Updated GM Truck Interiors To Be ‘Top Notch’
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As we shared in the past, the interiors of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra have been the topic of much debate among GM truck buyers and fans, plus auto industry observers, pundits and journalists. Regardless of reason, General Motors dropped the ball on the interiors of its latest half-ton (1500), three-quarter-ton (2500) and one-ton rigs (3500), with the cabins not living up to those of their competition.
The good news is that this won’t remain the case for too much longer. As GM Authority was first to report earlier this month, an incoming update to the GM trucks is in the cards for the near future, and we have some more information to share about the upcoming updates to the cabins.
First things first. A source just recently confirmed to GM Authority that the GM trucks will be getting a redesigned cabin, marking yet another confirmation of the incoming changes. This source recently told us that GM is well aware of the competitive disadvantage faced by the all-new Silverado and Sierra specifically as it relates to their cockpits, and that the automaker will never admit to it publicly.
The issue is most readily apparent after the Ram 1500 recently took home several prizes from the automotive press, like the North American Truck of the Year award. It’s almost common knowledge that a significant amount of the Ram’s victory was related to the quality, craftsmanship and design of its interior. And let’s not forget that an all-new Ford F-150 is right around the corner, with the truck expected to bring an all-new cabin with next levels of craftsmanship and materials.
In addition, a different source described that the incoming interior updates to the two GM trucks as being “top notch.” That’s good news, since that’s exactly what the vehicles need. Currently, even the high-end Denali Heavy Duty model that sells for well over $75,000 leave a lot to be desired, particularly when it comes to the materials used. But what “top notch” means exactly, is currently unknown.
After all, a bad interior is a bad interior, and that could deter a lot of consumers from signing on dotted line. Even worse is when said consumers end up in a Ford or a Ram. Sales volume of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra has been on the decline, enabling Ram to overtake the Silverado in cumulative sales volume during the first half of 2019, but GM has gained retail market share – so the sky isn’t falling, as some pundits would have you believe.
And there’s more good news, still: from a capability standpoint, the Heavy Duty variants of the Silverado and Sierra currently lead the segment when it comes to towing capacity, with a 35,500-pound max rating. Not only that, but the trucks have the quickest acceleration while towing, with a very solid and confident driving feel, and the cabins are the roomiest in their classes. Addressing the lackluster cabins sounds like the recipe for a true “top notch” truck all-around.
We’ll keep our ears to the ground, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority as we bring you the latest Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news, GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and ongoing GM news coverage.
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Great to hear!
I’ll believe it when I see it. GMA is really cranking out puff pieces lately.
Wonder which MY, MY21 or MY22?
This is GM. it’ll be MY27. And “top notch” will mean red plastic a/c vent surrounds.
IMO, they really only need to address the SLT/Denali (maybe AT4) and LTZ/High Country. The current interior is perfect for base and mid-line functionality and durability. My issue with the 2019’s has been that the interior doesn’t belong in the premium $60K+ trucks but I’d be perfectly fine with it in a Trailboss and down. It’s hard to imagine the thought process that justified this in their new generation cash cows, especially Denali. They don’t have to admit to us it was a blunder, we know it was.
I agree! The whole purpose of 6-7 trim packages is to differentiate price and expectation amongst hundreds of thousands of buyers on one name plate.
I’d like to see a Denali+ interior package, much in line with Lincoln Black Label, offering ultimate materials and unique color combinations.
I also agree, this interior is ok for the mainstream average truck.
But the top end needs more.
And not even really needs more, just needs better.
I have a 2020 Denali HD, the interior function is there, switch location and operation is good.
Seat material is top notch, in this Denali.
Quality seems good.
But the look of the dash is horrible, in my opinion, for a $77,500+ vehicle.
In my opinion, may be, just maybe, GM could have made it work with what they have for parts, but to me it looks awful.
My 2017 looks better, in my opinion.
It needs a 10 inch screen and a better looking dash.
