Plus, the interior gets a major makeover, the turbodiesel gains more power, and key active safety features are now standard
By Mike Monticello
Chevrolet has freshened its Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD truck line for the 2024 model year. “HD” stands for heavy-duty, and that’s exactly what these trucks are: Large, burly, and built with heavy hauling and towing tasks in mind. The big Silverados have been restyled with an even more imposing front end, thanks to a new grille with a giant Chevy bowtie logo, and a flashier-looking C-shaped headlamp design.
Besides new front-end styling, the 2024 editions of the Silverado HD get a fresh interior with a thoroughly modern-looking infotainment screen, enhanced trailering features, and some very important standard active safety systems including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. There will also be a new ZR2 off-road trim and a super-zooty High Country Midnight Edition.
The 6.6-liter gasoline V8 returns with the same power figures as before, but will come standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission replacing the previous six-speed. The turbodiesel V8 gains more grunt, now up to 470 horsepower and a hearty 975 lb.-ft. of torque. When equipped with the optional turbodiesel and a dual rear-wheel setup, the Chevy Silverado 3500HD can tow a mighty 36,000 pounds.
Of note, the Work Truck and Custom trims receive the new exterior styling, but not the new interior. LT, LTZ, High Country, and ZR2 trims get the styling update inside and out.
The 2024 Silverado HD is scheduled to start production in the first half of 2023.
What it competes with: Ford F-250/F-350, GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD, Ram 2500/3500
What it looks like: Like Chevy’s heavy-duty truck, but with a front end inspired by the flashier 2022 Silverado 1500.
Powertrains: 401-hp, 6.6-liter V8 engine or 470-hp, 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine; 10-speed automatic transmission; rear- or four-wheel drive
Price: $40,000-$70,000 (estimated)
On sale: Spring 2023
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD’s CornerStep rear bumper and BedSteps are super helpful for climbing into the truck’s tall bed.
Photo: Chevrolet
CR’s Take
The timing is right for Chevrolet to bolster its HD offerings, as crosstown rival Ford also just announced updates to its F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks for 2023. The Silverado HD’s new interior is a significant upgrade over the outgoing model, mimicking many of the changes seen on the 2022 Silverado 1500. This includes a very large infotainment screen canted toward the driver, which makes it easier to see and reach. Clearly, Chevy believes that even its customers who use their truck largely for work duties have a desire for more comfort and convenience than ever before.
We’re not sure Chevy’s turbodiesel V8 needed any more grunt. We’ve found that the burly diesel and smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission are a match made in mechanical heaven, providing a seemingly endless supply of power and torque. But such is the nature of the diesel war that the “Big 3” American automakers (Ford, General Motors, and Ram) have been waging for years now—apparently, there’s no such thing as too much power. To that end, Chevy’s engineers have coaxed another 25 hp and 65 lb.-ft. of torque out of the diesel.
Possibly the best news is that Chevy will be making some previously optional active safety features standard equipment on the Silverado HDs for 2024. This includes forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning (LDW).
Although not yet disclosed, it’s reasonable to expect that the closely related GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD pickup trucks will receive similar interior and exterior styling enhancements, powertrain upgrades, and the same standard active safety equipment as the Silverado HDs.
The C-shaped LED graphic lamps that wrap around the headlights make for a bold front-end appearance.
Photo: Chevrolet
Outside
The Silverado HD’s exterior styling is inspired by the look of the 2022 Silverado 1500, with the C-shaped LED graphic lamps that surround the headlights forming the most dynamic aspect. The headlights themselves are now a single unit, no longer bisected by the grille. That grille is also new, and includes a giant Chevrolet bowtie logo, while the truck’s menacing hood air scoop now prominently features the word “Chevrolet.”
The new High Country Midnight Edition brings all of the top-shelf High Country’s extra equipment, but in a “bold, color-keyed appearance,” according to Chevrolet.
The Silverado 2500HD and Silverado 3500HD will be available in regular cab, double cab, and crew cab in standard- and long-bed lengths. Dual rear-wheel models (known as a “dually”) are available on the 3500HD.
The 2024 Silverado HD’s cabin has been transformed, with a new configurable instrument panel and a large infotainment screen that’s canted toward the driver.
Photo: Chevrolet
Inside
Much attention has been paid to the Silverado HD’s interior—it looks considerably more modern and inviting than before. The biggest differences are the adoption of the Silverado 1500’s configurable 12.3-inch instrument panel, and a wide, 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s canted with a 6-degree tilt toward the driver. Wireless device charging is available, as is a head-up display that projects important information to the driver on the windshield. Of note, the base Work Truck and Custom trims use a carryover cabin.
The up-level High Country trim gets leather-wrapped surfaces, open-pore wood trim, and contrasting stitching and piping for a true luxury-truck effect.
What Drives It
The standard engine will remain a 401-hp, 6.6-liter gasoline V8 pumping out 464 lb.-ft. of torque. The big news is the adoption of a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous six-speed unit. Thanks to the smaller steps between gears, Chevy says the new transmission allows the engine to stay closer to its peak power more often. It’s also likely to improve the big truck’s fuel mileage.
The optional choice remains the Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. For 2024, this burly powerplant sees an increase to 470 hp along with a prodigious 975 lb.-ft. of torque. That torque figure is an important number when it comes to heavy-duty pickups because low-end power is a big aid when climbing up steep grades with a trailer in tow.
To that end, the Max Tow package will now be available across all Silverado 2500HD trims, with a towing capacity of up to 22,500 pounds in conjunction with the turbodiesel engine—an increase from up to 18,500 pounds with the outgoing version. The Silverado 3500HD with the turbodiesel and a dual rear-wheel setup can tow up to a whopping 36,000 pounds, which is the same as before.
Silverado HDs can be equipped with some intriguing towing-specific features. This includes an ability to warn the driver if the pickup-truck and trailer weight exceeds the vehicle’s gross combined weight rating (GCWR). There’s also a new Adaptive Cruise Control with Trailer feature which Chevy says takes into account the additional drag of a trailer when accelerating and the increased braking distances due to the trailer’s extra weight.
Towing a trailer is easier than ever thanks to numerous technologies. The Silverado HD can be equipped with up to 14 unique camera views.
Photo: Chevrolet
Active Safety and Driver Assistance
We’re very happy to see that Chevrolet has made some key active safety equipment standard equipment across all trims of the 2024 Silverado HDs. This includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. Adaptive cruise control is a new optionally available driver assistance feature.
GM’s Super Cruise active driving assistance system, which is available on the Silverado 1500, was not added to the HD models.
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reference: news.yahoo.com