, the interior was! SO GM changed what was working and left alone what was not! This front end is terrible! The odd front fenders, squinty eyed led’s, stubby bumper is a terrible look but nothing compares to the awful interior look. It’s so plain and cheap looking! I for one do not need a 12 inch video game like the Ram has but better color choices and quality materials inside I do want. Black? Grey? Black and Grey? Come on!? Show a tan, have a deep red or blue! Use better fabric and soft touch materials and REAL leather!
I’m sticking to my’14. Better look, same interior.
The new trucks look Sooooo much better on the outside. Interior was a lateral move but with more features and options. The radio is now fast and easy to use with a sharper picture, but should have been a 9″.
I think the biggest letdown is that the truck that people can afford is not available with GM’s best engine (6.2 V8). Not only that, but they are keeping the 8spd auto on all the cheaper trucks, but ford has it on 2.7, 3.5tt, and 5.0 trucks!
They gave the power to the people and available on almost all trims.. Chevrolet has not given a more powerful mainline engine and they will be punished in the market for this. At least on the Sierra you can get a 6.2 with the AT4, but that is the engine that needs to be available down to the cheapest models.
why? Why all this worship of the 6.2 engine?
It’s okay but if you want to tow get a 2500.
There is no need for a 6.2L engine in a light duty full size truck.
Ouch! I had a bad feeling about the new Silverado\Sierra pickups since they first revealed them to the public! If I recall correctly the last gen models also debuted to a rather a lukewarm reception! I hate to say it, but things aren’t looking too good for GM right now! For thier sake, I hope brand loyalty remains strong! Since they say they tailored the new trucks to what their customers wanted, let’s see how true this is when the sales numbers release!
What a letdown for GM, should be leading the segment, but instead choose to made all new SIlverado, that is not that new and not class leading. Hard way to learn.
LOL @ Edmunds. Nothing GM makes is good for them. I’ll wait on the rest of auto journalists to do their comparison tests.
In my subjective opinion, I think the Silverado exterior is the best looking of the big three. I think the F150 looks dated and definitely the older of the three. The Dodge is just boring to look at. However, that interior is straight out of the old Wagoner GM that was constantly derided during the 90’s and 00’s. These were the mistakes old GM leadership and bean counters made that lost GM 85 billion dollars throughout Wagoner’s tenure.
Hello Ms. Barra, the recent just good enough mantra of GM under your tutelage is not good enough. Your competition is killing you where it counts. Where the customer sits and spends most of their time with your vehicles. If all I was going to do was look at my new car from my porch, then you have me, but I like to drive and I want a class leading interior and drive trains. For goodness sakes, if FCA and Hyundai can find designers who get it, sure!y the largest domestic automaker should be able too.
Back to the future for old/new GM.
The guy literally said, I like how everything is in arms reach and the next sentence that the dash is too far out. And then I stopped watching.
TBH, the Silverado was outgunned in this comparison. I personally like it the best, exterior wise, and theres 8 different trims available if you dont like all the chrome, so they shouldn’t have dinged it for that. Also GM has the best powertrain lineup out of all these three trucks, theres something for everyone. Now I do agree the interior doesn’t push the limits like the ram does, which is a little disappointing, but overall I think GM hit it out of the park. Also this comparison was trash to begin with. Awful journalists.
As I’m finally forced into buying a truck with car steering, I’m still sticking with used. The ’14-’15 half-ton was the best looking Silverado since the ’98. All three of these things look hideous. Hopefully Bollinger will have the B1 available by the time my next truck dies so I can get rid of liquid fuel tanks forever once I’m ready to buy a brand-new vehicle.
I was waiting to buy one what a let down.
I well be keeping my K2500 Chevrolet that has been gone through from front to back. Yes I am the original owner yes I have bought 4 Chevrolet or GMC since.
I can’t believe that GM isn’t offering adaptive Cruise on any of their new trucks?
Come on man, this has been in your large SUV’s for years and the other two have it already.
Also the interior, I’ve been waiting for these trucks to come out so I can finally buy a new truck.
But unfortunately without adaptive cruise and the lack luster interior… its tough.
