2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

If consumers are looking for heavy-duty trucks, there's a strong likelihood that the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD has already made it to their short lists. There's no doubt that the truck is powerful, and it has a commanding presence that matches its capabilities. Does the 3500HD make a good purchase? Below are several reasons why drivers would want to consider buying this pickup, followed by a few reasons why people may want to look elsewhere.

What's New for 2020?

Chevrolet recently redesigned their heavy-duty pickups, and the 2020 3500HD is part of the fourth generation of Silverados. The truck has been beefed up in multiple ways. It's larger, taller, and wider than the previous model year, and it can now come with a 6.6L V8 engine that's more powerful than its predecessor. Another addition is the Allison 10-speed automatic transmission that comes with the diesel engine.

The list of enhancements is lengthy, and there have been improvements made inside the cabin, on the truck's exterior, and under the hood. Notably, the exterior has a new sculpted design that looks strong and bold. BedSteps and CornerSteps help with getting in and out of the cargo bed, and with certain configurations, the truck has increased its payload and towing capacities by a considerable amount.

There's also more trailering features that boost the truck's reputation for being a leader in towing. The truck can come with up to 15 camera views so the driver can have an all-around view of what's going on while towing. Those camera views include a transparent trailer view that, in a sense, can see through the trailer. Much of this information related to trailering can be monitored through an in-vehicle app, which brings this truck to a whole new level. 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD – The Pros

1. Ample Cabin Room

One advantage of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is that it comes in multiple configurations, all of which feel roomy. For the cab, consumers can get a regular cab, double cab, or crew cab. An important difference is that in a double cab, second-row leg room is 35.24 inches. That increases to 43.4 inches in a crew cab. If adults are to be riding in the back, this can significantly impact how comfortable they may be.

Leg room in the front is generous, at 44.53 inches. Front shoulder room is over 66 inches, so almost anyone will feel comfortable behind the wheel or in the passenger's seat.

2. Two Engine Options

Across all trims, there is the opportunity to choose the engine type. The first is the 6.6L V8 model, which is new for 2020. It can generate 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a six-speed, heavy-duty automatic transmission that's electronically controlled and allows for smooth transitions.

The other engine on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is a 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8. It's more capable, with 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. It comes with the ten-speed transmission that has a tow/haul mode for greater efficiency when pulling heavy cargo.

While braking on downhill grades, both engines can automatically downshift to engage engine braking rather than relying on the brakes. Without this ability, the brakes could wear down prematurely.

3. Impressive Towing Capacity

When the truck is built with the diesel V8 engine and a gooseneck hitch, its towing capacity is enviable, at 35,500 pounds. This puts this truck almost in a category of its own, and it makes the pickup ready for hard work at a job site. It opens up opportunities for people who trailer boats, construction equipment, or other heavy cargo. The 6.6L gas engine does fine as well, giving the truck a maximum trailering weight of 17,370 pounds.

4. Advanced Trailering

One of the all-new features in the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is that it can come with an Advanced Trailering System. It allows drivers to monitor their performance and make sure everything is being transported safely. It comes with checklists, maintenance reminders, and diagnostics. All of this information can be viewed through either the infotainment system or a phone or tablet that has the myChevrolet Mobile App.

5. Multiple Views

In a large truck, it can be hard to see around the vehicle. However, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD takes some of the guesswork out of maneuvering. It can be set up to have up to 15 different camera views. Five of these views can be used during driving, and they include a front camera, inside trailer, and transparent trailer view. Four hitch views can be very convenient to use while hooking things up or checking on cargo. When parking, drivers can use up to five available parking views to see what's going on around the front, sides, and back of the truck.

6. Convenient Cargo Access and Loading

To give people a boost as they reach into the cargo bed, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD comes with BedSteps and CornerSteps. These innovative cut-outs have anti-slip materials and are strong enough to securely support people as they access the bed.

The DuraBed is strong and durable, and it can come with in-bed lighting and 12 fixed tie-downs. These features, along with an available 120-volt outlet and power-operated tailgate, make the truck bed feel more modern than its ever been. When people's hands are full or they spend a lot of time organizing the gear in the bed, all of these elements can be key.

7. High Payload Capacity

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD isn't limited by towing capacity; it also has a high payload capacity. On single-rear wheel models with a gas engine, maximum payload is 4,493 pounds. This increases to 7,466 pounds on dual-rear wheel models.

8. Available Luxury Materials

On the higher trims, the leather seats are soft and comfortable. Both the front and rear seats can be heated, as can the steering wheel. These little touches help freshen up the cabin and make people feel like they're riding in a high-end vehicle.

9. Remote Start

Working and being active all year means that drivers can experience a lot of ups and downs in terms of weather. The remote keyless entry is a nice perk that lets people start up the engine and get the climate control system working before they get in. It comes standard on the High Country and LTZ trims and is available on the LT.

10. Accommodates Up To Six People

In many situations, being able to transport a total of six versus only five passengers is important. The Silverado 3500HD comes standard with a front bench that has a 40/20/40 layout to seat three.

In the WT trim, a front bench is the only option. On the LT, LTZ, and High Country, bucket seats are available for those who only need to accommodate two people up front. On these trims, if a bench is chosen, the center seat has storage when it's folded down to be used as an arm rest.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD – The Cons

1. Poor Fuel Economy

Most consumers aren't trying to maximize their fuel economy when purchasing a heavy-duty truck, but it needs to be said that the 3500HD is a gas guzzler. The exact fuel economy would depend on the exact model one drives, but nobody should expect to get anywhere above the teens in terms of miles per gallon.

2. Basic Means Basic

The line-up of 3500HD trucks starts with the WT. This work truck doesn't have any extras, making it feel a bit sparse. For starters, it has vinyl seats. Even something simple, like cruise control or carpeted floor coverings, has to be added on, and only some upgrades are available on the WT.

3. Price Jumps On Higher Trims

To enhance the interior on the Chevy Silverado, one would have to opt for a higher trim. It seems easy to just add packages and take advantage of available options to make the truck more comfortable and convenient, but these upgrades could definitely add up, moving the truck into a higher price category.

4. Tall Hood Makes it Hard to See

The truck is beefy and burly, so it can make a strong impression as it travels. At the same time, it's tall hood can make it hard for drivers to see what they're doing. If someone hasn't opted for the multiple camera views, even doing the most simple of parking maneuvers can be tricky.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

For many consumers, it comes down to strength. Comparing the towing capacity of heavy-duty trucks can be difficult given the multiple options on each model, but most trims on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD do better than trims on the Ford F-350 Super Duty. Likewise, horsepower is an important statistic for truck buyers. The Chevy outdoes the Ram 3500 on most trims in this category.

Conclusion

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD has many features that make it a smart purchase for anyone who needs to rely on a heavy-duty vehicle. Because it comes with two different engines, people can choose to maximize towing with the diesel engine or increase payload with the gas engine. It also comes in multiple configurations in regards to the bed length, cab length, and more. Providing consumers with so many choices was a strategic move for Chevrolet. The base WT is there for anyone who just needs something to get the job done, and the higher trims offer a lot of possibilities for people with a little more money to spend and want some extra details.