The Silverado name has been around the Chevy lineup since the 1970s, but the Silverado truck didn’t earn a lineup of its own until the late 1990s, when it replaced the popular C/K truck. Since then, it’s proven that it ages like a fine wine–it only gets better with time. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 is proof of this as Chevy promises the 2022 Silverado is the strongest and most advanced Silverado ever. So, what updates can you expect from the Silverado, and what does the future hold for Chevy’s best-selling road warrior? It’s time to find out.
The All-New Silverado ZR2
“Work hard, play harder” seems to be the motto for the 2022 Silverado. Chevy capitalizes on the truck’s legendary capability by taking it off-road with the all-new 2022 Silverado ZR2. Designed with adventure in mind, the ZR2 rolls off the production line ready for the trail with its suspension lift and 33-inch off-road MT tires. The ZR2 is powered by Chevy’s proven 6.2-liter V8 engine that’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission to deliver 420 horses and 460 lb-ft of torque, which is enough power and pull whether you’re on the highway or navigating rough terrain.
The ZR2’s off-road capability extends beyond its suspension lift and powertrain to the truck’s first-ever Multimatic DSS spool-valve dampers that work with off-road-tuned springs to improve how the truck handles and performs. Also equipped with front and rear electronic locking differentials and a special off-road chassis, the ZR2’s front is protected by a high-approach steel front bumper, while several skid plates protect the truck’s underbody from obstacles and debris on the trail.
Instantly recognizable from the outside, the ZR2’s steel front bumper is an immediate giveaway, along with its black hood insert and exclusive front grille with integrated lighting. It also boasts ZR2 badging and an interior that’s outfitted with Jet Black and Graystone leather. As a Silverado, you can expect the same level of capability from the ZR2 that can support a maximum payload of 1,440 pounds or tow up to 8,900 pounds, which means you can say “yes” to more adventures even when it requires towing a heavy load.
Super Cruise
Chevy remains at the helm of innovation, and it shows with technology like Super Cruise. The 2022 Silverado is the first truck in Chevy’s lineup to offer Super Cruise, which is the first hands-free driver assistance feature in the industry. So, how does it work?
Super Cruise works with LiDAR map data to navigate over 200,000 miles of compatible roads throughout the United States and Canada. As the map data allows the Silverado to navigate the roadway, the Driver Attention System keeps a close eye on where you’re looking when the feature is active. It uses a camera and infrared lights located at the top of the steering column to monitor your gaze. When you take your eyes off the road for too long, a light bar in the steering wheel illuminates. If this happens too frequently, the system adds audible alerts, and you’ll have to take back control of the wheel.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Super Cruise is that Chevy allows you to use it when towing a trailer. The Super Cruise technology is intuitive enough to detect when you’re towing a heavy load, which means it can safely gauge the added braking distance needed to stop the truck and trailer. This is significant because it actively reduces driver fatigue when towing a heavy load on the highway.
Class-Leading Camera Views
Camera technology isn’t new to the automotive industry, with most cars, trucks, and SUVs now equipped with a standard rearview camera. The 2022 Silverado improves upon this technology by delivering the most camera views in the segment. The Silverado’s 15 unique camera views are courtesy of the truck’s eight-camera system that gives you the perfect view for every situation, whether you’re towing a trailer, cruising the highway, or navigating a tight parking space. You’ll have four available hitch views (Hitch, Surround, Rear Top-Down, and Bed), six available driving views (Transparent Trailer, Front Camera, Pic-in-Pic Side View, Rear Camera Mirror, Rear Trailer, and Inside Trailer), and five available parking views (Rear Camera, Rear Side, Bowl, Front Side, and Front Top-Down) at your fingertips at any given time.
Many More Notable Updates
The 2022 Silverado ushers the truck into the next generation of innovation, as we see in its class-leading camera views, driver-assist tools like Super Cruise, and adventure-ready trims like the ZR2. The updates don’t stop there, however. Chevy unleashed every ounce of ingenuity in its wheelhouse to make the 2022 Silverado the strongest and smartest Silverado ever made.
Chevy delivers on its promise by equipping the Silverado with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a standard 13.4-inch color touchscreen display, the latter of which is home to the Chevrolet infotainment system, smartphone integration, and Google Assistant. The screen is also a hub of trailering technology and houses the truck’s 15-class leading camera views as well as innovative tools like the Advanced Trailering System with the in-vehicle trailering app. These tools make trailering easier by giving you the data you need on the display or via an app on your smartphone.
Looking Ahead: The Future Looks Bright for the Silverado
The 2022 Silverado is the culmination of years of hard work to deliver a jaw-dropping truck that continues to lead the segment. So, what does this mean for the future of the Silverado? You can expect even more innovation as Chevy turns its attention to an all-electric Silverado that will usher drivers into a new era of power, performance, and capability.
The Silverado EV will make its official debut in 2022 and marks the first-ever electric truck from General Motors. As expected, the automaker is keeping a tight lid on the truck’s details as anticipation builds. What we do know, however, is enough to generate excitement, especially since the Silverado EV will utilize GM’s revolutionary Ultium battery platform. The modular platform is designed to offer a variety of power and capability thanks to its pouch-like design, which is why many experts expect the Silverado EV to deliver up to 1,000 horsepower depending on battery configuration.
With this much power, the Silverado EV is in a position to change the age-old belief that EVs are merely for commuters and that battery-powered vehicles can’t be efficient or capable workhorses. Think again. The Silverado EV will deliver enough instantaneous torque to tow a heavy load, while its Four-Wheel Steer technology will improve its agility and turning radius at lower speeds and finetune its handling at highway speeds or when towing a trailer. Add in the Silverado EV’s projected 400-mile range on a single charge, and it’s easy to see why so many Chevy fans are excited to experience Chevy’s modern take on the Silverado’s legendary capability.
The Legend Lives On
Replacing the once-popular C/K truck with its introduction in the late 1990s, the Silverado is fairly new to the Chevy lineup but don’t mistake its youthfulness for naivete. The best-selling Silverado is one of the most capable trucks you’ll find in the segment, with models like the 2022 Silverado proving that the truck ages like fine wine. The newest iteration in the Silverado family showcases Chevy’s efforts to give you all the technology and tools you need when you’re behind the wheel. This is apparent in the 2022 Silverado’s vast array of features, from driver-assist tools like Super Cruise and its 15 unique camera views to the ZR2’s exclusive off-road components that ready it for the trail.
These updates make the 2022 Silverado an attractive option if you’re looking for a truck that can effortlessly balance work with play. The upcoming Silverado EV continues this legacy and challenges you to think outside the box when it comes to power, performance, and capability in an electric-powered truck. This is what legends are made of, and it’s what you can expect from the Silverado in the next few years.
