General Motors is working on an update to the interiors of its all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Sources familiar with the matter told GM Authority that the new Silverado and Sierra pickups will see cabin updates in the near future, for either the 2021 or 2022 model years.
In fact, the Silverado and Sierra interior updates will coincide with a mid-cycle enhancement (MCE), otherwise known as a refresh, update or facelift, that will also deliver various updates to other parts of the trucks, including the exterior. One of those is expected to be the introduction of the much-rumored MultiPro tailgate for the Silverado. The flexible tailgate is currently available exclusively on the Sierra. However, we’ve been told that the focus of the refresh will be primarily on the cabin, particularly as it relates to mid- to high-end trim levels.
It’s worth noting that GM is currently operating on a three-year update cycle, issuing an enhancement to new vehicles three years after their initial introduction. Applying that three year cycle to the new Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 on the T1 platform would slot the refresh for after the 2021 model year.
Our sources didn’t mention any updates to the Silverado HD and Sierra HD, which are currently launching as 2020 model year vehicles. However, it stands to reason that those models will see their refreshes a year after their light duty cousins.
Since their launch in the second half of 2018 as 2019 models, the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra half ton trucks have been criticized for having interiors that are too similar to the last-generation models on the K2 platform. Meanwhile, others have praised the interior of the Ram Pickup, also all-new for the 2019 model year, as being more attractive and luxurious than that of the Silverado and Sierra.
GM loyalists have arduously defended the cabins of the new Silverado and Sierra, saying that they are perfectly functional for a pickup truck.
Sales volumes of the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have been decreasing, enabling Ram to overtake the Silverado in cumulative sales volume during the first half of 2019.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Mainstream Pickup Trucks - Q2 2019 - USA
| MODEL | Q2 19 / Q2 18 | Q2 19 | Q2 18 | Q2 19 SHARE | Q2 18 SHARE | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD F-SERIES | -1.33% | 233,787 | 236,947 | 36% | 38% | -0.61% | 448,398 | 451,138 |
| RAM RAM PICKUP | +38.49% | 179,454 | 129,575 | 28% | 21% | +28.24% | 299,480 | 233,539 |
| CHEVROLET SILVERADO | -8.40% | 142,464 | 155,529 | 22% | 25% | -11.78% | 256,777 | 291,074 |
| GMC SIERRA | -4.29% | 56,857 | 59,406 | 9% | 10% | -3.44% | 97,403 | 100,874 |
| TOYOTA TUNDRA | -0.26% | 29,397 | 29,474 | 5% | 5% | -2.32% | 54,497 | 55,792 |
| NISSAN TITAN | -21.07% | 8,343 | 10,570 | 1% | 2% | -22.62% | 18,026 | 23,294 |
| TOTAL | +4.63% | 650,302 | 621,501 | +1.63% | 1,174,581 | 1,155,711 |
However, this circumstance was to be expected, as GM’s launch strategy for the new trucks involved first producing high-end versions of the trucks, which sell in lower volumes, before beginning production of medium and low-end models that sell in significantly higher quantities. In addition, GM only recently began taking fleet orders for the new Silverado and Sierra, which account for a sizable chunk of overall sales volume.
During the second quarter, Silverado and Sierra gained 3 percentage points in retail market share to command the highest retail market share in the full-size pickup truck space. Despite the strategy working and GM expecting more upside from the Silverado and Sierra still, it surely wouldn’t hurt to eliminate any possible points of contention for buyers not to choose GM’s offerings. In that regard, the interiors should be the top priority.
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Comments
Good! Auto News also picked up your report and says…
A freshening of the pickups — particularly concentrated on the interior — could come next year or in 2021.
That should put all the naysayers at bay.
Except that they’ll likely also increase the (already too high) prices accordingly.
I suppose if you’re shelling out the extra money, the least they can do is give you a better interior.
I think I hear angels singing….
Way to go GM, thank you for listening to your fans also potential buyers. It’s not that it’s not good it’s just not great compared to the likes of Ram. I like it but if I was forking over that much money on a new truck I would want to see more improvements than just a few in the interior. I been in my friends RST and it’s a great truck. But its not much different than his Z71 he had.
I’m just glad you have people who listen and that means a great amount to your fans. It might be small but the same things I had complained about in the past are the same things your addressing. The 6.2L and 10-speed being available in more trim levels and the interior improvements, and the pro tailgate which I didn’t complained it not being on the Silverado but it is good also.
