When the current-generation of the Chevrolet Silverado debuted in 2019 it was generally highly regarded with one distinct exception, the interior. Compared to the cabin environment of the Ram 1500, even the upgraded package of the 2019 Silverado still felt a cut below. In early 2022, Chevrolet will be launching a refreshed Silverado that features a massively upgraded passenger environment on most models, hands-free Super Cruise driving assist and a ZR2 off-road version.
Aside from the new ZR2 model, the sheetmetal of the Silverado is essentially carried over heading into 2022. The only notable changes on the outside are the grilles which now take more inspiration from the larger HD models, particularly the top end High Country.
The off-road specialist ZR2 is built to take on trucks like the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX with the ability to traverse deserts at high speeds or crawl over nearly any boulder. In addition to a distinct grille with a hollow bowtie badge that allows for slightly more cooling airflow, the ZR2 also gets a unique bumper. The lower portion of the bumper slopes back right into the forward skid plate and the outer corners have been cut away to enable higher approach angles.
The combination of the new bumper and standard 33-inch off-road tires gives the ZR2 an approach angle of 31.8 degrees, ever so slightly more than the 31.0 degrees available from the new Raptor with its standard 35-inch tires and slightly better than the 30.2 degrees available from the TRX. The breakover and departure angles are also similarly close, with the lead going back and forth but usually within 1 degree. When equipped with the optional 37-inch rolling stock, the Raptor takes the lead across the board with a 33.1 degree approach, 24.4 degree breakover and 24.9 degree departure. The end caps of the bumper are also removable for easy replacement in the event that it makes contact with boulders before the tires do.
Besides the revised face, the big differences for the ZR2 are in the suspension. Like the midsize Colorado ZR2, the Silvervado is equipped with Multimatic DSSV spool valve dampers. These dampers contain three spool valves to manage oil flow and three interconnected chambers to minimize aeration of the oil and keep it cool. Unique springs also give the ZR2 more suspension travel and contribute to the 11.2-inch ground clearance.
The ZR2 gets other off-road specific updates including electronic locking differentials on both axles, a two-speed transfer case and a terrain mode for one-pedal driving. Like Ford’s trail control, terrain mode allows the driver to set a speed in four-wheel-drive low and then just lift off the accelerator to slow when rock crawling.
Under the hood
Unlike the Raptor and TRX, the ZR2 has a rather more pedestrian powertrain. It’s available exclusively with the 6.2-liter V8 with 420-hp and 460 lb-ft of torque paired up with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While the Raptor has a slight edge in power from its twin-turbocharged V6, the ZR2 takes the win in payload and towing with 1,440-lbs and 8,900-lbs respectively.
Apart from the ZR2, other powertrain changes are mostly limited to the base 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 2.7 has a 30% stiffer crankshaft and adds upgrades typically used on turbodiesel engines including cast-in place ring carrier to support steel compression rings on the pistons and tri-metal connecting rod bearings. Unlike the usual pattern of reducing weight, the engineers actually added over two pounds of aluminum to the block through thicker ribbing that allows the engine to run at higher pressures. While peak power remains unchanged at 310-hp, the maximum torque in the low to mid-rpm range has been increased from 348 lb-ft to 420 lb-ft.
The smooth and efficient 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder diesel engine remains unchanged for 2022, but it is now available with a new maximum tow package that increases the towing capacity by 4,000-lbs to 13,300-lbs. The upgraded towing comes by way of a stronger frame, new springs and a larger differential with a 3.73:1 final drive ratio in place of the normal 3.23:1 ratio. Chevrolet also made some upgrades to the powertrain cooling to handle the extra load.
It’s what’s inside
The changes that will probably impact more Silverado buyers than a new off-road package come in the cabin. The base work truck and custom trim levels retain the same interior as the current models. However, the other trims from the LT up to the High Country get an all-new look and improved materials. Directly in front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital reconfigurable instrument cluster. In the center is a new 13.4-inch touchscreen with GM’s new Android Automotive based infotainment system.
Like Volvo/Polestar, GM has chosen to include Google
Hands-off
Like the 2022 GMC Sierra that we recently took a preview drive in, the updated Silverado will be available with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system. The trucks get the second-generation version of the system that debuted earlier this year on the Cadillac Escalade and will have all of the latest updates. That includes on-demand or automatic lane changes, and the ability to go hands-free while towing. As with the Sierra, automatic lane changes and towing are mutually exclusive functions. If you want to change lanes while a trailer is hooked up, you’ll have to take over manual control temporarily.
Super Cruise operation is limited to use on 200,000 miles of divided highways defined by automatically updating high-definition maps. As a level 2 assist system, the driver also has to keep eyes on the road and be ready to take control at any time. That’s still enforced by the infrared camera mounted on the steering column. For now, Super Cruise will only be available on the top end High Country trim.
The 2022 Silverado is scheduled to start production in the first quarter of 2022, although at this point, with chip shortages there are no guarantees. However, given the importance of trucks like the Silverado and Sierra to GM’s bottom line, they will no doubt get priority when it comes to allocating any available supply of silicon.
