Select a year
- Highs Delightful diesel powertrain, huge payload and tow ratings, effective trailer-assistance technology.
- Lows Steering shows chassis limitations, interior quality trails HD rivals, fewer active-safety features than rivals.
- Verdict The Silverado HD is an impressive heavy-duty pickup with some inventive technology.
Overview
The 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD are the company's ultimate pickup trucks. They come in endless configurations, offer copious features, and can pretty much move mountains. Chevy also serves up two powerful 6.6-liter V-8 engines that include a gas-fed version with 464 lb-ft of torque and a tried-and-true Duramax diesel that develops 910 lb-ft. The latter allows the Silverado HD to tow up to 35,500 pounds, and the truck's roster of innovative trailer-assistance features only make towing jobs easier. Of course, when work is done and it's time to relax, the fancier models provide expansive accommodations and upscale amenities. The supersized Silverado and its corporate twin—the GMC Sierra HD—battle the Ford Super Duty and the Ram 2500 and 3500. While neither GM truck is the best heavy-duty pickup on the block, the Chevy will satisfy Bow Tie fans with its bold looks and big capabilities.
What's New for 2020?
Chevy has completely overhauled its most powerful haulers for 2020 with the all-new Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD. These heavy-duty pickup trucks now boast upgraded powertrains, a stronger chassis, higher tow ratings, and new high-tech features. The new-look Silverado HD also has bolder exterior styling, a redesigned interior, and additional passenger space.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
There's a Silverado HD for everyone, and that diversity makes it difficult to recommend one that will satisfy all. So, our preferred model would prioritize value and practicality. That means we'd choose the 2500HD with the crew cab and the standard cargo bed. We'd also add four-wheel drive and the refined Duramax diesel powertain to the LT trim level. This model comes standard with a chrome grille and bumpers, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, a dampened tailgate, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. We'd recommend the Z71 Off-Road package (18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, spray-in bedliner, upgraded suspension, underbody protection) for enhanced styling and improved capability. We'd also choose the Convenience package for its desirable features. These include a 10-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, LED cargo-bed lighting, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, remote start, and more. Finally, the Safety package makes this beast easier to live with thanks to blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2020 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD have a standard gas-powered 6.6-liter V-8 that makes 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque and mates to a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional Duramax diesel 6.6-liter V-8 carries over from the previous generation. It continues to make 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft, but now it hooks up to an Allison 10-speed automatic. These engines pair with rear- or four-wheel drive, and each are compatible with the single- or dual-rear-wheel axle. We drove both powertrains through mountains while towing several tons and were impressed by their capabilities. The gas engine and six-speed automatic worked well together to control the truck's speed, which is especially important when towing on steep grades. Still, the Duramax powertrain is the one to get for those who regularly tow heavy loads. Its mighty power and the transmission's effortless responses provided an extra level of confidence and security when doing what these trucks were made for—moving mountains. However, the heavy-duty Silverado's lack of steering accuracy and feedback—even when equipped with the electric-assist system—was less reassuring. Still, the big Chevy rides surprisingly well for its impressive capabilities.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Heavy-duty trucks are judged by their maximum towing and payload ratings, even if those massive loads are never actually tested by most people. The gas-powered Silverado HD can tow up to 17,400 pounds and the diesel version can pull up to 35,500 pounds. Likewise, the strongest Silverado 3500HD with the regular cab and dual-rear-wheel axle can carry up to 7442 pounds of payload.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Since the EPA doesn't test vehicles as heavy as the Silverado HD and its colossal competitors, we can only judge their real-world mpg on our highway fuel-economy route. We tested the Silverado 2500HD with the gasoline 6.6-liter V-8 and it earned 14 mpg on the highway. For comparison, we tested an F-250 with the gas-fed 6.2-liter V-8 and six-speed automatic transmission and it returned 15 mpg in the same test. The diesel Silverado 2500HD managed 19 mpg on the highway, and the Ram 2500 we last tested also earned 19 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Pickup trucks have a wider spectrum of interior configurations and available technology. The heavy-duty Silverado runs the gamut from stripped-down work truck to dressed-up crew cab. All feature a mountainous dashboard packed with easy-to-use switchgear. The Chevy's crew-cab, short-box setup has a longer wheelbase than the previous generation and provides increased passenger space. While even the fanciest models can't match the material quality and sophistication of the Ram HD, the Silverado's cabin and features still manage to transcend typical truck luxuries. The most desirable content includes heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and more. The Chevy is packed with copious interior cubby storage that's highlighted by a giant center-console bin. Some models can also be equipped with a storage compartment under the back seat and bins built into the backs of the rear-seat cushions.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Silverado HD comes with a touchscreen that supports Chevy's Infotainment 3 software, which includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It features a useful volume and tuning knob as well as some physical buttons and voice commands that supplement the touch-sensitive display. A larger 8.0-inch touchscreen with a seven-speaker Bose audio system, additional power points, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless charging is available, too. Its infotainment system also allows users to store different trailer profiles to monitor maintenance and even control trailer functions via a smartphone app.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2020 Silverado HD hasn't been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While it's available with a host of driver-assistance technology, most features are reserved for the top trims and HD rivals offer even more equipment. The Chevy does have a useful multiview camera system that includes a transparent mode that makes maneuvering in parking lots and merging onto the highway easier when towing by allowing the driver to virtually see through the trailer. Other key safety features include:
- Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Available lane-departure warning
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Chevy covers the Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD with a competitive warranty that matches competitors from Ford and Ram. However, every heavy-duty Silverado does get one complimentary scheduled maintenance visit.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
