For owners who need a lot of power, this is the truck of choice. When owners need to get a seriously heavy load to a jobsite, or anywhere else a truck that is fully packed with muscle is needed the 2500 HD have that and much more. With a massive load and towing capacity this truck and its bigger sibling the 3500 HD are built to please the heavy-duty truck crowd that is truly interested in only one thing and has one real question; can it get the load to where I need it to go?
Simple in its stylings and strong in its capability, the 2500 HD shows up with a ton of muscle to use and not a lot of frills that are not as necessary when built for capability. Taking its new stylings from the smaller Silverado 1500 that was built for the 2014 model year, this behemoth adds only a couple style tweaks to include a CornerStep rear bumper and LED lights to light up the truck bed, otherwise it is a very basic and well-appointed beast on or off the blacktop.
Driving the 2500 HD offers a fairly smooth ride that is provided by a highly tuned and strengthened suspension. Towing is a maximum priority with such a truck, and the 2500 HD did the job with ease and like the champion it is. This great truck can handle steep grades, heavy loads, offer control up or down the entire mountain, and still have plenty left to ensure the occupants are not worn out from having to control even the heaviest of loads. Add to this the quiet and peaceful cabin that allows occupants to listen to their choice of sounds instead of the road outside.
Without a doubt the only size engine to put under the hood of such a massive beast is a V8 and the 2500HD offers two choices for power in the engine compartment. Starting off the lineup is the 6.0-liter V8 gasoline powered engine with 360 horsepower and 397 lb.-ft. of torque. This powerful engine is matched up with a six-speed automatic transmission and is capable of hauling up to 13,000 pounds. The maximum Gross Combined Vehicle Weight is 20,500 pounds to offer a whole lot of power and the ability to get just about any job done.
Next up is the seriously monstrous 6.6-liter V8 turbocharged diesel engine that produces up to 380 horsepower and an awesomely strong 765 lb.-ft. of torque. When paired up with the Allison six-speed automatic transmission this monster will also pull up to 13,000 pounds, but can handle a maximum Gross Combined Vehicle Weight of 24,500 pounds to really get the job done. This awesome power plant is also equipped with an exhaust braking system to help control this monster when coming down a hill.
Because even the heavy-duty truck crowd was getting tired of seeing a boring and downscale interior it was very necessary to add a complete restyle to the inside and Chevrolet has once again done a phenomenal job. Even though the WT model (meaning Work Truck) is still equipped with a vinyl bench seat, higher trims do offer some great features for all to enjoy. A 4.2 inch display screen is added for some higher trims along with leather seats and great features such as Sirius XM radio. There is plenty of space in the truck for an entire work crew of up to six adults to get out on the jobsite and make some work happen.
On the outside anyone can feel the power of this beautiful truck. With a massive front end decked out in chrome and a bowtie on the front this is one Chevrolet truck that is proud to wear the signature symbol. Huge doors offer easy access to even the stockiest of workers and huge fender flares allow the truck to add a bit of style to what is otherwise a large box. With meaty and monstrous mag-inspired wheels and a high step in height the 2500 HD is built to go to work and last longer than expected for any and every job out there.
As standard equipment goes, this truck does not offer a long list because it truly is a work truck at its core. The standard features offered are antilock disc brakes, air conditioning, and stability control to partner with the big V8 engine and be offered on the base WT model. Going to the next model up the LT, brings in leather seats, steering wheel mounted controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and a heavy –duty locking rear differential. All models of the 2500 HD are offered with an electric assist heater to help warm the cabin the CornerStep bumpers as well as a locking tailgate to keep your loads secure and not all over the road when heading to the job site.
The optional equipment list for the 2500HD is almost as short as the standard features. Of course the easiest choice to make is to add the bigger engine to offer much more torque towing than the base engine. Add to this list four-wheel drive, a touch-screen navigation system, a premium Bose audio system, the EZ-Lift tailgate, and a snow-plow prep package for climates that would need extra snow plows and this truck can be not only a great work truck, but also offer a very enjoyable ride when travelling to and from sites.
A barebones, base WT model 2500 HD will come in at a reasonable price of $31,310 but doesn’t offer much in the way of riding enjoyment. Heading up the ladder to the LTZ with four-wheel drive and the price tag will reach as much as $48,000 but offer a lot more capability and comfort to be enjoyed. If all the option boxes are checked and the Duramax engine and Allison transmission are installed the price can easily end up over $60,000 but is well worth it for those who need this massive power combination.