Preview: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD Is More Burly and Imposing Than Ever

The timing is right for Chevrolet to bolster its HD offerings, as crosstown rival Ford also just announced updates to its F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks for 2023. The Silverado HD’s new interior is a significant upgrade over the outgoing model, mimicking many of the changes seen on the 2022 Silverado 1500. This includes a very large infotainment screen canted toward the driver, which makes it easier to see and reach. Clearly, Chevy believes that even its customers who use their truck largely for work duties have a desire for more comfort and convenience than ever before. 

We’re not sure Chevy’s turbodiesel V8 needed any more grunt. We’ve found that the burly diesel and smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission are a match made in mechanical heaven, providing a seemingly endless supply of power and torque. But such is the nature of the diesel war that the “Big 3” American automakers (Ford, General Motors, and Ram) have been waging for years now—apparently, there’s no such thing as too much power. To that end, Chevy’s engineers have coaxed another 25 hp and 65 lb.-ft. of torque out of the diesel. 

Possibly the best news is that Chevy will be making some previously optional active safety features standard equipment on the Silverado HDs for 2024. This includes forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning (LDW). 

Although not yet disclosed, it’s reasonable to expect that the closely related GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD pickup trucks will receive similar interior and exterior styling enhancements, powertrain upgrades, and the same standard active safety equipment as the Silverado HDs.

The Silverado HD’s exterior styling is inspired by the look of the 2022 Silverado 1500, with the C-shaped LED graphic lamps that surround the headlights forming the most dynamic aspect. The headlights themselves are now a single unit, no longer bisected by the grille. That grille is also new, and includes a giant Chevrolet bowtie logo, while the truck’s menacing hood air scoop now prominently features the word “Chevrolet.” 

The new High Country Midnight Edition brings all of the top-shelf High Country’s extra equipment, but in a “bold, color-keyed appearance,” according to Chevrolet. 

The Silverado 2500HD and Silverado 3500HD will be available in regular cab, double cab, and crew cab in standard- and long-bed lengths. Dual rear-wheel models (known as a “dually”) are available on the 3500HD.

Much attention has been paid to the Silverado HD’s interior—it looks considerably more modern and inviting than before. The biggest differences are the adoption of the Silverado 1500’s configurable 12.3-inch instrument panel, and a wide, 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s canted with a 6-degree tilt toward the driver. Wireless device charging is available, as is a head-up display that projects important information to the driver on the windshield. Of note, the base Work Truck and Custom trims use a carryover cabin. 

The up-level High Country trim gets leather-wrapped surfaces, open-pore wood trim, and contrasting stitching and piping for a true luxury-truck effect.

The standard engine will remain a 401-hp, 6.6-liter gasoline V8 pumping out 464 lb.-ft. of torque. The big news is the adoption of a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous six-speed unit. Thanks to the smaller steps between gears, Chevy says the new transmission allows the engine to stay closer to its peak power more often. It’s also likely to improve the big truck’s fuel mileage. 

The optional choice remains the Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. For 2024, this burly powerplant sees an increase to 470 hp along with a prodigious 975 lb.-ft. of torque. That torque figure is an important number when it comes to heavy-duty pickups because low-end power is a big aid when climbing up steep grades with a trailer in tow.   

To that end, the Max Tow package will now be available across all Silverado 2500HD trims, with a towing capacity of up to 22,500 pounds in conjunction with the turbodiesel engine—an increase from up to 18,500 pounds with the outgoing version. The Silverado 3500HD with the turbodiesel and a dual rear-wheel setup can tow up to a whopping 36,000 pounds, which is the same as before.

Silverado HDs can be equipped with some intriguing towing-specific features. This includes an ability to warn the driver if the pickup-truck and trailer weight exceeds the vehicle’s gross combined weight rating (GCWR). There’s also a new Adaptive Cruise Control with Trailer feature which Chevy says takes into account the additional drag of a trailer when accelerating and the increased braking distances due to the trailer’s extra weight.

We’re very happy to see that Chevrolet has made some key active safety equipment standard equipment across all trims of the 2024 Silverado HDs. This includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. Adaptive cruise control is a new optionally available driver assistance feature. 

GM’s Super Cruise active driving assistance system, which is available on the Silverado 1500, was not added to the HD models.