Digging through the data can prove helpful when trying to pick between the many Chevy trucks for sale. Take the Silverado 1500, for example. The full-size pickup regularly places towards the top of the US sales charts with Chevy moving over 500,000 units in 2023 alone. The story is largely the same for Chevy’s midsize offering in the Colorado. The versatile pickup has been a hit with drivers lately, boasting a five-year sales record of 400,000-plus units that few of its competitors can touch. The 2024 Colorado was also named “Truck of the Year” by industry stalwart MotorTrend, but that’s certainly not the only award filling Chevy’s trophy cabinet.
From the Silverado HD’s consecutive “Best Resale Value” nods from Kelley Blue Book and the Silverado EV’s improbable run at the North American Truck of the Year title to multiple innovation awards and five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there’s no arguing with the sort of hardware Chevy’s truck lineup has accrued over the past few years. Chevy’s recent run of success is no fluke; it’s the logical result of a commitment to innovation that’s seen the brand remain a perennial contender in the hotly contested pickup market. So what’s so special about Chevy’s truck lineup and what do the 2024 models have in store? We’ll answer those questions as we share some insights into this year’s lineup.
The Chevy Colorado: Perfect for Off-Road Fun
We’ll start off with Chevy’s midsize masterpiece, the 2024 Colorado. While it might lack some of the raw towing power of the Silverado 1500 or Silverado HD, the Colorado does outshine the rest of the lineup in one important area: off-road performance. The Colorado’s smaller size, short wheelbase, and available four-wheel drive make it the perfect choice for those looking to try their luck on the road less traveled. Chevy has certainly recognized this niche, outfitting the Colorado with not one but three off-road focused trims.
The Colorado Trail Boss sees the truck upgraded with a full set of off-road-ready equipment, including 32-inch all-terrain tires, a 2-inch suspension lift, Chevy’s Hill Descent Control, and rugged fender flares that help prevent road debris from wrecking your paint job. The Trail Boss also comes with the larger of the Colorado’s two 2.7-liter engines, switching out the base inline-four for a TurboMax that churns out 310 hp and more torque than other popular midsize models like the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline and Jeep Gladiator.
However, Trail Boss is only one part of Colorado’s off-road resume. The ZR2 pulls out all the stops to deliver an off-road monster equipped with all the equipment you’ll need to find success on the trail. Multimatic DSSV dampers soak up all the bumps that come with off-road use, while power-locking front and rear differentials ensure maximum traction no matter what the road might throw at you. The ZR2 comes standard with the same 2.7-liter, 310-horsepower engine as the Silverado 1500, not to mention some ingenious goodies like a 45-inch-wide lockable storage box in the tailgate that’s perfect for securely stowing all your gear. The ZR2 Bison sees Chevy team up with the off-road experts at American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to outfit the Colorado with a host of heavy-duty components like 35-inch tires and hydraulic front and rear bump stops that allow drivers to catch a little air without having to worry about bottoming out.
The Chevy Silverado 1500: Customizable to Your Performance Needs
With nine trims to choose from, the Silverado 1500 is also one of the most adaptable models in the 2024 lineup. Looking for a budget-friendly work truck that will make the perfect addition to your fleet or allow you to expand your business? The WT is here to serve. The LT allows the Silverado 1500 to show off its luxury credentials without breaking the bank, adding a full suite of important comfort and convenience features while keeping the MSRP under $50,000. The RST, short for Rally Sport Truck, gives the Silverado a sporty, performance-inspired makeover with blacked-out accents, 20-inch wheels, and an exclusive grille, but it’s the presence of Chevy’s 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 that really allows the trim to earn its sporty moniker.
The Trail Boss is the Silverado’s off-road trim that includes a two-inch suspension lift, and the Z71 Off-Road Package that sees the pickup packed with skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels, a locking rear differential, and Goodyear Duratrac tires. The LTZ and High Country turn the Silverado into a veritable luxury vehicle with a heated steering wheel and seats, chrome exhaust tops, a power-up and -down tailgate, a 13.4-inch infotainment system, wireless smartphone charger, eight-camera advanced trailering system and a Bose premium sound system. The High Country also comes standard with Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving system that allows drivers to cruise worry-free along more than 750,000 miles of road across the US and Canada.
It’s not just the wide range of trims that sets the Silverado 1500 apart from the crowd. The full-size pickup can be further customized with four different engines to choose from. The turbocharged four-cylinder is no slouch at 310 horsepower, but it’s the engine’s 430 lb-ft of torque that differentiates it from other base models with a towing capacity of 9,500 lbs. If you’re really looking to max out your towing power, look no further than the 6.2-liter V8 that can pull up to 13,300 lbs. The 5.3-liter V8 isn’t far behind at 11,300 lbs, and the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel is the all-out torque champ at 495 lb-ft. The 2024 Silverado 1500 is also available with a range of bed and cab sizes. From the regular, double, and crew cab to the 5.8-foot short bed, 6.6-foot standard bed, and 8.2-foot long bed, drivers can customize almost every detail of the Silverado.
