Specifications of Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab Standard Bed 6.6 Duramax V8 (445 HP) AWD Automatic
General characteristics of Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab Standard Bed 6.6 Duramax V8 (445 HP) AWD Automatic
Models equipped with the Regular Cab (RC) measure 235.5 inches in length, while the Double Cab (DC) can measure 240.45 - 256.5 inches, depending on your choice of bed (regular or long), and the Crew Cab (CC) models stand between 249.95 and 266 inches long. Wheelbase lengths vary, too, with the RC coming with a 141.55-inch wheelbase. The DC's wheelbase can be either 149.4 or 162.48 inches, while the CC gets a 158.94 to 172-inch wheelbase. Height varies by a fraction of an inch across the range, although it stays between 79.65 and 79.95 inches. Similarly, width remains around 81.85 inches, with a few microns of difference between trim levels. With so many body configurations available, curb weight varies wildly. The lightest Regular Cab model weighs in at 5,914 pounds, while the heaviest Crew Cab, equipped with the long bed, can weigh as much as 6,950 lbs.
Under the hood of every Silverado 2500HD is a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine, mated to a six-speed heavy-duty automatic gearbox. The powertrain kicks out 401 hp and 464 lb-ft and sends it to the rear wheels as standard, although all-wheel drive can be optioned on every trim. The only other heavy-duty truck that can beat Chevy's impressive torque without resorting to a diesel upgrade is the Ford 7.3-liter with 475 lb-ft. But while the gas-powered Silverado can certainly pull its weight around town, even when fully-laden, it won't do so quickly. Passing on the highway should only be attempted when truly necessary.
Unchanged from last year, the 6.6-liter Duramax V8 diesel engine still develops 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque and drives through a ten-speed Allison automatic transmission. Even with this much torque on tap, you shouldn't expect the pick-up to get you around overly quickly.
As a heavy-duty vehicle, the Silverado isn't designed to get particularly impressive mileage figures. The power to haul and tow heavy weights comes at a considerable cost. While the EPA has not rated the truck due to its niche nature, some real-world results have been reported. Drivers claim that the standard gasoline engine is capable of achieving a combined fuel economy of 12 mpg, while the stronger, but more efficient, Duramax diesel engine can achieve a combined figure of 15 mpg. This is on par with similar heavy-duty trucks like the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500. The gasoline tank size is standard across the range, but the diesel tank varies depending on body configuration. The maximum size of both is 36 gallons, giving the truck a maximum range of around 540 miles.
Only three passengers can be accommodated within the Regular Cab on a front-row bench, which comes standard on the WT and LT trims. The Double and Crew cabs increase capacity to six, except in the High Country. The top-tier trim replaces the front-row bench with a pair of bucket seats, reducing maximum capacity to five. Head- and legroom in any of the cabin options are generous, easily accommodating even six-foot-tall adults. The back seats in the Double Cab are a bit cramped, but this is remedied in the Crew Cab, which provides a few extra inches of legroom. Four-way manual front seats come standard on the pick-up, while the upper trims get ten-way power front seats with lumbar support. Thanks to the truck's overall height and the natural position of the seats, visibility is quite good. Unfortunately, these same factors can make ingress and egress a little difficult.
With a choice of two cargo beds, maximum cargo capacity varies quite a bit on the Silverado 2500HD. The standard bed is 6.8 feet long, while the longer bed measures 8.2 feet in length. Width and height are the same regardless of bed choice, with an inch difference here and there when measured between the wheel housings. Overall width and height are 71.4 inches and 21 inches respectively. Given these figures, the standard bed's maximum cargo capacity is 69.5 cubic feet. The long bed increases this capacity to 83.5 cubic feet. This is more than enough space for most applications, light or heavy, and is more generous than what the F-250 or Ram 2500 offer. The side steps and EZ liftgate make it even easier to load cargo, and the pick-up can handle payloads of between 2,047 and 3,979 lbs.
Small-item storage around the cabin isn't lacking, but it isn't overly generous either. A pair of glove compartments are present in the front dash, and the center armrest offers a relatively large cubby. Two cupholders are provided up front, with an additional two in the rear of the larger cabs. The door pockets are sadly on the small side, though. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60/40 split to store some items inside the cabin, but there is no traditional trunk space.
