Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Review

The "HD" part of Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD does not, in fact, indicate that this truck features crystal-clear wide-screen picture quality. If you thought this was some sort of high-definition Chevy truck, perhaps a smaller pickup is in order for you. Because anyone who needs big-league power, towing and hauling capabilities should already know that in the truck world, "HD" stands for Heavy Duty. Thanks to its stiffened suspension, sturdy frame, powerful engine choices and available dual rear wheels, the 3500HD Silverado is a true workhorse worthy of the letters "HD."

For years, Chevy trucks were soundly criticized for their lackluster cabins filled with hard plastics and their mediocre build quality. The Silverado's most recent redesign marked an about-face -- where there was once an abundance of uninspired design, hard plastic and uneven panel gaps there was now richly grained upholstery, softer materials and precise fitments. Previous to this successful rebirth, the truck was known just as the Silverado 3500, and before that, the C/K3500.

Current Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
The 3500HD is available in regular-, extended- or crew cab designs, with rear- or four-wheel drive and with optional dual rear wheels. The extended and crew cab body styles are offered in three trim levels: Work Truck, LT and the more luxurious LTZ that features an upgraded cabin with the same higher-quality dashboard found in the Tahoe and Suburban. The regular cab can only be had in Work Truck and LT trims. This year's changes include a stronger, now fully boxed frame, beefier suspension components, a new diesel engine with exhaust braking and a host of electronic driver aids. A new louvered power dome-style hood and revised grille make up the cosmetic changes.

Standard on all Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD pickups is a 6.0-liter V8 that makes 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. A revised Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 makes 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque. That powerhouse is paired with a beefier Allison six-speed automatic transmission.

We placed the last-generation Silverado 3500 on top of its Ford and Dodge competitors in a comparison test and have no reason to doubt a similar outcome today. Based on our experiences with the redesigned 1500, the Silverado is now more competent, refined and easier to drive. Although multigenerational brand loyalty may dictate what heavy-duty pickup you take home, sticking with (or switching to) the Silverado 3500HD is a solid decision.

Used Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Models
The present-generation Chevy Silverado 3500HD debuted for 2007. Regular, extended-cab and crew cab body styles were offered along with two bed lengths and a choice of rear- or four-wheel drive. The trim levels consisted of base Work Truck, midlevel LT and plush LTZ. A 6.0-liter V8 (353 hp and 373 lb-ft) with a six-speed automatic was standard, while the burly "Duramax" 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 (365 hp and 660 lb-ft), matched to an Allison six-speed automatic, was optional. For 2009, Bluetooth, real-time traffic updates for the navigation system and a rearview camera were new options. The following year, the output of the 6.0-liter V8 grew to 360 hp and 380 lb-ft.

From 2001-'06 the truck was known simply as the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Before 2001, Chevy's full-size pickups had just a C or K designation, with rear-wheel-drive trucks being indicated by a "C" (e.g. "C3500") and four-wheel-drive trucks indicated by a "K."