The Chevy Silverado EV: Harness All-Electric Power
The cat is already out of the bag as far as the powerful potential of the EV approach is concerned. With 754 hp to its name, the Silverado EV is easily the most potent pickup in the current Chevy lineup. This power comes courtesy of two electric motors and a 200-plus-kWh battery that gives the EV a blistering 0 to 60 mph time of 4.1 seconds when activating the novel Wide Open Watts (W.O.W.) driving mode. The Silverado EV currently boasts a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs, though Chevy says that could soon be eclipsed by a forthcoming EV that’s rated at 20,000 lbs.
Of course, efficiency is also a big part of the EV appeal. To that end, Chevy has crafted a pickup that has the potential to travel an estimated 450 miles on a single charge. Those looking to compare the Silverado EV to its gas-burning cousin can put this number in context with an EPA-estimated 67 MPGe in the city and 59 MPGe on the highway. Most importantly, drivers won’t have to wait around for the Silverado to reach full power. Chevy says the truck can add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes when connected to a DC fast-charging station, making the Silverado a more practical choice for those who might be wary of EV-related inconvenience.
The all-electric powertrain isn’t the only innovation you’ll find in the 2024 Silverado EV. Chevy has also included a number of fun creature features that go a long way toward improving the pickup’s versatility. Just look at the available midgate design. The Silverado EV already offers plenty of cargo room with a front trunk and a bed that’s just under six-feet long, but the new midgate gives drivers the ability to accommodate even the longest load thanks to its innovative fold-down design. Simply release the midgate, and the EV’s backseat turns into an extension of the bed itself, providing additional storage space while giving the truck a fun, open-air feel. The Silverado also comes standard with AWD, an available Four-Corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, and 24-inch wheels.
The Chevy Silverado HD: For Those Needing Heavy-Duty Strength
There’s no doubting the heavy-duty nature of the Silverado HD: it’s right there in the name. The big brother of the Chevy truck lineup lives up to its moniker with a maximum towing capacity that tops 20,000 lbs with the 2500 HD or up to 36,000 lbs with the 3500 HD. Whether you choose the 2500 or 3500, you’ll get the opportunity to pick between two engines: a 401-hp, 6.6-liter V8 and a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel that boasts a monstrous 975 lb-ft of torque. Both of the engines are mated to the storied Allison 10-speed transmission, a first for the gas-powered V-8, and Chevy has even tuned the diesel to get a little extra power out of the 2024 model for a total of 470 hp.
The upgraded diesel isn’t the only change for 2024. Chevy has treated the Silverado HD to an ambitious mid-cycle refresh that sees the truck graced with a number of styling, tech and safety-related advancements. A new grille, front bumper, and headlamps give the heavy-duty pickup a more modern appearance, while the moody Midnight Edition package is extended to the luxury-focused High Country trim for the first time. A new 13.4-inch infotainment screen dominates the dashboard, while a 12.3-inch digital instrument display adds a little customization potential to the gauge cluster. The off-road-focused ZR2 and ZR2 Bison trims also join the Silverado HD lineup for 2024, giving the heavy-duty pickup an important boost that includes a lifted suspension, Multimatic DSSV dampers, 35-inch Goodyear all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, and an electronically locking rear differential.
The Silverado HD is even packed with a range of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which is an important addition when trying to safely operate a pickup that tips the scales at more than 7,500 lbs. The package includes Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control. The Adaptive Cruise Control is better than ever for 2024, packing a new feature that accounts for the increased braking distance and drag that can come with bigger towing jobs. That said, the truck’s array of cameras makes the most difference when trying to park and tow with the mammoth machine. The multiview camera system is built with a Transparent Trailer mode, giving drivers the chance to see through the trailer and avoid near-misses in crowded parking lots.
The Chevy Truck Lineup Offers a Pickup for Every Type of Driver
There’s no going wrong when choosing between Chevy’s award-winning line of pickups. Whether you’re in the mood to kick up a little dirt with one of the Colorado’s off-road trims, build the full-size pickup of your dreams with the Silverado 1500, embrace the future with the Silverado EV or move mountains with the Silverado HD and its 36,000-lb towing capacity, there’s a Chevy pickup out there for every type of driver. There’s a reason that Chevy has become synonymous with pickup performance, and the 2024 lineup is the perfect showcase for that reputation. Chevy isn’t afraid to take a few risks when it comes to integrating new technologies and features; a fact that’s showcased by models like the lightning-fast Silverado EV and fold-down midgate. If you’re the type of driver who values power above all else, you’re sure to find a Silverado 1500 or Silverado HD model to your liking. It’s another strong showing for Chevy, who never seems to disappoint in the powerful pickup segment.
