The new 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD can best be described as “big.” When it comes to heavy towing and extra room, it’s great. When it comes to appearance, well, the heavy-duty truck has an intimidating appearance. The only thing that’s not bigger is the Silverado HD’s price.

Starting at $38,095, it costs a little less than last year’s base model. The redesign really distinguishes the Silverado HD’s exterior from the light-duty Silverado. The two trucks share only a few things: a roof and, unfortunately, poor reliability ratings from Consumer Reports.

Chevy Silverado 2500HD overview

Like it’s sibling GMC Sierra HD, the Silverado HD was made for hauling, towing, and plowing. Its max trailer weight is 52% more than the 2019 version but only 400 pounds more than Ram 3500 and 500 pounds beyond the 2019 Ford Super Duty. The maximum towing capacity is 18,500 pounds. A diesel crew cab version has a max payload of 3,615 pounds.

The Silverado can have a 6.0-liter V8 or a 6.6-liter turbodiesel engine. The V8 pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission and has 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. The diesel uses a hardy Allison-made 10-speed transmission and offers pumped-up prop shafts, too. The 2020 version is bigger than prior models, with a 5.2-inch-long wheelbase and an additional 10.4 inches in length.

As long as you don’t plan to off-road, the Z71 suspension isn’t necessary as it greatly reduces ride comfort. The Silverado’s trim levels and safety features include front and rear park assist, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. There’s an easy-to-use infotainment system and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Silverado 2500HD’s reliability concerns

When it comes to reliability, Consumer Reports rates how well vehicles hold up over time. They predict the likeliness of drivers encountering problems and repairs.

Consumer Reports gave the Silverado 2500HD a reliability score of one out of five. They identified potential trouble spots with the suspension and body integrity. The ratings for both the Silverado 2500HD and Sierra HD match and land at the bottom when compared to other new models in the class.

Both trucks earned 12% when it comes to predicted reliability. Many may give them a pass despite some of their better features as a result. Consumer Reports has given the Silverado a low predicted reliability rating for five out of 10 years.

Should you buy a Silverado 2500HD?

Chevrolet touts a truck with bigger towing numbers than Ford and Ram at a lower base price. But most shoppers don’t drive off the lot with a base truck. And many don’t need to tow something as large as Silverado HD’s 35,000-lb maximum capacity.

There are several configurations of Silverado HD to meet your needs and the interior is basic in all of them. For those who want a truck for hauling or weekend fishing trips, you’ll find it here. If you’ll do a lot of towing, the diesel powertrain is your best option — if you can afford it. The high-tech camera system helps with towing a trailer. The only problem is that you have to buy one of the higher trim levels to get it.

While the Silverado HD is a well-conceived truck with many great features, make sure to compare the ratings. Doing the research will ensure you buy a competent, reliable truck that will give you years of problem-free service.