2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Today’s full-size heavy-duty pickup truck is a far different animal from years past. Take Chevrolet’s 2016 Silverado 2500HD, for instance....

Today’s full-size heavy-duty pickup truck is a far different animal from years past. Take Chevrolet’s 2016 Silverado 2500HD, for instance. After a hefty redesign for 2015, the 2500HD returns for 2016 with a few additional tweaks, along with its usual hefty power numbers and distinctly comfortable ride.

The Silverado 2500HD comes in 3 cab configurations: the 3-seat Regular Cab, the 5- or 6-passenger Double Cab, and the roomy 5-or 6-passenger Crew Cab, as well as 4 trims: the base Work Truck, the LT, the LTZ, and the flagship High Country. You can choose between two bed lengths, a 6.6-foot standard bed and an 8.2-foot long bed, and rear-wheel drive (RWD) returns standard, part-time on-demand 4-wheel drive (4WD) optional.

New to the 2016 Silverado 2500HD are 3 additional exterior colors: Siren Red Tintcoat (Double Cab only), Butte Red Metallic (Crew Cab only), and Red Hot. And for 2016, the available options packages will re-shuffle a bit, the standard CD player will be deleted from the Work Truck trim level will, and the Z71 Off-Road package will now be found only on 4WD trims.

Look for the standard 6.0-liter Flex-Fuel V8 engine to return across the lineup, with an 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 mill optional. The gasoline V8 is again managed by a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission to put out 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum towing capacity of 14,800 pounds and a max payload of 3,760 pounds, both of which depend on body style and proper equipment. The 6.0-liter V8 can also be modified to burn compressed natural gas (CNG), though this means a marked drop in hp and torque numbers. The optional 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine mates with a heavy-duty version of the 6-speed shiftable automatic to produce 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque. This beefed-up transmission also comes with a tow/haul mode that will let the 2500HD tow up to 17,900 pounds. The 2016 Silverado 2500HD is not tested by the EPA for fuel efficiency due to its size. The truck’s 4WD system comes with a 2-speed transfer case and auto-locking hubs, and an electronic-locking rear differential is again standard in the LT and higher trims. A trailer brake controller remains optional for all trims as well.

Appearance features for the 2016 Silverado 2500HD include 17-, 18-, or 20-inch steel or alloy wheels, an EZ-Lift tailgate, power-adjustable and power-folding mirrors, and a power-sliding rear window, and higher trim levels add extra exterior chrome.

Inside, look for cloth or leather upholstery (depending on the trim), heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, full power accessories, memory for driver's settings, and cruise control. The 2016 Silverado 2500HD Work Truck features a tilt-only steering wheel, while all other trims offer either standard or optional telescoping tilt-wheel steering. The LTZ and High Country trim levels include a rear-view camera and auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and the High Country throws in a remote garage door opener and front and rear parking sensors.

Keyless entry, manual air conditioning or automatic dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth-interfaced OnStar telematics interfaced with Chevy’s MyLink infotainment and smartphone apps, and 4G LTE WiFi hotspot capability are also available. Entertainment systems include a 4- or 6-speaker AM/FM stereo with a memory-card slot in the Work Truck and LT, a CD-player and satellite radio in the LTZ, and a Bose premium audio setup with 7 speakers and an 8-inch display in the High Country. A heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, GPS navigation, rear-seat DVD entertainment, added exterior chrome, and a power sunroof all return as options in select trim levels. The Z71 Off-Road package also remains available on models with 4WD, featuring heavy-duty shock absorbers and air filtering, hill descent control, skid plates, and unique styling cues.

Standard safety equipment for the 2016 Silverado 2500HD includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, head-protection airbags, and daytime running lights. All trims other than the Work Truck sport a standard post-collision safety system and OnStar emergency telematics, and the High Country again features the standard Driver Alert package with lane-departure warnings, forward collision alerts, and GM’s Safety Alert driver’s seat. Be aware that neither the government nor the insurance industry have crash test data on the Silverado 2500HD due to its sheer bulk.

Owners of current Silverado 2500HD editions still find its infotainment features a bit frustrating and its mileage somewhat less than desirable, but this heavy-duty truck’s power, style, and surprisingly compliant ride can make up for a lot. Expect the Silverado 2500HD to again compete with the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ram 2500.