Two Fewer Cylinders Spells a Price Drop for Volume 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Trim

Full-size truck buyers looking for the latest thing are spoiled for choice this year. Besides an all-new Ram 1500 (currently unavailable with a V6) and the usual offerings from Ford, there’s a next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra arriving this fall.

Unlike those other models, the GM twins went somewhere full-size truck builders fear to tread: the land of four-cylinders. Looking at GM’s newly released price list for the 2019 Silverado, it’s clear the new 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four stands to save buyers money in more ways than one.

You’ll find the 2.7-liter (which GM does everything in its power to avoid calling a four-cylinder) in the high-volume LT trim, as well as the new RST. For 2019, the LT, formerly powered by a standard 4.3-liter V6, drops in price by up to $700. Crew cab models see the maximum drop.

All told, the after-destination price of the LT crew cab is $40, 795. A double cab LT will set you back $38,395 after destination.

With an active fuel management system leaving two of the four cylinders out of the mix under light loads, an eight-speed automatic transmission, grille shutters, and a stop/start system, the 2.7L Silverado stands to leapfrog the previous truck’s fuel economy rating. Of course, we don’t know by just how much. The EPA’s mum on this engine’s thirst, as it is with the upcoming 3.0-liter inline-six diesel.

Power specs for the 2.7L stand at 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque.

If bare bones hauling is in your future, the base Work Truck drops $400 in price, bringing the after-destination MSRP to $29,795 for the regular cab, long bed model. This model carries a 285-horse 4.3-liter also found in the Custom and Custom Trail Boss 4×4. A familiar 5.3-liter V8 with active fuel management and 355 horses remains an option. All three lesser trims carry a six-speed auto.

As content grows, it’s not surprising to see prices rise accordingly on high-end trims. The LTZ’s entry price grows $700 to $44,495 for a double cab model. A crew cab warrants a $46,895 after-destination sticker. Under the LTZ’s hood, you’ll find a 5.3-liter with Dynamic Fuel Management — a new cylinder deactivation system that offers 17 ways of dropping displacement — mated to an eight-speed auto. EPA estimates show a 1 mpg improvement in the city with this engine, for a rating of 17 mpg city, 23 highway, and 19 combined. These are rear-drive figures.

The same fuel management system appears on the 6.2-liter V8, which comes standard only in the top-tier High Country trim (it’s available for LTZ buyers, along with the 3.0L). For 2019, High Country buyers have to part with an extra $1,000 to get into the truck’s plush confines. Entry price for that trim, only available in crew cab guise, grows to $54,495 after the destination fee.

The 6.2L engine mates to a 10-speed automatic, returning an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city, 20 highway, and 17 combined. As with the LTZ, diesel power remains an option for High Country customers.

[Images: General Motors]