And of course I would love to be able to bolt it into mine in a few years as to not have to be even more disappointed having to buy another new truck in two years to get what I should have had in this one.
In my opinion GM has this same problem with Cadillac ! GM thinks they can just sell you an average GM vehicle for a higher price, Well I guess its true, I bought the truck, but you see, I am unhappy with a new high priced truck. And also remember there are only three to chose from, in the HD trucks.
Meanwhile with Cadillac, we will finally just buy another brand, If GM is unwilling to admit, or even just change, like these interiors, the performance of a Cadillac.
GM is just not in line with the competition for the price, on the, what GM thinks, are their better vehicles.
I could really care less if GM admits anything to anyone, but change it and make it as it should have been 5 years ago. Your all new onslaught of GM vehicles are just average at best, lackluster, and for equal price of a better optioned brand.
Silverado and Tahoe need the column shifter moved to the console like in my HUMMER because reaching my arm forward behind the steering wheel is totally unacceptable 20 years ago, now in 2019 it’s completely mind numbing and ridicules that column shifters even still exist!!!
Who will the executives at General Motors dig up that still wants to own a column shifter in 2019!?!
If anybody in the column shifter demography is still alive, I’m sure they have had their driver licenses revoked long ago, and will be using only the brake shifter on their quad canes these days.
The automatic C8 Corvette has a nice modern shifter that shouldn’t interfere with cup space if GM doesn’t want to put a full size HUMMER style shifter in the 2021 and beyond Silverado and Tahoe interiors, meanwhile Ford and Ram owners will enjoy not having to look like soccer moms reaching behind their steering wheel to get their trucks into gear.
Have to disagree with you Rich. Having the shifter on the column makes more sense as it allows more room for center console storage and options. Why would it be bothersome to put the truck in gear that way anyway? Column shift makes sense on a car, but not so much on a truck.
I also remember interiors coming in 3 or 4 different colors. I doubt the all red interior in our previously owned 94 Silverado would match well with todays trucks, but some kind of color accents would look great.
Most likely they’ll get an interior like the new Tahoe and Yukon. My guess is those two new models were destined to have the Silverado or Sierra interior until the complaints about those started coming in, so GM had to rush and create a better interior for those for the new release. Which then likely means the pickups will see the same interior for the 2021 model year.
I don’t want a top notch interior, but I expect something better than what’s in the 2019s.
It’s a work truck interior.
What is it with some people and column shifters in a truck? Pushing buttons or twirling a knob is just gimmicky IMO.
Bunch of whiners and complainers will get their beloved “top notch” interior. I couldnt care less, the current interior looks and works great. The new one better be able to take the same punishment as the old. Im afraid of what some foolish people think is “top notch”. Is it a soft touch dash that will tear the first time i look at it funny? No thanks. Be careful what you ask for…
This guy gets it!!! Its a truck not a rolls Royce
That soft touch dash is called a padded dash, back in the day before most every thing was plastic you had standard dash which was stamped steel an painted or the optional padded dash that was easy on your head if you got in an accident. An I’m talking from experience. The padded dash will last longer than the plastic that are in cars today,they can take the heat an freezing temperatures much better, they wont Warp an buckle from the heat like plastic.
I’m a millennial, I prefer column shifters. It is in the right place for your hand and clears up lots of space in the console.
I also have to disagree with you Richard in regards to the console shift. I LIKE that extra storage space in the console! And how many times do you have to use your gear shift?????? I don’t shift gears that often even when I’m off roading.
I also prefer the column shift.
Gotta chime in with everyone else. Column shifter is where it’s at. 40/20/40 split front seat, space for a 6th passenger, underseat storage, more leg/knee room. There are zero downsides to a column shifter.
I have zero interest in three people sitting in the front seat. Buckets with a center console should be the norm. If you need more room then go buy a Tahoe or Subruban.
