2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The old adage says that it's tough at the top, but nobody ever talks about being constantly consigned to second- or third-best status. Quite simply, if the Ram 1500 and, even more so, the Ford F-150 didn't exist, the Silverado would reign as the top truck in the segment. With ultra-aggressive styling, the Silverado 1500 announces itself with the confidence expected of a big truck, and it backs this up with strong powertrains and a large bed for carting around just about anything you can think of. For the 2022 model year, the Silverado returns with a rugged ZR2 derivative and a new premium interior for upper trims. While the Chevy isn't a big letdown in any single area, Ford's all-conquering F-150 continues to find the most homes by far, while Ram's 1500 feels more polished and rides with greater composure. Despite selling in fewer numbers than these two competitors last year, the Silverado's unpretentious nature and rugged appeal make it worthy of consideration.

Following a complete redesign in 2019 and now another facelift for 2022, the Silverado 1500 is anything but subtle. The chrome grille is enormous and the truck looks like it means business, but some may prefer the less brash Ram 1500. This year, a new front fascia and daytime running lights with a new animation effect were introduced. The side and rear views are less shouty, though. As with other trucks in the segment, the Work Truck, with its black bumpers and 17-inch steel wheels, looks a lot more basic than the pricier versions. You can spot the tough ZR2 by its 33-inch tires and skid plates, plus it has a bespoke grille.

Moving up through the trims equips features like larger alloy wheels, LED headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, chrome mirror caps, and LED cargo area lighting. Pricier versions have a chromed grille, power-folding mirrors, a powered tailgate, and high-intensity discharge LED reflector headlamps. The top High Country has 20-inch wheels, chrome rectangular assist steps, and the trailering package. A power sunroof is available.

With three bed sizes and three body styles, the Silverado's dimensions differ widely across the range. Overall length varies from 229.7 inches for the Regular Cab with the eight-foot box, to 242.4 inches for the Crew Cab Trail Boss with the 6' 6" box. There are multiple wheelbase lengths, starting with the Regular Cab's 139.5-inch version and going up to 157.1 inches for the Crew Cab in Trail Boss trim and with the 6' 6" box. Width varies between 81.1 and 81.2 inches (excluding the mirrors), while height varies between 75.4 and 78.7 inches. Unsurprisingly, it's the raised ZR2 that's the tallest. At 11.2 inches, the ZR2 leads the way for ground clearance, and its 31.8-degree approach angle makes it the best off-roader of the lot.

Cargo boxes are either 5' 8", 6' 6", or eight feet in length - the Regular Cab can only be hard with the long bed, which isn't available on the Double and Crew Cabs. The cargo box width at the wheel housings is 50.6 inches and the width at the floor is 71.4 inches. At the time of writing, the curb weight figures for the 2022 Silverado weren't available, but these are expected to range between approximately 4,400 and 5,300 pounds based on 2021's figures.

As usual, the colors you can choose differ based on the trim. In the case of the base Work Truck, there are seven no-cost shades: Red Hot, Black, and metallics like Dark Ash, Northsky Blue, Silver Ice, and Summit White. Glacier Blue Metallic is one of the new additions for 2022 and carries a price tag of $395. The LT adds Cherry Tintcoat at $495 but otherwise shares the same color palette as the cheaper trims.

For the more rugged Trail Boss models, Sand Dune Metallic is another new choice but Cherry Tintcoat falls away. Specifically for the LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country, Iridescent Pearl Tricoat becomes a $995 option. Perhaps the boldest iteration of the 2022 Silverado is the ZR2 in either Glacier Blue or Red Hot.

The Silverado range is well-served by multiple engine/transmission combinations, along with both 2WD and 4WD configurations. At the lower end of the range, there is a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Following this is a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp. The most powerful engine available is a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Producing the same amount of torque is a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel with 277 hp. A 4.3-liter V6 was available last year but has been dropped from the lineup.

While all the engines are strong, the 6.2-liter V8 is one of the hottest performers in the segment. Independent testing revealed a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds for a four-wheel-drive Crew Cab equipped with this engine, which is superb acceleration for a truck. However, Ford has an Ecoboost-equipped version of the F-150 that proved even quicker, but really, nobody is going to need more power than this in a truck. The turbocharged 2.7-liter version requires a more modest time of around seven seconds for the benchmark sprint.

For a truck, towing capability is generally even more important than acceleration off the mark. When properly equipped, the Silverado 1500's maximum towing capacity of 13,300 lbs (for the 4WD Double Cab with the 6.2-liter V8 and the 2WD Double Cab with the diesel) is 700 lbs less than the top-rated Ford F-150. On a positive note, the Silverado diesel's towing capacity is significantly better this year.