I can see 2020 and up bringing more market share. I do understand that they did bring a different approach than Ram did who brought the last model as a classic and made it 10-16000 rebate off it to promote bigger sales. I now see GM took a slower approach and I do think they will up tick from here. Just wondering what Ford will do with their newer truck since they always introduce them a year or two after the GM twins.
Generally speaking, new models sell a lot of vehicles because people like shiny new things. It isn’t likely they’ll see too big of an uptick on sales of these trucks as they age. That is, unless they plan on reducing the prices or the rest of the market makes some sort of huge mistake.
Speaking of the market, most analysts are expecting the auto market to decline considerably, making it even less likely GM will be selling even more trucks in the near future.
Especially with a new F150 on the way.
That said, I actually like these trucks, but I think they are overpriced for what they are, and would buy a Ram instead if I were currently in the market.
Great news, now let’s see the results in the finished product.
They had enough time to consider the harsh reality of the number of interior choices customers get from RAM, even the Tradesman model outpaces GM’s Work Truck interior by all accounts, and now they have to wonder what Ford will bring when their truck comes out next year, yep GM certainly must play their cards right on this upcoming refresh.
I think GM may have deliberately sandbaged the truck.
1. The slow roll out gave it time to debug the truck, and the manufacturing process.
2. Kept older models in demand.
3. The automotive press will slam GM no matter what it does. Better to get slammed for something that’s easily fixable, than something that requires a major redesign. (eg. The ATS & last generation Malibu both got slammed for small backseats.)
Seriously? GM is pathetic pushing a sub par product in a critical segment. The revision needs to be out in October or April as a 2021 or the losses will continue. You think Ram will just allow GM to cruise back to 2nd place? Not gonna happen… give customers a superb product at a good value or watch market share continue to fall…
Ram? Superb? Not with the general lack of quality control and overwhelming number of electronic glitches. They even managed to mess up the ZF 8Hzp with the modifications they made for 2019. Worse yet, the came out with a totally mew truck and put that tired old 5.7 Hemi boat anchor in it. Its bad when the “best” engine you can get in a Ram still can’t move it faster than the 5.3 or 2.7EB. Plus it’s a gas guzzler on top of it. The long term 2019 Ram over at Edmunds has posted up miserable fuel economy compared to any other full-size truck they’ve tested long term. They went backwards from the 4th gen Ram. Superb? Nope.
Have you even been in a new RAM? Seriously, the “luxury” in that interior feels as fake as a Kardashian’s eyelashes. I test drove the Sierra and the RAM only minutes apart and the Sierra felt more like a truck should feel to me. It was plenty luxurious and felt a lot more substantial in every way. The RAM felt like a truck for posers….or Kardashians.
GM deserves criticism, it EARNS criticism because of what it does and produces. The ATS was great, I had one but China had the
ATS-L with a bigger back seat why not sell it here? They’re idiots.. take it or leave it..
Let’s see about who is the idiot, shall we?
The ATS-L was unnecessary in North America for two reasons:
1. The rear seat accommodations in the ATS Sedan were perfectly fine for the segment… a segment where rear seat space has been priority #25 or below on buyers’ purchase considerations, and
2. The ATS-L was not necessary in North America, where the CTS was offered. By comparison, the CTS was offered in China for a quarter (as a tariff-collecting imported product, no less) before the effort was scrapped in favor of the ATS-L. In other words, if anyone bought the ATS knowing they will need rear seat space, they are the idiots.
I drove mine for 39 months and loved it every step of the way. The rear seat is just as big or just as small as it is on the 3 Series, C-Class, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Lexus IS. Anyone who buys any of these cars with rear seat room as a consideration is either 1) a cheapskate or 2) an idiot.
That is all.
same with the Malibu – if you wanted a bigger car in the first place, get the Impala. What made the Malibu look bad was the previous version had above-average legroom, making kind of a long car for how wide it was. I get it that GM shorted it to eliminate the overlap with the Impala (now on a similar architecture), but once you give something to the people it’s hard to take it away!
Please redo the Silverado’s front end. It looks nasty. Also, Boost the 5.3 power output to match the Coyote, and 6.2 to match the HO Ecoboost engines. That should bring in sales. The F150 has the capability to do everything other than get good gas mileage. The new Silverado should add mileage as a cherry on top of all else.
Very welcome news that can’t come fast enough. I’ve been loyal to GM but never defended the 19 interiors or certain styling cues on the new trucks. Sometimes you have to get GMs attention and that’s exactly what happened. Hopefully the updates will be well executed and give these trucks what’s needed to be a success!
