GM’s volume brand is naturally one of the favorite badges among American car buyers. The Chevrolet brand has sold a total of 2,065,879 vehicles in the U.S. and an additional 171,005 units in Canada during 2017. That’s around 500,000 vehicles more than they sold in 2010, for instance, but around 60,000 units less than they sold in 2015, which was their record-selling year. MY 2018 is predicting a further decline in sales, but it’s still too early to draw a definitive conclusion on the matter. With MY 2019 lurking around the corner, it’s probably a good time to analyze the 2019 Chevy models.
We’ll try to give a wider picture for the most popular Chevy 2019 models while paying special attention to their respective age. In other words, we’ll point out which of them are hot and which are not by analyzing the upcoming facelifts and complete makeovers. It comes without saying that it’s probably better to skip on the model that’s already aged and whose redesign is just around the corner. At the same time, you probably won’t get an opportunity to buy, for instance, a special edition model limited exclusively to MY 2019 if you don’t jump on it straight away. Here’s what we’ve come up with.
What’s Hot in the New 2019 Chevrolet Lineup
07. 2019 Camaro
The iconic pony car is always hot. There’s hardly any doubt about that. Now that the lineup is bolstered by the even more iconic ZL1 nameplate, the sixth-gen Camaro is arguably hotter than ever. Especially considering Chevrolet is also offering a 650-horsepower ZL1 1LE version of the pony car that easily passes as the most powerful and fastest Camaro ever. Moreover, MY 2019 is bringing a mid-cycle refresh to the Camaro lineup, which is all the more reason to skip the 2018 models.
Apart from what’ll likely be a minor cosmetic update, the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro likely won’t come with too many additional updates. Perhaps a slight bump in power – especially in the SS models – and a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Then again, the current Camaro is as good as they come anyway, so any upgrade is only a bonus. Do wait for the 2019 model because Chevrolet might just find a way to cut a few hundred dollars off from the entry-level price tag. The entry-level Mustang currently undercuts it by almost $1,500, and the bean counters at Chevrolet simply can’t afford such a discrepancy. Especially since the Mustang vastly outsells its arch-rival.
06. 2019 Silverado
The all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado will be the Bow Tie brand’s linchpin vehicle for MY 2019. The half-ton truck’s sales amounted to one quarter of total U.S. Chevrolet sales and one-third of Canadian sales in 2017. This trend will continue next year, but Chevrolet has all the rights to hope their full-size pickup will surpass the 600,000 sold units in 2019 – a feat it’s already succeeded doing in 2015. The new Silverado doesn’t only offer fresh styling, but an entirely new aluminum-rich body with the hood, doors, and tailgate all being lighter. The truck itself has shed about 450 pounds despite growing in size. It now has a 3.9-inch longer wheelbase and a nearly 7-inch wider bed floor.
The powertrain lineup has been revised as well. Although 5.3L and 6.2L V8s carry over mostly unchanged, they now both sport the industry’s first dynamic fuel management system that shuts off any number of unneeded cylinders whereas the outgoing systems were only able to shut off an entire bank. Needless to say, this should improve the Silverado’s not-so-great fuel efficiency. Then there is an all-new 3.0L Duramax inline-six turbodiesel and new 10-speed automatic gearbox – features that should further improve fuel efficiency. Last but not least, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado sports a number of entirely new trims, including the road-focused RST and off-road-oriented LT Trailboss. It should be interesting to see how the GM’s competitors respond to all these upgrades as they’re all in a process of redesigning their full-size offerings as well.
05. 2019 Malibu
With the ninth-generation Malibu’s sales beginning to decline, it was high time for Chevrolet to finally do something about one of their most iconic intermediates. The 2019 Malibu will thus don a revised body after the upcoming mid-life facelift. As it’s often the case with a mid-cycle refresh or a mid-cycle enhancement (MCE) in the GM world, visual changes will be largely insignificant. A revised grille and lighting elements stand out as the most obvious revisions, whereas the interior still hasn’t been spied. It will likely take a similar shape to that of the recently redesigned Chevrolet models.
The Chevrolet Malibu for MY 2019 doesn’t rely on being the prettiest of Chevrolets, although this should definitely help. The intermediate sedan’s biggest advantage over its rivals is its impeccable fuel economy ratings. That is, if you’ve opted for the base 1.5L turbo four engine, which returns up to 30 miles to the gallon combined. The stronger 2.0L turbo four manages 26 mpg combined, and of course, there’s the hybrid that’s rated at 46 mpg overall. The Malibu is also one of the best options when it comes to passenger comfort thanks to its class-leading rear legroom. Finally, it’s also nicely stacked with features. Especially considering it comes with an affordable price tag. The 2019 Malibu will likely further improve on the last bit which should make it an even better choice.
