This week I bring you the 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax diesel Crew Cab truck. Chevy put an all-new diesel engine under the hood last year, but most of the truck is otherwise unchanged for 2018.
The 6.6-liter Duramax is putting out 445-horses, and 910-pound feet of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed Allison automatic, and my test vehicle is 4-wheel drive. Towing capacity on this truck with the 3.73 rear axle is 14,500 pounds.
My tester is the High Country edition, Chevy’s top-of-the-line. Like all ¾ ton trucks, the 2500 Silverado is large and tough looking with 20” wheels and pay particular attention to the functional hood scoop. This is one of the key factors in the performance numbers of the Duramax turbo diesel.
The High Country has a terrific interior with stitching throughout the seats and dash areas. The High Country logo is embroidered onto the back of the seats.
When seated behind the wheel, the gauges are easy to read, and between the tachometer and speedometer you can get a lot of driver information that is controlled from the large, heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.
This truck has a huge center console with a built-in cell phone charger, handy cup holders, and a large storage area. Chevy opted to leave the transmission shifter on the steering column to allow for more front seat storage.
In the center stack is where you’ll find the 8” color screen to operate the Chevy MyLink system. Apps there include the Bose Audio system, your phone interface, navigation system, real-time weather info, and current traffic. The system will allow you to text by voice, and you can turn the entire interior into a 4G LTE hotspot.
Below that is a row of buttons that operate the adjustable pedals, the traction control, the exterior cab lights, parking sensors, lane departure warning, and the exhaust brake.
Notable standard features on the High Country include forward collision alert, bed liner, running boards, leather heated and cooled seats, remote start, power sliding rear window, rear camera, and the safety alert seat, which vibrates if the truck senses a collision. It also has the rear seat reminder system.
A few other neat features at no charge are USB ports, 110-volt power outlet, front and rear park assist, digital steering assist, and easy-lift tailgate that remotely locks. The rear bumper has built-in steps to make getting in and out of the bed easier. I think it’s cool too, that when you turn on either blinker, cameras mounted on the mirrors show the lanes on either side of the truck to eliminate blind spots.
Total options on my test truck add up to over $13,000, which includes $9940 for the Duramax Plus package and includes the diesel engine, and power trailer towing mirrors. This one also has the rear DVD player, power sliding sunroof, and the prep package for a 5th wheel gooseneck hitch.
This truck is actually very comfortable to drive, and you don’t feel like you are fighting it. I suspect you would get that same sensation even when towing a trailer.
The cab is quiet and you barely hear the engine. The torque under heavy acceleration will pin you to the seat. Overall driving in this truck is quite enjoyable for a truck as large as this one.
Although not officially rated by the EPA, the Duramax got 14 in the city and 20 on the highway running 75 miles per hour.
Total sticker price on this loaded truck is $72,590 as equipped, which is in line with the competition from Ford and Ram.
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2018 Silverado 2500 HD White LTZ Custom Sport Crew Cab towing John Deere Compact Track Loader with a Big Tex Trailer. Towing 11,485 pounds (total weight of trailer and equipment combined.
