The 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is a powerhouse of a machine. The HD line at Chevy refers to their Heavy-Duty pickups, which are built to perform under the most extreme of circumstances, whether it’s carrying a few tons in the bed or hauling a heavy trailer. Although the 2500HD can definitely be used for everyday drives, and most certainly is around the country, it’s meant to be put to work.
However, the fact that it can carry and tow so much weight means there will be plenty of people looking into the 2500HD for recreational purposes. Fifth wheels, toy haulers, boats, and other recreational vehicles would be right at home attached to the back of this pickup. Plus, the wide range of features and options available means you’re also taken care of on the inside.
Trims
The 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD comes in five different trim levels. From lowest to highest (in price), they are the Work Truck, LT, Custom, LTZ, and High Country.
The Silverado 2500HD Work Truck
The Work Truck is your standard 2500HD trim level. It (2WD, Regular Cab, Long Bed) starts at $35,695 and comes standard with a 6.6L V8 Gas engine with an output of 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. The 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 engine is an available option on this trim level. It has an output of 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. The Advanced Trailering System is not available on this trim, which means you would miss out on all of its features, including trailer security alerts, trailer mileage, trailer electrical diagnostics, trailer tire pressure monitoring alert, and more. You will, however, find the Durabed comes standard here, allowing for easy tie-down access (12 cargo tie-downs) and bed access with the CornerStep Rear Bumper.
Your standard Trailer Package is included, which makes sense since most people are looking into the 2500HD for towing and hauling large amounts of weight. The standard Trailer Package includes a trailer hitch, trailering hitch platform, a 2.5” receiver hitch (with 4-pin and 7-pin connectors), and a 7-wire electrical harness and 7-pin sealed connector (to hook up trailer lights and brakes).
If you’re looking for additional safety features on this trim, you should look into the WT Safety Package. It will add Front and Rear Park Assist, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Otherwise, the included safety features aren’t comprised of too much: just a Rear Vision Camera, Hitch Guidance, Teen Driver, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
The Silverado 2500HD LT
The LT model also comes with the 6.6L V8 Gas engine, Trailering Package, and Durabed. However, you will find that the Advanced Trailering System is available here, which isn’t too bad considering this is just one model up from the lowest. This model (2WD, Regular Cab, Long Bed) starts at $41,800. One big difference over the WT model is the inclusion of a standard integrated trailer brake controller. This controller provides useful information (trailer gain and output) in the Driver Information Center. Also, here you will find the tailgate with EZ lift and lower assist comes standard, while it does not on the WT.
While the standard safety features here are the same as the WT, you will find additional available options, such as Trailer Tire Pressure and Temperature Sensors and HD Rear Vision Camera.
The Silverado 2500HD Custom
The Custom is actually quite similar to the LT, both in price and standard features. It (2WD, Double Cab, Standard Bed) starts out at $40,800 and comes with the same engine, Trailering Package, and Durabed. It does not come with the tailgate that has EZ lift and lower assist, but it does have 20” aluminum wheels (with Black painted accents) and 20” Blackwall tires compared to the 17” wheels and tires on the WT and LT. Led taillamps are also a standard feature here.
The standard safety features on the Custom are the same as the WT, but there doesn’t appear to be any extra availability for more features here, except for OnStar & Chevrolet Connected Services.
The Silverado 2500HD LTZ
Jumping up to the LTZ model, we should see some significant changes, especially considering there is a significant price jump to $50,500 (2WD, Double Cab, Standard Bed). The 6.6L V8 Gas engine is still standard, but now you’ll also find the Advanced Trailering System is, too. Digital Variable Steering Assist is a standard feature that’s meant to help reduce driver fatigue with automatic adjustments.
Across the board, there are a lot more standard features on the LTZ. Some of the highlights, that haven’t previously been mentioned, are a tailgate with EZ lift assist, power lock & release, LED reflector headlamps, LED taillamps, outside power-adjustable vertical trailering mirrors, and a 120-volt box-mounted power outlet. A few of the standard convenience features include heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Standard safety features have now included the HD Rear Vision Camera and Hitch Guidance with Hitch View. All other non-standard safety features are available as add-ons at this trim level, including the Safety Alert Seat option.
The Silverado 2500HD High Country
The High Country is only available in 4WD, which makes this the only 2500HD model that comes standard with 4WD. The standard engine is the same across all trim levels, although here you will also find the Advanced Trailering System. You can expect even more standard features than the LTZ because this is the highest trim level, starting at $61,100 (4WD, Crew Cab, Standard Bed).
Since 4WD is standard, an Autotrac 2-speed transfer case is included. Here, you’re able to control whether you want 2WD High, 4WD High, 4WD Low, or AUTO. The standard wheels and tires are the biggest you’ll see (20”, same as the Custom) across trim levels. The High Country, though, is the only trim to include 6” chrome rectangular assist steps, for an easier time getting in and out of the vehicle. The tailgate is power up and down, there’s a Bose Premium Sound System, and heated seats are now in the rear passenger area as well as the front.
It took all the way to the highest level to get them, but you now have more standard safety features. Specifically, Front and Rear Park Assist, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and Lane Departure Warning are all available options.
Additional Options and Information
The popular Head-Up Display and 15 different camera view features don’t come standard at any level, although they are available as options on the LTZ and High Country trims. You can add 4WD to any trim level, but the Regular Cab and Long Bed configurations can only be found on the WT and LT trims. The High Country only has two configurations, either a Crew Cab and Standard Bed or a Crew Cab and Long Bed.
Being able to add safety features to most trim levels is nice, but they should probably come standard well before the highest trim and its steep price. Regardless, the LTZ and High Country come with some of the best features that would make your 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD capable enough to put in work but still able to provide a convenient and comfortable interior space for your family or friends. You can add some of the same features on at lower trim levels, but you’d have to see if the difference in price is enough to justify not jumping up another level.