The 6.2L is the only thing barely keeping me interested.
Perhaps the 3.0L durmamax if they ever let us know the details on this engine.
BS, they already had these mine made up. Why didn’t they use these 6.2 liter V8 engine? And these other trim levels? Also other people who had tested these 1500 Silverado said that these handling was refined and it handle like a sports car inside of these truck.
When is GM going to wake up and become a leader again. They wait until Ford or Ram come out with a new idea then a couple of years introduce the product. How much longer can loyal GM owners stick with these outdated trucks. Do the engineers at GM drive their products or are their engineers a bunch of college kids driving Hondas or Toyotas to work each day. After driving Chevrolets for over 50 years I’m about ready to change brands.
General Motors designers have been at the bottom of the barrel for years. Not only do they need to be replaced, the supervisors who approve these dumb mistakes also need to be replaced. Cadillac used to be a really classy high end automobile. Same with the Buick Park Avenue. Now, they look just like vehicles costing 1/3 of the price. Plus they spend most of the time in the repair shop. GM will continue to loose the customers because of their arrogance and incompetent skills in producing quality and well designed automobiles. Very sad; did not have to be this way. I have compared all three of these trucks. The RAM , in my opinion, was the best, then Ford, and a far distance behind was the GMC/Chevrolet. You will really have to be a devoted GM customer to pay that much money for what is being offered.
The designers had it easy with the ’19, cuz all they had to do is slap bow ties on Tundras.
This is a great video comparison, mirroring my thoughts exactly after looking at all 3. The new Sierra is now everything I used to hate about the the RAM. It’s hideous with that Ginourmous chrome grille. Interior looks no better maybe worse than 2014. The new GM multi-tailgate is a joke. It’s hard enough to keep one tailgate’s worth of hinges and latches working in a northern climate. Mirrors pasted to the door? What the hell. Wheels look too small in the wheel wells. Its sad! I have owned 10 GM trucks from 1986 thru my current 2014 GMC (which has been a great truck). However, checking out the 2019 RAM 1500 Laramie has won me over, I bought mine today and agree 100% with these three reviewers …. it’s #1 all around, inside and out! And – similarly equipped for $6000 LESS.
While I don’t necessarily disagree with the final results, this comparison was absolute garbage. They load a 750 lb ATV in the back and don’t measure squat? Maybe because it actually shows the Ram’s major weakness, which is mainly what keeps me from considering one. Then, they complained about the optional tow mirrors on the Ford being ugly (I think they look great), but don’t even talk about the functionality of them. Then to top it off, during the drive impressions, instead of talking about how the Silverado rides and handles, they just complained that it “feels old” (whatever that means).
I’ll wait for a quality comparison to start drawing any conclusions.
Compare the interior of the new RAM and the new GM trucks. FCA has beaten GM in quality, design, and functionality. I’m not saying this as an FCA fan. I prefer GM. But GM is going to learn their lesson here.
I agree with TJ. Squat in the Ram and Ford’s is ridiculous. The 2014 Ford’s were good. But I know dozens of Ford guys who complain about squat and light rear end that absolutely hates washboard or rough roads in the 2015’s.
And how about fuel economy? Nobody cares about the EPA numbers. What’s the real world fuel economy? I bet the chevy wins
Personally, I went to the Detroit auto show in January 2018, specifically to see the 2019 Silverado and loved the new look instantly! I’m very impatiently waiting for delivery!!! My last experience with Chevy critics is that they are full of crap! I bought a 2002 Avalanche in 2001 and everything the critics didn’t like I loved! For instance the vinyl siding, the critics hated it, I loved it! They ruined the Avalanche by giving into the cretics by getting rid of it. That truck was the easiest vehical to keep clean I ever owned, a damp cloth was all you needed, even the bug encrusted front end! Damp cloth wipe, clean, clean, clean! So, go from my experience, completely ignore those idiots. Use your own brain, judge for yourself and ignore the critics!