There is an engine choice for every need within the Silverado range, beginning with the 2.7-liter turbo-four exclusively paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine generates 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque; that torque figure is 20% better than last year. Chevy says that this engine now has a more rigid cylinder block casting and a 30% stiffer crankshaft. It has also been tuned for smoother shifts with the eight-speeder.

Next is a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp/383 lb-ft - this engine uses a 10-speed automatic. The most powerful engine is the 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Finally, there is a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel with outputs of 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. The 6.2-liter and turbodiesel also use 10-speed automatics.

All of the engines are powerful enough to make easy work of daily driving and lighter loads. In our test of the LT Trail Boss with the 5.3-liter V8, we found the engine to offer adequate power around town and on the highway and smooth shifts from the gearbox, although the pushrod 6.2-liter V8 does feel appreciably more muscular. The latter's ten-speed gearbox has reasonably quick shifts, but it's not as polished as the ten-speeder in the Ford F-150.

Even though rugged capability is a key consideration for a large truck, shoppers now also expect them to be refined and smooth on the highway, something that Ram has proven is possible with its 1500. On the positive side, the Silverado's steering is effortlessly light, which is at odds with the truck's sizable proportions but does make it much easier to maneuver around town.

As the speeds pick up and the road begins to curve, the Chevy acquits itself surprisingly well, with good agility and well-managed body control that belies its size. On glass-smooth surfaces, the Silverado bowls along smoothly enough, but broken stretches of asphalt see bumps sending shudders through the chassis, and mid-corner bumps require adjustments from the driver that eventually become wearisome. Here, the Chevrolet can't match the smooth-riding Ram 1500, and Ford's F-150 feels a touch more refined, too. At faster speeds of 70 mph and above, the steering also requires regular corrections from the driver.

Off-road, the Chevrolet Silverado delivers the goods, especially if you go for the new ZR2. This model comes with the more powerful V8 and 4WD as standard. It has Multimatic 40mm DSSV spool-valve dampers, a first for the Silverado, front and rear e-lockers, and increased suspension travel. Combined, these changes make the ZR2 a formidable off-roader. The Multimatics have the ability to alter bump and rebound rates quickly. Whether encountering big boulders or sand dunes, the ZR2 impressively maintains traction. Back on smooth tarmac, buyers of the LTZ and High Country trims will appreciate the available adaptive cruise control, taking the effort out of longer trips.

Unsurprisingly, the turbodiesel is the most fuel-efficient model in the range, returning EPA estimates of 23/31/26 mpg city/highway/combined in 2WD guise, which is an improvement on the Ford F-150 hybrid's best numbers of 25/25/25 mpg. The 2.7-liter turbocharged four-pot is the next most efficient engine, managing a best of 19/22/20 mpg in 2WD guise. Economy predictably dips for the V8s. The worst-performing single model is the 6.2-liter V8 with 4x4 and mud-terrain tires which returns 13/17/14 mpg, but this engine can attain up to 15/20/17 mpg with normal tires. The 5.3-liter V8's best numbers are 16/21/18 mpg with 4x2 or 16/20/18 mpg with 4x4.

There are three gas tank sizes depending on the model: the Regular Cab has a 28.3-gallon tank, the Double/Crew Cabs have a 24-gallon tank, but all models have a 22-gallon tank when equipped with 2WD and the diesel engine. Based on this, a range of around 572 miles is achievable in diesel-equipped models with 2WD and the 22-gallon gas tank. The 4WD diesel is marginally heavier on fuel, but due to its bigger 24-gallon tank, it can manage a range of about 576 miles. At the other end of the scale, the 6.2-liter V8 4WD with mud-terrain tires has a much poorer range of 336 miles.

This year, Chevrolet has spent a lot of time on the Silverado's cabin, with higher trims especially benefiting from classier materials, a more appealing design, and a better infotainment interface. It is a huge improvement over last year's model. What has never been an issue is space: the Crew Cab is especially commodious. The spartan Work Truck is built for a rough life so only makes do with basics like a 12-volt front power outlet, a 3.5-inch driver information display, a four-way manual driver's seat, single-zone semi-automatic climate control, and a rearview camera. Upper trims couldn't be more different. As you work your way through the lineup, the Silverado adds heated front seats, 10-way power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, an HD rearview camera, and a driver's memory system.

