2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The entry-level Silverado 2500 doesn't carry an overly hefty price tag, with a starting MSRP of $35,800 for the Regular Cab model. The LT, also with the RC, will cost you $40,000. The Custom is only available with the larger cabs, with the Double Cab with standard bed also costing $40,000. The similarly-configured LT costs $42,000 and the LTZ Crew Cab with the standard bed will set you back $51,800, while the top-tier High Country, standard with the Crew Cab and all-wheel-drive, has a hefty price tag of $63,800 with the long bed. Most of the lower trims allow for some customization in cab and bed length, at additional cost, while all-wheel-drive is available across the range for an additional $2,800. Upgrading to the available diesel engine will add around $10k to your final bill, too. These prices exclude tax, registration, licensing, and the manufacturer's $1,695 handling fee.

The Chevrolet Silverado is a truck designed to do a job, and do it well. It isn't for thrill-seekers or driving enthusiasts. Despite having access to up to 910 lb-ft of torque, acceleration will never compete with sport trucks. Nevertheless, the Silverado 2500 isn't lazy on the road. With plenty of power from the new base gasoline engine, the pick-up is actually pretty eager.

The gas engine is mated to an efficient six-speed automatic gearbox, but it isn't as smooth and refined as the ten-speed Allison automatic transmission that comes with the diesel powertrain. Just a few extra gears give the Chevy a more consistent climb in power, so that it never strains or feels underpowered, even when pulling heavier loads.

While the Silverado will never handle with any real dexterity, the steering is remarkably light for such a heavy vehicle. This allows the truck to maneuver around town quite well. But never fear, the steering wheel still gains some heft once you get the pick-up traveling down the highway. The wheels are also more talkative than you'd expect from a work truck, which helps to alleviate any unease you may experience when you can't really see what's going on around the bulky body. Still, the available advanced driver assistance features on the top trim can still boost driver confidence further.

As is expected from a vehicle designed to pull heavy loads, the Silverado's brakes are plenty potent, and the electronic trailer brake controller helps to keep your towed weight stable during deceleration. While the Chevy will never be athletic, it can handle itself around town or over rough terrain with the same degree of ease, even if it lacks grace.

While not the strongest Silverado available, the 2500HD is still a powerhouse in its own right. Where the Ford and Ram mid-range heavy-duty trucks once dominated the market with their unrivaled towing and hauling capacities, the redesigned Silverado finally muscled its way onto the podium in 2020. The reinforced chassis and strengthened joints allow the Chevy to nearly match its more established rivals from Ford and Ram with a maximum towing capacity of 18,510 lbs. These rivals had to make some last-minute adjustments to their heavy-duty pick-ups to stay ahead of the curve, but the new Silverado is certainly worthy of a place on any buyer's shortlist.

The Chevy isn't just a workhorse, though. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of available tech and convenience features. You could certainly use the truck as an everyday vehicle, if you were so inclined, but the poor fuel economy could make that a pricey decision. Still, this is nothing out of the ordinary for the segment.

The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is designed to serve a very specific purpose, and insofar as it does that, it is a very capable and good vehicle.

The best model for you will depend on your specific needs. Luckily, you can just about reach the maximum towing capacity on the Silverado 2500 with even the Crew Cab models, so you are spoiled for choice. Since the lower trims are almost devoid of any convenience or comfort features, we suggest aiming somewhere in the middle. The LTZ comes quite a bit cheaper than the top-tier High Country, and it gets most of the basic creature comforts, like a ten-way power heated front seats, heated rear seats, and dual-zone climate control. It does lack the advanced safety features on the High Country, but that can be remedied by equipping the LTZ with the optional Safety Package. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind, especially if you want the pick-up to double as a family vehicle.

Much like the Chevy Silverado, the Ram line of heavy-duty trucks has undergone an extensive redesign in 2019. The Ram 2500 maintains its lead over the Silverado with a maxing towing capacity of 20,000 lbs when equipped with its 850-lb-ft diesel engine, but in most other regards it is very much like its rival. Both pick-ups offer similar cabin and cargo bed options, but the Chevy is slightly more spacious inside and offers similar amenities such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Now that the Ram's tech features are up to scratch, it's almost too close to call, and will likely come down to personal taste, but we believe the Ram has done enough to edge ahead, especially thanks to its class-leading ride quality and towing capacity.

The F-250 Super Duty hasn't been redesigned since 2017, but Ford has made adjustments over the years to keep up with the competition. The latest F-250 models have engine and transmission options, with a 475-hp, 1,050-lb-ft diesel engine allowing the pick-up to tow a class-leading 22,800 lbs. When you take into account that the Ford is available with the same modern features as the newly redesigned Silverado, such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multi-contour heated front seats, it's plain to see that the manufacturer is resolute in its desire to remain king of the heavy-duty segment. The Chevrolet certainly has its appeal, and brand loyalists will most likely still choose it over the stronger F-250 Super Duty, but the latter looks to be the smarter buy for those who value performance above all else.