2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab

At a starting price of $41,890, it might not be the cheapest of the lot but it definitely is the most refined. Chevy has ladden the Silverado 3500 with one of the best looking interiors in the business. It is the biggest pickup truck Chevy's product portfolio and has a lot riding on its shoulders.

“The updated (optional) 6.6-liter turbodiesel is an impressive engine that gives the Silverado 3500HD big towing numbers and impressive acceleration. The steering and braking are less impressive, but objectively this truck performs well by most standards that matter to truck buyers.”- edmunds

Engine and Transmission

There are two engines on offer on the Silverado, one of them is a 360 hp V8 gasoline burner while the other one is a 6.6 L diesel V8 belting out 445 hp and a monumental 918 lb-ft torque.

Both the engines are quite refined for a pickup truck and do just fine in day to day driving. There is some amount of turbo lag in the beginning but it soon gives way to the massive amount of torque and linear power.

Models	Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Dodge Ram 3500	Ford F-350	GMC Sierra 3500 HD
MSRP	$41,890	$37,245	$37,920	$41,995
Engine	6.0L V8 SFI	5.7L V8 HEMI VVT	6.2L 2-Valve SOHC EFI NA V8	6.0L V8 SFI
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Power	360 hp	383 hp	385 hp	360 hp
Torque	380 lb-ft	400 lb-ft	430 lb-ft	380 lb-ft

The Chevy Silverado 3500 HD is neither the torquiest nor most powerful in its segment but all its except its rebadged version, the GMC Sierra 3500 undercut it by at least $3,000. The cheaper Ford F 350 is the most powerful vehicle on paper with its 385 hp engine.

Acceleration

Believe it or not, this massive 4-ton truck does a 0-60 sprint in a jaw-dropping 6.7 seconds and takes only 15.3 seconds to cover a quarter of a mile. These timings are enough to beat some of the similarly priced saloons and even some hot sports car.

Models	Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Dodge Ram 3500	Ford F-350	GMC Sierra 3500 HD
0-60 MPH	6.7 sec	6.3 sec	8.2sec	6.7 sec
Quarter mile	15.3 sec	15.1 sec	16.8 sec	15.3
Engine	6.0L	5.7L	6.2L	6.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

On paper with rivals, the Dodge Ram 3500 is the only faster vehicle in the segment with a 0-60 mph timings of 6.3. While the GMC retains the same timings, the Ford F-350 is almost 2 seconds slower than the Chevy.

Ride and Handling

Ride and handling are where the Chevy Silverado 3500 HD truly shines. It takes on corners unlike any other 4-ton vehicle. It is agile and precise in its movement due to a firm and almost overly stiff chassis but the quick response steering wheel is also equally responsible for the agility. The performance remains spirited at all times and the throttle response is lighting fast throughout the powerband as well.

The transmission does stutter and cause somewhat of a hiccup when downshifting but overall, the Silverado is as good as a pick truck gets at least in terms of driving dynamics.

Braking

Chevy has not only loaded the Silverado with a powerful motor but it has also ensured that the vehicle stops as quickly as it moves. The brakes in the front feature a 13.8 rotor while the one in rear consists of bigger 14.1-inch rotors.

The Silverado is easily the heaviest vehicle in its segment at 7239 lbs followed by the GMC Sierra at 6423 lbs. The Dodge Ram 3500 weighs almost as much as the GMC while the Ford is the lightest at 6279 lbs.

Model	Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Dodge Ram 3500	Ford F-350	GMC Sierra 3500 HD
Brake Front(in)	13.8	14.2	14.3	13.8
Brake Rear(in)	14.1	14.1	14.3	14.1
Curb weight(lbs)	7239	6421	6279	6423
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

“The Silverado LTZ's interior is likable and user-friendly. Hop in and you'll be able to operate almost all the controls without busting out the manual. It certainly has a no-nonsense vibe, but that's not necessarily a negative in this segment.”- edmunds

Seats and Comfort

Seats on the Silverado 3500 truck are one of the best in the segment. They offer a very comfortable seating position to all the passengers in the cab. The padding and bolstering are actually generous for a truck. There are plenty of switches and knobs including the ones that operate the climate control that is placed in an ergonomic fashion.

One thing that is bound to be troublesome for some drivers is the awkward positioning of the steering wheel column as it placed at an oddly long distance from the left side towards the center of the vehicle.

Infotainment

A 7-inch diagonal color touch display is standard on the base models of the Silverado 3500. The top trim replaces the display with a bigger 8-inch display. Other than that, there is also a 4.2-inch driver information display screen. All the screens in the vehicle are powered by the Chevy Mylink MMI. The overall system is fairly user-friendly and lag free. There no hiccups in this department.

