The heavy-duty (HD) pickup truck is the vehicle of choice for anyone that needs to haul or tow large, heavy loads. Only four players are in this specialized segment, and the Chevrolet Silverado HD makes up a good chunk of those sales. Chevrolet hopes to continue its success in this market with the all-new 2024 Silverado HD.
For the 2024 model year, the Silverado HD gets several exterior updates, including an updated front end with a new fascia, headlights, and grille, giving the big truck a bold presence. Inside, the truck receives a significant upgrade with updated styling and an available 13.4-inch infotainment display, which Chevy claims is the largest in the segment. The new Silverado HD also gets increased capability and a range of high-tech features designed to help with hauling and towing.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD is available in three-quarter-ton (2500HD) and one-ton (3500HD) model series. All told, there are hundreds of possible configurations, including regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab, each with two pickup bed sizes and five trim levels: Work Truck (WT), Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country. Prices for the 2024 Silverado 2500HD start around $45,000 for the regular cab WT 2-wheel drive (2WD) and range as high as $82,585 for the top-level High Country with 4-wheel drive (4WD) and the diesel powertrain.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Chevrolet Silverado HD competes in the Large Heavy Duty Pickup market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2022 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 90 percent of new Chevrolet Silverado HD buyers are male (vs. 91 percent for the segment), and the median age of a new Silverado HD buyer is 56 years (vs. 55).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated the Silverado HD in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you’ll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the 2022 APEAL Study, the Silverado HD ranks fourth out of four Large Heavy Duty Pickup models.
In the sections that follow, our independent expert analyzes a Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab LT 4WD, painted in Red Hot and equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle’s price was $73,935, including the $1,895 destination charge.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Silverado 2500HD is a big truck with more than 10 inches of ground clearance, so climbing in is no easy feat. Chevrolet offers running boards, which makes this task more manageable, but my test vehicle did not have them, making the step up into the cabin challenging.
Once inside, however, the 4-door cabin is spacious with attractive styling updated for the 2024 model year. Most noticeable on the higher-level trims, including the truck I drove, is the new 13.4-inch infotainment display, nicely integrated into the dashboard. The clear, easy-to-read screen is a welcome addition to the big truck. Chevrolet keeps climate controls separate for quick access, and I appreciated the physical volume knob.
The new Silverado 2500 also features a configurable 12.3-inch digital driver display that can display fuel economy, off-road, towing, or other specialized information.
Front seats are somewhat flat without much bolstering, but they are generally very comfortable with nice padding and soft leather trim. Chevrolet nicely outfitted my test vehicle with wood trim and satin accents, giving it a premium vibe.
Storage around the front seats is extensive, including a sizable, covered bin in the center console. A large tray ahead of the cupholders provides an excellent place to store small items. At the same time, a slot in the front of the storage bin houses the wireless charger, which is ideal for keeping the phone from sliding off the charger or getting lost.
Passengers relegated to the rear seat of the Silverado HD won’t be able to complain about a lack of space. With plenty of legroom and headroom, the back seat is one of the more spacious on the market. Seat bottoms fold up to provide additional cargo space in the cab, and the rear seatbacks open, revealing small, relatively hidden storage cubbies.
As a heavy-duty truck, most of the hauling will take place in the bed, and Chevrolet has that covered. Aiding in the loading and unloading of cargo is the innovative Multi-Flex tailgate, which features multiple configurations. The tailgate can split to create a step up into the bed (with a telescoping handle in the bed) or can raise a section to keep items from sliding out of the bed with the tailgate open. The tailgate also has a power release for added convenience.
Photo: Perry Stern
The new infotainment system in the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD is a nice upgrade over the previous version, especially with the large 13.4-inch touchscreen display. Highlights of this Google-based system include wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, Google Maps, Google Play Store, Google Assistant voice interface, and Bluetooth connectivity and streaming.
With Google Maps and Google Assistant already integrated into the new Chevrolet infotainment system, connecting my Samsung Galaxy S21 and running Android Auto almost seemed redundant. However, I made this connection, and the setup was seamless, with Android Auto starting up automatically every time I started the truck.
The voice interface works quite well with the back end operated by Google Assistant. The system can set a navigation destination, locate the closest Mexican restaurant, text a contact, or adjust the vehicle temperature.
One unusual characteristic of the system is that the music continues to play after shutting off the engine. In most vehicles, opening the door will power down the audio system, but in the Silverado HD, the music keeps going, even after exiting the truck and locking the doors. Eventually, it stops, but walking away from the truck is strange, still hearing the music playing inside.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Silverado HD is available with gas or diesel engine options; my test vehicle had the latter. Powering this Silverado 2500HD was a Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine delivering 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque. An Allison 10-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine option.
