Used 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado HD in 2500 and 3500 forms are the big guns you call in when there’s serious work to be done. Their reputation for being simultaneously tough yet refined has earned them a well-deserved loyalty among many owners. The jewel in the Silverado HD’s crown is actually in the engine bay: a turbocharged V8 diesel engine generating a formidable 910 lb-ft of torque. However, these heavy-duty trucks are not the biggest guns around. Rivals from both Ford and Ram have greater towing and payload capacities. Although not many buyers will need more than the Silverado HD’s maximum tow rating of 23,100 pounds. The lighter-duty 2019 Silverado pickup (without the HD suffix) is an all-new generation for this model year and reviewed separately; these heavy-duty versions are still part of the generation that debuted for 2014.

Hitch up a 10,000-pound trailer to a 2019 Silverado 3500 HD powered by that gutsy diesel engine and a 6,000-foot climb up a mountain road won’t present any problems. The trailer-sway control keeps everything in line. On the way down, the engine’s exhaust brake works well with the trusty 6-speed Allison transmission to accomplish a composed and drama-free descent. Despite being so good at its job, any Silverado HD truck is also remarkably civilized for day-to-day driving. The cabin is quiet, the steering is precise, and the suspension is comfortable — although it’s optimized for some weight in the bed. Even the diesel engine is refined, with that unmistakable metallic drumming only moderately evident under hard acceleration.

As mentioned, among the many plus points of the 2019 Silverado HD is its cabin. In the higher trims, at least. Down at the entry level is the WT (work truck), where concessions to comfort are fewer. It has vinyl upholstery and flooring, a 3-occupant bench up front that splits 40/20/40, folding rear bench, rearview camera, air conditioning, radio and a 7-inch infotainment display. Degrees of comfort and equipment only go up from there. We would recommend starting at the LT or LTZ trims for cloth or leather upholstery, an upgraded infotainment system and chrome highlights. The Double cab will take six occupants, or five if a pair of bucket seats is specified up front.

If anyone wanted to create a statue representing the finest in American manufacturing, just putting a 2019 Silverado HD on a pedestal would be sufficiently monumental. It’s big and impressive, yet also coherent, with justification for every shape and dimension, especially details like the air intake in the hood of the diesel version. Around the back, every 2500 HD and 3500 HD truck has the handy CornerStep rear bumper. Double-cab versions come with the 8-foot bed; the bigger Crew cab can be ordered with the 8-foot bed or the standard 6.5-foot bed. The 2019 Silverado 3500 HD is also available with twin rear wheels — the classic “dually” arrangement.

ADVANCED INTERIOR
The 2019 Silverado HD has a dual personality. The face it presents to the world is all toughness and business, but go a little deeper and there’s a pampering side further up the trim ladder. Wi-Fi, wireless-device charging and an 8-inch color touch screen for the infotainment system join comfortable and supportive seats.

6.6-LITER DURAMAX ENGINE
The word “awesome” is a frequent victim of overuse, but this big turbocharged V8 is really that good. It makes a muscular 910 lb-ft of torque. Torque is the force that gets things moving and not many objects stay still for long when 910 lb-ft is applied to them.

In basic form, the 2019 Silverado HD reports for duty with a 6.0-liter V8 gasoline engine driving the rear wheels (2WD), locking rear differential, 17-inch steel wheels, tilt-only steering column adjustment, locking tailgate, power windows, manually extendable side mirrors, six speakers, CD player, USB port and Bluetooth. A better choice would be the LT, with 17-inch alloy wheels, carpeting, cloth upholstery, self-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Wi-Fi, 8-inch infotainment display and GM’s OnStar communications system.

It’s not until the 2019 Silverado 2500 HD LT trim that the diesel engine becomes optional, but 4-wheel drive (4WD) is available across the range. The LT trim is also eligible for things like fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, spray-on bed liner, and power-adjustable pedals. Many such features are incorporated as standard in the top High Country trim (Crew cab only), which also brings 20-inch alloy wheels and navigation. Then there are extras like the snowplow-preparation package, fifth wheel and gooseneck adapter. Also available (depending on trim) are a rear-seat entertainment package, sunroof, plus blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and forward-collision mitigation.

The standard engine for the 2019 Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD is a perfectly workable gasoline-powered 6.0-liter V8 developing 360 horsepower. A 301-horsepower variant of this engine runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). The gasoline V8 is rated to tow 14,500 pounds with a conventional trailer hitch, or 14,800 with a gooseneck adapter/fifth wheel. For around $9,500 more, the turbocharged 6.6-liter diesel engine will expand these trucks’ capabilities considerably. Towing figures with this unit are 20,000 and 23,100 pounds respectively. All three engines are paired to 6-speed automatic transmissions. Two-(rear)-wheel drive is standard; 4-wheel drive is optional. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t provide fuel-economy estimates for vehicles of this weight class.

6.0-liter CNG V8
301 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
333 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.0-liter V8
360 horsepower @ 3,000 rpm
380 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.6-liter turbodiesel V8
445 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm
910 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A