10 Reasons To Buy The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2

Oct 22, 2023

The heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado is the third truck from Chevrolet to get the ZR2 treatment, and easily the most exciting yet.

Following the footsteps of the Colorado ZR2 and the Silverado 1500 ZR2, Chevrolet has now unveiled the Silverado HD ZR2, the third truck to get the racy ZR2 treatment. This XL-sized truck shares its style and kit with the midsize Colorado ZR2 and the light-duty Silverado 1500 ZR2. Doing justice to the ZR2 badge are a host of features and trick parts to make this heavy-duty truck a performance monster that can carry, tow, haul, and attack trails like a boss.

The Silverado HD ZR2 will strike the perfect balance between off-road ability and performance duties that we expect from a big truck. Without further ado, here are 10 reasons why you should buy the Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2.

The standard engine option for the Silverado HD ZR2 is a big 6.6-liter gasoline V8 engine that produces 401hp and 464 lb-ft of twist to all four wheels. This engine is a cast iron block with an aluminum head for maximum efficiency. This big block uses direct injection for precise fuel control and the best thing about it is the torque curve which provides a punch at all speeds.

Yes, as a standard option you get the gasoline 6.6-liter V8 but tick the right box, and you can get the Silverado HD ZR2 with a dirty (not really) diesel engine. The engine in question is also a 6.6-liter V8 unit but this time around it's the Duramax turbo diesel that puts out a solid 470-hp and an earth-twisting 975 lb-ft of twist. This is the engine for hauling and trailering across the country.

Both these V8 engines produce strong numbers, and you really need a bulletproof gearbox to handle the 975 lb-ft of peak torque from the Duramax diesel. Keeping that in mind, Chevy has deployed a 10-speed Allison automatic gearbox for the Silverado HD ZR2. This gearbox was introduced in 2020, and it has been developed specifically for heavy trucks.

So what makes the HD ZR2 stand out from a standard Silverado? Apart from how it looks and all the obvious badges, one might also be able to notice the extra ground and wheel arch clearance. And that is because Chevrolet has raided the HD ZR2's suspension by 1.5 inches (38 mm), both front and rear in an attempt to make it that extra competent off-road.

With the increase in ride height, things are kept at bay with the help of a special set of MultiMatic DSSV (Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve) dampers. Developed for racecars that compete in IndyCar and F1, these dampers are the best in business for varying damping force relative to the surface. Explaining this tech needs another article but do understand that it is some kind of sorcery provided how effective these are.

Related: Chevrolet Debuts The Silverado ZR2 Bison And New Duramax Diesel Engine

The MultiMatic DSSV dampers are not the only parts that are specific for the HD ZR2. The truck also gains new front upper and lower control arms, aluminum skid plate, rear locker, 18-inch aluminum wheels shod with 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires, specific steering knuckles, and a steel transfer case.

If the above-mentioned parts won't cut it for you, Chevy is also offering a dedicated off-road drive mode for the HD ZR2. With the help of insights from the Colorado ZR2 and Silverado 1500 ZR2, this new mode alters various parameters such as ABS, traction control, and stability control, shift speed, throttle progression for maximizing off-road performance.

If all of this is also not enough for you, Chevrolet is offering the Silverado HD ZR2 Bison for hardcore off-road fanatics. Extra kit includes black 18-inch AEV wheels, high approach stamped-steel front bumper, stamped-steel cut rear bumper with recovery points, stamped steel underbody skid plates for various underbody components, and unique badging to remind you that this is in fact the gold standard of all Silverados.

Related: 15 Things To Know Before You Buy The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD

The Silverado HD ZR2 and ZR2 Bison get the same redesigned cabin as the 2024 Silverado. The cabin features dark trim accents along with black and gray leather-appointed surfaces. Chevrolet has specifically sued high-quality materials that can also be wiped and cleaned after a trial session. Other highlights are the 13.4-inch-diagonal infotainment screen, 12.3-inch cluster, and a 15-inch heads-up display.

Related: Here's Why The 2020 Chevy Silverado HD Is The Ideal Work Truck

By numbers, we mean those numbers that matter when you put the Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2 to good use. The max payload rating is 3,397 pounds and the max trailering rating is an impressive 18,500 lbs (with Duramax). That's not it, the Silverado HD ZR2 comes with a ground clearance of 295 mm while the Bison gets an even more impressive 299mm. So, what are you really waiting for?

It has always been cars for Adithya that he drifted from his engineering career to become a full-time Motoring Journalist. He has over 5 years of experience working for a leading automotive publication (ZigWheels) in India as well as a prominent search engine (Bing). His hobbies largely revolve around anything that is associated with a touge.