The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado Is For the Person Who's Always Working
Our Take on the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
The 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is built to work. From behind the wheel, it only feels at home if it's loaded up with gear or hauling a gigantic trailer. Big, brawny, and ready to take on the world, it's as much truck as most people will ever need.
The base 6.6-liter gas-powered V-8 should be enough to pull most trailers and boats, as even in the 2500's least capable trim, it can tow 14,500 pounds—enough for two race cars in an enclosed trailer. And you'll be enjoying that haul in comfort thanks to a newly upgraded cabin that brings a revised infotainment system shown through a massive 13.4-inch touchscreen. Those that need even more towing capacity can opt for the 6.6-liter turbodiesel V-8, capable of delivering an amazing 975 lb-ft of torque.
The Silverado HD's driving experience is decidedly utilitarian, with heavy steering and brakes. Without anything loaded in the bed, the rear end is on the bouncier end, as the springs are meant to deliver a solid ride with stuff in the bed, not when it's empty. So if you don't plan to use this truck to haul at all times, we suggest buying something smaller or the more civil Ford Super Duty.
What's New
The Silverado 2500HD has been given a substantial facelift for the 2024 model year. It includes changes to the fascia, the interior, and some powertrain options.
The front bumper has been reworked with a new grille and headlight setup, giving it a more modern look. The biggest change happens on the inside, though, where the dashboard and gauge cluster have been given significant upgrades that include a big screen in place of traditional gauges, alongside a massive touchscreen for controlling things like vehicle settings and entertainment.
The six-speed automatic attached to the base 6.6-liter gas V-8 has been dropped, with all trims now using the 10-speed Allison automatic previously only available with the optional turbodiesel V-8. That diesel engine also gets a slight bump to 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque.
Pros
Gigantic towing and payload capacities make pulling and hauling a breeze.
Modern, sleek cabin means you can work and cruise in comfort.
Cameras, a bed step, and a host of other tech features making loading and maneuvering far easier.
Cons
Steering and brakes require a bit more force to operate than they should.
Suspension feels jumpy and oversprung when the truck is empty.
Diesel engine is a ~$10,000 option.
Performance, Engine & Horsepower
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD comes standard with a 6.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline V-8 making 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. It connects to a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission paired to rear-wheel drive or optional switchable four-wheel drive.
There's an available 6.6-liter turbocharged Duramax diesel V-8 available too, rated at 470 hp and a humongous 975 lb-ft of torque. Like the gas engine, it's paired to a 10-speed Allison-branded automatic. It's also available with either rear- or four-wheel drive.
Features & Specs
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is available in a wide range of trims and body styles, with no fewer than seven variants to choose from, going from the base, stripped down Work Truck to the luxury-minded High Country model.
No matter which model you choose, you'll get a huge interior and a big dashboard stuffed with controls for things like entertainment, climate, drivetrain settings, and towing. Step up to some of the more expensive trims, and things like heated and ventilated seats, leather trim, and a bigger touchscreen become available.
Towing and Payload
The Silverado 2500HD was built to haul, and its maximum towing and payload capacities prove that's exactly what it can do. Depending on specification the 6.6-liter gas-powered 2500 can pull up to 16,000 pounds with a ball hitch, or up to 18,700 pounds with a 5th wheel or gooseneck-style trailer attachment.
Upgrade to the turbodiesel engine, and those numbers jump to up to 20,000 pounds with a ball hitch or up to 22,430 pounds with a 5th wheel or gooseneck-style trailer. Maximum payload is 3689 pounds for the gas engine and 3615 pounds for the diesel. These numbers should be plenty big for most, but if you're sweating every pound it's worth noting that Ford's F-250 can tow and haul more weight.
MPG/Range
The EPA doesn't actually test vehicles as large as the Silverado HD, but our colleagues over at Car and Driver were able to test a 2023 model-year 2500 with the base gas engine themselves, recording 14 mpg on the highway. We saw about the same performance on the open road, according to the truck's onboard fuel calculator.
That number dipped to about 8 mpg after a bunch of city driving, however. And we suspect any extended towing would knock the average economy even lower. But that's to be expected considering the transparent amount of weight the engine is asked to move around.
Test Drive
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is a truck designed to be hauling something at all times. The suspension is designed to hold a lot of weight, making it feel normal on the road when it's loaded up with gear or a trailer. When the bed is empty, the rear end feels bouncy and unsettled. If you don't plan to do a lot of item-moving, we suggest going for something smaller and more livable.