I agree Brian….Bucket seats and a console
I’m so happy that we still have a say on what we want an that everything isnt cookie cutter, not everyone has the same taste! That last time I seen my 2018 Tahoe which was 10 minutes ago when I put it in the garage it has bucket seats an only 2 people can sit In the front! I’m so glad in this country we still have a choice to buy want we want,so far!
Colors. Dark black and light black are not adequate. Absolutely love the options in the C8!
Good news indeed! I still believe though for the Silverado 1500 and HD both, there needs to be some front end changes if they’re serious about moving the sales needle.. The Sierra (as usual) is fine. The Silverado HD might be ok for a year here but the 1500 needs a Clean looking face lift to coincide with the new interior. The drop down fenders, cut short bumper and fish gill air scoops need to go.
so happy to hear this. Hope it actually will be top notch.
Looks like I’m not that crazy after all. Even GM finally figured out that interiors are extremely crucial in todays marketplace.
I said it from the first picture of the new 1500’s that they were just not good enough and not to be shocked if Ram outsells them.
I sure hope GM makes the absolute best interior in the Segment because the capability of these Trucks are far superior to the Ram. It’s just that in todays world not everyone buys a Truck because they NEED it. Cannot wait to see what GM has in store for us. I am truly excited.
I’m not sure the accountants at GM know what a “top notch” automotive interior is. But I hope. Lets also hope that GM doesn’t raise the price 2 grand and limit content to recoup the cost of such a quick re-design.
There will be a come-to-Jesus meeting between accounting and marketing when this updated truck gets priced. Accounting will want to add to the price to cover the increased costs, marketing will claim the increased sales volume (at the old pricing) will generate the revenue needed.
GM really screwed the pooch with this current truck – trying to keep costs low and prices high; they’ve ruined their market share. You cannot gain market share with premium prices. See 2019 Ram to verify.
And you pissed off the buyers of the new truck with an emergency interior update only two years after launch. This will hurt the resale value on the 19s and 20s.
Tigger, you ARE CORRECT! I WAS planning on getting a 2020 Denali 1 ton dually. 1st mistake GM has delayed the release of the duallys, 2nd I have had both the ’14 and now own a ’16 Denali’s. I complained on the ’14 as AND ’16’s to me it was a very poor interior as I felt the Denali was SUPPOSE to be the highest end pick up truck. Now I do not like the black interior color as in the desert black interiors mean you bake in your truck. 3rd. I have a buyer for my ’16 truck, so talked to the better half about not buying a new truck and holding off till later. Sell my Denali and lease a truck for a year or 2. Wait for the new upgrades. I wanted the ’20 Denali with the cameras / electronics as I tow a long (48 ft) trailer. The new tail gate is wonderful for us older crowd. So GM your delays on Denali interior AND release of the dually line you killed a good sale, C-ya maybe later… maybe look at a different brand too.
Oh IF the recession hits……. I think your price increase may kick those bean counters in the back seat as sales WILL dump too.
Wouldn’t that kind of be your own fault for buying a truck with a crappy interior? If it’s already not as nice as the competition, surely that hurts the resale anyway.
They’ve done refreshes like this in the past.Its not new. IE: 2014 vs 2016. It’s kinda like Apple and the Iphone, they refresh the design every two years, but upgrade or modernize the insides to stay current. Hell every vehicle maker does this VW and the Jetta, Ford and their F-150’s. Just wait to have the auto maker get the kinks out.
Ok. The C8 proves GM can make a great interior. All auto makers can. It’s not rocket science, but a money/profit choice.
How lame and greedy, (not to mention stupid) is GM, not giving a full swing for the fences the first at bat with their cash-cows?
Major blunder.
Hey, Mary. Once you loose them, it is more difficult to get them back.
Do it right the first time ( yes, spend more money-to make money) and there will be no need to “finally” address the situation that was an ignorant and greed driven decision.
Playing catch up, only reveals GM’s
greed and ignorance.
Why would anyone, even with half a brain, take a cheep risk on their money makers? Especially when the competition is not going away.
Win…or, go home.
* cheap
My iPhone sucks!