The sooner the better!
I personally believe there is no top end to the level of customization you can offer a truck buyer.
Why should an $80,000 Silverado owner get fewer items to customize than a $80,000 Corvette owner?
Agreed, I think GM needs to do a better job of understanding the changing truck market. I would love to have the ability to customize the interior with multiple color and finish options. I would like more customizing options for the exterior as well. (Black headlights, clear headlights, bed step, no bed step etc.) The new C8 formula makes buying fun and engaging. Of course it all starts with great design. Hopefully the planned interior refresh is extensive and competitive in every way.
GM Authority reported the 2020 Silverado RST trim would have the 6.2L engine as an option. Well the 2020 Silverado configurator is available and no such option. Better check your source. And why can’t you get dual exhaust on a RST (rally sport truck) without a performance engine or dual exhaust? You can get dual exhaust with Z71 package only but can’t put 22″ wheels on a Z71 option. This trim should have been LT2 or maybe I misunderstand sport or rally.
Randall – I already replied to your various other comments on this topic, but I guess I’ll have to do it once again.
The 6.2L for the RST is real. This was announced and confirmed by Chevrolet itself. Here you are, text from the original press release from GM/Chevrolet:
“Also new for 2020, the 6.2L V-8 is available on Silverado RST models equipped with four-wheel drive. As a result, the maximum towing capacity of the Silverado is increased to a class-leading 13,400 pounds when properly equipped.”
Now, the reason you don’t see it in the configurator yet is that the configurator has yet to be finalized for 2020. Heck, even dealers still can’t oder the model.
So, we take the accuracy of our reporting very seriously, since that is – literally – what we do, all day, every day… and in the case of the RST, as well as in the case of this Silverado refresh, we are spot on.
I have tried to build a 2020 GMC Denali dually. The site icon just spins. There is a delay on the dually line. I am some what disappointed by this delay. I have made casual looking at a Ford product. Yes I prefer a Denali. The promise as a late summer / August release has now created a loss of resale for my current ’16 Denali. Also prime interest auto loans end in September! So again they have distractions as to a “intentional sloooow release” why people WILL move on, don’t they realize that? Oh wait that’s right I’m only 1 sale….. btw that dark walnut interior was great with the tan, now is it dark walnut with slate gray, what blind person authorized that? The option is black… oh whoopie.. esp in 130 degree desert climates.
In fact, the Chevrolet website says you can get the 6.2 in LT Trail Boss and RST Trucks.
Configurator just hasn’t been finalized yet.
I also don’t know if the prices are correct for what is in there.
For example:
RST Diesel: $52,995
LTZ Diesel: $53,090
How many RST Diesels will you sell with that pricing structure?
Thank you very much once again. I will keep a check for the finalized 2020 configurator. Heck, maybe the dealers will find out about it first. I will be patient for your delayed accuracy.
As a current Denali owner, the new interior is a big disappointment. I will be going limited if the refresh is not out for 2021 model year
They really dropped the ball on the premium trucks. For $70K+ trucks it was a poor effort. The interior is perfect up to LT/SLE but falls short on the top models. I can easily live with GM’s interiors but not in a premium truck.
The interior can be standard on work truck models and LTs. Trailboss and RST models better get it as an option.
Fix the interior, keep the 6.2 / 10 speed as an option on Mid level trucks and straighten out the suspension and I will look again for the 2022 or 2023 model. Otherwise I’ll keep my 2018 and look at Ford’s new model.
Straighten out suspension? The suspension is fine. There’s no reason to chop 500 lbs of payload capacity off so it rides as soft as a Ram. They should being back the Avalamche for such a market segment.
The suspension is not fine. My Denali has 19k miles on it and been in 4 times for a squeak in the leaf springs. Look it up, it’s all over the blogs, senior advisor at GM told me last week there is nothing they can do because GM does not manufacture the dirt that is getting stuck in b/t the leaf springs.
The squeak you are hearing isn’t the leaf spring. It’s an exhaust valve.
Not the exhaust valve, I wish it were that simple. Bulletin all over the web on the issue. GM tells dealers to power wash the leaf springs and apply oil lubricant liberally…recall avoidance. Bulletin even says they have extended it to the 2019 model year as well.
Hey, I’m all for them bringing back the Avalanche! Just don’t turn it into a larger lumbering truck! Love my 2013 Black Diamond, just the right size. The leather seats could use tad more padding,(They’re not as comfortable of my older Sierra). But other than that a classy looking vehicle,good turning radius,& very agile.
