2018 Best Half-Ton Truck Challenge Preview: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country
By Brian Normile
With both GM and Ram offering all-new half-ton pickup trucks in one of the hottest classes in the auto industry, you just knew we'd be putting a half-ton Challenge together for your pleasure. And we have. However, before we reveal the results of our comprehensive comparison test on Nov. 12, we want to give you a clear picture of exactly how each competitor was equipped.
We should note that we asked each truckmaker to send us their best half-ton competitor, however they wanted to define it. Some sent their latest and greatest top trim level, while others sent their most popular. As a result, we had a five-way battle (Toyota declined our invitation) with prices ranging from $54,190 to $68,390.
We'll start by giving you a look at the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country 4x4 crew cab.
The Chevy is one of three half-tons that underwent a major redesign and upgrade for 2019. With a new look and more aerodynamic design, more trim levels, an all-new (and lighter) frame, retuned suspension and several all-new engines along with a newly upgraded interior and bed design, the new Silverado 1500 has a lot of expectations and interest behind it.
Our test truck — 450 pounds lighter than its predecessor — was powered by the 6.2-liter V-8, now equipped with the advanced Dynamic Fuel Management system, mated to an all-new 10-speed automatic with 3.23:1 gears; however, it did not have an added towing package that would have increased its gross vehicle weight rating and towing capacity.
Before options and fees, this Silverado 1500 High Country had a starting price of $56,300, but our test truck included the High Country Deluxe Package ($3,940), which includes forward collision alert, lane keep assist, low-speed forward braking, front pedestrian braking, auto high beams, a following distance indicator, vibrating safety alert seats, a power sunroof, 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, all-season tires and all-weather floor liners. The Silverado also had the $2,495 DFM 6.2-liter and 10-speed transmission; the Technology Package for $1,625 that includes the HD surround cameras, a rear camera mirror and large-screen head-up display; power assist side steps for $995; a special paint color for $995; wheel locks for $75; and $1,495 in destination fees for a total of $67,420.
Stick around, as we'll be introducing the rest of the competitors in alphabetical order over the next several days before we publish our full results story and the winner of our 2018 Best Half-Ton Truck Challenge. Next up: the Ford F-150.
Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry
Comments
This is the best half ton truck.
They must be in order, Sierra must be next
Engine choice is solid. Added bed space is a plus.
May be 400 lbs. lighter but looks 2,000 lbs. heavier. That's mainly because it looks too low and too portly from the side view. Bumper steps look strange. Interior is a rehash from last year. Additional rear seat room is only marginal.
I think the new Ram is a better design and has a much nicer interior. Heck, the aging Ford even looks fresher and more handsome than this bloated Chevy.
At over $67k, I think ya'll should also report what percentage of Chevy buyers will likely opt for this package..
I am as far removed from GM trucks as I have ever been.
This thing has such a polarizing design and limited interior colors and choices and questionable quality and limited engine availability throughout the line that the price is an insult.
I'm sure with drive train it's a good truck but hell, they all are now and every time Mary Berra does an interview she is talking "mobility, autonomy, electricity and even bicycles" and this truck kind of shows that leadership.
I wish some of the testosterone at Dodge could get injected in GM.
This thing has such a polarizing design and limited interior colors and choices and questionable quality and limited engine availability... Posted by: Old GM Guy | Nov 5, 2018
@Old GM
Good lord man, it's only been in dealerships for a month or two. Take a breath! Everybody at this comments page was writing RAM's obituary back in April-May because their new truck was just hitting the dealerships. Now they are everywhere! All that noise stopped!
Mary Barra is responding to the big institutional investors (banks, pension funds, union pensions) when she talks about getting Uncle Sam to help her build electric cars. It's something her job requires of her. I found her statement to be an insult until I put it in perspective.
The elites who control 70% of GM's outstanding shares shudder at the idea that GM's future might actually consist of making the trucks and SUVs that all those smelly Walmart people drive. She's just doing her job.
Admittedly, the grille is a little busy, however the remainder of the truck body lines look great. I expect that Silverado will gain a larger market share at the expense of the F-series.
Where are the specs?
They need an emergency redesign on those early 1990's looking glove boxes. Ugliest set of glove boxes I have seen since the last generation Silverado. Needs a trim piece other than plastic to break them up, reduce the half inch panel gaps, smaller latches etc. Upgrading to better looking plastic wouldn't hurt either.
That gauge cluster...
"several all-new engines"
Wow, either somebody is showing some GM bias or just being funny on this one!! By several they actually mean 1 "all-new" engine, the 2.7L 4 banger....