So they intentionally didn’t make them “top notch” the first go around? Weird.
I think they misread what people were calling for in their trucks, especially in their interiors. Frankly, I don’t know why someone who actually uses their truck for more than a cruiser would want the huge screen the RAM features. But the lack of additional detail and quality of materials in the top of the line versions of both the Chevy and GMC were an embarrassment – a clear attempt at profiteering.
As others have said, it won’t look too good for them if they provide what the market requires, and then they jack up the MSRP to cover it – and those profits.
Problem is that Machete Mary and her wrecking crew are misreading a lot of things- including her utopian visions of “all-electric futures” and AVs. Of course, being a disciple of Roger Smith, she is about three or four years later than GM’s competitors on picking up trends.
I like the interiors the way they are.This is a truck folks,not a Porsche.This sort of thinking is why a truck that should cost 25K is now 50K+.I own a 2018&2019 Silverado and we love them in both looks, function and performance.A truck is for work and play but mainly for work.I hate the looks of Fraud,RAM and Nissan because they look like a girl designed them while getting her nails and hair done. The RAM interior is way to busy and having a dial switch for shifting a transmission is garbage.Switches don’t last as long as an actual shifter,just ask my ’72 Chevelle Malibu and ’84 K5 Blazer that still smoke the tires.That giant TV screen would drive be crazy while driving,a huge distraction.GM is building manly trucks,thank GOD! What’s next,a spot for a hair dryer in the dash?The only change I would like is to sprinkle in more color choices and materials like the C8 has. I like how you can choose a different seat belt color.As far as the new nose design and o overall design-awesome!It looks angry and ready to kick ass.
1) The higher-end models cost more than many Porsches.
2) If these trucks were $25k, no one would 8itch about the interiors. But they aren’t $25k, they’re $50-80k, but they have $25k interiors.
3) Most people primarily use their trucks for daily drivers, not work. GM sells more Denali-level trim packages than work truck-level trims. If GM wants to take a dump on 80% of who buys their trucks, they’re off to a great start.
4) The Ram has a gorgeous interior (on the very-high-end trims), and they’ve taken the #2 spot from GM with it (along with aggressive pricing).
5) Anything will “smoke the tires” when you lock-up the brakes.
40% of Sierra’s sold are the SLT trim level. The remainder is about equally divided among Denali and Base/SLE trims. The higher end models don’t cost more than most Porsches, but they deserve to have better quality materials and features for that kind of dough. More than 80 percent of full-size pickup owners expect to tow cars or trailers (at some time), 61 percent are contractors or plan home improvement projects and 48 percent plan to tow or haul a motorcycle or ATV, according to Cox Automotive. But they also use them for daily driving. I appreciate the level of effort that RAM made on their interiors, but I also find them too busy and the huge screen is a joke in a pickup.
I didn’t say “most” Porsches, I said “many.” But, to prove the point… Cayman: $56,900; Boxster: $59,000; Panamera: $86,300; Macan: $49,900; Cayenne: $66,800; 911: $91,100. Four of the six Porsche models start out less than a Denali 2500 Diesel 4×4, and the two that aren’t less are within about $10,000 of the truck. I used the Denali 2500 Diesel 4×4 spec because it represents 67 of the 99 2500’s the largest-volume GMC dealer in the US currently has in their inventory – with a typical MSRP of $78k.
I fall into a lot of those categories… I drive an SLT, I tow once or twice a year, I’m a contractor (and engineer). But, of the 130k miles I’ve put on my truck in the last 3 years, 128,500 have been commuting and traveling, with nothing in the bed or on the hitch, as often as not with a couple of kiddos in the back seat.
I hope you like comedy, because in another 10 years that huge screen you call a “joke” in pickup trucks will be as common as power seats and tilt wheels are today.
You’re comparing the base cost of those Porsches (which none sell at, let alone many) to the highest level qtr ton Sierra. Not a real comparison, but I understand it’s for effect.