I AM THE BIGGEST SILVERADO FAN BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT THEY REALLY DISAPPOINTED ME WITH THE 2019 FIRST IT TOOK SOME TIME BEFORE I FOUND ONE THAT I LIKE AN THEN WHAT REALLY BRINGS THEM DOWN IS OPTION THEY SEE THAT THEY’RE COMPETITOR HAS SOMETHING WELL GM YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO OFFER IT OR DO BETTER THAN WHAT THEY HAVE I DON’T THINK THE NEW PICKUPS WOULD BE SO BAD IF THEY HAD ONLY TIRED TO WORK ON THE INTERIOR I DONT GET IT THEY SAID 7000 PEOPLE WANTED AN INTERIOR THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT BUY TRUCKS I REMEMBER SOME OF THE FIRST SPY SHOTS WHEN WE FOUND OUT THE INTERIOR WAS GOING TO BE 2ND RATE GM AUTHORITY AND I THOUGHT AT LEAST THE GMC INTERIOR WOULD BE AS GOOD OR BETTER THEN THE POS RAM BUT THEN WE GOT FARTHER DISAPPOINTED WHEN THE ONLY DANG DIFFERENCE WAS THE BUTTONS WHERE HIGHER CLASS IN THE SERRIA I HATE TO SAY IT BUT I THINK WHEN THEY FALL TO 3RD 0R EVEN 4TH PLACE THEN MAYBE SOMEONE THERE WITH POWER WILL FIRE EVERY ONE AN HIRE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WIN I HAVE TO SAY THOUGH MAYBE I WILL BE ALIVE WHEN PEOPLE HAVE PRIDE IN DRIVING SILVERADOS AGAIN I KNOW THERE USE TO BE A TIME WHEN THEY WERE THE BEST I JUST WISH REAL CHEVY TRUCK OWNERS COULD TALK TO MARRY BARRA I wish I could sit down with her an talk
Being a fleet mechanic for 30 years and a loyal gm owner for 40 its only obvios the gm bashing continues ! When you pkay king of the hill theres always gonna be someone trying to push you off ! Most likely in todays world negative adds and reviews ! Gm will always be the better in the long haul ! Just considering more standerdized parts and parts availability and better on board computing diagnostics to list a few ! Gm will always be the winner !
All of these people jumping on a ford and ram bandwagon because of one review from edmunds. Bet you people are Warriors, Eagles, Cubs, and Capitals fans too aren’t you?
Why dont you go drive a 2019 silverado, f150 and ram 1500 before you start complaining on the internet.
Buy which one you prefer. Go post on that trucks blog when you get done.
I will stay with my 2014 nissan frontier. At least they are staying old school. I’m not paying that kind of money when I know it’s not worth it. I k ow to many people that have all three trucks and everyone is having major problems, just look at all the recalls everyone is having. I thought I would never seen paying that kind of money for a new vehicle.
I think GM’s mindset on the interior is that these are work trucks and designed to be a work interior. I own a small Construction business and regularly see Denali’s around Construction sites, hardware stores, etc. Where as you absolutely never see higher end Ram’s around job sites. I saw a Ram limited at a coffee shop the other day and the owner was wearing slick shoes and suit and looked like an office executive. In my opinion the Ram is going after people that would probably buy high end luxury cars where as the higher end GM trucks are still selling to business owners who actually still use the trucks for work. Not driving to the grocery store in my 12″ screen Ram.