You mentioned the focus was on the higher trim levels – maybe they’ll use the instrument panel from the new Tahoe on the upper level Silverado models like they did with the 2007 generation (LTZ models). That should give an upscale feel and differentiate it from the work truck models.
THANK FREAKING GOD!!!!
When the new truck came out, I was one of the few people who actually liked the interior of the new trucks. I love the way it looks, but after having actually driven one, I can wholeheartedly agree with the people bagging on the interior.
Like I said, I love the way it looks, but the materials are way off. That piece of plastic in the center strack needs to go….at least on higher trim levels. The air vents could be bigger because the LD model blows much more air (not to mention, blows it much quieter) than the new one. Chevy touted “glove friendly buttons”, yet the buttons and climate controls in the F150 are a bit more “glove friendly”. Not to mention, it feels like the Chevy’s are a tad farther from the driver. The steering wheel also has this piece of plastic on the bottom with a sharp edge. I’ve driven a WT model with the sharp edge, and test driven an LT with it…I hope to god its not there one you go above “LTZ”. Can I also bring up having to reach through the steering wheel to change the DIC info on the WT trim? Our base ’16 F150 had steering wheel buttons, our base ’14 F250 has buttons.
And no, I’m not a Ford guy (not yet), but they are a bit more fleet friendly than GM. We specifically wanted to buy Chevy this time around, our local dealer only had 1 WT reg cab, LB yet the local Ford dealer had 6. I absolutely love my LD though. Thank god Chevy kept the old model around.
The interior is honestly why I’m holding off on the purchase of either an AT4 or Denali HD. IMO I think they should make this an emergency refresh and not wait a couple years!
I agree wholeheartedly!!! I love the Chevy/GMC trucks, always have. I owned a 1988 and 2004 Silverado and GMC Yukon XL. Yet, after test driving both the Chevy Silverado High Country and Ram 1500 Limited, both on the same day, I can tell you that the Ram’s interior is light years ahead. I continue to hold off on purchasing any truck, now that I know a refresh is coming. I truly hope that Chevy has studied, researched, listened and is willing to do what is needed to keep and grow their brand. Panoramic Sunroof, adjusting pedals, bigger info center, better materials, better configuration of center console, larger engine, should I go on….
I’m really happy about this too. No doubt the interior has been a major downfall. I think though the Silverado front end is also just too polarizing and hope they change it to a more conservative, clean & classic design. Lose the fish gill air scoops, shorten the drop down fenders and give it a full length bumper again.
Even get rid of the swoopy front fenders completely if at all possible and just make them normal to match the back half of the truck. The car like swoop looks ok at best in some colors but on others it just looks bizarre and completely out of place. Chevy has the best looking truck I think they’ve built in decades except for the front clip. From the doors back it’s perfect. I don’t just think they could regain the #2 spot again, I honestly think they could regain the long lost #1 spot with the right front clip and interior.
Amazing, no, not that GM is listening to it’s customers or that they are already looking to upgrade the interior of the trucks.
It’s that they have simultaneously (it appears) have left a lifeowner speechless!
?
?
IMO nothing is wrong with the interiors for the LT SLE trims it’s for the high country and Denalis where I have a problem. I don’t see the jump in msrp translated into the interior. I don’t know why don’t they do what they did in the 2010’s put the Tahoe/Yukon interior I to the high end trucks and keep the current interior for the other trims
THANK GOD JUST PUT THE CORVETTE TEAM ON IT AN COME UP WOTH NEW IDEAS DON’T DO WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING AN PUT THE TAHOE INTERIOR BE ORIGINAL AN OUT DO RAM PLEASE AT LEAST IN THE GMC
New interiors can’t come soon enough. Great to hear.
Still zero excuse for GM allowing this current interior to see the light of day but hopefully they have learned their lesson.
Hopefully GM now realizes just how vital an interior is to current buyers. Hopefully they better not mess up another interior again!!!
Not mentioned in the article, but something I expect we will see happen is a new front fascia on the Silverado when GM does the refresh. The Sierra is much better looking IMO and won’t need a major refresh to the front.
I purchased a 2019 Silverado 1500 WT Z71 and love it. I like the style and front end looks. It also has the black vinal seats. I like them very much. Easy to clean and doesn’t build up dirt like fabric. Would love to see inline six in this series. It would be nice if center console would open instead of being a dummy only meant to hold your phone.
