2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured a styling approach that some found divisive. While Chevy trucks often had a timeless aesthetic, the current generation's small headlights and the aggressive design seemed to be an acquired taste. Its cabin, however, scored points for functionality and modernity, depending on the trim level. The Silverado 1500 had trims like the WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, High Country, and ZR2, each offering a unique interior layout. The WT and Custom trims retained the pre-2022 facelift interiors with smaller screens and more analog controls. Higher trims came with a more modern dash, large touchscreens, and upgraded upholstery. The Trail Boss off-roader trim, for example, was available on Custom or LT base and came with standard 4WD and upgraded shock absorbers. The LTZ delivered great value in terms of luxury elements, and the High Country represented the peak of luxury with features like a power-sliding rear window and heated and ventilated front seats.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was a truly massive truck, available in regular, double, or crew cab configurations with either a seven-foot or eight-foot bed. The 2500HD had six trims: Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, High Country, and off-road-specific ZR2. The fascia styling varied by trim, with the Work Truck remaining plain but functional, while the higher trims incorporated more chrome and elaborate designs. For 2024, Chevrolet added some appealing touches, such as standard tow hooks and a broader range of wheel options, going up to 22 inches. Although the color options didn't stand out, the High Country and ZR2 trims did feature luxurious interiors. The High Country trim, tested for this review, presented open-pore wood, leather, and premium metal trims. It felt high-quality and upscale without being over-the-top.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had a range of engine options. The base engine was a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those wanting V8 power, the 5.3-liter engine delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet. Additionally, a Duramax turbodiesel six-cylinder engine offering 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque was available. The standard drivetrain was rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive optional, and most engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, except the base model which had an eight-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity reached 13,300 pounds with the 6.2-liter V8 and the Max Towing package, and the maximum payload capacity was 2,260 pounds for the base model. Reviewers noted the base turbo-four engine had good pickup but made a harsh noise, while the V8 engines provided energetic performance. Despite its size, the Silverado 1500 handled well on regular roads and trails, though some found the steering less communicative compared to competitors like the Ram 1500.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came standard with a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine producing 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. The optional 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 offered 470 horsepower and an impressive 975 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth shifts that happened almost imperceptibly. The Duramax diesel engine also ran quietly, enhancing cabin comfort. In terms of fuel efficiency, the Silverado 2500HD managed 20.3 miles per gallon in 2WD over a 100-mile drive and 17 mpg with a mix of 2WD and Auto 4WD over 250 miles. Notably, off-road capability was exceptional in the ZR2 Bison trim, with its Multimatic DSSV spool valve shocks and extensive skid plating. The truck also offered 11.6 inches of ground clearance, and impressive approach, departure, and breakover angles, making it the leading heavy-duty truck in off-road prowess.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was available in various configurations, including regular, double, and crew cabs paired with standard, short, or long beds. The short bed measured 5 feet 8 inches, the standard bed 6 feet 6 inches, and the long bed 8 feet. The regular cab configurations were more spartan, featuring front bench seats for up to three passengers. The double cab offered more space and had conventional car doors, making rear-seat access straightforward but with limited legroom. The crew cab was particularly spacious, providing ample head and legroom for both rows of seats and excellent in-cabin cargo space when the rear bench was folded upward.

In comparison, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was focused on heavy-duty capability. The most a 2500HD could tow was 22,430 pounds, though our tester's towing capacity was closer to 19,000 pounds. Payload capacity ranged from 3,700 pounds to about 3,000 pounds for the tested model. The Silverado 2500HD excelled at towing, equipped with numerous camera views, including a transparent trailer camera, a bed camera, a forward-view camera, and a 360-degree view camera, making towing simpler and safer. Features like side steps, the six-way MultiFlex tailgate, and power retractable running boards enhanced utility. Interior comforts in the High Country trim included heated and ventilated front seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, and heated rear seats, ensuring a comfortable drive even with heavy loads.

For technology, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 started with a basic but functional 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the WT and Custom trims, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a modernized dashboard with a high-resolution 13.4-inch touchscreen that supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by a digital instrument panel. The LTZ trim added wireless device charging and additional USB ports, ensuring all tech needs were met.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD went a step further with a standard 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen from the LT trim onward. This system featured Google maps and support for Google Assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an Amazon Alexa integration. Enhanced charging options, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 15-inch head-up display all contributed to a tech-rich experience. One critique was the screen's split-mode view, which couldn't be expanded to full-screen. Additionally, the Silverado 2500HD lacked an onboard generator, a convenient feature available in some competing models.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 included a robust suite of safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added advanced features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and GM’s Super Cruise. The Silverado 1500 earned high marks from safety organizations, achieving a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and receiving favorable IIHS ratings.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD also came equipped with several advanced driver safety features. Standard options included front pedestrian braking, forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a following distance indicator. The optional adaptive cruise control, which can be used while towing, was also a plus. Unique to GM was the Safety Seat, which warned drivers of potential collisions with a buzz. The Silverado 2500HD wasn't yet rated by either the NHTSA or IIHS but offered features like Teen Driver technology and Buckle to Drive to reinforce its safety credentials.