I still choose to drive a 2001 Yukon with 325K on it that has a cassette deck in it. I’ll still be laughing at a monster screen in a work truck (and as a geologist I use my rig in the field as well).
Two of my trucks re SLT. Although I do use them occasionally for ‘work’, & off road sometimes, most of the time they are used for family outings. They’re great to drive. I like a nice interior,just because it’s a truck doesn’t mean it has to look like an army truck!
I can believe that in this day and age people use the interior to determine what truck is the best!!! I dont care what price it sales for.
Brian,
People don’t use the interior to determine what truck is the best !!!!!!!
It is an overall “—— value ——-” that most people use !!!!!!!
Overall ——– value ——– for what the truck customer uses a truck for !!!!!!!
And GM no longer has the ———– overall value ——- it once had !!!!
You keep preaching here that a truck is a truck and GM has the best platform ( drivetrain ) !!!
That is no longer true !!!!!!
We will see soon how the 2020 HD preforms on this ” best platform ” !!!
Because my 2017 had recalls, customer satisfaction letters ( known faulty parts ), and is just not in line with the competition !!!!!
And that’s a HD truck, not a 1500 with a junk transmission !!
But as long as VW is held back from the HD truck market in the US I will buy another GM HD, and will let you know.
And this 2020HD is a better truck than my 2017HD, and the Denali is a nice interior. But not great, or better than the competition !!
But I can tell you to get off your a$$ and go drive some Audi vehicles, because for the money, GM does not, not, not have the best platforms for performance !!!!!
And for sure not, not, not, performance vs price !!!!!
And VW sells a he!! of a lot of vehicles in the world, under a he!! of a lot of brands !!!!!!
And VW also still makes sedans, and a he!! of a lot of them !!!
This truck interior thing, along with a lot of GM troubles is, is, is, ——-value —— per —— dollar.
And why don’t you just stop with your ” people won’t pay ” statements !!!! People are paying, and being disappointed by GM for the —— value —— they are paying for.
I know you just want a 1980s something GM truck, and you can buy one !!!!
You can take an old truck, just like you want, to a custom shop, just like you preach, and get whatever you want don to it !!!!
But on this GM truck, on this day, in this world, there are one he!! of a lot more people who want a better GM truck than want the GM truck you are asking for !!!!!
Look, read, listen, learn, there are so, so, so many people that have been saying this from the start, of this 2019 all new GM truck.
Those 7000 original GM people, who OK’d this mess were dwarfed by the number of GM people in the market who disliked it, before this all new GM truck was even for sale !!!!
And I’m not saying GM will not outsell all others in the truck segment, they might again when you combine all the GM trucks.
But they lost a lot of the average truck buyers already, who use a truck for everything they need, not just hauling rocks to a job site !!!!!!
And again GM sells you a truck for hauling rocks to a jobsite, but if you want an all around ” truck ” vehicle, the ——- value —— of the GM, average, everyday, every purpose, all around, truck, is just no longer there !!!!
In my, and a he!! of a lot more peoples opinion.
I want to also give a shout out to the Camaro design yeam-AWESOME!Thank you for not making it look like the Slowstangs,you know the car that looks like someone randomly decided to take a sawsall to the nose? Extremely ugly.The Camaro SS (I own a 2017 SS) is as aggressive looking as it is helaciously fast. I also like that interior design and I don’t have this phantom blind spot issue.Maybe people about just learn how to drive without looking at a phone?
People never learned how to adjust their mirrors to prevent this blindspot problem.
For those replying with a thumbs down,go buy the girly trucks and us Silverado and Sierra owners will end up pulling you behind them.See 2019 RAM(tailgate falls off, driveshaft falls out,etc. and F150 10 speed transmission failure, engine overheating while towing).
Richard you missed the point which is that my classic vehicles still run and are daily drivers that featured a shifting column.You obviously don’t use your truck for work but it was designed for that purpose.Otherwise drive a car instead.Those tie downs in the bed are not for looks,niether is the hitch or transfer case.
