Pushing Boundaries In Time for Spring’s Bounty: Chevy Silverado 2500 HD First Drive

We love everything about how the Silverado 2500 HD performs and looks here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! Its first-class towing capabilities, great looks, and undeniable charm have made it many lifelong friends, along with a few sworn enemies of the naturally jealous variety! The lead development engineer from the Motor City that helped make the Silverado so awesome recently took it down under to Australia’s Sunshine Coast this month, to show the AU media the higher points of this world-class machine. 

The first order of business was a demonstration of the Trailer App, which allows you to set specific profiles for each trailer. This helps with precise mileage tracking, reminders for scheduled maintenance, and all-important tire sensors. The 2500 HD series first gets down to business by swapping out a 6.2-liter gas V8 for the monstrous and menacing 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8, which cranks out 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. The independent front suspension allows each wheel on the same axle to move independently from others, which helps to take on the challenges of the road and offer more traction, and stability.

It's a unique powerhouse that was designed to take the stress out of large haul scenarios, with the HD wearing a cutthroat and sought-after industry badge of a 20-ton hauling ability. Even the exterior is expertly configured for maximum practicality, with its extra split-level side mirrors, different door shapes, and slightly lower height. The LTZ premium trim line adds the river-fording goodness of the Z71 off-road suspension package, sprucing things up with two inches of extra ground clearance, a 13.5-inch infotainment display, and very attractive high-quality leather. 

One of the most ingenious additions to a truck is the 14 HD camera views that cover a 360-degree area around the Silverado and are a huge help with preparing loads and difficult parking jobs. This is quite an enormous hunk of steel to be at the helm of on narrow and muddy trails, even with the very competent AWD system that handles power delivery duty. After hunkering down and getting used to everything, all these hard-working and efficient components made the testing crew immediately remark: “Oh, what a machine it is!” 

Adaptive cruise control is now standard on the HD and it shows up with its sleeves rolled up and ready for work with its' trailer load sensor. The entire HD line also saw a few other updates for 2024 with C-shaped running lights on the upper trim levels. You can also opt for the All-Star Edition, which takes the coolest of the premium cabin elements and stuffs them into a 100% rig-approved package. It includes dual-zone climate control as well as three extra 3-prong 120 Volt outlets throughout the truck to help power all the big stuff for the troupe.

The much beefier 12.0-inch rear axle helps with handling the mammoth payloads, and the Motor1.com staff claimed that all the new goodies “make it even more appealing as an everyday HD truck.” With the gooseneck option, you’ll be towing up to 22,500 lbs, and the U.S. News team loved the HD’s flexible tailgate that could be used as load stops, steps, or even a way-above-par makeshift work surface. With Ford rolling out the new Super Duty at the same time, we know that the Silverado HD has a few lofty aspirations to make good on. Even though this is excellent and incredibly hard-working machinery, it now caters to the segment that puts as high a priority on comfort as anything else!

2024 Chevy Silverado HD Production to Begin Soon

The mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD will feature revised exterior styling, a completely reworked cockpit, enhancements to the powertrain, and more. For those wondering when it will be available, assembly lines will roar to life during February 2023! Outside, the 2024 model will benefit from brand-new headlights, a new front fascia, grille, and C-shaped LED signature lighting. 

Trims LT and above are given a completely overhauled cockpit, with a 13.4-inch diagonal infotainment screen and an all-new 13.4-inch diagonal configurable driver information center. You’ll be towing with the ice and snow-conquering strength of Adaptive Cruise Control with Trailer, Enhanced Transparent Trailer, Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert, and GCW alert. The Silverado HD boasts a trailering capacity of up to 36,000 pounds. 

The powertrain is the burly 6.6-liter L8T V8 gasoline engine, with the option to switch things up with the 6.6-liter V8 LSP turbodiesel Duramax engine. The latter cranks out 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque, which is a 25 hp and 65 lb torque increase over the outgoing model. Each engine is paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission, displaying unique superiority and function while replacing the six-speed that gas-powered models used previously. 

You’ll be solidly handling daily duties with the patented front-engined and longitudinal layout, with assembly being handled by the trusty and hard-working men and women of the Chevy plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. VP of Chevy Scott Bell claimed that this HD model was “designed to be the customers’ favored choice for true truck capability,” and that the recent enhancements will bolster its dependable image even further. All these improvements ultimately complete a more confident feeling of on-demand power, whether you are attempting a tricky tow or not. 

The main and high beams of the new LED lights are split into dual functions, and there is an awesome animated lighting sequence that welcomes or virtually waves goodbye at you from the truck. Another fantastic update that we know everyone will love is the Durabed cargo box that makes use of every square inch to boost maximum cargo capacity. The lineup also holds on to the popular Z71 sport edition, Z71 Chrome sport edition, and Midnight Special Edition appearance packages, as well as the superpowered Alaskan snow plow special edition.