I wake up EVERYDAY AN I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE THE TRUCK I LOVE SO MUCH HAS PEOPLE TRYING THERE BEST TO MAKE IT FAIL I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT GM WOULD LET THEM GO HALF WAY ON A VEHICLE THAT IS THERE MONEY MAKER ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS SO MUCH COMPETITION OUT THERE I MEAN MY GOD GM IT TIME TO LET PEOPLE REALLY GET THE TRUCK THEY WANT IF I WANT A REGULAR CAB 6.2 10 SPEED YOU SHOULD LET ME HAVE THAT THEY REALLY DROPPED THE BALL ON THE SILVERADO 1 NO ADATIVE CRUISE 2 THEY SHOULD PUT THE INTERIOR THAT THEY HAVE ON THE LT,LTZ,HIGH COUNTRY AN PUT THEM ON THE LESSER MODELS AN REDUE THE TOP THREE 3 LET ME BUILD THE TRUCK THE WAY I WANT IT 4 OFFER MORE
Edmunds did quite a job of making the comparison test between the Ford F-150, Ram, and Silverado seem mismatched. Why did Edmunds not test the standard 5.0 liter engine to compare directly against the Ram 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 engine and the 5.3 liter Eco Tec engine? GM’s 6.2 liter Eco Tec V-8 engine is clearly the most powerful V-8 in the half ton truck segment with 420 horsepower and 460 pound foot of torque (class leading). Ford’s 3.5 liter twin turbo Ecoboost would be better matched against GM’s 6.2 liter V-8 engine in a comparison test. The new GMC Sierra 1500 is a class above the Silverado 1500’s model in terms of interior appointments.
Again WHO are these 7000 people that wanted this interior. I wish we could ask the same 7000 people if this is what they really wanted. I just cant believe it is. I much prefer my 2017 Denali HD, all I wanted is my rear vents back. BUT, ill drive A HD when possible and see for myself before buying a 2007 Classic Silverado back like I had and just fixing it. Im not ready to switch truck brands do to the Duramax, BUT that’s all that’s keeping me GM at this point. I remember back when GM couldn’t make a diesel, it reminds me of this interior deal. People everywhere with a GM diesel bought a Ford. Finally GM invested in a Diesel now look. You would think they would learn. Im in the same boat with Cadillac, we liked our 2004 CTS better than our 2014 ATS and had WAY less troubles in 10 times the mileage. So we will try the new Cadillac CT5 but if we don’t like it, its an Audi A4 for us. We already drove the Audi and it will be hard to beat, and its less $$$$ than our ATS.
This is my focus group opinion. After buying my 2017 Denali HD, the new HD pickup is now to big. The new 1500 pickup doesn’t have enough diesel power and stability for the slightly heavier load. I’m just having a hard time making a decision. And trading a $70.000.00 pickup I don’t like for a even higher price truck. WE will see.
Mediocre is probably the best word to describe the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as there’s nothing leading edge about the truck and why in a comparison test, it’s not going to do well; the interior still resembles something Chevrolet was building a decade earlier especially with it’s small display reminds users of their smartphone.
Agree the new GM trucks are well behind the competition. Especially the interior!
The new RAM is a home run!
Our local dealer just received a 2019 GMC Sierra, not a Denali, I own a 2017 Denali HD. This is MY OPINION after actually seeing one. The material is BETTER. The leather seats are SOFTER, feel THICKER, more SUPPLE, simply BETTER than my Denali. The rear seating area in the new crew cab is like night and day better than my Denali. The new rear seating has, USB plugs, air vents, you can get in with large boots on, heated seats, cup holders on rear of center console and in center of seat if only two people in rear, Just simply better than mine. I like the door controls better, the door locks are back where they should be by the door handle. The center steering wheel is better more comfortable to drive, it is very comfortable, way more comfortable than my Denali. Now I prefer the looks of my steering wheel, however I like the controls on the new one better. I like the looks of my dash better than the new one, the aluminum or plastic or whatever looks better around the air vents. The way the side window vents come out looks better and won’t collect dirt and dust as much. However the center air vent will now hit you , the driver, in the chest again like the older one 2007 Classic. I wish the outer vent would hit the driver also , however I like it that you can see the controls over there. O yeah the air vents hit the steering wheel now. I like my heat seat buttons better than the new ones. Not quite sure what to think of the phone charger yet, you will have to keep the junk out of the center console, but it is easier to see your phone, but harder for others to use. The dash feels and looks very utilitarian its not bad and not good, easy to use but you don’t think wow that looks good. Overall in my opinion the new SLT is BETTER more COMFORTABLE than my Denali ESPECIALY THE REAR. If they relocate the DEF fluid fill and raise the fuel tank and DEF tank higher in the frame on the new HD Duramax I am in as a buyer. BUT just to be clear THIS IS NOT BETTER THAN THE COMPITITION, however AT LEAST IT IS SOMEWHAT EQUAL depending on what you like. And my 2017 Denali was and is far behind. And this is for all you people who think GM isn’t concentrating on the interior because they are focusing on other things, WHAT OTHER THINGS. My last 3 GM vehicles ALL had recalls, extended coverage on things i’m waiting to fail, customer satisfaction repairs on faulty parts, TERRIBLE shift patterns, leaky rear end, delaminated screen, so again WHAT OTHER THINGS. If you are a GM guy like myself it is good enough to at least keep me from switching at least as far as trucks go for now. However if your not a loyal GM guy there is nothing new here to lure you . I would think the Trail Boss with a 6.2 10 speed would draw some RAM people over, Raw power with simple buttons, that RAM screen with dirty, cold, wet ,shit covered hands just not sure. However most of those hard workers in the RAM drive the Heavy Duty. And FORD is just good don’t go there, I wont.