Interior Features

Interior features on the Silverado 3500 HD include

• Fabric seats
• Optional leather seats
• Climate control
• 4.2-inch info screen
• 7-inch infotainment screen
• Optional center console

Payload Capacity

The Silverado 3500 HD is the biggest truck offered by Chevy. Its payload capacity of 5761 lbs belittles all the rivals in its segment. The second best truck in terms of payload capacity is the Dodge Ram 3500 with a capacity of 4090 lbs. All other trucks fail to cause any major competition.

Model	Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Dodge Ram 3500	Ford F-350	GMC Sierra 3500 HD
capacity (lbs)	5761	4090	3870	4052

Towing Capacity

The 2WD variant of the Silverado 3500 HD can tow a humongous 17500 lbs behind its back. It one of the best tow truck in the segment and only second to the Dodge Ram 3500 which can tow 17520 lbs behind its back.

Model	Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Dodge Ram 3500	Ford F-350	GMC Sierra 3500 HD
Drive Train	2WD	2WD	2WD	2WD
Power Train	6.0L	5.7L	6.2L	6.0L
Weight (lbs)	17500	17520	12700	14200

“The 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD pickup exteriors stand out with a big, boxy front end that's even more pronounced thanks to a sleek air intake on models equipped with the Duramax.”- Kelley Blue Book

Dimensions and Weight

Chevy Silverado 3500 HD complete with its crew cab is a seriously sizeable vehicle. The trucks weigh in at a crazy 7239 lbs and over 239.5 inches in length. The truck looks big and intimidating from the outside as well and even more so in its dual rear wheel form which further widens the wheelbase by a few inches.

Although the Silverado 3500 is the heaviest in the segment but Ford F 350 is by the longest in the segment with a length of 250 inches. The Ford also features the widest wheelbase in the segment.

Model	Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Dodge Ram 3500	Ford F-350	GMC Sierra 3500 HD
curb weight(lbs)	7239	6421	6279	6423
Length(in)	239.5	237.4	250.0	239.5
Width(in)	80.5	79.4	80.0	80.5
Height(in)	78.3	78.4	78.2	78.3
Ground clearance(in)	8.5	7.3	8.5	8.5
Wheelbase(in)	153.7	149.5	160.0	153.7

Exterior Features

The key features on the exterior of the mammoth Silverado 3500 are 

• Signature stacked headlights
• Big hood scoop
• 20-inch chrome wheels
• Body colored bumpers
• Door mounted side view mirrors

Wheels

The penultimate trim high country trim of the Silverado 3500 sports 20-inch chrome wheels while the lower trims sport a set of 18-inch alloys.

Bed Dimensions

As trucks are majorly used for picking up heavy stuff, the bed dimensions become very important. The Chevy Silverado 3500 Hd certainly does not feature the widest bed but it does have one of the lengthiest beds in the segment

The Dodge Ram is the widest amongst the rivals at 66.4 inches. The Silverado is fairly long at 78.8 inches but the Ford F 350 is the longest truck in the segment at 81 inches.

Models	Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Dodge Ram 3500	Ford F-350	GMC Sierra 3500 HD
Width (inch)	51.0	66.4	50.5	51.0
Length (inch)	78.8	76.3	81.9	78.8

Any official testing agency is yet to test the fuel economy of the 2018 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD.

Model	Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Dodge Ram 3500	Ford F-350	GMC Sierra 3500 HD
MPG (city)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MPG (highway)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MPG (combined)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The 2018 Chevy Silverado HD is available in a total of 4 trims with the dual rear wheel being offered in all the variants. The standard engine config includes a 360 hp V8 motor paired to a 6-speed swift shifting auto transmission. Another powertrain config in the form a 500+ hp Duramax diesel motor paired with the Allison transmission is also on offer.

