2020 Silverado 1500: Here’s What’s New And Different

We’ve already brought you bits and pieces of what’s in store for Chevrolet’s 2020 Silverado 1500. But now, we have combed through every element of GM’s bread-and-butter full-size truck to deliver the complete change list. So, buckle up and let’s dig in about exactly what’s new and different for the 2020 Silverado 1500.

Lineup

There are no changes to the lineup, as the 2020 Silverado 1500 continues being offered in eight trim levels, including Work Truck, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ and High Country.

Exterior

On the exterior, the 2020 Silverado 1500 loses the Oakwood Metallic color. Meanwhile, it gains the much-asked-for Vertical Trailering Mirrors and two new 22-inch LPO-level wheels—one with a carbon flash metallic finish and another with a Bright Chrome finish. The wheels are available on the LT, RST, LTZ and High Country models.

Rounding out the exterior updates are two changes to the 1WT (Work Truck) model: the 17-inch bright silver-painted aluminum wheels and chrome bumpers are now free flow on the model. By comparison, both options were previously included and only available with either the WT Appearance Package or the WT Safety Package.

Interior

Inside, the 2020 Silverado 1500 sees three changes. The first involves the introduction of Adaptive Cruise Control via the single high-mounted camera behind the rearview mirror that scans the road and uses proprietary software and algorithms to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle ahead. The system can bring the Silverado to a complete stop and is integrated with the stop/start capability of the engines to help optimize efficiency. Note that this is not the more advanced Super Cruise technology currently available in the Cadillac CT6. Adaptive Cruise is available on the Silverado LT, LTZ and High Country models via the Safety Package II, which requires Safety Package I.

Additionally, the HD Surround Vision system is replaced with HD Surround Vision with Two Trailer Camera Provisions. The new system delivers a class-leading available 15 unique camera views to make trailering more convenient whether pulling a camper or a large cargo trailer. The HD Surround Vision includes the segment-exclusive transparent trailer feature, which uses the tailgate-mounted camera and an available accessory camera mounted on the rear of the trailer. The resulting display helps drivers to virtually see “through the trailer,” assisting them when navigating parking lots, merging into traffic and making tight turns.

Powertrain

Arguably the most noteworthy changes of the 2020 Silverado 1500 are to the pickup’s powertrain.

First is the long-awaited launch of 3.0L I6 LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax engine, which was previously planned for late 2019 model year, but was pushed back to 2020 model year due to delays in emissions testing. The new inline-six diesel is available on LT, RST, LTZ and High Country models and delivers 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, with 95 percent of that torque arriving at just 1,250 rpm and peak torque arriving at only 1,500 rpm and sustained to 3,000 rpm.

Second, the 10-speed automatic transmission replaces the 8-speed automatic transmission on 4WD High Country and LT Trail Boss models with the 5.3L V8 L84 EcoTec3 engine.

Third comes the expanded availability of the 6.2L V8 L87 EcoTec3 engine, which is now available on:

• Custom Trail Boss Custom, which starts at $43,865 (including destination fee) with the 6.2L V8, making it the most affordable light-duty truck with more than 400 horsepower on the market
• Trail Boss LT
• RST 4WD models, increasing the maximum towing capacity of the Silverado to a class-leading 13,400 pounds (when properly equipped)

Note that the L87 engine will become available in some of these models later on in the model’s lifecycle.

There’s also the introduction of Performance Upgrade Package for the 6.2L V8 L87 engine. The package adds a performance air intake and a cat-back performance exhaust system, increasing output to 435 horsepower and 469 pound-feet torque while also improving the sound characteristics of the engine.

Fourth, the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B engine is now available on Work Truck (1WT) and Custom (1CX) models. These models were previously packaged exclusively with the naturally-aspirated 4.3L V6 LV3 engine.

Packages / Equipment Groups

Finally, there are several changes to features in packages and equipment group availability, the most notable of which is the addition of two new packages—Rally Edition and Midnight Edition.

The new Rally Edition is available on Custom and RST trims and includes:

• Black Rally Stripes (hood & tailgate)
• Black CHEVROLET tailgate lettering (inset)
• Black Silverado and trim level badging
• Black assist steps (LPO)

The new Midnight Edition is available on the LT Trail Boss model and includes:

• Convenience Package with Bucket Seats:
  • Bucket seats
  • Center console
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • 10-way power driver seat including power lumbar,
  • Heated driver and passenger seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Manual tilt/telescoping steering column
  • Cloth rear seat with Storage Package on Crew Cab models
• Bed Protection Package
• High-intensity LED headlamps with dark bezel
• Black Silverado badging
• Black LT badging
• Black dual exhaust tips
• Black assist steps (LPO)

Other package-level changes to the 2020 Silverado 1500 are as follows:

• Deletion of High Country Premium Package, which previously contained:
  • Safety Package II:
    • Includes Safety Package:
      • Front and Rear Park Assist
      • Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
      • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
    • Safety Package II:
      • Forward Collision Alert
      • Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
      • Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking
      • Front Pedestrian Braking
      • IntelliBeam headlamps
      • Following Distance Indicator
      • Safety Alert Seat
  • Power sunroof
  • 22-inch 5-spoke Dark Silver aluminum wheels with Chrome inserts (LPO)
  • 275/50R22SL all-season, blackwall tires
  • Floor liner (LPO)
• Addition of WT Value Package on WT model, which contains:
  • WT Convenience Package
  • Z82 Trailering Package
• Addition of LT Value Package on LT model, which contains:
  • Remote Start Package
  • Trailering Package
  • 18″ Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels
  • 265/65R18SL all-terrain blackwall tires
  • All-weather floor liners (LPO)
• Addition of RST Value Package on RST model, which contains:
  • Z82 Trailering Package
  • 20″ aluminum wheels with Argent metallic pockets
  • 275/60R20 all-terrain blackwall tires
  • All-weather floor liners (LPO)
• Deletion of WT Appearance Package, which previously contained:
  • Chrome front bumper
  • Chrome rear bumper
  • 17-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels
• New availability of Texas Edition on Silverado RST, which includes:
  • Convenience Package
  • G80 locking rear differential
  • Z82 Trailering Package
  • Texas Edition badging
• Technology Package now includes Bed View Camera
• WT Convenience Package now available with pickup bed delete. Package includes:
  • Remote Keyless Entry
  • EZ Lift power lock and release tailgate
  • Tinted windows
  • Rear-window defogger
  • Cruise control
  • Power mirrors
  • Regular Cab models also include power windows, express up/down driver, express down passenger and power door locks
• Tire Pressure Monitor System changed to Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors

Beyond 2020

Looking ahead, we expect the Silverado to see a revised cabin while introducing the off-road-oriented Silverado ZRX for the 2021 Silverado 1500. However, both of those changes could also wind up for the 2022 model year.

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