My only real complaint besides the price (every new truck is guilty of costing too much) is the unavailability of the good engine in every trim level. I use my truck for work, I'd like to get a new truck that can tow and haul the most weight, but not cost 70K. Why cant I get a nicely equipped W/T or Custom with the 6.2L Ford offers the eco/or/boost in almost every trim level, ram will give you a hemi in a lower grade truck too.
It's almost enough to make me leave team GM...almost. I'll just buy a nice used 6.2L and save some cash.
At $67K, that price is more than my first two homes combined (yeah I'm that old). I've been priced out of the new truck market. How about comparing the cheapest trucks supplied by each manufacturer.
"We should note that we asked each truckmaker to send us their best half-ton competitor, however they wanted to define it."
I believe what this sentence is trying to tell us is that PUTC either didn't want to show the 2019 F150 Limited outperforming the all-new gm offerings or Ford really just didn't want to send them one.
A quick look at the Ford build and price page shows a 2019 F150 Limited base MSRP of 68630 including destination which is above the 68390 MSRP mentioned in the article as being the highest priced competitor.
So basically the match-up everyone here wanted to see is not happening on PUTC.....
Gawd lawd that's hideous, ain't nobody picking this over an F-Series.
Nice try remedial.
That interior is pretty pathetic for being top of the line, it looks like a base model interior.
want "special white"? that's another $995.
For the test its a shame its the 6.2 almost nobody gets as its availability is severely limited by the manufacturer. But the testers did ask for whatever the manufacturer wanted to represent them so can fault the vehicle presented for the unrealistic nature of the test for most.
Looking forward to the testing.
Is the the new chevyota TUNDERADO or a Ford mixed with Toyota. That thing looks awfully. I can see fiat trucks taking some buyers of the GARBAGE MOTORS TRUCKS.
"Is the the new chevyota TUNDERADO or a Ford mixed with Toyota?"
There's zero Ford influence in this design. Not sure what your looking at.
GM, please try to coax 86 year old Bob Lutz out of retirement to inspire innovative design again...Seems like GM has not moved the bar at all since he left. Bob was willing to tell people like it was, that seems to be missing these days.
Nice truck but GM didn't go far enough compared to the new Ram.
Also the 24 gallon tank (no larger option except on Reg cab/long bed) was an idiotic move.
several all-new engines"
Wow, either somebody is showing some GM bias or just being funny on this one!! By several they actually mean 1 "all-new" engine, the 2.7L 4 banger....
Posted by: FullSize_only | Nov 5, 2018 9:21:28 AM
Not surprised by your ignorance. There is an inline 6 diesel engine being offered for GM 1/2 ton also.
I have an 2007 6.0l and previously a 01 5.3l...no major or minor problems with either...the 6.2 should be available across the board...also larger fuel tank..like the 2019 but engine and fuel size nope...new one can wait for a bit yet.
Not surprised by your ignorance. There is an inline 6 diesel engine being offered for GM 1/2 ton also.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Nov 5, 2018 11:12:45 AM
Ignorance would be you claiming a diesel option when you currently cannot find such an option on the silverado. Your gm shill brilliance is showing......
There's zero Ford influence in this design
Posted by: redbloodedxy | Nov 5, 2018
@redbloodedxy
Wow, that's a GREAT reason to buy one!
I like the interior; it deserves a matching exterior. Stark white, even if it is a "new color" is just too generic. I could see at least 5 color combinations that would work great with that interior: two-tone beige and green matching the interior (swapping them for two combinations,) matching green, beige and a darker brown for a total of five. An even darker shade of green would make six very viable paint schemes that would safely match that interior. Do the same with a blue/beige interior and you have that much more personalization, along with all the current interior and exterior color schemes.
Nice looking truck. Best V8 available in a half ton! For $67k that is out of control. Prices of these trucks are ridiculous!
Should do very well in the comparison. 3.23s aren't as good for pulling, acceleration, but Fuel economy it should do very well in.
I bet the GMC has the 3.42 rear end towing package with it
Not surprised by your ignorance. There is an inline 6 diesel engine being offered for GM 1/2 ton also.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Nov 5, 2018 11:12:45 AM
It’s not available yet moron
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GM continues to keep the 5.3 in witness protection for testing purposes. I can't say I blame them. Maybe if there is a WT compario down the road?
3.23s aren't as good for pulling, acceleration, but Fuel economy it should do very well in.
I bet the GMC has the 3.42 rear end towing package with it
Posted by: TNTGMC | Nov 5, 2018 12:33:53 PM
What difference does .19 turns of the driveshaft make when you have 10 frickin' gears in the transmission and an engine that produces 460 lbs/ft of torque.