Well I looked at a Sierra LTZ yesterday. Our dealer received it Saturday. Love the tailgate. The seats are softer and thicker feeling more supple than my 2017 Denali HD. The rear of the crew cab is in a different world than mine. Softer seats, USB, air vents, cup holders in rear of center console, easier to get in with large boots on, just a whole lot better , GREAT. The center steering wheel is more comfortable for me. I like my steering wheel look better but I like the new controls better. The door panels and door lock location is better back where they belong. I however do not like the look of the dash, it works but not great. I do like how the air vent in the center dash will hit the driver again not just the steering wheel. It looks and is very utilitarian. It will work but its not close to the RAM. I am however a GM guy and it will work it is a better all around than my 2017 Denali HD, so when the new HD is out im in. And GM is not the leader but it finally has caught up with the pack. Just like the new Cadillac XT4 GM must have decided to just be good enough and not lead. Also this is for all the people who say GM is spending on the things that matter and that’s why the interior looks blah, I hope so because the last 3 GM vehicles 2014,2015,2017 all had recalls, extended coverage waiting for parts to fail, and customer satisfaction repairs so they weren’t that great.
Just thought I would add this. Since GM is paying so , so much attention on what counts that they don’t have to worry about the interior. How do you all explain the RECALL on the electric power steering 1500 chassis stuff. At least they recalled them ALL instead of just extended coverage for some special few like the 2009 Enclave power steering failure at low speed do to internal premature wear. And I am a GM guy.
After 2019 MY is in the books, F150 will still rule with anyone judging on an unbiased basis that will put truck stuff ahead of silly features or not so important criteria such as pristine rides; interiors; minor styling differences that don’t amount to a hill of beans regarding a pickup for what a pickup was designed for. Some of these criteria are all as good already as will ever be necessary for a pickup truck; they’re already rivaling the average sedan in these areas; so I don’t get the continued expectation and focus on improving on these non-truck-like features beyond where we are today. I do own an F150; it is jumpy and jittery. Heck, it weighs only 4190 pounds; but it hauls; it tows; and empty it gets me 24 mpg on average. It’s plenty safe; it’s plenty comfortable; it looks fine (not anything like an Aztec or a Pacer); and it does more of what a truck should do for a customer for less money; and these things should always be the main criteria in judging trucks. Too bad our society is obsesses with interior and exterior designs, bling, features that actually work against utility; heated seats and wifi; because that’s all that Ram is giving us; and GM gives us more, but only for some customers and many of the advancements they’ve made did little with respect to giving customers more for less.
