carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $44,657–$58,826 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD SL at 6.7/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.5/10, while Technology at 5.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.5/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.9/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $44,657–$58,826, 10 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. The value score of 6.1/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD SL is a passable truck but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and value and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD SL ranks #495 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 4% of the segment. Its 6.7/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $44,657 starting price is about 27% above the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Across the Silverado 2500HD SL model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.2/10 | $60,522 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.1/10 | $58,760 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.2/10 | $56,997 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.1/10 | $55,234 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.0/10 | $53,471 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.0/10 | $51,708 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $49,946 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.9/10 | $48,183 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.8/10 | $46,420 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 6.7/10 | $44,657 | |
| 2015 | 6.7/10 | $42,894 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.