In the perpetual game of one-upmanship in the Detroit Truck Wars, it is popular for pickup makers to beat each other over the head with towering torque and sumptuous interiors. For 2024, Chevrolet has taken some existing consumer criticisms to heart — particularly in terms of the truck’s interior.
Right out of the gate, the 2024 Silverado HD will – in LT trims and above – benefit from a complete cabin overhaul. Gone are the PlaySkool plastics and tiny infotainment screens, replaced with technology and materials sufficient to rival anything on offer from its competitors. Taking centre stage is a 13.4-inch infotainment screen of similar design to the one which appeared last year in the half-ton Silverado.
Also on tap is the availability of a 12.3-inch screen taking the place of the traditional gauges, which presently stare back at the driver like a pair of surprised dinner plates. In short, it is a quantum leap over the current truck, giving the Silverado HD a mouth which can finally match its trousers.
Speaking of mouth, Chevy engineers have turned a few wrenches (and lines of computer code) on the LT5 turbodiesel, also known as the 6.6L Duramax. Power jumps to 470 horses and 975 lb-ft of torque, increases of 25 and 65, respectively. Those are stout numbers, but twist is certainly a few ticks away from Ram and Ford, both of which pack four-figure torque.
In recent years, Chevrolet has been using the line that it’s more interested in providing a complete package instead of chasing a particular number; it would seem those priorities have not changed. Still, that amount of torque is not to be trifled — and, to be honest, the average consumer is unlikely to feel the difference at that heady level anyway.
Where they will feel the difference, says Chevy, is at very low, just-off-idle engine speeds where the revamped Duramax is said to have enhanced its torque by up to 25 per cent. Since overall output is up roughly 7 per cent, it stands to reason real-life situations like trailering and climbing grades should feel markedly more robust that the truck’s outright numbers suggest thanks to a fatter torque curve. According to Michael MacPhee, marketing director at Chevrolet Trucks, that’s the trait on which they are putting their focus. Peak torque shows up for duty at just 1,600 rpm.
An Allison-branded ten-speed automatic handles shifting duties, and is now standard kit for both the diesel and gasser trucks. Already a proven unit in the Duramax, this ‘box will offer smaller steps between gears and keep the 6.6L V8 on the boil with greater alacrity. Owners of the gasoline-powered Silverado HD will also enjoy a better GCWR, up a couple thousand pounds compared to 24,000 lbs on last year’s truck. The gas engine’s output of 401 hp and 464 tq is unchanged.
For those who like to brag amongst buddies, the 2024 Silverado HD is capable of hauling a 36,000-pound gooseneck trailer, though it is – as always – a weirdo single cab dually diesel configuration that few customers will buy. In the real world, a more common 2500HD 4×4 with the standard-length bed and proper towing gear is good for 21,600 lbs when hauled by the diesel (18,500 lbs for the gasser). Interestingly, total payload numbers are down ever so slightly for 2024, thanks to an increased level of technology in the cabin. All those infotainment screens and luxury accoutrements add weight, you know.
Elsewhere in the lineup, trim levels will look familiar to the bowtie faithful – LT, LTZ, High Country, et al – but a beastly ZR2 variant is apparently in the works as well. This could be just the ticket to take on Ram’s Power Wagon, a brute which has been largely unchallenged in the three-quarter-ton market. Remember, the Raptor and TRX are technically based on the half-ton versions of their workaday brothers.
A new front fascia is on tap for 2024, incorporating new headlights with C-shaped graphic LEDs and dual projector technology on upscale trims, bookending a raft of new grille designs. It is a riff on the alarming face which debuted on the existing variant of this truck, slightly toning down the otherworldly visage while retaining a note of familiarity. There will be the usual shuffling of paint colors, along with a greater availability of the useful MultiFlex tailgate and all manner of edition-specific wheels.
One new option box is a Midnight Edition, available on trims including the High Country, which will add the likes of colour-keyed bumpers and dark chrome accents. Chevy has finally clued in that not all of the world’s wealthy cowboys want their trucks to have a brown Western theme; there are more than a few who want the High County features without having to sit in a saddle-coloured interior as if they’re getting ready for a night at Gilley’s. With the Midnight trim, they’ll get it.
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Chevy brings the goods in terms of trailer technology, as well. An enhanced version of the Transparent Trailer camera view now works with fifth wheels and goosenecks, blind-spot peepers now extend the viewing zone to help situational awareness when hauling long trailers in traffic, and a GCW alert now rocks into the infotainment screen to warn the driver if vehicle and trailer weight exceeds the truck’s safe capacity. This is all in addition to the available HD camera system which offers up umpteen useful camera views. As always, Luddites can turn it all off if they wish. We will note the words ‘Super Cruise’ appear exactly zero times in the bumf. Maybe next year. Adaptive cruise control will be available.
Interestingly, suits on the call noted the ’24 Silverado HD is part of the plan to demonstrate and strengthen their internal-combustion lineup while other parts of the company invest heavily in EVs. To use their own terms, the brand will be “playing in both sides of the business for as long as we need to.” In other words, there is definitely no declaration at this time of going all-electric by 2030 — a promise which has been made by corporate cousin Cadillac, for example.
Chevrolet plans for this truck to be in market during the first half of 2023. If that sounds like it’s hedging its bets after getting burned with chip shortages and supply chain headaches, you’re right. By leaving a wide window, Chevy permits itself a longer leash in case those challenges deepen in the coming months.
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