Depending on the body style and trim, the Silverado 1500 seats either three, five, or six occupants. Basic vinyl or cloth upholstery makes way for smart leather upholstery on higher-spec variants. The Regular Cab has a 40/20/40-split bench seat for three, with covered armrest storage. On more expensive Double and Crew Cab versions, the front bench seat is replaced with two separate chairs, decreasing overall capacity to five occupants. All models besides the Regular Cab have a standard rear bench seat. The seats offer good comfort and are spacious; the Crew Cab has especially abundant legroom for those seated at the back. The driving position is good, with power-adjustable front seats on higher trims. Visibility isn't perfect, though, because the A-pillars are quite large and the tall hood hampers the front view out to an extent. Assist handles make it easier to enter the big truck, but it would have been helpful if the rear doors opened a bit more widely than they do.

On the base Worker Truck, the Silverado is as spartan as it gets, with a black interior and seats in hard-wearing Jet Black vinyl and with a rubberized vinyl floor covering. Cloth upholstery is available, though. The Custom is a gentle step up, with default cloth and carpeted flooring, but it's only once you get to the LT trim that the Silverado feels a bit more comfortable for daily use - this trim has access to leather-upholstered seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Depending on the exterior color, you can also choose a less drab Gideon interior color.

At the higher end of the range, the Silverado gets perforated leather seats, while the range-topping High Country adds a Jet Black/Nightshift Blue interior color option and front bucket seats. The new ZR2 also has perforated leather seating but with a Jet Black/Graystone color scheme.

With three bed sizes, the Silverado can cater to a wider variety of cargo-hauling needs. The short five-foot-eight bed measures 62.9 cubic feet, increasing to 71.7 cubes for the standard bed (6' 6") and a massive 89.1 cubes for the long bed (eight-foot). The Silverado's short, standard, and long beds provide a good amount of extra cargo storage than the Ford's equivalents. The high-strength steel floor can handle heavy loads, while 12 standard tie-downs are useful for securing various items. On higher-spec models, the power-up/power-down tailgate makes it more convenient to access the bed area. The maximum payload capacity is 2,270 lbs.

In the cabin, there is a large reconfigurable center console storage compartment and well-sized door pockets. The front center console on upper trims houses cupholders, cell phone storage, and power cord management. Select trims have a fold-down rear armrest with cupholders, along with underseat storage.

The WT Regular Cab is the worker of the range, so it gets little more than single-zone air conditioning, a rearview camera, a 12-volt front power outlet, and four-way manually-adjustable front seats. It has old-school manual window winders, too, but thankfully has six airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Custom trim adds LED taillamps, power-adjustable and heated mirrors, and cruise control, while the LT gets remote keyless entry, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and a heated, multi-function steering wheel. Pricier trims enjoy additions like ten-way power-adjustable front seats, front/rear park assist, heated front/rear seats, and a rear-window defogger. Only the top-dog High Country has standard wireless phone charging, and driver's seat memory, but adaptive cruise control, hitch guidance with hitch view, rear cross-traffic alert, and trailer tire pressure sensors are available. All models with the upgraded interior have an advanced 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The Advanced Trailering Package with trailer view and guidance, trailer tire-pressure monitoring, and trailer brake controller is available on the LT trim and up, as well as an even more fully-featured Max Trailering Package.

Cheaper Silverados come equipped with a standard seven-inch color touchscreen interface with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an AM/FM radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The major change for 2022 is that the LT trim and above now receive a larger 13.4-inch touchscreen interface with Google built-in. That allows seamless access to features like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on upper trims takes the hassle out of hooking up your phone to the system, too. We found the new screen to be clear and user-friendly on the move. This updated Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system also packs in SiriusXM satellite radio and voice-activated technology.

The basic Regular Cab WT makes do with just two speakers for its sound system, but this is increased to six speakers for the Double Cab WT and most other trims. Once you get to the LTZ and above, a seven-speaker Bose sound system with a Richbass woofer replaces the standard system and sound quality is generally better.

J.D. Power's overall rating for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (the 2022 model doesn't have a rating yet) is a solid 82 out of 100, and for quality and reliability, it's 83/100 too. The 2020 model racked up a total of ten recalls, according to the NHTSA, for problems ranging from seat-belt to driveshaft issues. The 2021 model has not been much better, with five recalls already so far. These included the wrong bolts used to secure the seat belts, a faulty seat-belt bracket, and over-secured tires that can fail, increasing the risk of a crash. The 2022 Silverado has no recalls to its name yet and we can only hope that this remains the case.

Chevrolet's basic warranty runs for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first - this matches Ford's basic warranty for the F-150. The Silverado also has a three-year/36,000-mile corrosion warranty and rust-through cover for six years or 100,000 miles. A single scheduled maintenance visit is covered for one year. A five-year/60,000-mile powertrain/drivetrain warranty is standard, with the mileage limitation increasing to 100,000 miles for the diesel and/or any qualified fleet purchase. Finally, five years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance is inclusive; again, opting for the diesel or qualifying fleet purchases raises the mileage limitation to 100,000 miles.

