2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Review

Updated on Dec 14, 2023

The Chevy Silverado 2500 HD is a capable full-size truck that offers a competitive combinate of performance and luxury. We recently spent time behind the wheel of the new 2024 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab LT 4WD with the Z71 off-road package, that was powered by the standard 6.6-liter gasoline V8 engine. We wanted to see how the standard gasoline-powered 2500 HD fairs during daily driving and how it stacks up against the competition. Is there still room for the base engine in Chevy’s 2500 HD lineup?

The 2024 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab LT represents the perfect middle ground for Silverado customers looking for a simple truck with luxury touches. The updated cabin uses high-quality materials, while the large screens used for the gauge cluster and center infotainment screen offer quality graphics with reliable operation. Our tester was powered by the gasoline 6.6-liter V8 engine, which is often overshadowed by its Duramax diesel cousin. Although it is down on power, we found the gasoline 2500 HD to have plenty to offer customers who aren’t ready to step up to the more expensive diesel.

Towing and Hauling Capabilities

Our 2024 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab LT 4WD tester represents the more affordable end of the 2500 HD spectrum with a sticker price of only $64,445. Even though the gas-powered 2500 HD doesn’t capture the headlines for performance numbers, it does a respectable job with both towing and hauling.

The 2024 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab LT 4WD with conventional trailering, our tester is capable of towing 16,000 lbs. Switch to the 5th Wheel/ Gooseneck setup, and those numbers rise to 18,400 lbs. Our test truck came with the 5th Wheel/ Gooseneck provisions already set up in the bed from the factory further adding to its utility. This gas-powered 2500 HD can also haul an impressive 3,387 lbs.

A Trusty Engine Without the Diesel Complexity

When it comes to heavy-duty trucks like the Silverado 2500 HD, the topic of diesel versus gas is pervasive. It’s no secret, that modern diesel engines are the exciting powerhouses of the heavy-duty truck world, but with this great power comes the added complexity of modern emissions regulations. For owners who are willing to sacrifice some capability in the name of simplicity, the 6.6-liter L8T gasoline V8 in the Silverado 2500 HD is a great option.

The L8T in the Silverado 2500 puts out a respectable 400 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. These numbers feel small when compared to the Duramax 6.6-liter diesel V8’s output of 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. The Duramax clearly offers more performance, but is the complexity and cost of diesel worth it?

The robust L8T engine features a forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, and the tried-and-true pushrod design. The L8T is based on a strong cast iron engine block, which is built to take punishment and add even more strength.

It may not seize headlines with power figures, but the L8T is built to take a beating and keep on running. To help save money, the L8T even runs on normal 87-octane gas. This direct-injected V8 doesn’t catapult the 2500 HD forward like the Torquey Duramax, but it is completely adequate and never leaves the truck feeling underpowered.

Sure, the Duramax diesel is the more exciting and powerful option, but don’t underestimate the benefits of a simple big displacement V8 like the L8T.

New Allison Transmission Transforms Driving Experience

For the 2024 model year, Chevy introduced the 10-Speed Allison transmission to the gasoline power 2500 HD. This exciting transmission was first used on the last generation Duramax diesel 2500, but now all 2500 HDs benefit from this advanced transmission.

In practice, shifts are smooth, and the increase in gears allows for a better response from the engine. The 10-speed can quickly downshift when you need it, but also seamlessly blend into the background with smooth shifting. The 10-speed wakes up the big 6.6-liter V8 and allows you to enjoy every bit of power it has to offer.

The 10-speed also enhances towing and hauling capabilities since it allows the 2500 HD to utilize the L8T V8 more efficiently. The additional gears mean you can keep your truck functioning in its peak efficiency range for longer, which leads to performance gains on every front.

In the cabin, you can monitor the fluid temperature of the Allison 10L1000 on the digital gauge cluster to ensure it’s running correctly under heavy loads.

When compared to the old 6-speed found in the previous generation gasoline 2500 HD, the new 10L1000 Allison 10-speed automatic transmission is leaps and bounds ahead.

Multiposition Tailgate Is The Real Deal

When a truck grows to this size, it becomes hard to access the bed. Thankfully, Chevy, has you covered, with a host of fixed bed steps. This help, but the innovative multi-position tailgate gets all of the attention.

This unique tailgate design takes the simple tailgate and turns it into a Swiss army knife of capability. The multi-position tailgate can transform from a simple tailgate into a step complete with a bed-mounted handhold for easy access. If you need to haul something too long to put in the bed, leave the tailgate down and the bottom step becomes a stopper to hold your material safely in the bed. You can even open the top portion to lay down longer materials.

At first, it may seem like a party trick, but the multi-position tailgate is genuinely useful and a great evolution of truck design.

Tech Where You Want It and Buttons Where You Need Them

The interior of our 2024 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab LT is the perfect mix of new and old. Chevy nailed the interior of the new 2500 HD blending high-quality screens with well-made buttons to create a useable interior space that’s sure to impress passengers.

Our tester was the middle-of-the-road LT trim, but don’t let that fool you, there’s plenty to love about the interior of this truck. Soft touch materials adorn all major touch points while contrasting wood trim breaks up the black interior space. The materials do a nice job of feeling great to use while looking durable enough for truck duty.

The use of a massive screen to replace the old gauge cluster modernizes the cabin space and adds a host of unique features. This configurable gauge cluster allows you to change the way information is displayed to best suit your needs and driving style. The screen impresses with its display quality exhibiting great black levels and dimming to a reasonable level during night driving.

The Silverado’s center touchscreen is responsive and easy to access. Chevy kept the temperature controls separate from the screen, a wise choice, and gave customers buttons for important items like traction control, heated seats, and bed lighting. This blend of buttons and screens is the perfect middle ground for modern truck interiors.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto work flawlessly through Bluetooth and further add to the Silverado’s usability. The use of these phone-based infotainment systems makes the tech in the 2500 HD more friendly and fun to work with.

The spacious interior of the 2024 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab LT is packed with great features that grab your attention but remain true to the fundamentals of a good truck interior. This optimized interior space is a great fusion of new and old.

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for a capable full-size truck that offers a competitive combinate of performance and luxury the 2024 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab LT is worth a test drive. Although it doesn’t have the headline-grabbing Duramax diesel engine under the hood, there’s plenty to like about the updated gas-powered 2500HD. If you can give up power in the name of simplicity the L8T gasoline V8 in the 2500 HD paired with the Allison 10-speed transmission is a great basis for a full-sized truck powertrain.