Used 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Double Cab

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado is one of the six different full-size pickup trucks available to buyers in the United States. Despite what parent-company General Motors’ marketing efforts want you to believe, the Silverado is essentially the same as the GMC Sierra, despite different exterior styling and trim level names. A new generation of the Silverado came out for the 2019 model year, though the new truck’s interior and most of the available engines were largely carryovers from the previous generation. This 2022 update changes the Silverado’s exterior styling, and starting with the LT trim, introduces a new modern interior ported over from GM’s line of full-size SUVs, which were all-new for 2021.

The Silverado is available with a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, a 5.3-liter V8, and at the top of the pile, a 6.2-liter V8. There’s also an available 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline 6-cylinder model as well.

One thing that sets the 2022 Silverado apart from its competitors is the availability of GM’s” “Super Cruise” semi-autonomous driving system, which in the case of the Silverado, has been calibrated to work while towing. Unfortunately, though, Super Cruise will only be available on the top luxury-spec Silverado High Country for 2022. Still, we expect it’ll trickle down to more affordable trims in the coming model years. We should note that Ford is said to be prepping a similar autonomous driving system that it’ll market as “BlueCruise.”

Additionally, a new off-road-oriented ZR2 trim joins the Silverado lineup for 2022. Borrowing its trim level name from the Colorado ZR2, the Silverado ZR2 uses Multimatic-sourced DSSV spool-valve shocks and offers locking front and rear differentials, just like its midsize counterpart. A terrain mode along with revised bumpers and an undisclosed number of underbody skidplates are included as well. Rounding out the trim level is a set of 33-in all-terrain tires. GM has stated that these are the largest tires the Silverado is designed to accept.

Our analysis here is that, frankly, the Silverado ZR2 is a little disappointing. It feels both late to the game and low effort at that. While you’ll certainly come across clickbait articles comparing it to the F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX, the Silverado ZR2 is in actuality aligned with the Ford F-150 Tremor and Ram 1500 Rebel in terms of tech and use-case. The high-performance F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX both come with revised bodywork that incorporates a wider track (the distance between the driver and passenger-side wheels), a more sophisticated electronically controlled suspension, larger 35-in tires, and multiple high-performance drive modes. Despite having over a decade to do so, GM doesn’t seem to want to invest in developing a true high-performance off-road pickup.

Looking at the full-size truck market as a whole, and it’s Ford that typically introduces new features first. For example, the F-150 uses an all-aluminum body construction, employs a twin-turbo V6 as its top-spec engine, and offers an available hybrid system with a built-in generator capable of running power tools. You won’t find this kind of innovation elsewhere in the truck market. When you reap the financial benefits of offering the best-selling full-size truck in the US, you’re able to take these kinds of risks.

While GM (in this case, Chevrolet and GMC) typically comes in second in terms of overall sales, Ram has made significant progress in this area thanks to its prioritization of a premium interior on its latest Ram 1500 iteration. The introduction of the 702 horsepower Ram 1500 TRX certainly draws shoppers into Ram showrooms as well.

Toyota is rolling out an all-new Tundra for 2022, marking the first time that vehicle has been given a full redesign since 2007. While the current-generation Tundra has fallen behind, expect the new one to be a strong competitor, and it should be aimed squarely at the heart of the full-size truck segment.

Finally, there’s the Nissan Titan. While Nissan seems content to occupy last place when it comes to overall full-size truck sales, the Titan represents good value and should offer good reliability as well. While it’s far from the most exciting option, it still has a place in this highly competitive segment.

And if you want to keep the Chevy new-truck faith and save some money at the same time, last year’s big pickup is being sold as the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Limited (reviewed separately).

We’ve yet to drive the 2022 Silverado, but here’s what KBB’s editors had to say after driving previous model years of the current-gen Silverado. Keep in mind that none of this applies to the new Silverado ZR2, which Chevrolet has not yet made available for media drives.

“We’ve driven the Chevrolet Silverado in many iterations and with several of its powertrains and have found it commendable overall. In general, Chevrolet’s Silverado drives smaller than it is and has good ride quality considering this is a rugged, body-on-frame pickup truck. Handling is taut with little body roll. Moreover, everything works well and in harmony, from its brakes to its steering.”