The NHTSA has not fully evaluated the 2022 Silverado but the tests that have been done have been encouraging. All derivatives achieved a five-star rating for the side crash and a four-star rollover score. As for the 2021 model, that was fully reviewed and it attained a four-star overall safety rating. Over at the IIHS, the 2021 Silverado Crew Cab attained Good scores in every crash test besides the small overlap front test on the passenger side, for which it only managed a Marginal score. The truck's headlights were rated as Poor.

All Silverados get a complement of six airbags, comprising dual front airbags, front side airbags, and head-curtain airbags for front and rear outboard seating positions. Every variant also gets daytime running lamps, a rearview camera, stability control, tire-pressure monitoring, and a teen driver feature. The Chevy Safety Assist suite is now standard on every trim and consists of forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam auto high beams.

Most trims have access to driver aids like rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert, blind-spot monitoring, and front/rear park assist. The top two trims can be equipped with adaptive cruise control. Only the High Country trim has standard rear cross-traffic alert and front/rear park assist. This year, the Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist system is available on High Country models. This feature can also be used when towing.

Several trailering packages are available or standard, including hitch guidance, hitch view, and an integrated trailer brake controller. These packages include the Advanced Trailering Package and Max Trailering Package.

It's clear that Chevrolet has been keeping a close eye on competitors from Ford, Ram, and Toyota. The 2022 Silverado 1500 is a much-improved pickup, especially those models with the new interior. It now has a premium veneer to the fittings and the new infotainment interface is excellent. Lower trims make do with the older-style interior and cheaper materials, but that's less of an issue for a workhorse. However, the Silverado's below-average ride quality means that it still doesn't feel as luxurious as the Ram on the highway.

The engines are not only powerful, but diesel, gas, and turbocharged four-cylinder power offers something for everyone. All the bed sizes can accommodate loads of cargo, the cabin is massive, and the Silverado feels perfectly at home when towing or going off-road. Ram's 1500 is still the top contender for on-road comfort, and Ford's F-150 is a massively accomplished all-rounder, but for the most part, the Silverado matches its two chief rivals and should be on any truck fan's shortlist.

The cheapest way into Silverado ownership is with the Work Truck (WT) in 2WD, Regular Cab guise, which carries an MSRP of $34,600. This price excludes taxes, licensing, registration, and a destination freight charge of $1,795. Next is the Custom trim at $41,600, the LT at $45,700, and the RST at $49,900.

After this, all the remaining trims are only sold in Crew Cab guise. The Custom Trail Boss can only be had in 4WD guise and goes for $49,500; likewise, the LT Trail Boss, that costs $55,300. The LTZ carries an MSRP of $54,700 and the posh High Country begins at $59,800. The new ZR2 tops the lineup with an MSRP of $68,400. All trims are listed here in their cheapest body style and/or with the default engine option.

Every trim comes standard with 2WD besides the Custom Trail Boss, LT Trail Boss, and ZR2, all of which are equipped with 4WD as standard. On the WT Regular Cab, upgrading from 2WD to 4WD will add $4,600 to the price. However, the cost of upgrading to 4WD differs from trim to trim, with the Custom Double Cab's price increasing by $3,300 when 4WD is added. On the fully loaded High Country, adding 4WD will cost an extra $3,500.

Of course, every trim can be optioned with one of the more powerful engines, with prices also differing for these upgrades. The Double Cab WT uses the 2.7-liter turbo by default, but for an additional $1,940, it can be equipped with the 5.3-liter V8. Higher up in the range, the Crew Cab High Country 4WD uses the 5.3-liter V8 as standard, but can be upgraded to the 3.0-liter turbodiesel for under $1,000. Finally, bed size also affects the price. On the WT trim, the Crew Cab with the standard bed costs $300 more than the Crew Cab with the short bed.

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is available in a choice of nine main trims: Worker Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, High Country, and ZR2. The range is served by three body styles, three bed sizes, and four engines: a 5.3-liter V8, a 2.7-liter turbo-four, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel. Only the base 2.7-liter has an eight-speed automatic, whereas all other trims use a 10-speed automatic. 2WD is standard on most trims, but 4WD is available on all. The Trail Boss and ZR2 models use a 4x4 system only.

The WT starts off the range as the clear workhorse. It uses the 2.7-liter by default, but the 5.3L V8 is available optionally. This is the only trim available for the Regular Cab. Standard gear includes a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, single-zone air conditioning, vinyl seat trim, manual seats, and six airbags.

