Review: 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD is big, bold and beautiful - yet rough and rugged too!

The all-new Silverado is many things and that includes it being a rather polarizing looking pickup.

Comments during my test drive of the 2020 Chevrolet varied, greatly. “It’s so macho. So rugged!” Someone else asked if it had been to the dentist because “it looked it was wearing braces.”

Looks are subjective and so you can expect a mixed response, but this big rig isn’t just longer, wider and taller than the preceding generation, it also offers more features and capability than ever before too.

The in-your-face style might not be for everyone — it has presence in spades and I happen to like that a lot — but it sure takes the fight to offerings from Ford and Ram in other ways.

For instance, this 2020 model has the most functional bed of any full-size trucks (the Durabed has more overall storage volume since inside it is nearly 170mm wider than before) while the 2500 HD LTZ crew cab which is what we are testing here is overflowing with all sorts of tech and kit.

Out goes the old 6.0-litre unit, replaced by a new 6.6-litre V8 with direct injection (this truck sits so high up that you need a step stool to see it!) and mated to a six-speed automatic and it produces a healthy 401 horses and 629Nm of torque (which boils down to an increase of 11 and 22 per cent respectively from the previous generation).

On the road it is quiet while its independent front suspension makes the ride comfortable but the brake pedal doesn’t inspire much confidence.

With a maximum towing capability of 7,893kg (18 per cent more than before), it has plenty of muscle to back up those tough guy aesthetics.

It isn’t just all brawn though, it has brains too; its Autotrac active two-speed transfer case electronically controls “4 Auto” mode allowing it to seamlessly shift between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive based on road conditions and to help keep weight down, a lot of the body is made of aluminium (including the bonnet, doors and tailgate) which does wonders when you tackle testing terrain.

But, the new Silverado isn’t just a brute — it has been blessed with a host of clever connectivity and safety features and therefore it offers customers the best of both worlds.

From a Blind Spot Indicator, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front and Rear Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert, Forward Automatic Low Speed Braking, and Wireless phone charging, it has plenty to shout about. Its 8.0in infotainment system is intuitive and has Apple CarPlay while overall cabin quality and comfort is good.

This tasty truck from Michigan sure is a worthy rival to similar offerings from Dearborn and Auburn Hills.