why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Extended Cab

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 3 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Extended Cab

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Extended Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

Chevrolet's Sliverado 2500HD and 3500HD heavy-duty pickups are all-new and substantially improved for 2011, yet they don't look much different from the 2010s they replace. Most of the available investment budget went into all-new, much stiffer and stronger frames (fully-boxed, high-strength steel) and suspensions (front independent, rear asymmetrical leaf-spring) and the new Duramax turbo diesel V8/Allison 1000 six-speed transmission powertrain, and little was left for styling changes. But these new Silverado HDs boast an impressive array of segment bests, beginning with that new Duramax diesel, which is not only more powerful but also 11 percent more fuel efficient than its predecessor. Given the new standard 36-gallon tank, you can theoretically drive up to 680 miles between fill-ups, which equates to almost 19 mpg on the highway (unloaded).

You'll Like This Car If...

If you are a satisfied past or current Silverado HD owner, you will love these much-improved new ones despite their mostly carryover styling. Their performance, capabilities, refinement and fuel efficiency have improved, especially with their new, surprisingly quiet available Duramax turbo diesel V8.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you are a loyal and satisfied Ford or Dodge (now Ram) HD pickup owner, you may not find sufficient reason to switch to a new Chevy. The Ram was new for 2010, the F-250/350 for 2011, and both are fully competitive in most areas.

What's New for 2011

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD's Duramax turbo diesel's power, torque, maximum conventional and fifth-wheel tow and payload ratings are best in class. Its fifth-wheel tow capability is 21,700 pounds, it can tow up to a 17,000-pound conventional load with its factory-installed hitch, and the Duramax is fully B20 biodiesel compatible.

Driving the Silverado 2500 HD Extended Cab

Driving Impressions We found towing a 9,500-pound trailer with a 2011 Silverado 3500HD relatively easy due largely to its new 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 and Allison transmission powertrain. Its massive (segment-best) 765...

pound-feet of torque got that hefty rig rolling with ease, and its (segment-best) 397 hard-muscled horses kept it moving surprisingly smoothly and quietly. The ambience inside the Silverado's nicely-appointed cabin was a pleasant surprise – so quiet at any speed that we could easily chat with passengers in the crew-cab's back seat. Another plus is the highly-effective, engine compression-assisted brakes. New for 2011 is "smart" exhaust braking that progressively restricts the diesel's exhaust, depending on speed and grade, to help slow the rig with added compression braking – especially useful on down-hills. Other Silverado HDs we sampled also showed marked improvements in ride, handling, steering and brake feel due mostly to their new, much stiffer frames and redesigned suspensions.

Favorite Features

Exhaust braking
This system progressively restricts the diesel's exhaust – depending on speed and grade – to help slow the rig with added compression braking.

Remote starting
A favorite on any vehicle, this available feature is especially appreciated on working trucks that operate in hot and cold weather extremes.

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Extended Cab Details

Interior

The 2011 Silverado HD Work Truck and uplevel LTZ interiors are little changed in appearance but more refined in quietness and attention to detail. A variety of useful compartments provides out-of-sight storage for everything from work gloves to laptops. These new trucks can be highly capable mobile workplaces with mobile WiFi, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, XM Satellite Radio and GPS navigation, plus multiple charge points for multiple devices to operate simultaneously. XM NavTraffic, which comes with the available navigation system, provides real-time traffic updates (in selected areas) that can help plan the most time-efficient routes.

Exterior

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Extended Cab photo

The 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD models sport a bolder, tougher, flashier version of the signature Chevy truck face thanks to a new grille, full-width chrome steel front bumper and a new louvered power-dome hood. A new lineup of 17- (dually), 18- and 20-inch wheel/tire combinations is available, and 20-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels are available on the 2500HD.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS and Intelligent Brake Assist and six-speed automatic transmission are standard on all 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HDs, while StabiliTrak electronic stability control, Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist (but not Hill Descent Control) are standard on single-rear-wheel (non-dualie) models and new "smart" exhaust braking comes with the Duramax diesel. Also standard are chrome front and rear bumpers, engine and transmission oil coolers, a driver information center, tilt steering wheel, automatic headlamps and front tow hooks. Standard safety features include front-seat airbags and a new high-strength tubular steel frame crossmember that improves crashworthiness.

Optional Equipment

Optional (or unavailable) on the base Work Truck are such basic amenities as cruise, power locks, windows and mirrors and a rear window defroster. The next-level LT trim provides most of those, plus remote keyless entry, a CD player and more, but the rear-window defroster remains optional. The top-of-the-line LTZ trim (available on Extended and Crew Cab models) adds that plus leather trim, power seats and much more. Option packages are available, and other major options include navigation, a CD changer, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, remote start, premium wheels, a sunroof, a rear backup camera, an integrated trailer brake controller and pelvic/thorax and head-curtain airbags.

