Four Less Cylinders Can Still Pack a Punch: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado RST 2.7T
Pick-up trucks and V-8’s go together like warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream. We really wouldn’t want it any other way. Heck, if the numbers are right we’ll even allow a V-6 to be tossed into the equation. However, changing up the ingredients and adding something like a four-cylinder engine would be like adding salt to our pie – it doesn’t sound like a combination that works… and yet, somehow it does.
Chevrolet is changing the way we look at trucks with the introduction of a new power plant to go along with their new truck design. And let’s face it, pick-up trucks these days are a lifestyle, not a means. We don’t buy trucks anymore because we need to tow a boat or haul some lumber. We buy them because they’re big, they’re safe, they’re tall, and everyone gets out of their way. To optimize the best of both worlds, having a truck with the fuel-efficiency of a car, we’ll we can see what Chevrolet was trying to accomplish.
With a whole new 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the mix of the Silverado’s engine line-up, this required some very special engineering to handle what the typical functions of a pickup truck are supposed to do. This four-cylinder has been developed and engineered with the mindset of it working hard and playing harder. At 310-horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque, the Silverado’s new-found beating way’s carries its load quite quickly and briskly. Taking just over 7-seconds to sixty miles per hour, low-end torque comes in at 1500 rpm providing a quick jump off the line and fluid acceleration.
The concept of a four-cylinder powering something that we’re so used to seeing eight-cylinders can come across as baffling to most consumers. Moving 5000lbs of steel requires a lot, and the 2.7L turbo showcases smooth delivery. Connected to an 8-speed automatic, the Silverado moves along with no despair, even pulling away in 8th gear at 75 mph, the turbo sprees to life leaving the slow drivers to the right lane. Despite towing being less than its V-8 relatives, the ability to tow about 6,800lbs leaves plenty of opportunity for some fun toys.
Having gone away from the mainstream conceptual design, Chevrolet is stepping out into the industry in a brawn new way. The Silverado is definitely a conversation piece when it comes to its design elements and as they say in show business “bad publicity is good publicity.” Our opinion on the design is a mute matter to the consumer’s eye. We’ve always encourage different design schemes, it’s what separates those out from the competition and with the new Silverado, we like its edginess. But what do we know about style, we liked the Pontiac Aztek back in the day too.
In typical truck form, the Silverado is followed by many trim levels and engine options to express how deep you dug into your pockets. The 2.7-liter is only available on the RST model that slates it in the middle of its lineup. Starting at $38,800 the RST is the everyday truck for the everyday kind of driver. With nearly $7500 in Convenience and Safety Packages, the Silverado arises to a level of comfort and style with well-appointed leather seats, upgraded 8-inch touch screen display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Change Alert.
Life under the crewcab is a different story for most and possibly a good deterrent for not helping those friends who need “truck” favors. Next time they ask for a “truck” favor, just kick them to the rear bench seat where comfort was more so in the eyes of someone younger, thinner, and more flexible. Front seats are reserved for those that pay the gas bill and orders the pizza when the favor is complete.
With light steering and relaxed suspension etiquette, the Silverado is the city slicker to the rough cowboy. What it lacks in gruff, it makes up for in capabilities. While yes, our RST skipped the four-wheel drive check-box, the optional auto-locking rear-diff makes it plenty proficient to get through any irregular messes. Averaging 24 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg combined, the turbo-four sees somewhat impressive numbers. For the daily driver that needs a truck, the turbo-four isn’t one to fret to pass by. A V-8 in a truck always sets the precedence, but this is the 21st century, where hybrid systems are found in super cars and four-cylinder turbocharged engines are found in trucks. Don’t let the lesser of 4 moving parts detour your mindset.
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Model: 2019 CHEVROLET SILVERADO RST 2.7T
Starting Price: $38,800
As Tested: $47,795
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 2.7-LITER TURBOCHARGED FOUR-CYLINDER
Horsepower/Torque: 310-HORSEPOWER / 348 LB-FT TORQUE
Transmission: 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC
Drivetrain: REAR-WHEEL DRIVE WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL
Fuel Economy: EPA RATED: 20-CITY / 23-HWY / 21-COMBINED
(AS TESTED: 18.6 MPG COMBINED | 23.6 MPG-HWY – 200 MILE TEST)
Fuel Range: 420 MILES
0-60 MPH: ±7.0 SECONDS
SIX SPEED BLOG 
I must say I’m impressed with Chevy’s execution here. It took some bravery (and some balls?) to put a full-size pickup truck out there with a 4-cylinder engine. But that kind of innovation is what will pave the way for others to follow – ultimately allowing us consumers to realize better savings at the pump without sacrificing performance. Glad you got to experience this and anxious to see how well it sells.
I too will be curious on the sales. Ford had a hard enough time convincing consumers to stray away from the V-8 for the EcoBoost V-6. It’ll be interesting to see how GM promotes the four-cylinder with V-6-like performance.