Trims	WT (Work Truck)	LT	LTZ	High Country
MSRP Single rear wheel	$36,895	$40,895	$49,595	$57,195
MSRP dual rear wheel	$45,095	$51,095	$55,695	$61,295
Features	High-strength, fully boxed steel frame Handling/Trailering Suspension Durable vinyl or cloth seating Rear-vision Camera Chevrolet MyLink† with 7-inch diagonal color touch display Automatic locking rear differential Duralife™ brake rotors Trailering Equipment Package Available in 2WD and 4x4 models Available with Single Rear Wheels (SRW) or Dual Rear Wheels (DRW)	Cloth seating EZ Lift and Lower Tailgate SiriusXM Satellite Radio† with 3-month trial 4.2-inch diagonal color Driver Information Center Chevrolet MyLink† system with 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen Body-color door handles and bodyside moldings Chevrolet Connected Services Trial and OnStar Safety & Security Plan	Heated front leather-appointed seating Dual-zone automatic climate control Remote vehicle starter system 110-volt power outlet Power-sliding rear window with defroster Chrome door handles, mirror caps and bodyside moldings Chrome camper mirrors	17-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels (DRW) 18-inch chromed-aluminum wheels (SRW) Unique body-color front and rear bumpers Unique grille Unique Saddle or Jet Black interior color Heated and vented custom leather-appointed front seats 6-inch chrome assist step Front and Rear Park Assist 4 movable cargo box tie-downs Bose® premium audio system Chevrolet MyLink† Radio with Navigation and 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen

The base WT variant is apt. Priced at $36,895 and includes features such as a 7-inch touch display and automatic locking rear differential while both 2WD and 4WD powertrains are offered. Moving up the range to the LT variant introduces features such as 4.5-inch driver info display, upgraded 8-inch touch screen and body-colored exterior bits.

For a premium of around $12,000 over the base, the LTZ variant gets you a dual zone climate control, heated leather seats and a 110-volt power outlet amongst other things. The range-topping high country trim adds a 6-inch chrome assist step, park assist, Bose audio system and a unique grille and saddle. Notably, the difference between the base and the top end variant is an over a whopping $20,000.

All the trims are available with an optional Duramax engine, 4WD, and a dualie configuration.

We Recommend

The mid-table LT trim is indeed the most value for money variant. It adds important safety extras such as OnStar Safety and security plan amongst other things. The creature comfort list sees a bump too with the inclusion of 4.2-inch driver information center screen which shows important specs such as tire pressure etc.

Features like Bluetooth connectivity, power lift tailgate and steering mounted MMI controls also make it to the list. All in all, it has all the luxuries that most pick up truck drivers would require.

• StabiliTrak, stability control system with Proactive Roll Avoidance and traction control includes electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist
• Daytime Running Lamps with automatic exterior lamp control

• Air bags, single-stage frontal and thorax side-impact, driver and front passenger, and head curtain side-impact, front and rear outboard seating positions
• Air bags, frontal, driver and right front passenger,
• OnStar including Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Roadside Assistance, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Advanced Diagnostics and more
• Rear Vision Camera
• Teen Driver mode a configurable feature that lets you activate customizable vehicle settings associated with a key fob, to encourage safe driving behavior
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Tire Fill Alert on SRW models (does not apply to spare tire) (Included and only available with (C7A) 10,000 lb. (4536 kg) GVWR.)

Dodge Ram 3500 HD

Just like Chevy Silverado 3500 HD, the Dodge Ram 3500 HD sits at the top of the Ram lineup. Although the Ram features a big towing and payload capacity but it fails to triumph the Silverado in terms of utility. Despite having a power advantage of more than 20 hp the Ram fails to cause any serious issues to the Silverado.

Even when it comes to interiors, the Silverado is miles ahead with better quality interiors that place in an ergonomic manner unlike the haphazard and aged interior of the Ram. All in all, the Silverado does cost a little more to buy but it is the better truck amongst the two.

Ford F-350

Fords has always being the most preferred when it comes to heavy duty vehicles. But, its payload capacity and towing capacity is not anywhere near to that of the Silverado. It does, however, have a very striking and attractive exterior styling. The comfort levels and interior quality is acceptable at best and nowhere near to what the Silverado offers

Overall, the Silverado with its massive utility and comfort advantage makes the Ford look all show and no business. Although the Silverado is few thousand dollars expensive but it is clearly the better truck.

GMC Sierra 3500

GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevy Silverado 3500 are actually more or less similar vehicles inside and out. They share the same underpinnings and are offered with similar engines putting out similar power figures. But, the Silverado is a slightly upscaled version amongst the two and it offers better utility with bigger payload and towing capacity too.

As there is no difference in the pricing of vehicle as well, the Silverado 3500 emerges as the clear winner.

The Silverado is one of those very rare heavy duty work trucks that offer a modest amount of comfort and a feature loaded cabin. By heavy duty trucks standards, it is actually fairly well built from the inside. The goodness doesn’t end there, this truck is all business as well. Be it towing or carrying heavy loads or going on those rough country roads, this truck will handle it all while keeping its passengers at a distance from the chaos outside.