2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Review: Working-Class Hero

With heavy-duty pickups being at the top of the popularity list in the USA, the stakes are high for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and its competitors, which include tough heavy-duty trucks like the Ford F-250, Ram 2500, and stablemate GMC Sierra 2500. Until its redesign for the 2020 model year, the Chevy lagged well behind its rivals, but came in swinging with a stylish new look and fresh engine. The 2023 truck is once again a force to be reckoned with, but time doesn't stand still; a major updated is coming next year, so while every comparative review of the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is likely to praise its excellent diesel powertrain and top-class towing tech and numbers, it will also note its plasticky cabin, underwhelming gas V8, and somewhat agricultural driving feel. It's no longer a true class leader, but it's available in a multitude of cab and powertrain configurations, and its starting price is competitive, so it still commands plenty of respect.

What's the Price of the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD?

There is a bewildering array of body and powertrain configurations available, but the base price of the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is $41,500 for the WT 2WD Regular Cab with the standard V8 gas engine. The LT 2WD starts at $45,700, as does the Custom model in Double Cab configuration. The LTZ 2WD Double Cab will cost you $55,300, and then there's a big jump to the High Country - which is only available in Crew Cab with 4WD - starting at $69,500. A specced-up High Country with the diesel engine and extras can fly well past $80k, so keep an eye on how many boxes you tick to add to the MSRP. These prices exclude the $1,895 destination fee.

Opting for 4WD adds $2,800 to the base price, and replacing the 6.6L gas V8 with the 6.6L turbo-diesel V8 adds a hefty $11,990 to the bill - plus another $995 if you add integrated Power Take-Off (PTO) on models with this option. Extending the bed from standard to long adds $200. Not all configurations are available on all trims; for example, the High Country does not get access to the PTO option, and the diesel option adds a lower $9,750 to this trim's price. The most expensive Silverado is the High Country 4WD Crew Cab with the long bed and diesel engine at $79,45, before extras and destination.

2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Handling and Driving Impressions

In this class, heavy-duty suspension and a leaf-sprung rear end are par for the course, and an HD truck is not expected to deliver a cloud-like ride; it's made for working hard. Nevertheless, the Silverado 2500HD rides with pleasing composure despite its work remit and is not a chore to pilot, except for the obvious issue of maneuvering such a large full-size truck in confined spaces. It's both here and on the move where you'll notice that the vague, imprecise, and slow steering is also devoid of feel, and this might bother some people more than others.

The gas V8 is still competitive and has enough power on tap, but its use of a six-speed automatic does not make for quite the effortless progress of the powerful turbo-diesel with its 910 lb-ft and ten-speed Allison automatic transmission. Excellent towing numbers and advanced standard and optional towing tech take much of the stress out of towing big rigs, but you'll never forget you're driving a hefty pickup.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD A Good Truck?

The redesigned 2020 Silverado 2500HD addressed many of its predecessor's shortcomings, but a further three years down the line, it's no longer at the head of the pack. The Ram HD trucks are still more comfortable, more upmarket inside, and nicer to use, and the latest Fords have upstaged all rivals in the class with their extremely powerful new 500-hp/1,200-lb-ft diesel engine. The Silverado HD still does well in the areas it's been lauded for in the past, but the times are moving. This impending update should keep it current and in contention in America's cut-throat HD truck market, but for now, you can do better out there among the more capable 2023 rivals. The 2024 update cannot come soon enough and should see Chevy launch a renewed attack on this hotly contested segment.

What 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Model Should I Buy?

The best trim to buy will be dependent entirely on your needs, as the buying choice in this segment of the market is far more pragmatic and dependent on the use case than on the driving experience. The no-nonsense WT is just that - a work truck. It's great for hauling and towing, but it's bare-bones in terms of features and spartan in feel. The LT would be the lowest we'd go to add a few features, with the diesel engine being a good call if you're going to haul and tow for most of its life. You can add most of the necessary features, such as power seats, advanced trailering tech, better interior trim, and more driver assists to the LT to turn it into a more pleasant work truck if you don't mind spending extra. For proper family duty, the LTZ is ideal, offering the type of comfort and features expected of a dual-duty work and family truck. By comparison, the plush High Country is expensive, and we're not sure we'd spend that kind of money here.