Under the Hood

The standard heavy-duty Vortec 6.0-liter gasoline V8 has a cast-iron block, aluminum heads and cam-in-block variable valve timing (VVT), which allows the engine to use late intake valve closing to improve efficiency and achieve an optimum balance of low-rpm torque and free-breathing, high-rpm horsepower. The 2011 Duramax turbo diesel offers significantly more power and torque, 11 percent better fuel efficiency, 30 percent less engine noise, improved strength and durability, new "smart" exhaust braking with the Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission and full B20 biodiesel capability. Its NOx emissions are reduced by some 63 percent via a selective catalyst reduction after-treatment system that uses urea-based diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in a 5.3-gallon tank that needs to be replenished about every 5,000 miles.

6.0-liter V8
360 horsepower @ 5400 rpm
380 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8
397 horsepower @ 3000 rpm
765 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Extended Cab vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.6

Out of 10

Based on 349 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.7/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

8.9/10

Performance

8.8/10
Comfort

8.8/10

Styling

9.0/10

Never seen such poor mpg

By mikey (MI) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 21,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 4/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "pulls a 10,000 lb 5th wheel great!"

Cons: "Can,t pass a gas station 7 1/2 to 8 mpg"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"21,000 only get 7 to 8 mpg pulling and 11 to 12 empty!! Rattles on bumpy rds. Been driving chevey trucks for 37 years never been so disappointed.Never considered another brand before this truck. DO NOT BUY A 6.0 CHEVY TRUCK."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Very happy with truck.

By MX264 (WV) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 44,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Pleanty of Power; Great Reliability"

Cons: "Little bit stiff of a ride but its a 3/4 ton truck"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Truck has been very reliable; Duramax motor and Allison trans. has plenty of towing power. I averaged around 16-17 mpg highway miles. Overall, I'm happy with the truck. According to Kelley Blue Book it has really held its value."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Junk, wouldn't buy it again!

By Ed H (AL) on Friday, April 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 21,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Horrible dealer service. Transmission is on frtiz. Dealer keeps saying they can fix the truck, but nothing they do works. I tell them to just give me a transmission or a new truck, but they now tell me my transmission is working just fine."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Pretty decent truck.

By cowboy (OK) on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 72,500

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Runs great."

Cons: "Bad mileage."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"I've recently bought a 2011 chevy 2500hd z71 4x4 extended cab gas engine. When I bought this truck it had approximately 68000 miles on it, it now has around 72000 miles on it. This truck gets approximately 15 mpg on the high side empty and 10 mpg pulling my 3 horse slant gooseneck. It pulls great the exhaust braking is useful. I would be very happy with this truck if I could get better mileage while towing. I'm afraid that if it doesn't get better mileage I will go to Dodge."

1 person out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Amazing Truck with great towing capabilities!!

By Dubya (OH) on Tuesday, March 05, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: traded it in on a new 2013 model - My approximate mileage is 40,300

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "6.6 liter Diesel, Allison transmission, Powerful"

Cons: "DEF fuel, low mpg"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought a 2007 2500 HD Crew Cab Diesel and towed my 33ft fifth wheel camper with ease. I loved it so much i just traded it in for a 2013 2500 HD Crew Cab Diesel last week. Don't get me wrong, it was painful to let "Big Red" go but the resale value was so good that when i went to the dealer for a minor recall notice, they made me an offer i couldn't refuse. I never had a single problem with my 2007 Diesel and if i can offer any advice to someone researching for a new truck, it would be to get the Diesel and the Allison Transmission if you can afford it. I tow my 5th wheel camper like it's not even behind me. The Allison transmission is amazing!! Don't get me wrong, the Duramax Diesel engine is no slouch either. Will i miss, "Big Red", who in herself was still just a baby with just over 40,000 miles on her? Absolutely! The fact that "Big Blue" now sits in my driveway makes it a lot easier to handle though. Time will tell if the 2013 model will hold up as well as my 2007 but i was so impressed with "Big Red" that i have no doubt this new truck will function just as well. One slight negative is this silly DEF fuel you have to add every 7,000 miles to a separate 10 gallon tank."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

I would not buy a 2500 HD again

By Bill (NY) on Saturday, January 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "pulls just a little better that my 1/2 ton truck"

Cons: "Brakes down , very bad fuel mileage with 373 gears"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Today the truck was towed as it would not start. Being Sat I can not get it fixed as the dealership closes at 1.00pm on Sat. Fuel mileage is very bad. For new truck and the best getting 15 MPG is very bad and that is driving very carefull. If I hook my bass boat on you are looking at 10 MPG. Overall a very high price for the truck and the tires where junk that came on it."

6 people out of 12 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 349 reviews