Much has changed in the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD from 2011 to 2012. The pickup has been given an upgraded frame, improved V8 engine (along with an optional diesel engine), new front and rear suspension, and an improved antilock braking system. Cruise control is also now standard for all models.

The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is available in both rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) versions with a Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive in two different engine packages: a 360-hp Vortec 6.0-liter engine that can run on 85 percent denatured ethanol fuel and gasoline (E85) and gets 380-lb-ft of torque, and a 397-hp Duramax 6.6-liter diesel engine. The diesel maxes out at 765 lb-ft of torque. The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is rated at 15 mpg city/21 highway.

There are 28 trims available for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD in 2012, including 14 RWD trims that come with Regular, Extended and Crew cabs and 14 4WD trims that also come with all three cabs. All trims come with beds that are 6.6 or 8 feet in length and are available in LT, LTZ or Work Truck (WT) trims.

WT trims feature the Z85 handling/trailering suspension, a transfer case with a floor-mounted shifter and 17-inch steel wheels with all-season tires, and can haul a standard payload of 3,670 pounds. Other standard features include 4-wheel disc brakes, the StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System, hill-start assist, driver and passenger airbags (with occupancy sensor), cruise control, AM/FM stereo, tire pressure monitoring system, adjustable tilt steering wheel, front tow hooks and antilock brakes. All models also qualify for the GM Total Warranty, which is good for 36 months or 36,000 miles.

LT trims come with an electronic transfer case with rotary dial, an MP3-compatible CD player, Sirius XM satellite radio (with a 3-month free trial), premium cloth seating, driver lumbar support, remote vehicle start, adjustable pedals, power door locks and windows, power-adjustable heated outside mirrors, 17-inch machined aluminum wheels with all-season tires, OnStar (free for the first 6 months), rear parking assist, and the Interior Plus Package, which features a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, steering-wheel-mounted controls, a USB port, dual-zone automatic climate controls, EZ Lift locking tailgate and fog lamps.

Available options for all versions of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD include an automatic-locking rear differential, all-terrain tires, a bed liner, tow-hitch receiver, full-size spare tire, snowplow prep package, trailering package, mobile Wi-Fi, radio navigation system, Bluetooth (for select phones), head-curtain side-impact airbags, front seat-mounted airbags for thorax and pelvic protection and a rear-window defogger. When installed, the 2-1/2-inch trailer hitch allows the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD to haul as much as 17,000 pounds, which is more than the competitive Ford F-250 and Dodge Ram 2500. The strongest Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD can haul up to 29,000 pounds of combined truck, trailer and bed weight.

Exterior color options for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD include Black, Blue Granite Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White and Victory Red, with some packages also available in Black Granite Metallic, Greystone Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic and Mocha Steel Metallic.

The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD makes for a sound work truck and can be appointed nicely in both the LT and LTZ versions, allowing it to be used for hauling friends and family as well.