2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD sits at the top of a venerable range of Chevy trucks. The three-quarter-ton 2500 model and one-ton 3500 model offer outstanding towing and hauling capabilities with a choice of two V8 engines; gas or diesel. It gets some nice improvements for the 2024 model year, like an aesthetic refresh, more tech, a stronger diesel engine, and an off-road-ready ZR2 model.

The Chevy Silverado HD competes with the Ford Super Duty and the Ram line of heavy-duty trucks.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size heavy-duty trucks, including the Chevy Silverado HD.

The Chevy Silverado HD gets a thorough mid-cycle refresh for 2024. On top of aesthetic revisions inside and out, it gets some nice new available tech features like a 13.4-inch infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control, and an enhanced “transparent trailer” feature.

Some mechanical improvements include an extra 25 horsepower and 65 lb-ft of torque for the available turbodiesel V8 engine. This brings its maximum towing capacity up to 36,000 pounds when properly equipped. The standard gas-powered V8 is now mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission replacing the old 6-speed.

The off-road-ready ZR2 and ZR2 Bison models join the Silverado HD lineup, making it the biggest Chevy truck to wear the ZR2 badge. This adventurous truck comes with upgrades to the tires and suspension, along with almost a foot of ground clearance and a rugged appearance package that optimizes approach, departure, and breakover angles.

Because the competition among heavy-duty trucks is so fierce, the Ram HD, Ford Super Duty, and GMC Sierra HD also start off in the low-to-mid $40K range.

Before buying a new Silverado HD truck, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area paid for theirs. Traditionally, the Chevy Silverado HD has enjoyed excellent resale values.

We’ve tested the Chevy Silverado HD doing what it was built to do; tow and haul. In our experience towing loads up to 14,000 pounds, we found the available Duramax diesel engine up to the task without ever feeling out of breath. The standard gas engine felt a bit overworked, especially on an incline, but it got the job done.

We also stressed the dually 3500 model to near the limits of its capabilities towing a massive 32,000-pound load. The Duramax diesel dutifully hauled without any issues but at a slower pace than the lighter load with the same engine.

If you’ll be towing heavy loads regularly, we recommend the diesel. If you’re looking for a truck with a little more muscle than a half-ton pickup like the Silverado 1500, then the more affordable gas engine is satisfactory.

As for ride quality, we were pretty comfortable driving the Silverado HD, but it doesn’t match the comfort of the available air suspension in the Ram Heavy Duty. It’s a little challenging to park and maneuver in tight spaces, but this is true of any truck this size.

Silverado 2500 vs. 3500

The Silverado 3500 models have a beefier chassis and suspension than the 2500 models. The result is higher towing and hauling ratings for the 3500, especially in gooseneck towing. The 3500 is the only one available with a dual-rear-wheel setup, which significantly increases its capabilities.

The trade-off with the 3500 comes in price and ride quality. Since it has a more heavy-duty suspension setup, the Silverado HD 3500 has a rougher ride than its 2500 counterpart.

The 3500 is the right tool for the job if you really need the extra towing muscle (or just want the bragging rights). However, for daily driving duties, the 3500 may be overkill, and we appreciate the comfier 2500.

Fuel Economy

The EPA doesn’t require or provide fuel economy ratings for trucks in this class, but we can say with confidence that the diesel is the more efficient engine option.

Even though Chevrolet says all models of the 2024 Silverado HD truck range have updated interiors, the greatest changes happen in the LT trim and up. They gain a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a generously sized 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. This latter display is angled slightly toward the driver, along with most controls.

A new center console in these upper trims allocates a space for wireless smartphone charging intended to minimize distraction from your phone while driving. We like the little hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen.

The Regular Cab has one row of seating, but that’s roomy enough for three occupants. The Double Cab brings in another 3-spot bench for rear passengers. And the Crew Cab enhances rear legroom to an abundant 43.3 inches, which is about the same as the larger cabs of the Ford Super Duty and Ram HD. We found the rear seats of the Crew Cab models exceptionally comfortable.

The most affordable Work Truck trim is exactly that — no frills, and materials chosen to endure tough conditions. At the other end is the lavishly-appointed High Country trim, which made us feel like we were in an expensive luxury SUV. In between is a selection with increasing amounts of standard equipment and eligibility for options.

A tidying up of the front end and tweaked headlights are the more obvious changes for 2024. The higher trims gain LED headlights with dual projectors.

Look a little closer to discover the word Chevrolet in upper-case letters adorning the hood scoop. Tow hooks are now standard, and there are several new paint options this year.

A new Midnight Edition package for the top High Country trim satisfies the current trend for blacked-out exterior details. This version also offers retractable side steps with LED lighting.

Nice touches from the previous years are carried over, such as the bed steps on the sides and in the rear bumper. Cab styles remain as Regular, Double or Crew. Bed lengths are standard (82.3 inches/6.9 feet) or long (98.3 inches/8.2 feet). The Regular Cab comes solely with the long bed.

One of our favorite options on the Silverado HD is the six-function Multi-Flex tailgate. It adds to the utility of the truck by turning the tailgate into cab steps, load stops, and even a little desk.

Multi-Flex tailgate
Work surface, step, bed extension — the ingenious Multi-Flex tailgate adds extra functionality to an already well-considered work truck. You won’t know how you lived without it.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Smartphone integration without the need for a cable is highly convenient.

Google Assistant
Control home devices, send texts, get directions from Google Maps, play music, or even adjust vehicle settings — all with spoken commands.

13.5-inch infotainment touchscreen
Here’s an area where the 2024 Silverado HD beats the Ford Super Duty. The Blue Oval’s biggest screen for its heavy-duty trucks measures 12 inches on the diagonal. On a more serious note, we’ve liked Chevrolet’s infotainment systems for a while now, appreciating their user-friendliness.

ZR2
The ZR2 off-road specialist treatment has already been applied to the half-ton Silverado and the midsize Colorado trucks. Now for the first time in a Silverado HD, a ZR2 model joins the lineup with a specialized suspension, all-terrain tires, and more. There’s also a ZR2 Bison sporting unique wheels, bumpers, and skid plates.

Alaskan Snow Plow Special Edition
Someone has to clear the snow from Alaska’s roads, and they could make short work of it with this vehicle. It also comes with a spray-in bed liner, plus rubber mats in the cabin.

Although the 401-horsepower 6.6-liter gasoline V8 in the 2024 Silverado HD hasn’t been updated, it’s now connected to a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

The turbocharged diesel V8, however, bumps output to 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque (up from 445 and 910). The result is a higher maximum towing figure, an increase of 500 pounds to 36,000 pounds. For comparison, the Ford Super Duty and Ram HD rivals can handle at least 37,000 pounds.

This diesel V8 is also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is the basic configuration, regardless of engine, with 4-wheel drive offered across the lineup.

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

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

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Chevrolet’s regular new-vehicle warranties are for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles, but the diesel engine in the 2024 Silverado HD extends that mileage to 100,000. This coverage matches its rivals from Ford and Ram.