04. 2019 Chevrolet Bolt
This dedicated electric subcompact has very little competition at the moment, which means all eyes are on this nifty little hatchback. The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt might be joined by one or two additional compact EVs, but it’ll almost certainly remain the best vehicle in its niche. A niche that’s getting more and more popular with every passing day. Thanks to a 200-horsepower electric motor and a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Bolt is able to provide as much as 238 miles of range on a single charge. That’s quite impressive for a car that costs as little as $30,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit.
The perky zero-emissions subcompact doesn’t come without issues, though. Even though it successfully ticks almost every single box there is, the Bolt still can’t be relied upon to take you on a long interstate trip. Charging takes up to 30 hours via 110-volt outlets and close to 10 hours on typical 240-volt chargers. Combined Charging System (CCS) ports are still few and far between to safely rely on. Though they provide around 90 miles of range in 30 minutes, there aren’t much more than 1,000 of them across the states. Needless to say, if GM is planning on taking the next step forward, it’s the fast charging network that should become their focal point. The Chevrolet Bolt is already one quality car and MY 2019 won’t bring too many changes.
03. 2019 Corvette ZR1
In the sea of colorful Corvette models that were spawned during the sports car’s 65-year long lifespan, the ZR1 deservedly stands near the top. The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the fourth model that’s donning this iconic badge after the ’69-’71 C3 ZR1, ’90-’95 C4 ZR1, and more recently, the ’09-’12 C6 ZR1. Needless to say, the C7 ZR1 Corvette is the most powerful of the lot. Not only that, it’s actually the fastest and most powerful Corvette ever built. Chevy is planning on building no more than 3,000 of them during the initial year, and only the Chevy bean counters know if the $120k ‘Vette will return after that. In other words, one of the hottest ‘Vette ever made is also one of the hottest 2019 Chevy models, and one of the cars you can’t afford to pass on if you’re a Corvette fan.
If you’ve been living under a rock these past few months, the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 develops a blistering 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of twist. Power comes courtesy of a 6.2L supercharged V8 mill that GM code-named LT5. Not only does it allow a 0 to 60 acceleration in under 3 seconds and a high nine quarter-mile, but it allows the ZR1 to max out at 212 mph. Still not sold on it? The ZR1 also comes in two different body kits, both of which are equally impressive. The “ZTK Performance Pack” creates up to 950 pounds of downforce thanks to its high wing rear carbon spoiler. The slightly more subdued “Sebring Orange Design Package,” as its name suggests, offers a tequila sunrise approach to the sports car’s appearance. With such a strong performer already out there, the next step for the ‘Vette, apart from the new C8 generation, would have to be the mid-engined model.
02. 2019 Blazer
We’ve finally lived to see the day in which some of the most beloved nameplates among the U.S. car enthusiasts have made a comeback. Perhaps out of the blue, but definitely in the shadow of its arch rival the Ford Bronco’s return – the GM has announced the revival of the Chevy Blazer for the iconic SUV’s 50th anniversary. Like the Bronco, however, the all-new Blazer won’t be a car it used to be in decades past. It’s a modern interpretation of a unibody crossover that’ll slot between the Equinox and Traverse in the Chevrolet range, but will actually share most of its structure with the GMC Acadia. Much like there’s nothing in common with the Blazer and one of company’s pickup trucks, the modern Blazer also doesn’t get its predecessors’ live axle setup. It does boast fine towing rates and Camaro-like frontal fascia, but not much else at first sight. Blazer aficionados will hate it, but if you can look past the great expectations for it which were never realistic to begin with, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is really a decent crossover.
Needless to say, the modern interpretation of the Blazer will have to make do without the original’s V8 engines. Instead, a mid-size crossover will offer a choice in 4-cylinder and V6 mills. The former is a 193-horsepower 2.5L unit whereas the latter 3.6L V6 generates 305 horsepower. Both will be paired with a contemporary 9-speed automatics, but only V6 models will be available with an optional all-wheel drive setup. Otherwise, it’s front-wheel drive as standard. Prices for entry-level models will start from just under $30,000, but upper echelons will get expensive, and quickly at that. The range-topping Blazer Premier will cost around $47,000 if optioned with all-wheel drive, and that’s before the other extras which will be in abundance. Expect the new Blazer to arrive in early 2019.
