2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Review: Nigh-indomitable Power

What the Hulk is to the Avengers, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is to the Silverado line. It's the apogee of the heavy-duty pickup truck range, purposed to take on the onerous missions none of the other heroes can accomplish. A 6.6-liter V8 engine is the beating heart of the mighty beast, sending 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque coursing through its veins. But, if you really want the Silverado 3500HD pickup truck to Hulk out, there's a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 engine that empowers it with 445 hp and an earth-shattering 910 lb-ft. With that powerplant and its reinforced chassis, axles, and joints, the Silverado is capable of towing up to a maximum of 36,000 pounds - a figure that few can approach or hope to beat. The 2021 Silverado 3500HD has several nemeses vying for the admiration of US shoppers: the Ram 3500 and the Ford F-350 Super Duty, each with their own superpowers and crippling weaknesses, but the Silverado 3500HD remains a solid choice.

Silverado 3500HD Exterior

Dimensions

Silverado 3500HD Performance

Engine and Transmission

Standard-fit in the Silverado 3500HD pickup truck is a 6.6-liter naturally aspirated 8-cylinder modulated to develop up to 401 hp and 464 lb-ft. The powerful unit comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that cedes outputs to either a rear-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive system. The engine delivers its power efficaciously and makes all of its 464 lb-ft of torque available from 4,000 rpm, which is really impressive for a naturally aspirated unit. Chevy puts forward a 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8 unit that's mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission for those really serious about towing. It generates up to 445 hp and an earth-shattering 910 lb-ft that's released at just 1,600 rpm. 3500HD's with the naturally aspirated engine are capable of towing up to 14,500 pounds when properly equipped, and the turbo-diesel variants up to 20,000 lbs. With the gooseneck apparatus opted in, the turbo-diesel variants are accorded a near-class-leading maximum towing capacity of 36,000 lbs.

Silverado 3500HD Interior

Silverado 3500HD Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD A Good Pickup Truck?

There's been an ongoing war between the Silverado, Ford, and Ram pickup truck lines for a very long time now and their makers have been continuously enhancing and altering their top dogs to get the edge over one another. Chevrolet really went all out with the fourth-generation Silverado 3500HD, though. The Duramax powertrain-equipped model boasts a towing of 36,000 lbs, which only the F-450 and Ram 3500HD can beat. The 3500HD with the entry-spec powertrain is also a solid choice for those looking for a robust but comfortable pickup truck. The upgrades and changes Chevrolet have applied for the 2021 model year improved the Silverado's appeal a lot, with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay now offered. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD's crashworthiness review isn't the best, but with how many advanced driver assists and safety features it comes with, it's still a very safe vehicle. Where the Hulk is fueled by his unyielding anger, however, the Silverado 3500HD pickup needs gas or diesel, both of which it burns through like a hypochondriac does oxygen when someone sneezes on him. Nevertheless, when you need to call in the big guns, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD will certainly bring the proficiency.

What Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Model Should I Buy?

The performance and price of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD pickup truck depend on the powertrain, specifications, cab, and cargo configurations you require. If you're looking for a car that you can competently and comfortably commute in with your family, then we'd suggest looking at something more passenger-friendly like the all-new Silverado 1500 EV or even its gasoline counterpart. If you need a proper workhorse, then we'd recommend either the Work truck or LT trim, which in their 2-door Regular Cab forms can be equipped with the Duramax engine and gooseneck, giving you access to the 36,000-pound towing capacity.