There was a time when a diesel-powered heavy-duty pickup truck would be loud and uncomfortable, but the Silverado HD is neither. The big truck delivers a smooth, confident ride while keeping the cabin relatively quiet. There is some road and engine noise at highway speeds, but it is minimal and considerably quieter than expected.
Handling is reasonable considering the mass of this truck, but it certainly isn’t meant for carving a mountain road. While it is perfectly comfortable to drive around town, maneuverability becomes a challenge, especially when it comes to parking. The multiple camera angles certainly help, but at more than 20 feet long, finding a parking space where the truck will fit can be difficult.
The diesel powertrain in my test vehicle delivered impressive torque, translating to relatively quick acceleration. The Silverado feels quick off the line when completely unladen, and even at highway speeds, power is always available. Braking is progressive and easy to modulate, always bringing this heavy truck to a smooth halt.
While that torque delivers strong acceleration, its primary role is providing impressive towing capability. According to Chevrolet, the new 2500HD can tow as much as 22,500 pounds when properly equipped. Meanwhile, the maximum towing capacity for the new 3500HD is a whopping 36,000 pounds.
Chevrolet provides an in-vehicle trailering app that includes 14 camera views that assist in hitching, towing, and parking; trailer electrical diagnostics; an extended blind-zone alert to include the length of the trailer; and adaptive cruise control that accounts for the increased braking distance when towing a trailer.
My test truck featured the Z71 off-road package, including an off-road suspension and all-terrain tires. The big truck performed admirably when heading out into some rougher terrain with loose dirt and mud. The ride does get bouncy, but traction was good, and the Silverado had no problem with this off-pavement foray.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 Silverado HD is available with the latest advanced driver assistance systems. Features include:
Chevrolet offers adaptive cruise control on the Silverado HD for the first time, but my test vehicle did not have this feature. It did, however, feature rear cross-traffic warning, which was extremely helpful when trying to back this large vehicle out of a parking space. Lane-departure warning was also helpful, especially when driving a truck almost 7 feet wide.
Photo: Perry Stern
According to Chevrolet, the maximum cargo capacity in the 2500HD truck bed is 83.5 cubic feet or 3,508 pounds. Access to gear in the bed is made simple, with integrated bed steps behind the rear door as well as corner steps in the rear bumper.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not provide fuel-economy ratings for heavy-duty trucks, and Chevrolet has not released any efficiency estimates. During my drive of the diesel-powered 2500HD, the trip computer indicated 14 mpg in mostly city driving, with a stint of highway-only driving delivering 17.2 mpg. Based on these figures, the truck should provide a driving range of at least 500 miles with its 36-gallon fuel tank.
While the Chevrolet Silverado HD features the latest active and passive safety features, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released ratings for the truck.
The 2024 Silverado HD is available in multiple body style combinations, bed lengths, and trim levels. The lineup starts with the Silverado 2500HD WT (Work Truck) regular cab 2WD with the base gasoline V8 engine, priced at $45,295. Trim levels move up from the WT to the Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country, which is 4WD only, with a base price of $74,790. Base prices for the more capable 3500HD are $1,200 higher, starting at $46,495. All prices include the $1,895 destination charge.
In the 2022 APEAL Study, the Ford F-Series Super Duty ranks highest in the Large Heavy Duty Pickup segment. The Ram Heavy Duty and the GMC Sierra HD are the next highest-ranked models. These are the only other trucks in this segment.
Photo: Perry Stern
The updated 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD brings some welcome changes to the new model year. Always a strong player in this small group of heavy-duty trucks, the Silverado ups its game with fresh styling, a much-improved interior, and increased overall capability.
With bold new styling up front, the Silverado HD stands out from the crowd, especially painted in Red Hot. Sitting up high, the driving position provides excellent visibility. Still, anyone of small stature may want to order the running boards, as it is a big step into the cab.
The Silverado 2500 provides a comfortable, stylish cabin, and the updated infotainment system is certainly welcome. With plenty of storage in the cabin and good space front and back, the Silverado HD takes good care of its passengers.
Overall, this HD truck delivers a smooth, solid ride without sacrificing its impressive towing and hauling abilities. Aside from its size making it somewhat difficult to maneuver and park, the Silverado HD is an excellent choice when it comes to combining truck capability and comfort.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Living in the Pacific Northwest, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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