Totally agree KT.Better materials and choices are fine to ask for. I like the functionality of the GM trucks though. I also want to see a Silverado SS with the new 6.6L V8, preferably with a supercharger on it.That would be a daily driver. I would offer it in a regular cab and double cab with a sun roof and body colored hard tonneau cover.
RAM will be back in last place soon.GM took their time with the new platform rollout and are paying the price for that.RAM decided to use gimmicks and trickery to get there, it won’t last.GM truck sales are catching up as fast as an actual Silverado and Sierra drives by them.RAM is now paying the price for rolling out their new truck,see all the recalls.Also the RAM interior is why I wouldn’t buy one.
Finally some great news
Anybody who thinks a ram is a better truck than the GM doesn’t know what you’re talking about it revolves around price dodge was always on the bottom of the pile I’m sorry molar fans I have had them all and worked on them the reason why you see so many rams out there how do you compete when they give a crew cab four-wheel-drive away for roughly 3 grand down and 250 a month can’t do that with the GM or Ford
Interiors have been the weak point of countless GM vehicles for years. Decades. Cheap materials, the same bland color choices, bad ergonomics, poor assembly (most likely because of cheap materials), etc. Other than the forthcoming C8 Corvette, when was the last time a GM interior made you cream your pants? I was recently in for service at my local Chevy dealer. I looked at the inside of a new Blazer Premier, that was parked in the showroom. $53K price tag. Typical GM rock-hard plastic surfaces on the upper and lower door panels, showing off the sharp edges where the panels were separated from their molds. When will the bean counters finally understand that the surfaces customers see and touch the most while driving – the damned interior – give a powerful impression of overall quality?? If I’m paying north of $50K, $60K or $70K for a pick-up truck…it should have a no excuses, no compromises interior. Are you listening, GM??
Chevy truck guy you’re absolutely right my dad has a 99 Tahoe LT with 40,000 on it and the interior on that blows away these new ones the problem is all this plastic cheap trim is made by the cheapest vender
@Jeff, I still drive (& LOVE) my ’98 Yukon SLT. You are correct about the interior. Leather seats never cracked, they actually have padding & are soooo comfortable. The leather seats on both my Sierra & Avalanche cracked!
Hi Rose it’s Jeff yeah I sold his truck a couple years ago to my dad he’s only put on like 15,000 the truck just turned 40,000 but like you said the trim on the door panels is so nice with the carpet it has lights in them this truck is a garage queen but it’s beautiful and yes the seats are more comfortable than my 2008 sierra Dinali
Hey Jeff…I have 168000 klm or 104,000+ miles on my Yukon. Had it since new, it’s still solid like a rock. I’ve yet to find a road/weather condition that it couldn’t handle with it’s usual quiet ease! Have a long list of people wanting to buy it! Black with silver grey interior. Think my Sierra and/or my Black Diamond Avalanche will last as long?? I’m sure your Dad will have many years with his.
@ChevyTruckGuy
You are 100% correct.
Finally. Someone else on here stating the same thing I have been for years.
There isn’t one single GM vehicle that has Best in Class interior. It isn’t even close.
GM must do better interiors. It is a MUST in today’s marketplace. It isn’t even an option for them anymore.
I mean a Kia interiors is 10 times nicer than a Chevrolet model to model comparison. It isn’t even close.
GM proved with the C8 that they can do amazing interiors at a price point so now they simply must on all models.
I will know for sure if GM turned the corner when the new Tahoe, Yukon, and especially Escalade are shown.
Then after that, the upcoming EV’s we have been promised for years now.
With the way the people at motortrend are, Chevy will update the interior and the motors and motortrend will give truck of the year to RAM for a new color palette.
At one time I had a subscription to the magazine but motor trend became so biased ,it wasn’t so much about facts on a vehicle it was how much the editorial Department liked what was being wrote about what vehicle they liked! That was when I told them where they could stick the subscription, that was 10 years ago and it hasn’t changed an I still don’t read it!