As for powertrains, the 5.3-liter V8 will satisfy the majority of buyers. It offers good grunt with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, and is connected to a 6-, 8- or 10-speed transmission, depending on configuration. The power-hungry will be more than satisfied with the even larger 6.2-liter V8 that doles out 420 horses and 460 lb-ft of torque. This invigorating engine easily propels the Silverado and, as a bonus, puts out a gratifying growl.

The 2.7-liter turbocharged-4 is commendable in its own right. Enhanced for 2022 with a more rigid block and a stiffer crankshaft, it moves the Silverado better than you’d think and makes the truck feel lighter. Still, possibly our favorite powertrain is the turbodiesel inline-6. This diesel Silverado is efficient at up to 33 mpg and provides locomotive force. The diesel Silverado, when equipped with the max tow package, now has a maximum tow rating of 13,300 pounds.

Despite GM claiming its Silverado and Sierra trucks were “all-new” in 2019, the two used a dashboard and interior that was mostly carryover from the previous-gen Silverado sold from 2014-2018. This put the trucks at a disadvantage to their competitors from Ford and Ram. When GM revealed the latest generation of its full-size SUVs for the 2021 model year, many speculated that the all-new, modern interior from these SUVs move over to the Silverado with this update, and that’s exactly what’s happened.

That said, this new interior is only found on LT models and up. WT (or “work truck”) and Custom trims still use the same interior from the previous-generation Silverado, which dates back to 2014. Even with that old interior, though, the Silverado is offered with a simple, easy-to-use infotainment system and a number of available active safety features.

The new interior that enters the fray on the LT models is the one you really want, though. It uses a modern, widescreen infotainment system positioned higher up on the dash for better visibility and offers an available console-mounted gearshift lever — though we don’t see the benefit of this over a more traditional column shifter.

There are also new door panels and an available digital gauge cluster.

Overall, this new interior is a big upgrade, offering more modern design and technology, better-integrated accent trim, and high-end leather, and will help the Silverado compete with more luxurious trim levels of the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. That said, for those looking to stick with a simple work truck, the old carryover interior will suffice.

With its 2019 redesign, the Silverado adopted a controversial new front end. It retained its boxy, upright proportions, but incorporated more cuts and angles than most truck buyers are used to. With this update for 2022, the Chevrolet Silverado’s design has been toned down a bit. The parenthesis-shaped daytime running lights remain, but they flank a subtler, more traditionally styled grille. Different trim levels all get different grille designs.

As before, the Silverado’s sides are chiseled and blocky, while around the back, non-Multi-Flex versions of the tailgate are stamped with the Chevrolet wordmark.

High Country models see additional chrome in their grilles and wheels up to 22 inches in diameter. The ZR2 model, on the other hand, gets a more athletic aesthetic, with black 18-in. wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires, a black plastic “Chevrolet” wordmark grille, red recovery points up front, and a unique grille.

Three new exterior colors are available for 2022: Dark Ash, Sand Dune, and Glacier Blue Metallic.

SUPER CRUISE WITH TRAILERING
GM’s Super Cruise is the company’s semi-autonomous driving system, and it’s available on the Silverado for 2022, albeit only on the top-spec High Country model. In adding Super Cruise to its truck lineup, GM has given the system the ability to work with towing — a boon for truck buyers.

ZR2 DSSV SHOCK ABSORBERS
The new Silverado ZR2 uses Multimatic’s unique DSSV spool-valve suspension dampers. The shocks use three separate spool valves to control damping and three connected chambers for fluid flow. They’re a unique approach, to say the least.

In its simplest form, the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Work Truck comes with a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a maximum trailering rating of 9,500 pounds.

Regular, extended, and crew cab configurations are available, as are short, regular, and long-beds. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard; 4-wheel (4WD) drive is optional.

The Silverado Work Truck has a decent amount of standard equipment, including single-zone air conditioning, 17-inch wheels, a pair of USB ports, 12 cargo tie-down points, cargo lamps, a 6-speaker audio system, a tilt steering wheel, and power windows. Silverado safety includes the Chevy Safety Assist safety suite, which includes automatic emergency braking.