I actually expected and actually wanted the competition to go out ahead of Ford in order to continue to push the segment ahead. Ford is in year five of their cycle of their latest design, so the competition was in a position to push higher and “further” to still a Ford marketing term. There were many rumors of what might come from Ram and GM in their all-new designs; but especially Ram has put next to nothing in power trains; only made a comfortable truck more comfortable; made a more cushy truck more cushy; made a very stylish truck more stylish; made a massive truck more massive. They did manage a little more capability with respect to payload and towing, but that’s compared to a truck that could haul only 1800 pounds in the last generation. GM, on the other hand, has gone where the rumors might indicate for power trains, but there are huge set backs…DFM is a flop. MPG is not improved. Performance is not improved. Unlike Ram, they did remove some weight from the previous generation and payload is still way ahead of Ram even though Ram did get theirs up to an acceptable level. The biggest disappointment with GM is that they’ve decided to try and force all their customers out of the so-called “value” category by giving them nothing but a new truck with old guts and equal or worse mpg with equal capability and equal performance and then had the nerve to refer to those trucks as “value” based trucks. We don’t yet know the 2.7L Tripower’s mpg, but we do know that payload and performance is good, but that towing will be way down to a max of 7,200 pounds; whereas Ford offers one turbo V6 at 9,500 pounds of max towing and another at 13,200 max towing, which will remain the class leader for all power trains through calendar year 2018; and also the 3.5L Ecoboost will remain way ahead of any extra-performing power trains with respect to fuel economy, with a possible combined rating of 21 versus Ram at 19 and GM at 19 with their V8s and to add insult, Ford has a 400 ft-lb power train that comes in at a class-leading-for-now 22 mpg combined. Moreover, I’m not sure once it’s said and done that GM is giving more than they’re taking. The regular cab short bed is gone. The long bed in only the very lowest trim. The 2.7L Tripower not available in the lower trims; whereas the BlueOval offers all 4 power trains in the lowest trim and most all configurations all the way up the line. It’s as if the Bow-Tie is abandoning their work truck and fleet customers and saying “here you go; well at least we kept it cheap even if you can get more for the same price from someone else”.
So where did they rank before the two new trucks started coming on:
Torque: Ford at 470 versus GM at 450 versus Ram at 410 with GM not making their top torque available until $48K or so in higher end LT trucks with the crew cab only.
HP: GM at the top with their 6.2L followed by Ram and Ford tied with their V8s
Payload: Ford at almost 3,300. GM at 2500 something and Ram 1800 something. Ford has a huge payload advantage and even after the 2019s all hit the market, Ford will be more than 700 pounds ahead. This is due almost entirely to Ford cutting much more weight than the competitors.
Towing: Ford at 13,200. Ram and GM significantly lower; 2019s will be only slightly lower.
MPG: Ford gas power, before the 2019s start coming on Ford was 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Not only was the 2.7L number one, and Ford’s base engine number 2; but the 3.5L Ecoboost was rated ahead of their wimpiest power trains. Ford’s PSD is number one overall and number one for a diesel as a late model entry. This is total dominance for anyone who is keeping score. We already know that the new GM trucks with the 5.3 and the old AFM mated to the same old 6-speed gets worse mpg than the 2018 version. We already know that the new Ram with the regular Hemi (the one without eTorque) comes in at the same exact mpg as before; and that the one with eTorque reportedly comes in just below the 2019 GM 5.3L and Ford’s 5.0L V8 which puts them at 19, 19, 19 in the combined rating but with the Ram Hemi and eTorque one point behind the other two V8s in the highway rating.
Value: Ford offers all four gas engines in their least expensive trucks. Ram doesn’t have choices (only two) and GM has three choices but severely limits the 6.2L to only higher priced trucks. Today, a customer can pickup a 6.2L in a crew cab with LT trim starting at around $47K, but for 2019; one will have to opt for higher trim levels, putting their top-tier engine out of the hands of even more customers, versus Ford who offers the 3.5L Ecoboost mated to a ten speed in a regular cab, long bed for less than $35K.
