Dec 4, 2020

The 2020 Chevy Silverado has proved to be a popular rival for the Dodge Ram and Ford F-150. With a plethora of Silverado variations available, how do you pick the best one for you? To help you decide, we’ve compared the key differences between Chevy’s Silverado 1500 and the 2500HD models.

7 Key Differences Between the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2500HD

1. Starting Price

The Silverado 1500 has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $28,300 while the 2500HD has an MSRP of $34,100. At almost $6,000 cheaper, the 1500 Silverado stands out as the best choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

2. Standard Engine

There are a lot of options available when it comes to choosing the engine for your perfect Chevy truck. As standard, the Silverado 1500 comes with a 4.3-liter V6, and the 2500HD features a 6.6-liter V8.

All Engine Options for the Chevy Silverado 1500

  • 2.7-litre Turbo
  • 3.0-litre Duramax Turbo I6
  • 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine
  • 5.3-litre EcoTec3 V8
  • 5.3L EcoTec3 w/ DFM engine
  • 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine

All Engine Options for the Chevy Silverado 2500HD

  • 6.6L Duramax® turbo-diesel V8 engine
  • 6.6L V8 Direct Injection w/ VVT

3. Horsepower

Both the 1500 and the 2500HD have powerful beasts below the hood as standard. The 4.3-liter V6 hiding inside the 1500 produces 285hp and the 2500HD’s 6.6-liter V8 puts out a whopping 401hp.

4. Torque

Power isn’t everything when it comes to choosing the best truck for your needs. How the power gets to the road is just as important, especially if you plan on towing heavy loads.

Chevy’s Silverado 1500 (with the standard engine), creates 305 lb-ft of torque while the 2500HD produces 50% more with 464 lb-ft. If you plan on pulling heavy loads, the 2500HD is a solid choice.

5. Length

What good is a truck like the Silverado if you can’t use it to get around the city as easily as the country? Thankfully, at 229.5 inches, the Silverado 1500 fits comfortably into parking spaces and garages. The 2500HD is slightly longer at 235.5 inches, so less confident drivers may benefit from the slightly smaller model.

The Silverado 2500HD comes with a longer wheelbase as well, clocking in at 141.6 inches compared to the 139.6 inches of the 1500. The longer wheelbase provides more stability while powering over rough terrain or carrying heavy loads.

6. Towing Capacity (Standard Engines)

With the standard engines fitted, both the Silverado 1500 and the 2500HD are capable of towing big loads. The 1500 can tow 7,900 lbs at full capacity but the 2500HD blows this out of the water. The 6.6-liter V8 allows the 2500HD to tow 17,370.

7. Cab and Bed Options

If you can’t customize a truck to fit your lifestyle, it’s probably time to look elsewhere. Thankfully, both Chevy Silverado models come with plenty of options for cab and bed variations.

Silverado 1500

  • Regular Cab (seats three) and Long Bed (98 inches)
  • Double Cab (seats six) and Standard Bed (79 inches)
  • Crew Cab (seats six) and Standard Bed (79 inches)
  • Crew Cab (seats six) and Short Bed (70 inches)

Silverado 2500HD

  • Regular Cab (seats three) and Long Bed (98 inches)
  • Double Cab (seats six) and Standard Bed (79 inches)
  • Crew Cab (seats six) and Standard Bed (79 inches)
  • Double Cab (seats six) and Long Bed (98 inches)
  • Crew Cab (seats six) and Long Bed (98 inches)

Whether it’s cruising through the city or roughing it on the land, Chevy has created a 2020 Silverado to suit your needs. Find out more at Ed Martin Chevy.