Pickup trucks can be used for many things, from strong utility vehicles to luxury daily drivers. That said, most truck drivers want their pickup truck to be more than just a form of transportation. These drivers look at their truck as a tool that can come in handy for hauling tremendous cargo and towing substantial trailers behind their tailgate, and rightfully so. There are many heavy-duty pickup trucks out there in the market that can do just what they want. But there is one that has garnered a lot of extra attention: the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD. This model is a step up from the rather lightweight 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500, adding in a far more robust powertrain as well as a rigid structure that is perfect for hauling tremendous payloads. There are few vehicles out there like the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD. That said, today, we’ll unpack everything that this truck has to offer to see if it lives up to all of its promises.
First Impressions
At first glance, the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD puts up quite a presence. In many ways, this truck is a beefier version of its smaller cousin, the Chevy Silverado 1500, standing 4 inches taller and weighing a whole lot more. The Chevy Silverado 2500 HD does come in at a rather hefty starting price of $34,100 MSRP. However, if you’re in the market for one of these trucks, then you already understand that the higher cost ought to translate directly into capability.
When you browse a Chevy dealership showroom, you’ll find one of four trims: the Work Truck, Custom, LT, and LTZ. As to be expected, each trim comes with differing tiers in regards to power-delivery, features, and towing capacity. However, no matter which model you decide to buy, you’ll likely end up with an engine with far more output than your typical pickup truck.
Putting the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD to the Test
Truck drivers want power, and the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD provides just that. These trucks are powerhouses and utilize some pretty hefty machinery to propel the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD forward. Base models of the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD get a 6.6-liter V8 engine that’s powered by gas, along with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Even at baseline levels, the powertrain is a beast, offering up 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. The gas-powered V8 can pull up to 17,370 pounds, an already staggering number, and it’s not even the only available engine. This base engine already outpaces those found in top-tier smaller trucks, and the powertrain options only increase in scale from this point on.
If you want more power, though, or you’re interested in a turbodiesel engine, you won’t be disappointed. Some models of the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD are strapped with a 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine and an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission, which puts out 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. If you are hoping to test the limits of this powertrain, you’ll find, when equipped with a rear-wheel drivetrain, the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD can haul a maximum of 18,500 pounds.
While you will only get two different engines to pick from with the Chevy Silverado, what’s here is plenty, and certainly won’t disappoint.
Interior and Exterior Comforts
When examining a pickup truck, it is worthwhile to check out the size and capacity of the truck bed. The Chevy Silverado 2500 HD gets a standard 82-inch truck bed. Should you want something a bit larger, you can certainly find it when you upgrade to the 8-foot truck bed, which, combined with the interior, makes for 83.5 cubic feet of total cargo capacity. While cargo capacity and truck bed size matter, it isn’t the only factor that makes the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD a pretty incredible pickup truck.
Automotive technology has come a long way, going from simple car radios to now smart infotainment systems that are touch activated and offer seamless connection to our smartphones. And technology in the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD is just as robust as the engine options. Although the tech in the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD isn’t only meant to provide premium comfort, many of these features are utility-focused.
Sure, base models of the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD get a reasonably sized 7-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, but this is only the start to many bright highlights. For instance, the truck bed gets a built-in 120-volt outlet so you can charge up your tools with ease. LED lights in the cargo hold make navigating in the dark a thing of the past as well.
Although, these features play second fiddle to some of the trailering add-ons that make take towing to another level. For instance, the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD’s advanced trailering feature, which is available in some trims, gives you eight different cameras to view the rear end of your vehicle from a variety of different angles. This surround-view perspective can completely change your towing experience and make navigating even the tightest of spaces a breeze.
Additional Tech in the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
While there is plenty of tech adding to the utility of the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, there are also additional features that improve both safety and convenience. For instance, should you opt for an upgrade, you can pack your model of the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot so that you can remain connected no matter what. A wireless charging pad for your smartphone is also available, equipping your truck with the very latest in charging technology.
The Chevy Silverado 2500 HD is a rather large vehicle, which makes moving about in tight parking lots something of a challenge. Fortunately, Chevrolet thought of this and packed the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD with features that make piloting this big pickup truck simple and easy. Front and rear parking assist, for instance, can alert you when your vehicle is at risk of colliding with objects when moving at slow speeds.
Lane change alerts with side blind-zone alerts can give you forewarning if a vehicle is passing in your blind-spot, or if you’re drifting out of your lane. And forward collision alerts use cameras and sensors to alert you when a front-collision is imminent, giving you the crucial time you need to avoid a potential front-end collision. All of these features combined make for a very high-tech driving experience that provides for superior awareness, whether towing out on the open road or parking your car in a cramped parking lot.
An Impressive Truck From Start to Finish
There may be many trucks out on the road, but few offer the high-degree of power found beneath the hood of the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD. This beefy pickup delivers on the promise of a truck that won’t hesitate or slow when put up to the task. And on top of the great performance, the truck provides amazing technologies to improve entertainment and safety. So, no matter if you’re looking for a new addition to your business fleet, for a daily driver, or if you’re shopping for a truly heavy-duty truck, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD ought to satisfy.
