Chevy put a diesel in the 2020 Silverado and made it even better

The Chevrolet Silverado’s all-new 3.0L Duramax inline-six turb
I’ve never confessed to be a pickup truck guy.  Not that I have anything against that most iconic of American vehicles, nor the people who do confess to be a pickup truck guy (or truck gal, or just truck ‘person’…or whatever).

So then, I probably would never have a pickup in my driveway on a permanent basis. I do have on occasion a pickup truck in my driveway; usually if only for a week as part of a press fleet. When that happens, I suddenly become the center of attention from my wife who always has a list of things that only a pickup truck can do like getting new fence posts, or something like that. It’s like somehow our lives have been torn asunder because we haven’t been able to haul a birdbath home from Home Depot. I also get a great deal of attention from pickup truck folks who always want to strike up a parking lot conversation. I do try to act as though I really care. In fact, I don’t.

Back in February, Chevy sent me a 2019 Silverado for a week.  I generally liked it. As pickup trucks go the Silverado is good one and I would put it on my radar if I was interested in buying such a thing, which as I’ve already firmly established, I’m not.

The Silverado got a redesign in 2019, and recently Chevy sent me a 2020 one for a recent week.  I always wonder just what they have done in a year after a redesign. Usually it’s nothing, but in the case of the Silverado, it’s almost a game changer.
The Chevrolet Silverado’s all-new 3.0L Duramax inline-six turb

For 2020 the Silverado gets adaptive cruise control as an option, and a new trailering package — which can display up to 15 different camera views all around the truck and trailer. Just like last year the Silverado can be had as a Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ and High Country. Like most full-size trucks, it’s available with varying cab and bed configurations depending on trim level and a 1500 or larger 2500 with 2 or 4-wheel drive.

But new for 2020 it also gets something that was sorely lacking for the 2019 model year, and something the 2020 I had for the week did have, an inline 6 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine with 277 horses and 460 pounds of torque.

A few weeks ago, I had a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. That also had a diesel and I it struck me that not only are diesel engines perfectly capable in today’s world, they get much better fuel mileage, which may not be a big deal but can help save a few bucks in the long run.

Thus, when I saw that I was getting a week with new diesel version of the Silverado, I knew it would be a good one.  I had the RST which was nicely outfitted; but more importantly after a week the fuel gauge barely moved. And yes I did make a trip to Home Depot and will soon have new flooring in my den thank you very much.

Having firmly established that I am not a pickup truck, um, ‘person’ it’s a safe bet that I won’t have a pickup truck in my driveway on a permanent basis. But as far as pickups go, the Silverado is a pretty good one. And with the addition of the diesel, it’s now ever better.

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2WD RST Crew Cab
Engine (as tested): 3.0 Liter V8 277 hp @3750 rpm, 460 ft-lb torque @1500 rpm
Transmission: 10 speed shiftable automatic
Fuel Mileage (EPA): 23 city, 33 highway
Fuel Mileage (as tested, mixed conditions): 35 mpg
Base Curb Weight: 5140

Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase: in     156.95
Length, Overall w/o rear bumper: in     241.21
Width, Max w/o mirrors: in     81.24
Height, Overall: in     75.40
Ground Clearance, Front: in     7.95
Ground Clearance, Rear: in     7.95
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Box Length @ Floor: in     79.44
Cargo Box Width @ Floor: in     71.40
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings : in     50.63
Cargo Box (Area) Height: in     22.40
Cargo Volume: ft³     71.7

Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity:     6
Front Head Room: in     43.03
Front Leg Room: in     44.53
Front Shoulder Room: in     66.02
Front Hip Room: in     61.18
Second Head Room: in     40.12
Second Leg Room: in     43.40
Second Shoulder Room: in     65.16
Second Hip Room: in     60.24

Warranty
Basic: 3 Years/36,000 Miles
Drivetrain: 5 Years/100,000 Miles
Corrosion: 3 Years/36,000 Miles Rust-Through 6 Years/100,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance: 5 Years/100,000 Miles
Maintenance: 2 Years/24,000 Miles

Greg Engle

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