The times are a-changin’. We’re at the beginning of a new year. Sure, we’re at the beginning of a calendar year; but all of us here in the automotive industry are focused on the beginning of the model year. Once again, we transition from vehicles that feel like they just hit the market to newer vehicles that are just beginning to hit the market. It’s an exciting time of year because we’re seeing how some of our favorite brands, like Chevy, develop from year to year. Ask any used Chevy dealer, and they’ll tell you first-hand that just because a vehicle is from a previous model year does not mean that it is not as good.
Purchasing a used vehicle gives you the opportunity to have the best makes and models on the market while keeping it within your budget. Buying used does not mean buying a relic; oftentimes, it means that you’re buying a vehicle from the past model year or two, which gives you just about all of the same features as a new car for a much lower price. As the 2023 models have started rolling out, many 2022 models can now be purchased as used models. With this in mind, let’s take a year in review and look at some of our favorite 2022 models that you can now buy used as 2023 models hit the lot.
2022 Silverado
The Silverado is a great truck, no matter what model year you’re considering. But 2022 was an especially exciting year for this high-performing pickup. While the Silverado has traditionally leaned into its effective combination of work-oriented and domestic applications, the 2022 model year ushered in the all-new Silverado ZR2. This new Silverado model truly transforms the truck into an off-roading champion with a wider stance, upgraded suspension, greater ground clearance, and the best of Chevy’s engineering; the ZR2, of course, contains the Silverado’s top-level 6.2-liter V8 engine, which delivers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. You won’t feel a lack of performance in this exciting Silverado.
Of course, the 2022 Silverado offers the Trail Boss trims, which also equip the truck for off-roading. It’s not that those are bad options; it’s just that the ZR2 is better. The ZR2 is nearly a model in and of itself. The vehicle is not equipped for off-roading but rather transformed for off-roading, changing its very architecture so as to make it a true off-road performer. Beyond its off-roading capabilities, the Silverado ZR2 can still perform its work duties as a truck, with a payload capacity of 1,440 lbs and a towing capacity of 8,900 lbs. The 2022 Silverado ZR2 just may be the biggest, boldest, and most exciting Silverado yet. And now you can buy it used!
If you don’t need an off-road monster, the other trims of the 2022 Silverado also benefited from a major redesign. This included new tech features and upscale cabin materials that make this pickup a joy to drive. If you opt for the LT trim or above, you will get a standard 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The High Country trim goes even further with available Super Cruise hands-free driving compatible with over 400,000 miles of highways across North America.
2022 Suburban and Tahoe
The Suburban is Chevy’s longest-lasting nameplate, and that means something coming from one of America’s oldest brands. Having made its debut in 1935, the Suburban is quickly nearing its 90th birthday; models don’t last for 90 years unless they’re doing something right, and the Suburban is. The Tahoe, while not as old as the Suburban, takes all of the larger model’s excellence and condenses it into a not-quite-as-large-but-still-full-size SUV. Both models underwent a major-league makeover for the 2021 model year and picked up a few more updates for 2022.
The 2022 Suburban offers a cargo volume of 144.7 cu.ft. It really does not get any better than that, and you have the added benefit of room for eight passengers with a large interior full of luxurious and high-tech features like the new infotainment system with Google Built-in. But the cargo capacity isn’t the only thing that makes these SUVs comparable to a truck; both the Suburban and the Tahoe offer the same 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque as the acclaimed Silverado, as well as a diesel engine option.
The Suburban and Tahoe are accurately known as luxurious full-size SUVs, but make no mistake––both of these models are capable of extreme performance, whether it’s towing, hauling, or off-roading. The only difference is that you get more luxury in the Suburban and Tahoe than in a pickup truck. These newly-updated SUVs are, hands-down, the best they’ve ever been; if you can find either a used 2022 Suburban or a used 2022 Tahoe for a lower price, you’ll be in for a real treat.
2022 Equinox
The Equinox is a fantastic compact SUV. This has been true since its debut in 2005, but the 2022 model year brought an extensive array of new features. These include new exterior design, interior details, and safety and infotainment technology. The 2022 Equinox has everything you could ask for in a compact SUV: space, high-end features, and great technology. It’s so sporty you may forget it’s an SUV…until you remember how much more space you have when you need it most.
In terms of new exterior features, the Equinox gained a fresh face with updated front and rear fascias, a new grille, and LED lighting. To make the vehicle even more inviting, the 2022 Equinox also gained four new exterior colors: Blue Glow Metallic, Seaglass Blue Metallic, Iron Gray Metallic, and Cherry Red Tintcoat; nothing says “fancy” like cherry red. The vehicle also gained a new RS trim, which keeps a black, sleek complexion (including 19-inch Dark Android wheels) with just a hint of red in the cabin.
In terms of technology, the 2022 Equinox added available Front and Rear Park Assist as well as Automatic Parking Assist. Parking can be a real hassle, especially in urban areas, so avoid the hassle and keep your car and your neighbor’s undented with these features. It’s a win-win. While you’re enjoying that easier parking experience, you’ll also be better connected since the 2022 Equinox has added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This syncs up your smartphone to the infotainment screen as soon as you enter the car, giving you access to messages, calls, navigation, and apps without the need for tangled cables. It’s a good setup.
New Features at Low Prices
Just because new 2023 models are hitting the lot does not mean the old 2022 vehicles are irrelevant. For those models with less-drastic changes for the new year, buying the previous model year gives you essentially the same vehicle at a much lower price tag. This applies to any Chevy, but I’d argue that the vehicles we’ve discussed here are especially good candidates to be purchased used as their 2023 counterparts begin to rise to the top. Whether you’re looking for a big truck, a full-size SUV, or a small, sporty SUV, there are great options from the 2022 model year, and they’re not going anywhere.
