The past several years have spoiled pickup truck customers, as Ford and Ram have driven the evolution of the breed. Turbocharged engines, air suspensions, aluminum bodies, and the advance of diesel power have made these trucks more capable, lighter in weight, extra fuel efficient, as smart as supercomputers, and as comfortable as swinging hammocks. These trucks took risks, but as their sales numbers have shown, risk pays off in the truck market.

The Search For Silverado:

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But while Ford and Ram were making huge leaps forward in the art of truck building, Chevrolet has spent the last decade taking small, purposeful steps that resulted in competent trucks that maintained the status quo. The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, though, is worth getting excited about.

Chevy hasn't abandoned its conservative approach to truck development, but for the first time in a long time, the Silverado has received some progressive changes that put it on equal footing with the pickups from Dearborn and Auburn Hills, whether you use your truck for work, play, or simply getting the kids to school.

Chevy's newly progressive approach is most evident under the hood. The headliner is the new turbodiesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, which will challenge similar engines from Ram and Ford. A new turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder will also arrive as standard equipment for the Silver...