The Chevy Silverado 2500HD already has a great reputation among truck fans. For 2020, the Silverado 2500HD truck was completely redesigned with an all-new grille and several new features. New towing options include trailer diagnostic alerts, trailer tire pressure monitoring, and the transparent-view camera system.

The interior has also been redesigned, now with more space for the Silverado 2500’s passengers. Its towing capacity has also been upgraded to 18,500 pounds, a big increase from last year’s model. However, despite all these alluring upgrades, you may want to save your money and buy the 2019 model instead. The redesigned Chevy Silverado 2500HD has one major flaw.

Potential reliability issues

According to Consumer Reports, the latest Silverado 2500 won’t be the most reliable truck. During their first impressions, CR testers reported that the truck’s engine and transmission work well together during daily driving or towing. However, they gave the truck a disappointing reliability rating: two out of five.

On the other hand, last year’s Silverado 2500HD boasts a perfect dependability rating. The only major trouble spots drivers may experience are body integrity issues, like squealing brakes or cabin noise. CR also gave the truck some negative feedback in regard to its fuel economy, brakes, and overall handling.

What critics are saying about the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD

The Chevy Silverado 2500HD is able to unlock its new sky-high towing capacity with its available Duramax turbodiesel engine. It’s capable of 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. It has a new transmission option for 2020, an Allison 10-speed automatic. In Car and Driver’s review, testers reported that towing was easy and the truck remained composed despite its maxed-out capacity.

However, reviewers weren’t impressed with the Silverado 2500HD’s sparse safety features and its subpar interior quality. Both Edmunds and C&D agreed that other heavy-duty trucks are more opulent and comfortable inside. MotorTrend also had some problems with the new model, particularly with the gasoline version’s unrefined six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500HD’s highlights

Like the 2020 model, last year’s Silverado 2500 still provides drivers with hassle-free towing. When fully loaded, it can pull up to 14,500 pounds and carry 6,689 pounds extra in the cargo box. Interior storage is also plentiful, with large door pockets, cup holders, and a massive center console.

Critics also praised the 2500HD for being one of the fastest heavy-duty trucks on the market. In one test, it managed to get from 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds. This was around half a second faster than Ram and Ford rivals.

Is the older truck a better buy?

Like Consumer Reports, the folks at Edmunds weren’t impressed with the 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500HD’s mushy brakes. They also reported that the infotainment system was slightly difficult to use. They had sync issues with multiple devices and problems with the voice command function. The 2500HD’s competition, such as the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500, can also tow more and have redesigned interiors.

The 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500HD definitely can’t measure up to its newer sibling in terms of available features and towing power. However, fancier gadgets may not be worth the price if the truck will need more repairs in the long run. Earlier Silverado 2500HD trucks are known to have expensive issues like power steering failure and DEF system problems.

You can also get a better deal on the earlier model. Currently, the 2019 model retails for around $28,000. A new 2020 Silverado 2500HD costs $34,600. Even though it’s without all the latest upgrades, the 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is a good value and has satisfied many drivers.