Chevy lowers price on some '19 Silverado models, raises others

June 29, 2018 01:00 AM

The 2019 Silverado is expected to begin arriving in dealerships this fall alongside its GMC Sierra sibling.

DETROIT -- General Motors is expanding the price range of the redesigned 2019 Chevrolet Silverado by lowering the starting price of several entry-level models and increasing pricing on some high-end trims.

The starting price of a 2019 Silverado Work Truck will decrease $400 to $29,795, while the LTZ will increase $700 to $44,495. The top-end High Country will start at $54,495 -- $1,000 more than the outgoing model -- and the high-volume LT trim will be as much as $700 less than the current model, starting at $38,395 for 2019.

All pricing includes a shipping charge of $1,495.

Despite increased technology, the price is in line with the $30,195-$53,495 range for corresponding 2018 Silverado models. GM will no longer offer the entry-level Work Truck with a standard box, which was the previous entry-level pickup at $29,795.

A smooth launch of the 2019 Silverado is crucial for GM, which leans heavily on the full-size pickup’s profits to support other operations. It also shows GM is trying to appease its base work truck customers, while reaching higher into the luxury truck segment with the High Country.

For example, the High Country introduces several standard features, including push-button start, stop-start technology, active aero shutters, enhanced LED exterior lighting, dual exhaust outlets, power up/down tailgate and a host of safety tech such as lane change alert and side blind zone alert.

The next-gen Silverado -- expected in showrooms this fall -- will enter a highly competitive full-size pickup segment against the redesigned Ram 1500 and the segment-leading Ford F-150, which has continued to gain traction in recent years with its EcoBoost engine lineup and aluminum body.

Here's a look at the entry-level pricing of all eight trims of the 2019 Silverado, including the new Trail Boss and RST models:

GM on Friday also released EPA fuel economy estimates for pickups with the automaker's 5.3- and 6.2-liter V-8 engines with a new Dynamic Fuel Management system that continually adjusts the number of cylinders firing -- down to two -- in various combinations based on performance needs.

The technology, however, will deliver modest fuel economy gains in line with comparable Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 models, according to EPA estimates.

Silverado models with the 5.3-liter V-8 with an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive will achieve an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city/23 highway/19 combined -- 1 mpg better than the engine it replaces.

Models with four-wheel drive and the 6.2-liter V-8 and 10-speed automatic transmission will offer an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city/20 highway/17 combined -- the same combined as a comparably equipped 2018 Silverado.

The lack of fuel economy gains could be attributable to the design and larger size of the next-gen Silverado, which is up to 450 pounds lighter (crew cab, short-bed models with the 5.3-liter V-8 and max towing package) than the outgoing model.

EPA estimates for the other engines, including GM's new 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbo engine and Duramax 3.0-liter turbo diesel, are not yet available. Here's a look at what GM has released so far on the engine lineup:

U.S. sales of the Silverado rose 1.9 percent to 585,864 last year while the large pickup market grew 5.6 percent. During the first quarter, Silverado's U.S. deliveries grew 5.5 percent to 135,545 vehicles. GM is expected to release second-quarter sales results on Tuesday.