As a Custom Trail Boss model, the 2022 Silverado is distinguished by the Z71 off-road suspension package and recovery hooks, plus a skid plate, an auto-locking rear differential, and a trailering package.

The Silverado LT ups the content level higher, adding chrome bumpers (front and rear) and a new interior with digital gauges and a large 13.4-inch color touchscreen.

The RST Silverado model adds black bumpers and LED taillamps, while the new ZR2 comes equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-speaker Bose audio system, high-intensity LED headlamps, dirt-friendly 275/70R-18 tires, an oil cooler, a transmission cooler, and driver-selectable locking differentials front and rear.

In premium High Country trim, the 2022 Chevy Silverado boasts leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, body-color bumpers, and a Bose premium audio system with stainless steel speaker grilles.

As you step up to higher trims, the Silverado feature content jumps significantly. The Silverado Custom gains power windows/door locks, cruise control, and 20-in wheels. Custom Trail Boss models come with the Custom Convenience and Infotainment packages that include EZ Lift power lock and release tailgate, LED bed lighting, and remote start, among other things.

Highlights of the Silverado LT model include chrome mirror caps, GM’s OnStar connected services, semi-automatic single-zone climate control, and the availability of more options, including other powertrains.

Remember that a significantly updated new interior also comes into play at the LT level. Included is a large 13.4-in touchscreen infotainment system along with a 12.3-in digital gauge cluster. Models with front bucket seats also get a console-mounted gearshift lever instead of the column shifter offered in previous years.

RST models aim for curb appeal with black accents, LED fog lights and taillights, keyless entry and start, and a rear window defogger.

Silverado LTZ trims have even nicer features, including a 10-way power-adjust driver’s seat with memory setting, dual-zone climate control, leather interior, 8-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated seats and steering wheel, a high-def rearview camera with hitch guidance, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, heated side mirrors, plus integrated trailer brake controller, 120-volt power outlets, and an automatic-locking rear differential.

Luxury-oriented Silverado High Country models include heated/ventilated front seats, 20-inch wheels, chrome assist steps, spray-on bedliner, high-intensity headlights, power-operated tailgate, 8-inch touchscreen display with navigation, and Bose premium audio.

The Silverado ZR2 comes fully loaded with the updated dashboard and infotainment/gauge cluster screens. Its thorough set of off-road tools includes performance-oriented Multimatic DSSV shock absorbers, 33-inch all-terrain tires, skidplates, unique bumpers, a terrain mode, and driver-selectable locking front and rear differentials.

GM’s clever Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system is offered on the 2022 Silverado pickup, but only as an option on the High Country. Additionally, a power up/down tailgate is available, as is a Multi-Flex tailgate. It’s Chevrolet’s version of the GMC MultiPro tailgate.

The Silverado’s base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder gets a stronger block and a boost in torque from 348 to 420 — a not-insignificant increase. That means it now has more torque than the 5.3-liter V8, which has managed to maintain its horsepower advantage.

Additionally, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel sees its towing capacity increased by 4,000 pounds, going from 9,300 to 13,300. That’s a big jump.

The base 2.7-liter truck gets an 8-speed automatic transmission, while most of the models equipped with the 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8, or the 3.0-liter I6 diesel get a 10-speed automatic. The one exception: Some 4WD models with the 5.3-liter V8 still have a 6-speed automatic.

The 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8, and 3.0-liter turbodiesel models all have 3:23:1 rear gearing. The turbo 2.7, along with the 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8s equipped with the Max Trailering Package, get a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio.

2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 (8-speed automatic)
310 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
420 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19 mpg/22 mpg (2WD), 17 mpg/20 mpg (4WD)

5.3-liter V8 (10-speed automatic)
355 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
383 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16 mpg/21 mpg (2WD), 15 mpg/19 mpg (4WD), 16 mpg/19 mpg (6-speed RWD), 14 mpg/18 mpg (6-speed 4WD)

6.2-liter V8 (10-speed automatic)
420 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14 mpg/19 mpg (4WD)

3.0-liter turbocharged diesel inline-6 (10-speed automatic)
277 horsepower @ 3,750 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23 mpg/31 mpg (RWD), 22 mpg/26 mpg (4WD)