2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is one of the top competitors in its class and has been for some time. Although this year's model is still lacking some refinement, it appears that Chevy has been diligently attempting to make improvements to the Silverado's overall performance. It is a capable tower and hauler yet also pulls double-duty as a family-friendly full-sized truck.

What's New for 2018?

New for 2018 are two body colors - Havana Metallic and Cajun Red Tintcoat. Gone are three of the old colors (Pepperdust Metallic, Butte Red Metallic, and Siren Red Tintcoat). There are some noticeable changes to the new grilles and side decals. There is also a lengthy list of new standard features, which include a rearview camera and MyLink Radio.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD – The Pros

1. Many Configuration Options

Regardless of what you need a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD for, there are plenty of configurations to suit your needs. You can select between a Work Truck (WT), LT, LTZ, and High Country trim. The LT is the most family-friendly option of the bunch, and the WT is an excellent choice for towing and hauling.

2. A Rearview Camera is Standard On All Trim Levels

Chevy is upping its ante for 2018 by making a rearview camera standard on all vehicles. This is especially helpful on the 2500HD since it can be difficult to see behind you while driving such a massive truck. This makes backing up into a parking spot or getting around on congested roadways a lot safer.

3. Tire Fill Alert on Single Rear Wheel Models

GM recently developed the Tire Fill Alert feature, which comes standard on single rear wheel (SWR) models. This is part of the Tire Pressure Monitoring system. This system will issue alarms that you can see and hear outside of the vehicle when you are trying to refill the air in a deflated tire, letting you know how much air is sufficient.

4. Strong Towing and Hauling Abilities

Even on the lower trim levels, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is a workhorse when it comes to hauling and towing. Its max towing capacity is at 21,100 pounds with the GCWR 4.10 rear axle.

5. Excellent Build Quality

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is made from high-quality materials, inside and out. Nothing seems to rattle or get jostled about when the Silverado is driving over bumps, and the paneling and upholstering on the interior look pleasant in a vehicle built for work and not luxury.

6. A Surprisingly Quiet Ride

Although the suspension has a stiff feel to it, the ride you will get in the Silverado is smooth and quiet. It does shake while going over small bumps in the road when bearing no extra weight, but once you load it up, the 2500HD provides a comfortable ride.

7. An Optional Diesel Engine

The Silverado 2500HD comes with an optional 6.6-L V8 turbodiesel engine. This massively powerful engine generates 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. It is nicely paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. If you plan on doing a lot of hauling and towing, you might want to consider this engine option.

8. Zippy Acceleration

If you're driving around on the optional 6.6-L V8 engine, you will get more than enough get-up-and-go power. This powerful engine can get the Silverado 2500HD from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.7 seconds, which is quite good for this class. In fact, it bests some smaller trucks, SUVs, and even some sedans.

9. Handles Well

The 2500HD has remarkable handling capabilities. There is less body roll than you might expect from such a massive vehicle, and it handles cramped urban areas with an ease that is difficult to find in other full-sized trucks.

10. Rides Well On Dirt Roads

Despite some issues with going over small bumps, the 2500HD handles wide dirt roads remarkably well. The Z71 off-roading package gives a bit of extra ground clearance and provides an extra smooth ride, making it well worth its reasonable price tag.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD – The Cons

1. Some Tech Features Don't Work Well

Chevy's MyLink infotainment system is, for the most part, easy to use. However, when you test out the smartphone integration, you might run into some trouble. The system drops the connection quite often, and music can take a while to load. Unfortunately, this can be rather annoying and take the driver's attention off of the road.

2. Poor Outward Visibility

The Silverado has huge roof pillars that limit the driver's view of the corners of the truck. Drivers will have to rely more heavily on their rearview and side mirrors and their rearview cameras to assist them with backing up and changing lanes.

3. It Struggles With Steering

Steering the Silverado is a chore. The vehicle feels secure when you are driving straight-on, but taking turns in this truck can be a little disconcerting to the driver. You will probably feel like you do not know exactly what the truck's tires are doing when you go to make a turn.

4. Shaky Braking Abilities

The Chevy Silverado has some of the shakiest brakes on a vehicle, period. The vehicle has an extremely long stopping distance, so making an emergency stop can feel terrifying since you have to force the pedal all the way to the floor. Drivers need to leave more than enough room between themselves and the vehicles in front of them.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD vs. 2018 Ram 2500

One of the Silverado's biggest competitors this model year is the 2018 Ram 2500. The Ram has an improved ride quality thanks to its rear coil-spring suspension. Also, Ram has the Uconnect infotainment system, which is one of the best systems on the market right now. Unfortunately, its powertrain doesn't stack up to the competition, and the interior looks rather bland.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD vs. 2018 Ford F-250

The Silverado's other top competitor for this model year is the 2018 Ford F-250. The F-250 has an athletic and contemporary appeal inside and out. It has multiple engine choices, all of which pack a ton of power. In fact, the truck is highly customizable. However, the F-250 hasn't scored high in all of its safety tests, and fuel economy is extremely poor.

Conclusion

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is a massive workhorse of a truck that has a lot of good things going for it. It might not be the flashiest vehicle in its class, but this truck is durable, inside and out. While the steering and brakes need improvement, the 2500HD is capable of handling different driving scenarios with a good amount of security.