I love how this site’s answer to every Silverado/Sierra criticism or sales decline story is that GM intended that. Yep, GM intended to sell fewer trucks. Like when a kid strikes out and falls in the mud, and everybody’s laughing, and he screams “I meant to do that!”
That is exactly what I have been saying and getting flack for it. GM just did not realize that NOT all truck buyers need them for work. Ram did and we see what happened.
Ram spoke to Luxury vehicle owners and GM simply spoke to current GM Truck owners. We see the outcome.
I have been pushing for better interiors for over five years on this site. That is what helps sell cars in todays market.
Hopefully we get more C8 efforts out of GM than 1500’s going forward.
The F150 is getting a refresh for 2021 and spy photos show it with a 12″ screen in the center stack. GM is going to be caught with their pants down if they don’t rush this interior update to market.
Yeah It about time I can’t wait so I would like double t -roof too and lower cost just little
They knowingly put bad eight speeds in vehicles, which is fraud!
Forget all the yada….yada…..yada….get the extended cab pickups back into production….been waiting too long…..do it not…..PRONTO…..
When is Chevy GM going to relocate the camera mirror for customers who have a cap or ladder rack on the back of the truck cant see any thing just had a guy back into me Friday because I didnt see him in my Rear view camera mirror cant see any thing but my Leer cap
so much for a camera mirror when you got a leer cap on the truck or even a ladder rack how about a relocation kit for that rear camera mirror .Some idiot backed in to me while I was making a call on the car phone and couldnt see him on my rear view mirror Thanks Chevy
I have often complained that I couldn’t build a 2020 GMC HD truck. Well GM I think those SAME IT people you have that created a better charging pad but needs blue tooth to plug in intelligence. Ok the spinning icon is because YOUR web page is NOT google Chrome friendly! Wow ANOTHER screw up. You can use Fire Fox. But STILL no dually! “Late release” AND no mention of THAT anticipated release!
Oh the earlier post on the use of blue tooth, it to NOT conflict with the on board Verizon blue tooth? Really… IF it is one can select what BT to tie into and to remember that particular connection point. Some times they DO get confused as with my hearing aids.
Chuck
GM is choosing wisely, by doing this, if it is true.
I am curious, do you think the same 7000 people who said this interior was ok will ok the next one ?
O well, if this is true, at least people won’t be disappointed before they buy a new GM truck.
Now if GM could just come out with some headlining news on Customer support, what a great day it would be !
A truck with an interior equal to the competition.
A Cadillac with an engine equal to the competition.
And if we had customer support equal to the competition.
At least if you want to drive GM and support them, wouldn’t have to buy less then the competition, at a higher price.
Good news.
In my opinion !
GM could have knocked it out of the park with these new trucks and displaced Ford with the Silverado as the best selling truck. Instead they settled for a solid double and sales have been weaker as a result. (High prices for what you get also to blame)
Leave it to the beancounters at GM to win out over the engineering and design folks. Interior of the new trucks is half baked and materials sub par. Looking at a test of the new Pallisade it has an interior that is worlds better looking in design and materials than the Silverado/Sierra and priced thousands less.
Exterior wise I agree the design of the Silverado is polarizing and see where people would look elsewhere when shopping. The GMC looks better but why did they semi square off the front wheel wells?
I was hoping for a larger fuel tank with the 2019 models. Ram is up to 33 and Ford 36 gallons. Going down from 26 to 24 does not make sense. Yes, these new trucks are getting better mileage than older models but if you tow 7,000 to 10,000 pounds you will be getting 9-10 MPG and a 24 gallon tank doesn’t take you very far. Or, if you were just back country exploring it would be nice to have a larger tank.
Chevrolet and GMC needs to ‘think’ as to how people are using their Silverado and Sierra vehicles, they’re not just trucks anymore as they are the first new vehicle that some people buy which means they spend a lot of time in their Silverado and Sierra; thus, engineers got to get their head out of their a_s and give both the Silverado and Sierra the ergonomics that will make people enjoy being in their Slverado and Sierra (maybe look at the competition, the C8 Corvette and Cadillac CT6 for inspiration).
Glad to hear the update to the interior however as a 2019 Silverado owner I love the interior. For me a truck should look and feel like truck. Yes the Dodge (call it what you want its still a crappy FCA product) has the 12 inch infotainment and luxury feel but remember thats only on higher trim models. The mid to lower trims interior look cheap. I’ve read horrible things with Dodge electronics and other issues from Dodge owners.