No matter how much hauling you do, expect a pleasant driving experience with heavier-than-expected steering and braking controls. Visibility is average for a vehicle this size—I was using the surround-view cameras a bunch when squeezing through tighter areas in New York.
Pricing
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD starts at $43,395 for the base work truck without any options. Upgrade to the Custom trim, and that number jumps to $49,795. Just above that is the popular LT trim, at $50,395. Take anther step to the LTZ trim and you'll be paying $59,595. For the off-road enthusiast is the rock-crawling-ready ZR2 trim, at $72,595. Above that is the most luxurious trim, the High Country, at $73,995.
Our tester was a 2500 LT model with the crew cab and a standard-length bed. It had about $10,000 in optional extras, including 20-inch wheels, front heated bucket seats, pre-drilled inserts for fifth-wheel trailering, remote start, a multi-flex tailgate, and a Z71 off-road package, which comes with hill decent control, skid plates, a spray-in bedliner, and unique suspension with twin-tube shocks. Final MSRP was $64,445.
Interior
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD's interior is a lovely place to spend time, with lots of space and storage solutions for all kinds of use cases. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a massive 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen make the driver's seat feel more like a control center. You're surrounded by buttons, including physical inputs for the climate and volume.
The front seats in our tester were power-operated, with plenty of adjustment for all body types. The truck didn't have an adjustable pedal box, though, a bit disappointing considering the pedals felt a bit too close for my usual a seating position.
Comfort
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD has plenty of standard comfort features to ensure your time behind the wheel is as drama-free as possible. Getting into the tall cabin is as easy as grabbing one of the standard pillar-mounted grab handles. Up front you can option bucket seats with a permanent center console in place of a third foldable seat, for more arm space and storage.
While the materials used inside aren't typical luxury car fancy, but do well to spruce up what will likely be a mobile office for most users. The High Country trim, with its numerous luxury-minded features, is the best choice for those who will accept nothing less than the latest in comfort add-ons.
Technology
The big 13.4-inch touchscreen in the center of the Silverado HD's dashboard runs on Chevy's Infotainment 3 system. Our tester came paired with things like SiriusXM satellite radio and a WiFi hotspot. And unlike some newer all-electric Chevys, there's still standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android.
Storage
The pickup bed in the Silverado HD can measure from 6.9 to 8.2 feet depending on which bed length you go for in your configuration. There are also numerous storage solutions in the cabin, including under and behind the rear seats, in the center console, and in the door pockets. Just be aware you'll lose a good deal of that center console space if you opt for the three-across front bench seat.
Safety
The 2024 Silverado 2500HD is offered with a host of modern safety systems, including things like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and even a teen driver mode. There are also a handful of available cameras and trailer-friendly features to ensure easy parking and towing.ok
The Silverado HD has not been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Trims
The Silverado 2500HD has seven trims to choose from, meaning a wide range of features and capabilities. The standard Work Truck trim comes with a 6.6-liter gas-powered V-8 and a 10-speed Allison automatic. There's also an automatic locking differential and a host of standard safety systems.
Jump to the Custom trim, and you get 20-inch aluminum wheels, power-adjustable trailering mirrors with heated glass elements, cloth seating, remote entry, and power windows and door locks. Above that is the LT trim, which adds a 13.4-inch touch screen, a 12.3 inch digital gauge cluster screen, chrome exterior trim, and keyless start.
Next in hierarchy is the LTZ trim, which tacks on an in-vehicle trailering system, a hitch-view camera, LED headlamps, power-folding and extending trailer mirrors, leather front seating, and 10-way power front seats.
The ZR2 trim is specifically for off-roading enthusiasts, adding specific heavy-duty Multimatic DSSV suspension, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and a taller ride height. For 2024 there's also a ZR2 Bison model, which adds accessories and upgrades from aftermarket parts maker American Expedition Vehicles (AEV).
At the top of the price range sits the High Country, which gets a specific chromed-out fascia, 20-inch chrome wheels, a power tailgate, premium leather, a bed view camera, a surround-view camera, heated rear seats, and a host of extra active safety systems.
Wrapping Up
The Chevy Silverado 2500HD is a solid choice among the small but highly competitive heavy duty pickup segment. Huge towing and payload capacities mean you'll never be wanting for more performance, while handsome looks and a modernized interior result in a truck you won't feel bad about spending entire days driving.
You Might Also Like
