While the Silverado 1500 is all-new for 2014, the 2500HD model soldiers on for another year. Chevrolet's 3/4-ton truck comes in two cab configurations, two engine choices, and if you pick the crew cab, you get a choice of 6-foot six-inch or eight-foot bed. Regular cabs come in eight-foot only. There is also a choice of two or four-wheel drive. The engines are the standard 6.0L gas V8 mated to a six-speed automatic and producing 360 hp and 380 lb-ft or torque or an optional Duramax 6.6L turbocharged diesel V8 making 397 hp and a stump-pulling 765 lb-ft attached to a six-speed Allison transmission. Official Government fuel economy ratings for the 2500HD aren't available. The truck is heavy enough that they don't rate it.
The Silverado 2500HD comes in three trim levels base WT (Work Truck), fancier LT, and full-fancy LTZ. The WT comes with manual mirrors, air conditioning, cruise, vinyl floors, cloth seats, a tilt wheel, crank windows, and 17-inch steel wheels. Functional options include a snow plow package, trailer brake controller, hitch with wiring harness, and skid plates. For comfort, there are optional power locks, satellite radio, rear window defroster, and an LS pack that includes power locks with keyless entry and 17-inch alloys.
Next up, LT has power and heated mirrors, adds electric control to the four-wheel drive transfer case, 17-inch aluminium wheels, carpeted floors, power windows, and improved seats. Options include a Z71 off-road package that adds heavy-duty shocks and skid plates, a Z71 plus that adds chrome sills, body coloured mesh grille and lower fascia, and 18-inch wheels. There is also a snow plow package, trailer brake controller, hitch with wiring harness, back-up camera, extending trailer mirrors, park-assist, and sliding rear window. An LT exterior package adds remote start, fog lights, and power folding wheels. The LT interior pack has a six-way power driver's seat, upgraded stereo with USB, and dual-zone climate control.
LTZ has all of the creature comforts that are optional on LT, including the power folding mirrors, and adds an upgraded instrument panel with one fewer glove compartment, adds 10-way power seat adjustment with leather front and vinyl rear seats, a Bose stereo, and has optional rear park-assist. The Z71 and Z71 plus packs are available, and the trailer equipment pack and brake controller are standard, as are 18-inch wheels.
Payload ranges from a low of 1,158 kg for a crew-cab diesel with 4x4 and the long box to a high of 1,911 for a regular cab, two-wheel drive, gas engined truck. The swing means that you should check the options for the truck you're looking at to know the payload. Same with towing, which ranges from a low of 4,536 kg for that same regular cab that had the highest payload to 8,075 kg for a regular cab with the diesel engine. Towing is very dependent on the rear axle ratio, which can be optioned separately from all other options. If you want to tow, look for the 4.10 rear end over the 3.73. But for the ultimate reassurance, check the owner's manual or door sticker for the specific tow rating and payload of the truck you're interested in.
The Silverado 2500HD is the most car-like of the HD trucks. It doesn't suffer in payload or power, but it does ride and drive better than the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500. That can make for a much nicer day of towing or working
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
