Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Review

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT1 Regular Cab Shown

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.

Standard on all Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD pickups is a 6.0-liter V8 that makes 353 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The burly Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 that puts out 365 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque is optional. The Duramax comes mated to an Allison six-speed automatic that is well-suited for towing and hauling large loads.

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 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD debuted for 2007 and is virtually identical to the current offering as it has seen only minimal changes since.

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."

SELECT A SPECIFIC CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500HD MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.