So what changes for 2019. The 2.7L Tripower and the new Duramax and the new Ecodiesel are all still to be determined, but we already know that the Tripower won’t be offered in the lower trims and it won’t have a decent tow number (that’s okay in and of itself as not everyone needs to tow heavy with a pickup); but we should expect the 2.7L Tripower to be the new gas-powered champ in the class. If it’s not, then I’d be terribly disappointed. The new Duramax diesel will likely also be the best in class overall; but it will be coming so late. No new as of yet. As for Ram, I can’t for the life of me understand why so many people are so high on this new Ram 1500 that takes away all regular cab configurations in the newly-styled pickup; has very little weight reduction as the current pickup; has no power train enhancements other than a bolt-on mild hybrid system that’s been around at least since 2007; and has little or no mpg gain; and no performance gain. The only thing Ram has is a more comfortable and newly-styled pickup with a better interior and with significant max payload improvement that is still below the competition. And nothing in the 2019 lineup from any brand gets very close to F150 which totally dominates when it comes to being a pickup truck. The jury is still out on the 2.7L Tripower; and I think the Duramax comes so late that we can’t even count it yet; and the same for the reworked Ecodiesels. So I think we have to say as it relates to real truck stuff; Ford still rules for the 2019 MY; if truck features even count towards a truck being a good truck anymore!
No surprise here. I’ll bet the 2019 Silverado doesn’t win a single comparison with the F-150 and Ram. You get back what you put into a product, especially one as important as this where we can’t seem to get enough of these things. I’m having doubts that a 4 cylinder engine or a diesel that gets less MPG than it’s competitors is going to make any difference here. What I do know is that GM should have invested more into the interior and drivetrains with that 17K plus profit they make on each of these to keep them at least ahead of Ram. Anything else and these will be bringing up 3rd place much more often until the fire sales begin.
GM should be right now be making the HD series pickup interior better than the 1500. Then after September of next year when and if they still have a new HD release, the world can compare the two. If that 17K profit is correct this is still a big deal. And to the RAM critics out there. Do you really think GM can build a truck for less than FCA, I don’t think so. So if there selling for even 16K less what does it matter. And if the resale is 16K less what does it matter. If FCA-RAM can make a profit and continue on and get even 10 more GM or Ford owners in a RAM they have already won. And the only time your truck value matters is if your trading it in on a different brand. So if you just plan on running the life out of your truck the resale means ZERO. And if you trade for another cheap RAM what does it matter. Also now that HUGE vehicle sales with low MPG are at an all time high. Fuel MPG standards are being loosened. And now fuel prices are on a steady rise. It is just a matter of time when it all crashes down again. I am 50 and I have seen and can remember it at least 3 times. Trucks will be cheap and they wont be able to produce enough high mileage and electric vehicles. Because it takes more than a $15.00 an hour job to drive a $60,000 vehicle when fuel hits $5.00 a gallon again. Opinion
I understand some disappointment with the new GM trucks. What I don’t understand is how anyone would think that Ram has done more than GM in designing a new truck. I guess that’s because I don’t think of trucks as luxury cars with beds on them and care little about luxurious interiors and heated seats. GM has doubled the weight loss of Ram. GM has added in new power train technologies to existing engines and will have two all new engines. Ram has done nothing but bolt on ancient mild hybrid technology starter-generator. GM has a new 10 speed transmission coming. Ram has the same transmissions. GM has two new engines coming. Ram has no new engine and only offer two. GM will still offer one regular cab configuration. Ram will have none in the new-designed truck.
Where GM disappoints me is AVAILABILITY of their new technologies. Even though Ram has nothing new, they at least let all their customers share in their latest transmission and mild hybrid technologies without paying thousands extra for a higher trim to get it.
As compared to F150, it’s not even close. An F150 customer can configure the cheapest, possible truck they make with three advanced power train choices; and just by adding a long bed, it goes up to four advanced choices. For GM customers on the three lowest trims, it’s all the same as before.
Chevy should have raised the bar even higher to be a true competitor to the F150 & Ram 1500 which are excellent trucks. For 2019, they should create a SILVERADO ZL1 TRUCK which would have the 650HP/650 lbs/ft torque 6.2L 10-speeed V8. This would make Silverado the most powerful truck offering from the factory, beating out the FORD F150 RAPTOR’s 510HP 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 hands down. Add a PANORAMIC ROOF Option to all the GM Trucks & Large SUV’s and an adjustible back seat. Beefier Suspension and axle ratio inprovements would also be needed for a ZL1 Truck. RECARO Front Bucket seats that would be incorporated into a truck front seating with special center console, etc. and a special sport paint job w/ZL1 badging & Quad Exhausts!
Nailed it!!!