Model tested: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Crew Cab ZR2 4WD diesel
Engine: 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V-8
Transmission: 10-speed Allison automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 470
Torque: 975-lb.-ft.
EPA ratings: Not rated
Base price: $69,600
As tested: $86,805
Overview: The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Crew Cab ZR2 pickup is a big, brawny, 3/4-ton four-by-four pickup with athletic off-road skills, spacious five-adult interior comfort and excellent towing capabilities thanks to a powerful diesel engine and a superior 10-speed automatic transmission. Four full-size crew cab doors make ingress and egress easy and there are ample interior storage spaces.
Walkaround: Big is the operative word for the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Crew Cab in any trim level, and with the lifted suspension ZR2 equipment, it’s even bigger. ZR2 features include 35-inch all-terrain tires, a 1.5-inch suspension lift, HD shocks, a two-speed transfer case, a locking differential, skid plates and tow hooks. Our tester had the optional power retractable assist steps, which are a must even for tall people. Sturdy grab handles aided entry and exit. The rear bumper was helpfully notched along with a folding grab handle for bed access. The optional Multiflex tailgate doubled as a convenient step.
Interior: The large exterior yielded a spacious interior, with supportive heated seats with power lumbar and stretch-out legroom. The optional Technology Package included a welcome head-up display. Backseat room was great, with foldup seats for cargo carrying and hidden storage behind the upper seatbacks. The 13.4-inch infotainment screen was user friendly. Interior small-item spaces were ample.
Behind the wheel: If you’re coming from a sedan or compact sport-utility vehicle, the Silverado 2500 takes an adjustment period to familiarize yourself with its outsized dimensions. This truck will not fit in a “compact parking” space. Large mirrors, blind-spot warning and lane-departure warning ease the task of threading crowded freeway lanes. Given the truck’s size and height, we were sometimes surprised when a compact car scooted past our right front fender. Our comfort level improved the second day of driving. The diesel engine was quick-starting, relatively quiet and surprisingly strong acceleration-wise. Merging in busy traffic was easy. We didn’t tow anything, but the truck was loaded with towing features and a 11,350-pound gross vehicle weight rating. The tall, aggressive tread tires were mostly quiet. The Silverado 2500 is too big for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ratings, but we managed a best mpg of 22.6 on the highway.
Bottom line: The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Crew Cab ZR2 pickup is a multipurpose, full-size truck that excels both on and off road. Its large interior is comfortable and full of useful features. The bed and towing features are highly versatile and functional. The diesel engine is quiet, powerful, smooth and ideal for towing.
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