Exterior of the 2019 Silverado looks good. Interior is a big miss IMO. Materials look low rent and decidedly Chepo Repo in comparison to Ram and Ford. GM needs to head back to the drawing board for an interior revamp ASAP. Hire folks currently working at Audi, Mercedes, or Hyundai if you want it done right.
3.5EB destroys 6.2L
https://youtu.be/y23Q74AhhuI
3.5EB destroys 6.2L
https://youtu.be/y23Q74AhhuI
Posted by: TNTGMC | Nov 5, 2018 12:59:49 PM
Heck, based on that, the 5L Ford should be a race vs the 6.2L
Can the 6.2 be a bit more crappy, grief.
Ignorance would be you claiming a diesel option when you currently cannot find such an option on the silverado. Your gm shill brilliance is showing......
Posted by: FullSize_only | Nov 5, 2018 11:33:16 AM
I knew about the engine, you apparently didn't. Now you know what's coming. You're welcome.
As usual, nothing but un-educated comments.
To many Chingon's on this website.
"3.5EB destroys 6.2L
https://youtu.be/y23Q74AhhuI
Posted by: TNTGMC | Nov 5, 2018 12:59:49 PM"
That wasn't even the top Ecoboost engine!! I guess for gm's sake its good the 2019 F150 Limited wont be included in the "best half-ton challenge" that way it wont be that big of a humiliation in the performance numbers! Hilarious!!!!
First , in person these trucks look much better . I didn't love the exterior until I saw one live....very nice. Interior is its worst feature and is good but not great. Trans is superb and 6.2L is as well.....TFL video is one mile above sea level , turbos ALWAYS have an advantage up there....down where most live the 6.2L is quicker and sounds/feels much better.
"I knew about the engine, you apparently didn't. Now you know what's coming. You're welcome.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Nov 5, 2018 1:26:41 PM
You really don't help your case on being such an intelligent know-it all.....
Oh i knew it is supposed to be offered, but its not offered now.
Ford and Ram are supposed to be offering new engines in their trucks soon, so should that be taken as they are now available?
I wouldn't say the 3.5EB destroys the 6.2. The 3.5EB is after all moving much less weight than the 6.2 is.
@ Fullsize, Frank and Imposter
Come on, we all know turbos perform better in higher elevation. The 6.2L beat every other engine up there along with the Hemi and Titan V8's.
Second, the 6.2L has DOMINATED the PUTC comparison test in acceleration, FE, and over performance for so many years I can't even remember how far back it goes, so you guys bragging about a drag race in elevation is quite comical, when we all know down at sea level or below the 6.2l wins, So SAD!! Plus, over 70% of population lives at or below sea level. So, you guys still lose.
Now, in this new comparison, yet again, when the 6.2L performs better than a supposed "class leading" truck, what will your excuses be?
@ Shriker
Yes this truck is gorgeous in person! Totally agree. I sat in one other day. Pictures don't do it justification. interior is nice, not like Rams, but I like it, bc its familiar.
"Wow, that's a GREAT reason to buy one!"
Posted by: papajim
You're certainly free to have an ugly fat pig if you'd like [and you can drive one too--hahah].
@tnt
"The 6.2L beat every other engine up there along with the Hemi and Titan V8's.
Posted by: TNTGMC | Nov 5, 2018 2:36:20 PM"
Incorrect. The 6.2l and the 5.0l did not get compared.
Now as for excuses, seems like PUTC will save everyone from listening to all the GM fan boys crying by not comparing the top of the line Gm engine against the top of the line Ford engine. Can Gm fans even celebrate a win?? LOL!!!!
Wow, that's a GREAT reason to buy one!"
Posted by: papajim
You're certainly free to have an ugly fat pig if you'd like [and you can drive one too--hahah].
Posted by: redbloodedxy | Nov 5, 2018 3:25:25 PM
——————————————
Do you really think PapaJoke will buy one?
Not bloody likely. The guy still drives a 20yrs old anemic 4.8L Silverado ( while attacking others for their personal vehicle )
Ford and Ram are supposed to be offering new engines in their trucks soon, so should that be taken as they are now available?
Posted by: FullSize_only | Nov 5, 2018 1:49:23 PM
Really, what engines are those, and are they for the 1/2 tons?
GM fans are an insult to civilization
Sure is a pretty truck. Best looking half ton on the market no doubt, they need higher and trim options though.
@Fullsize
Please, the 5.0L doesn't hold a candle to the 6.2L. Come on man stop being naive! Ford's own 6.2L which they dropped from the half ton couldn't match GMs 6.2L in performance and FE.
This truck look better live and bigger
The ford will win hands down, anyone can google youtube on the fastest truck, and see that ford will win. GM is always lagging behind, come one GM, pick up the pace and lead for once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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