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.
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 has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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