2020 Silverado HD Z71: An Off-Road Chevy for Heavyweights

Chevy trucks have been around for a full century, and their performance and innovation continue to drive the domestic market to new heights with each passing model year. Simply put, the Chevrolet Silverado is as classic American as homemade apple pie.

You know who else is an American classic? George Foreman. Millennials likely know him as “the guy with the grill,” but that dude was Heavyweight Champion of the entire world. Twice. And while not quite as old as Chevrolet, he did regain the belt at age 45, making him far and away the oldest to ever do so.

Foreman may have gone toe to toe with Ali in the Philippines. And yes, Chevrolet has been in a slugfest with ol’ Henry Ford and company since World War I news was leading radio broadcasts, but neither one of them is perfect. In fact, they share a very similar penchant for redundancy.

Year after year, Chevrolet makes fleets of winners in the Silverado line. But the multiple trim options, packages, and special editions can be dizzying in their multitude—with some so closely related that even a professional can struggle to tell the difference.

And George Foreman? Well, he’s got five sons. And uhh, guess what? They’re all named George. Yup, all of ‘em.

What does this have to do with the 2020 Silverado HD Z71?

Well, if you’ve got some real work to do—work that might take you off the beaten path—take our advice and go bigger. Take a look at the 2020 Silverado HD Z71, a heavy-duty pickup with a package specially designed to succeed off road. Maybe if Dad woulda named one of the boys George HD, it would’ve helped. Because this full-size truck sure does stand out at the family reunions.

Meet the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD Z71

Sure, the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD Z71 shares a first name with its light-duty brethren. But apart from some basic hardware, that’s where the Silverado similarities all but stop. In fact, the Silverado HD, available as a 2500 or 3500 model, shares only a single body panel with its smaller counterpart. The rest of the body is now wrapped in a high-strength sheet metal not found on the 1500.

It is taller, wider, and longer, and sports a meaner stance. And with all of its major competition also showing off a refresh or a redesign for 2020, Chevrolet made sure that their new workhorse would stand out in a crowd. And stand out it does, due in no small part to the eye-catching new oversized grille. The 2020 Silverado HD Z71 also breaks with years of Chevy tradition, eschewing the classic bow tie badges for all-caps CHEVROLET lettering across the front. And with the Z71 package only available on mid-level LT models, it stands out further as the only trim level with body-colored door handles.

Capability & Performance

The 2020 Chevy Silverado HD Z71 comes standard with an all-new 6.6-liter V-8 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, making 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. That’s an impressive 41 horsepower and 84 lb-ft improvement over the 2019 6.0-liter’s numbers. At an extra cost, the famed 6.6-liter V-8 Duramax diesel engine paired with a 10-speed Allison transmission produces 445 hp and a Hulk-like 910 lb-ft of torque.

With numbers like that, it should come as no surprise that the Silverado HD is the new world leader in towing capacity, maxing out at 35,500 pounds—50 percent more towing than the model it is replacing. Yikes, talk about stepping your game up.

Even before getting into everything that the Z71 package brings to the table, there are plenty of reasons that drivers are falling for the all-new Silverado HD. The fully-boxed ladder frame is composed almost completely of high-strength steel. And with the most functional truck bed in its entire segment, the 21 different tie down options provide plenty of solutions to life’s seemingly unlimited stuff-related challenges. There is also more cargo room in the 2020 Silverado HD than in any other heavy duty pickup, plus, enhanced cargo lighting and a 120-volt outlet located at the rear of the box. And of course, the trademark BedStep, a cutout bedside step at the front of the rear-wheel opening that can support up to 500 pounds, has been a favorite feature since its introduction a few years back.

Z71 Package Benefits

More than other pickups, or even other Silverados, the 2020 Silverado HD Z71 sets itself apart from other similar LT models—it’s closest relatives—in a number of different ways. Perhaps most obvious, the small bowtie badge in the lower corner of the grille is gone completely, replaced by a Z71 badge. Another Z71 also replaces the 4×4 badge on the truck’s front quarter panel.

The new HD Z71 rides on 17-inch Bright Machined wheels (18-inch wheels on LTZ models) and all-terrain tires. It features a specially-tuned off-road suspension and off-road tuned twin tube shocks. Skid plates protect what’s vulnerable underneath when the going gets rough, covering the transfer case as well as the oil pan. Chevytec spray-on bedliner protects against years of abuse from hauling absolutely anything and everything. And, also in the way of protection, all-weather Z71 floor liners and a brushed metal Z71-specific door sill plate shield against whatever those work boots may drag in with them.

But the Z71 package isn’t all just protection and good looks. There are real performance upgrades that come along with it. There’s Hill Descent Control technology, a top-end trailering package, fog lamps, and a 33.6mm front stabilizer bar. If you’re really, realllly gonna use the truck you’re buying for the things a truck was intended for, then the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD Z71 is a pickup worth taking a good, hard look at.

Pricing

The 2020 Chevy Silverado HD Z71, as a 2500 LT, with four-wheel drive, a crew cab, and a standard box, can be had for $47,410. Compare that number to some other off-road oriented rigs (**cough cough Raptor cough**), then look at all the legitimately useful improvements that have been made to the 2020 Silverado HD, and decide for yourself.

Heck, maybe you can use some of that extra money to pick up a brand new Foreman grill.

*Aftermarket Spotlight

Both the RetraxONE and RetraxPRO XR options integrate a cargo-carrying Trax Rail System that allows for unique and personal customization above your truck bed cover. Playing well with most T-slot rack accessories from Rhino Rack, Yakima, and Thule, it offers protection and versatility all in one.

“Pairing the Trax Rail System with accessories offers double the cargo capacity,” explains the company. “This unique technology frees up the hitch with the ability to mount bikes, coolers, outdoor gear and more on top of the bed cover by combining the Trax Rail system with the t-slot accessories.” The RetraxONE features a one-piece polycarbonate construction, while the RetraxPRO upgrades customers to the premium aluminum.