Chevy has refreshed both the interior and exterior of the new 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500, and exciting new technology is available across the trim levels. This is the year to buy a Silverado 1500 if you’ve been waiting, with so many new features being added and introduced for 2022. Engine options have received attention and are creating a stir with their increased capability, from the updated turbocharged engine that is now standard for entry-level trucks to the optional diesel engine that has gained 4,000 pounds of towing power this year. Interior and exterior designs have been updated in both appearance and functionality, and now the High Country trim can be optioned with the brand-new Super Cruise hands-free driving feature.
Off-roaders will love the new ZR2 trim being offered for 2022 models, with its serious upgrades to the Silverado’s suspension, chassis, and underbody for superior capability on trails and rough terrain. Technology updates for the lineup include a set of Google products that promise to keep you organized and make time on the road easier, and a new panoramic touchscreen in the dash is standard for mid-level trims. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are found on every trim level of the 2022 Silverado, and even the standard seven-inch screen found in the entry-level trims is larger than what is found in many competitors.
Safety is often an afterthought when it comes to trucks, but the safety suite Chevy has rolled out for SUVs and sedans is now also found on all models of the 2022 Silverado. Every trim will gain driver-assist tech like auto emergency braking, automatic high beams, and lane keep assist with lane departure warning. Technology for trailering is found throughout the lineup, too, and features like trailer sway control and hill start assist are standard for all trims. As buyers expect, the 2022 Silverado has options for cab, bed, and engines that can be chosen according to the truck size you need, and every trim can be equipped with four-wheel drive.
Starting at
If there’s one thing buyers can expect from the Chevy Silverado, it’s flexible choices in capability. For 2022, Chevy has updated some of the Silverado powertrains to make it the truck to beat for trailering duty and for the most power available with a standard engine. Starting with the entry-level powertrain, Chevy has improved the output of the now-standard 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It now makes as much horsepower as the old V6 along with 420 lb-ft of torque, a twenty percent increase from its former capability.
With this base engine, buyers can now tow up to 9,500 pounds. Rear-wheel drive is standard and is best for trailering, though all trims can choose four-wheel drive for improved performance on rough terrain. This baseline four-cylinder engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission that now shifts more rapidly and smoothly for power when you need it, and it’s the standard engine for trims starting with the Work Truck, all the way through the LT Trail Boss.
Upgraded Engine Options
Next in the progression is the 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 hp with 383 lb-ft of torque and is paired to a ten-speed automatic transmission. Within the lineup, this engine is standard on the RST Crew Cab, LTZ, and High Country trims, and it provides serious power for work duty. The available 6.2-liter V8 produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated V-8 engine in the segment. Standard for the new ZR2 trim, the 6.2-liter is also available in the Custom Trail Boss trim and higher. Paired to this capable engine is the same ten-speed automatic transmission found with the other V8, and it also pairs with the remaining engine option: the diesel engine.
Thanks to adjustments to the chassis, the diesel engine can now be paired with the Max Towing package, allowing it to tow a whopping 13,300 pounds. A 4,000-pound increase is a lot of upgrading, even though the output of 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque is unchanged. This engine option is available starting with the Custom Trail Boss trim and can set your 2022 Silverado up for handling some of the toughest jobs a light-duty truck can tackle.
Chevy has refreshed the design and updated technology for 2022 Silverado models, and the exterior sees changes across the lineup. All models will see updates to the grille and front fascia that take the headlights lower to meet the top line of the new grille design. For mid-level trims starting with the LT, the “wing-shaped” daytime running lights are given a new animation feature that changes when you approach, start, or walk away from the Silverado. Though this lighting feature accentuates the Silverado’s high-tech nature, buyers can still count on the features that truly matter with its high-strength steel frame, class-leading bed volume, and the most standard cargo tie-downs of any light-duty truck.
No other truck manufacturer can give buyers one of the most innovative tailgate designs in the industry except the 2022 Silverado, which can be optioned with a Multi-Flex tailgate that has six configurations to make hauling and bed access more convenient than any other truck. Though the Silverado also comes standard with corner steps large enough for even the largest work boots, nothing can compare with the ease of folding down the tailgate as a step into the bed or having an instant workbench at your job site. Combine the exterior features with the updates for the interior, and the 2022 Silverado is certain to become your favorite truck to drive.
High-Tech and Luxurious
When buyers purchase the LT trim or above, the new interior design offers a 13.4-inch panoramic touchscreen made to fit perfectly into the lines of the dash and to offer high-definition quality for camera views. This large screen is paired with Google products like Maps, Google Assistant, and voice-activated controls that allow buyers to take their schedule, contact list, and preferred settings along for the ride. With Google, you can even operate the climate control with a single command or pair up your Amazon Alexa if you have one at home.
Chevy takes the tech further in its updates to the mid-level trims and above with a new 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display, and models with front bucket seats can opt for the new electronic shifter that takes less space in the center console. Of course, choosing the High Country trim elevates the interior to its height of luxury with open-pore wood grain accents, stitched leather upholstery, and stainless steel speakers for the premium Bose sound system. Features like the rear camera mirror and head-up display are part of the upgraded technology found in the High Country, but the true apex of the 2022 Silverado is the inclusion of Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. Set the system while you drive on the highway and let the Silverado steer, maintain speed, and even change lanes. It even works when you’re towing.
New for 2022, Chevy now includes the ZR2 off-road performance trim in the Silverado lineup. This popular variant of the midsize Colorado is now available for off-road enthusiasts who want a full-size truck to take their trail riding to the next level. With the standard 6.2-liter V8 engine under the functional black hood insert, the ZR2 has the strength to handle the kind of terrain off-roaders like to dominate. Exceptional capability comes from 40 mm DSSV spool-valve dampers that make the suspension off-road worthy. Within this system, three spool valves are connected to three separate chambers for controlled fluid flow that maintains balance. In combination with specially-tuned springs, the 2022 ZR2 offers increased suspension travel, which translates into a smoother ride in the cabin.
Standard front and rear electronic locking differentials make conquering the trail easy, and you can trust the ZR2 capability to handle the terrain with its specially-calibrated chassis. Use Terrain Mode when you want to crawl at low speeds over rocks, now with a one-pedal capability that lets you focus on what’s ahead without needing to work so hard at controlling the speed. The ZR2 comes with large 33-inch all-terrain tires to keep it on steady footing, and skid plates protect the underbody in case you miss your mark. An improved approach angle for the ZR2 makes the Silverado capable of taking on steeper inclines of up to 31.8 degrees, thanks to the design of the steel front bumper.
Further enhancements to the ZR2 include the placement of the exhaust system higher, so it tucks up above the rear bumper to avoid scraping on unseen obstacles. All this off-road engineering wouldn’t be complete without the unique appearance of the ZR2, which stands out with sporty black exterior details from the hood insert to the 18-inch wheels. Chevy creates a unique look with lighting integrated into the grille to accent the hollow “flow-tie” logo, and the interior features jet black leather and gray upholstery. Expect the ZR2 to further satisfy your off-road prowess with the addition of exceptional technology to improve what you see through the available camera views, and enjoy the panoramic screen and larger instrument panel for its feedback on terrain.