01. 2019 Yenko Camaro
Another one of Chevrolet’s iconic nameplates is making a comeback for MY 2019. The fabled Yenko Camaro is here to trample the most furious of its opponents into the ground. What’s more, it will be available straight from a number of select GM dealerships, much like its distant predecessor was. If you need a reminder or have been living under a rock for a better part of the last five decades, the Yenko Camaro first appeared in 1967 when Don Yenko – dealership owner and racer – ordered a number of new L78 SS Camaros and stuffed a L72 427 cu in Corvette V8 in them. These original units are still considered some of the most powerful and rarest Camaros ever offered for sale. Now the GM is doing something similar by offering a ludicrously expensive and powerful optional Yenko/SC Stage I and II packages for what’s already a pricey $45,000 SS 1LE Camaro. Donor cars will be converted by the Specialty Vehicle Engineering division, and will be limited to 25 unit each.
More specifically, on top of the aforementioned SS 1LE donor car, you can either order the $46,995 Yenko/SC Stage I package which boosts the donor to 835 ponies and 875 pound-feet of torque or the even more ludicrous $66,995 Stage II package which pushes the madness even further to a whopping 1,000 ponies. Needless to say, both cars feature a heavily revised 6.8L LT1 supercharged V8 engine and a number of additional upgrades all over the place. Although not exactly GM production models, the fact they can be ordered through some of their dealerships means the Camaro currently owns the muscle crown. The Challenger Demon falls mighty short of the Stage II, and Ford is yet to introduce a Mustang with even remotely close figures.
What’s Not in the New 2019 Chevy Lineup
03. 2019 Colorado
Although the second-gen Chevy Colorado is ripe for a makeover, a serious lack of any substantial info on the matter (especially now that we’re a few major auto shows deep into 2018) suggests we’ll have to wait another year for that to happen. One could say that GM is playing with fire here since Ford has chosen MY 2019 to reintroduce their mid-size offering, the Ranger. Given the Blue Oval’s wealth of resources, it’s certain that the new Ranger will represent more than a stern competition for GM’s Canyonado duo straight out of the gates. The GM collective is really risking losing the sweet spot they currently hold on the market by extending their mid-size trucks’ tenure without paying heed to what their competition is doing. This is why we can’t recommend buying the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado.
Then again, with the full-size Silverado being a priority, this doesn’t really come as a surprise. The new Colorado will likely follow in its larger cousin’s footsteps, but that won’t happen prior to MY 2020. However, being in a tight spot, GM brass might decide to offer a sort of a preview into the new Colorado by offering 2019 models with new features and possibly a new 10-speed automatic. They might even add a new 2.7L twin-turbocharged 4-cylinder engine as an option which would certainly counter the Ford Ranger’s 2.3L EcoBoost mill and its promising fuel economy. Then again, with the lack of any substantial info as mentioned above leaves us rather skeptical on the matter.
02. 2019 Suburban
Even the longest-running nameplate in U.S. automotive history doesn’t mean a lot when there are no fresh ideas. The current-generation Chevy Suburban has been around since MY 2015, but the Bow Tie brand doesn’t seem intent on freshening things up. Before the redesigned Suburban hits the roads in what’ll likely be 2020, the full-size, boxy, body-on-frame SUV buyers will have to look to other makers if they want an up-to-date model of their choice. Although the bulky full-size SUV market isn’t as busy as other segments, this is still a long time without any substantial changes. Especially for what’s essentially a $50,000 and upwards vehicle.
The main competition in the segment comes from Ford these days whose duo of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator have both gone through a major overhaul for MY 2018. A quick comparison between the two (or three for that matter) immediately highlights all of the Suburban’s shortcomings. Chevrolet’s box-on-frame doesn’t exhibit the best of reliability ratings, it showcases lackluster fuel economy figures and comes with lower safety scores than its rivals. Sales, however, have been steady since the current generation made its debut. If the Bow Tie brand wants to keep them that way though, they’ll have to address the Suburban’s aging issues sooner rather than later. It seems they won’t be doing so for MY 2019, though, and unsurprisingly, this news can be transferred to its closest relative…
01. 2019 Tahoe
Being built upon the same platform in the same assembly, it’s no wonder there aren’t too many differences between the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe. Needless to say, there aren’t too many differences in the strategy the Bow Tie brand has in store for them. Both of these large SUVs (alongside their GMC and Cadillac stablemates) are scheduled for a makeover in 2020. If you’re in the market for any of them, you’d be advised to wait and see what the updated models will have in store for you.
If you’re satisfied with what Chevy Tahoe has to offer, then you can likely get a better offer than what you’d get from the next-gen model. The current generation Tahoe starts from $47,500, and newer models almost certainly won’t be available for that amount. Then again, they’ll likely offer more room for both the passengers and their cargo, better fuel efficiency, and more contemporary list of available features. There’s an upside and downside for everything, as always. The 2019 Tahoe will be one of the most outdated Chevy models for MY 2019, but it won’t remain such for long. The ebb and flow of the market should take care of that.
