In recent years, auto sales have shown that trucks are king. The Ford F-150 remains one of America’s best-selling vehicles, with rivals from Chevrolet and Ram not far behind. All three automakers, plus Nissan and GMC, offer heavy-duty (HD) versions of their most popular pickups. Heavy-duty trucks can tow tens of thousands of pounds when properly equipped. And they’re not just workers. They also offer upscale interiors on par with luxury cars. Here are the most highly anticipated heavy-duty trucks.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD heavy duty trucks
2024 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ | Chevy
The heavy-duty version of the 2024 Chevy Silverado has a slightly more powerful engine option. Paired with a longer 10-speed automatic transmission, the turbodiesel V8 can harness 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque. The base engine is a standard V8 making 401 hp, but either can be optioned with all-wheel drive.
The Chevy Silverado 3500HD has a gooseneck towing capacity of 36,000 pounds when rear-wheel-drive-equipped. With the turbo engine, the 2500HD boasts a maximum towing capacity of 22,500 pounds. A few towing-specific safety features are also available, including adaptive cruise control with trailer sensing and a trailer weight warning.
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2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD heavy duty trucks
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2023 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty
Ford removed one V8 engine from the Super Duty lineup and replaced it with an even bigger powerplant. But as of this writing, the automaker hasn’t released the official horsepower specs. The 6.8-liter V8 is the newest option, joining a diesel V8 of the same size and a 7.3-liter V8.
The latest V8 engine also has a pushrod setup, resulting in higher low-end torque. The 7.3-liter V8 will likely get more horsepower and torque thanks to its improved air intake design.
Ford says these trucks will also feature two 10-speed automatic transmission options. We’re not sure how much these updated powertrains will tow, but the outgoing F-350 has a maximum towing capacity of 37,000 pounds.
Though the interiors of the 2024 Ford Super Duty trucks remain primarily unchanged, Consumer Reports highlights the new Pro Upfit Integration System. Adding more factory features will be easier, so buyers won’t have to seek out aftermarket parts. New optional safety features include a tailgate-down safety camera and a 360-degree camera for attached trailers.
Expect the 2023 Ford F-250 and F-350 to be available in early 2023.
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