Next is the Custom which gets body-color bumpers, alloy wheels, LED taillamps, and cloth upholstery. The same engine choices remain, but features like remote keyless entry and cruise control are added.

The Custom Trail Boss features 4WD by default, along with a two-speed transfer case and the Z71 off-road package. It's identifiable by its mesh grille with a high-gloss black bar.

The LT is more comfortable inside thanks to available leather seats and dual-zone automatic air conditioning. It is also the first trim to come with the upgraded interior highlighted by a 13.4-inch touchscreen interface.

Moving up to the RST adds keyless open and start, remote vehicle starting, additional USB ports, a rear-window defogger, 18-inch bright silver alloy wheels, LED cargo area lighting, and LED fog lamps.

The LT Trail Boss is one of the best options for off-road enthusiasts with its sporty styling and two-speed transfer case, and off-road suspension package.

Near the top of the range is the LTZ, with more luxury features such as chrome door handles, power-folding mirrors, a seven-speaker Bose sound system, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The best trim for on-road use is the High Country. Available solely as a Crew Cab with a choice of bed lengths, this trim has LED reflector headlamps, a power-up/-down tailgate, navigation, front/rear park assist, wireless phone charging, ventilated front seats, driver's seat memory, and heated front and rear seats. This trim can be equipped with the Super Cruise system.

Finally, there is the hardcore ZR2. Designed for high-intensity off-roading, this model gets 4x4 and the powerful 6.2-liter V8 as standard. It has a better approach angle than other trims and more ground clearance, and Multimatic 40mm DSSV spool-valve dampers.

A broad range of over 40 trim-specific packages can be equipped to add features, spice up the Silverado's looks, or enhance its rugged capability. There are countless permutations, so the same package on one trim will cost a different amount on another trim. Because the basic Work Truck is stripped of most extras to keep costs down, it can be upgraded via several packages. The most notable of these is the WT Value Package at $1,045, adding a rear window defogger, hitch guidance, cruise control, and a trailer hitch. The WT Safety Package costs $1,085 and bundles together rear cross traffic braking, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and rear park assist.

The Custom trim gains access to the Rally Edition upgrade for $2,455. On the Double or Crew Cab, this adds a host of aggressive exterior upgrades like 20-inch wheels and black rally stripes.

The Custom Trail Boss comes with the Realtree Special Edition at $2,770 with a Chevytec spray-on bedliner, black round assist steps, black recovery hooks, black dual exhaust tips and more. There is also the $1,440 Midnight Edition with similar black exterior detailing.

A notable package on the High Country is the $1,770 Technology Package that adds a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a rear camera mirror. Similar packages are available for LTZ and ZR2 variants.

Starting at under $35,000 and going all the way up to around $70,000, the Silverado 1500 you choose will be dictated by your individual needs and your budget. If it's a rugged truck you are after, the Custom Trail Boss offers access to 4WD, aggressive looks, and the off-road package at a price that is still at the lower end of the range. For a more leisure-oriented truck, we suggest the LT trim and above as these have the much-improved interior with the new infotainment system. The ZR2 is expensive but it's by far the most capable truck in the range.

Despite the Ford's lead on the sales charts, the reality is that the Silverado 1500 is a lot closer than you'd think. The Chevy's maximum towing capacity is nearly as good and it has three off-road specific trims that do a fantastic job of handling the rough stuff. Ford counters with its highly capable Raptor and better payload and maximum towing capacities. Both have spacious cabins, but Chevy has closed the gap in terms of luxury appointments on upper trims. On the road, these trucks each do a good job of handling daily trips to the grocery store or longer cross-country jaunts, but both can be a bit bumpy over imperfect roads. Each truck offers several engines, but the Ford's powertrains are more refined overall, and its ten-speed automatic is superior to the Chevy's equivalent. The F-150 also achieved better overall safety scores. It's a close call, but the F-150 just about edges its rival for another year.

If you don't need the Silverado's capability, the cheaper Colorado could be the ideal truck for you within the Chevrolet lineup. Starting at $25,434, the Colorado comes in at nearly $10,000 less expensive than the Silverado. It's not the same powerful hauler, though, with the Colorado managing a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs (as opposed to the Silverado's 13,300 lbs) and a maximum payload capacity of 1,550 lbs. The Colorado also misses out on the Silverado's brawny engines, with the former's most powerful engine being a 308-hp 3.6-liter V6. Both trucks have interiors that don't quite match the best for quality, but the Silverado has more space. If the decision is between these two trucks, we're in favor of a low-spec Silverado over a more expensive Colorado, but the latter is a good choice in its cheaper trims for shoppers who don't require the Silverado's greater capabilities.