2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 Duramax Review

If you’re in the market for a capable full-sized truck that can take on the toughest trails and tow over 18,000 lbs, then the new 2024 Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 Duramax is the truck for you. Chevy worked wonders to take their already capable 2500 HD truck and add serious off-road capability with the new ZR2 trim package. Thanks to its potent combination of off-road capability, interior luxury, and heavy-duty truck performance, there’s nothing the new 2024 Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 Duramax can’t do.

When it comes to enthusiast vehicles, one thing that unites everything from supercars to heavy-duty trucks is outstanding capability. Sure, you’re not going to set lap records on your daily commute or need to traverse a boulder field to get your kids to school, but it’s nice to know you can. With the Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 Duramax, you have the opportunity to pilot a truck that is almost unmatched in its ability to provide off-road performance while still delivering the impressive numbers you’d expect from a diesel-powered full-sized truck. In the case of the Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 Duramax, the addition of off-road-focused features makes it an even better truck to daily drive.

What Makes The ZR2 So Special?

If you’re a fan of Chevy’s truck lineup then the ZR2 name should be familiar to you by now. The ZR2 moniker started off on the Chevy Colorado in 2017 where we got our first glimpse of Chevy’s vision of an ideal off-road truck. The successful deployment of the ZR2 trim on the Colorado slowly spread to Chevy’s other trucks including the 1500 and new for 2024 the 2500 HD ZR2.

The ZR2 package on the 2500 HD is a comprehensive overhaul of the entire truck’s suspension system to cope with the challenges of off-roading. To start things off, Chevy adds in stronger front upper and lower control arms and steering knuckles. Chevy also adds a larger steel transfer case skid plate and front aluminum skid plate to protect critical systems while off-roading. A rear e-locker is a welcomed addition to help put power down during low traction situations. The ZR2 also features an off-road focused wheel and tire package comprised of 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires mounted on 18 x 9-inch aluminum wheels.

Although the other additions to the ZR2 are impressive, the Multimatic DSSV Dampers are by far the most important add-on. These unique dampers have seen use on Chevy’s ZR2 vehicles since 2017. Before that, they were primarily used on racecars and even Ferrari Road cars. Multimatic dampers use a unique system of three spool valves to control the flow of fluid through the shocks. This unique way of managing fluid gives them the ability to handle off-road abuse, deliver superior on-road comfort, and retain a truck's towing and hauling ability. They are a completely mechanical system developed specifically for the Silverado HD ZR2 and the results are staggering. As an added benefit the ZR2 suspension package gives in a 1.5-inch lift when compared to other 2500s.

Unlike other heavy-duty trucks, the Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 rides like a dream. While most heavy-duty trucks are far too stiff during daily driving, the ZR2 is supple yet controlled and easily handles road imperfections. These unique shocks make the Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 one of the best riding heavy-duty trucks on the road today.

A Refined and Powerful Diesel Drivetrain

The Silverado 2500HD ZR2 comes standard with the gasoline L8T 6.6-liter V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. We had the opportunity to test this gasoline V8 in the 2500 HD Z71 and found it to be more than adequate, however, the true fun of a full-sized truck lies with the more powerful diesel engine options.

Our 2500 HD ZR2 test truck came with the optional 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine that produces 460 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. On the ZR2, the Duramax is an additional $9,490 but is money well spent thanks to the added performance and character.  The Duramax delivers impressive power and that signature diesel rumble while remaining refined and easy to live with. The torque from the Duramax is downright addicting and can easily break the rear tires loose even on dry surfaces bringing a lot of fun and drama to this capable full-sized truck.

All Silverado 2500 HDs benefit from the superb Allison-branded 10-speed automatic transmission. The pairing of the Duramax diesel and Allision transmission leads to a stout but smooth drivetrain. During daily driving, the transmission quickly shifts gears while delivering a seamless experience that fades into the background. It’s incredible to think such a refined transmission is also capable of helping the Silverado tow 18,500 lbs.

A Quality Interior With Frustration Free Tech

The Silverado HD ZR2 offers customers a unique interior that’s built to be both comfortable and rugged. The materials as meant to be easy to wipe clean after a day on the trails while the use of black and gray leather adds a touch of luxury to this impressive cabin space. You’d be hard-pressed to find cheap materials in this massive interior space that offers plenty of room for the whole family to spread out. In addition to the impressive cabin trimmings, the deployment of the latest tech is where the ZR2 really shines.

The interior space of the 2500 HD ZR2 is dominated by the 13.4-inch center infotainment screen. Thankfully, Chevy offers a perfect balance of screen and buttons keeping critical features like HVAC controls, heated and cooled seats, and drivetrain selection as easy-to-use buttons. This makes the driving experience of the ZR2 much safer since you’re not forced to dig through menus to perform simple functions.

The Silverado’s use of wireless Apple Carplay adds to the seamless integration of technology into this impressive truck. We found the system to be extremely stable and quick to react to inputs. The large size of the center screen means you can easily navigate the space and find what you’re looking for.

The ZR2 also offers a Chevy’s HD Surround Vision camera system that allows the driver to use an array of cameras to help drive in tight spaces. This system is incredibly useful in both parking lots or tight trails where the 2500 HD’s size may cause issues fitting through tight gaps. The camera quality is to tier which means you can easily decipher just how far away obstacles lurk around your truck.

Conclusion