2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Review
The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is available in regular, extended and crew cab configurations along with the choice of 2WD or 4WD. Bed sizes vary according to configuration from a standard 6.5’ bed to an 8’ long bed. Trim levels include the Work Truck, LT and the upscale LTZ. Properly equipped, the Silverado 2500HD can haul up to 3,704lbs (4,192lbs with a special High Payload package) and can tow up to 13,000lbs with its standard ball hitch/17,800lbs with a 5-wheel connection.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
With a variety of cab sizes and versatile, diverse trims the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is ideal for anyone who needs a rugged work truck capable of tackling tough jobs; even retirees traveling with their RV who want added luxury and conveniences, combined with unmatched capabilities.
What’s New For 2008:
As there was a major redesign the previous year, for 2012 the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD only received minor upgrades; including the LTZ receiving an available hard-drive-based navigational system and heated/ventilated seats. Also new for 2012 is a Z71 Off-Road Appearance Package for the Z71 suspension option.
What is the Predicted Reliability:
In an initial quality study performed by J.D. Power the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD earned an initial overall quality rating of 3 out of 5, with a solid 4 for features and accessories mechanical/design quality, body and interior design quality. In a separate independent survey, 71% of Silverado 2500HD turbo-diesel owners stated that if they had it to do all over again, the Silverado 2500HD would still be their choice.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is equipped with safety features that include electronic stability/traction control, antilock disc brakes, hill-start control and driver/front passenger airbags and trailer sway control. OnStar subscriptions include auto crash response/turn-by-turn navigation.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Diverse range of available trim levels
+ A quiet, refined ride
+ Impressive towing, hauling capabilities
Cons
– Tilt-only steering column a bit close to dash
– Gas and brake pedals a bit far apart
– Smallish button on center stack/console on higher trims
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD has a comparable starting price as the Ford F-250SD and RAM 2500, though offers slightly more leg/head room than either competitor, it also has the larger gas tank; the Silverado comes with a 36 gallon tank compared to both the F-250SD and RAM 2500 with 35 gallon tanks. The Silverado with 13,300lbs of max towing capabilities is more capable than the F-250SD with its 12,500lbs of max towing and the RAM 2500 is rated with higher towing capabilities of 15,500lbs.
What Others Are Saying:
"After lunch, we switched to a crew cab Chevy Silverado 2500 with 3,000 pounds of ballast in the bed. Frankly, the big Duramax barely noticed the 1.5 tons worth of steel, seemingly accelerating just as effortlessly as the unloaded trucks did." – AutoBlog
"You are what you drive whether you know it or not, and when you navigate the Silverado 2500, with its Duramax Diesel engine, miles of metal and guttural engine, you’re the Terminator, dude . . . Yet the Silverado 2500 is quiet, and smells not – I wasn’t even aware my test vehicle had a diesel engine until I checked its specs." – New York Daily News
"The Silverado was also the only truck to pull a sub-200-foot stop from 70 mph (196 feet), and it teetered through the slalom more quickly than the others, at almost 40 mph." – Car and Driver
Read more about the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, at the Chevrolet manufacturer site.
