Used 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Double Cab

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado HD range of heavy-duty pickup trucks are built for the kind of jobs the regular half-ton Silverado (or Ford F-150 or Ram 1500) can’t do. The Chevrolet lineup consists of 2500 HD and 3500 HD variants. Not only are they pickups, but they’re also available in chassis cab form.

What’s the difference between the 2500 HD and the 3500 HD? It’s all about capability. Although they look virtually the same, the 3500 HD has a reinforced chassis and offers the option of dual rear wheels (two on each end of the axle) to take a greater payload, and it can tow heavier trailers than the 2500 HD.

Properly equipped, the 3500 HD with the diesel engine can tow 36,000 pounds (an equivalent Ford Super Duty, however, can handle 37,000 pounds) or carry 7,442 pounds of payload.

The 2500 HD is still impressive, with a maximum tow rating of 14,500 pounds or a total payload of 3,862 pounds. Buyers should determine how hard they want their new Silverado HD truck to work. Not everyone will need the extreme talents of a diesel-powered 3500 HD.

How fresh is this generation of Silverado HD? Like it just stepped out of the shower. This 4th-generation debuted for the 2020 model year, so everything is pretty much up to date, including wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto availability.

Trucks are usually set up to ride acceptably well with some kind of load on board. The 2022 Silverado HD can also make unladen trips easy to bear. Not as forgiving as the air suspension in a Ram HD, but still passable.

Both engines are gutsy. It’s just that the diesel is gutsier and the clear choice if there’s going to be some tough towing in a new Silverado HD’s future. And it’s connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission, so there’s a better chance of finding the ideal gear for the moment.

The LTZ and High Country versions have a variable-ratio steering system that makes life a little easier by adjusting to conditions and adding assistance accordingly.

With a regular cab, the 2022 Silverado has seating for three. That doubles in the, um, double cab. But the crew cab is the most accommodating, with expansive rear legroom of 43.3 inches — just the thing for a team of burly workers.

The lower trims are most definitely meant to take any bumps and scrapes that the working weeks can inflict upon a truck, so it’s reasonable to have some cheap plastics in the cabin and hard-wearing seat coverings.

Although it’s kind of irritating that the steering wheel in these models doesn’t adjust for reach, only height. And a driver’s seat that just goes forward and back. At least most of the truck’s controls can be twiddled while still wearing gloves, and the infotainment system is user-friendly.

Anyone seeking lavish levels of luxury in their new Chevy heavy-duty truck, like the Limited trims of both the Ford Super Duty and Ram HD, may be underwhelmed by the Silverado HD’s High Country. It doesn’t have things like a large infotainment display or massaging front seats. Power-retractable side steps with LED lighting are optional, however.

There are bigger vehicles, like that giant spaceship in the Independence Day movie that dwarfed all of Manhattan, but the 2022 Silverado HD is about as big as a heavy-duty pickup gets, with bold styling to match. Actually, it looks really cool.

Away from the aesthetic and onto the practical, the Silverado HD has a rear bumper corner step, plus a handy bed step on either side toward the front part of the cargo area. And speaking of cargo, the long bed has a volume of 83.5 cubic feet, which beats its Ford and Ram rivals comfortably.

MULTI-FLEX TAILGATE
Newly optional on every 2022 Silverado HD pickup with a bed, this clever innovation is like a tailgate within a tailgate. It acts as a load stop, bed step, work surface, or seat and offers an integrated Bluetooth speaker.

TRAILER TECH
The Chevy Silverado HD has several slick features available to make towing easier than in the bad old days. For example, by combining the images from two cameras — one at the rear of the truck, the other on the trailer — the display on the center console shows a “see-through” trailer.

Like the basic heavy-duty pickups from other manufacturers, the 2022 Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD Work Truck (WT) models start out with modest appointments. Single-zone air conditioning, for example, plus vinyl flooring, 17-inch steel wheels, tilt-only steering wheel, and manually operated windows. The 3500 HD also has an automatic locking differential.

The infotainment system has a 7-inch color touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, two USB ports, Bluetooth for two devices, AM/FM radio, and a 2-speaker audio setup in the regular cab (the bigger cabs have six speakers).

Safety features are similarly sparse, with front/side/head-curtain airbags, trailer sway control, and a programmable Teen Driver key.

The 2500 HD also comes in Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country trims. The 3500 HD is almost the same, but doesn’t have a Custom trim level. Apart from power windows/locks, mats, and the availability of a few more options, Custom isn’t equipped that much better than the Work Truck.

Buyers will find the LTZ level more civilized, adding dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel that adjusts for reach as well as height, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, 120-volt bed outlet, keyless entry/ignition, power-adjustable side mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, satellite radio, and 8-inch infotainment screen. Some of these items are optional in the LT trim and below.

Naturally, the highest High Country trim — available in crew cab form only — is the most cosseting, with heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, under-seat storage, front/rear parking sensors, wireless charging, Two Trailer View Camera system, bed camera, spray in bed liner, and LED bed lighting.

Various packages apply to various trims. Convenience packages bring more comfort features, safety packages bring a few driver aids (see the Safety Technology section below for more details), and a Technology package for the top two trims adds a rear camera mirror and a 15-inch head-up display. Leather upholstery and wireless smartphone integration are also available.

Then there are main option events like the gooseneck/fifth-wheel, diesel engine, all-wheel drive (available with a 2-speed transfer case), the Z71 Off-Road & Protection Package, snow plow, or an ambulance/fire/rescue package.

The standard engine in every new Chevy Silverado HD is a 6.6-liter gasoline V8 developing 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. This is a serious amount of muscle and can probably handle most owners’ payload and towing demands.

If maximum towing ability is required, however, the impressively powerful optional diesel engine should do the trick. It’s a turbocharged 6.6-liter V8 generating 910 lb-ft of torque, along with 445 horsepower. Such prodigious thrust happens at low engine speeds to get things moving easily.

This unit has an exhaust braking feature, which really helps on downhill stretches with a trailer hitched up. It saves overworking the actual brakes. It also comes with a power take-off to run things like compressors or farm machinery.

The gasoline V8 connects to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The diesel V8 has a 10-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not provide fuel economy estimates for trucks of this size.

6.6-liter V8
401 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
464 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm

6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8
445 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm
910 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm