The Chevy Silverado is consistently one of America’s most popular pickup trucks. Hardy, long-lasting, and available with near-luxury details, it’s the go-to for civilized truck drivers who also like to get their hands dirty. The HD models, in particular, have led the pack in terms of towing more weight, hauling more cargo, and fighting against the most grueling work conditions for your sake. However, even these heavy-duty trucks may pale in comparison to what’s up next from your local Chevy dealer.
2022 will be a new year for the Silverado HD, and this upcoming 2022 model is sure to be a winner. After all, we’ve already heard some pretty exciting details about the model updates for next year. We expect this to be the most modern, capable, and innovative Silverado HD yet. For those not in the know, these larger, heavy-duty versions of the well-balanced Silverado 1500 have historically been tow-oriented. While this may have seemed limiting for drivers who want more out of their truck, there’s no denying what the 2022 edition has in store.
Here are some of the most exciting model updates we can expect from the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 HD. While some features are getting dusted off and polished, other components are entirely brand new. From the expected (and in-demand) to the surprising, these features just might help the 2022 Silverado HD trucks garner more praise.
Multi-Flex Gets Tough
General Motors has already introduced the innovative Multi-Flex tailgate for the beloved Chevy Silverado 1500 model. However, now heavy-duty truck drivers can get their hands on this exciting feature in 2022. Chevy is introducing their hardy-but-flexible, 6-way tailgate to Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD trucks.
The Multi-Flex Tailgate uses a combination of ultra-strong, modular materials to re-invent the tailgate. What was once a feature that had 2 formulations – up or down position – has many more. Use simple, manual manipulations to change your Silverado HD’s tailgate into a step ladder, workbench, elongated load stop, and other utilitarian modes. As of 2022, it will be easier to access the bed, get work done on the go, and protect your cargo.
It was a startling omission to leave such a hyper-productive feature out of the most work-oriented trucks in the Silverado family, but in reality, GM needed time to bulk up Multi-Flex Tailgate to bear more weight. Now, Silverado HD trucks have access to stronger, more weight-bearing tailgates that are as tough as they are flexible.
This makes the already super-productive Silverado HD trucks even more practical and may make these trucks leaders in the commercial/passenger truck crossover business. Those who want extreme productivity in a truck that doesn’t need a special license, or look like a work truck, can appreciate what these heavy-duty trucks have to offer. Even those who are just nerdy for truck statistics – aka drivers who want the toughest trucks for mere bragging rights – can appreciate more recreational uses for the Multi-Flex Tailgate, including tailgate parties, camping, and relaxing outdoors.
The Multi-Flex Tailgate can be bundled with an equipment package in base/lower trims but may come standard with some higher trim models. This means that for a low price, any Silverado 2500 or 3500 HD can be equipped with the most forward-thinking tailgate in the truck business. This reinforced tailgate will be hardy enough to handle the extreme weight the cargo bed in HD trucks is designed to carry.
Power Up/Power Down
The Multi-Flex ability isn’t the only tailgate upgrade. In addition, the Power Up/Power Down tailgate feature will also be available on the 2022 Silverado HD. This was previously reserved for the 1500 model. Power Up/Power Down allows you to remotely lift and lower the tailgate – no need to pull a hatch. Load cargo without a free hand, or just enjoy the satisfaction of making your truck work for you on command.
This is a great feature for HD trucks. As with the Multi-Flex Tailgate, it’s a wonder why this highly utilitarian feature wasn’t previously available in the work-oriented heavy-duty Silverados. That’s changing in 2022, and this is definitely a change for the better.
However, you should be aware that this isn’t a standard feature. Power Up/Power Down will only be available in upgraded trims like the LTZ and High Country. This is no surprise, given that these trim levels are aimed at suiting up a work truck with a touch of extra pampering.
Performance Improvements
There will also be some notable performance improvements to the 2022 Silverado HD trucks. If you’re a fan of diesel engines, then you’ll be happy to learn that the new Duramax diesel 6.6-liter V-8 will have a higher towing and payload rating. The difference may not be monumental, but it makes the Silverado HD highly competitive. Diesel Silverado powertrains already add extra towing power and fuel economy to 2500 and 3500 HD models, but given the fierce competition from Ford F-series and Ram trucks, Chevy certainly worked hard to push the Silverado HD’s nose up ahead of the pack.
Ultimately, we’ll have to wait on Chevy to release the official figures for the new HD trucks. We’re curious to know if the enhancements improve driving performance ratings as well, especially when the diesel is paired to Chevy’s 10-speed automatic transmission. However, rumors of a souped-up diesel are certainly worth getting excited about, especially if the Silverado HD is your go-to work truck.
Exterior Changes
2022 will bring some slight exterior changes to the Silverado HD trucks. Rather than re-designing their pickup, 2022 gives these work trucks some more modern style upgrades, most notably, an expanded list of exterior color options. Greenstone Metallic is the newest paint color added to the family. This is likely going to be a dark, muted gray-green like the Hunter Metallic Green available for many GMC vehicles. We’re unsure if this color will be on the bright and sporty palette, something like the brilliant color options for the Chevy Malibu, or if it’s more likely to be deeper and reserved. This is appropriate for the Chevy Silverado HD’s general personality.
For some reason, one of the exterior changes for the 2022 model is the exclusion of one paint color: Oxford Brown Metallic. This chocolatey brown hue was likely unpopular despite being a no-cost color that didn’t require extra fees, so Chevy decided not to bring it back for future year models. In our opinion, it’s not a particularly attractive option, so we can see why Chevy had trouble selling this paint hue.
More of the Same?
The lighter-duty Silverado 1500 may receive the bulk of the changes for the 2022 model year. However, even the slight improvements to the HD model are definitely worth mentioning. Overall, Chevy seems to be focused on enhancing and modernizing the Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD. Nobody can accuse some of the most powerful pickups on the road of being outdated, but Chevy still wants to ensure their heavy-duty trucks are just as competitive.
Adding features like Multi-Flex Tailgate and Power Up/Power Down to the HD trucks makes the upgrade to powerful, heavy-duty work trucks feel like a decision that lacks sacrifice. Rather, Chevy wants you to know that you can still access the convenient features of the 1500 model, even if you pay to upgrade for a work-oriented HD model. Keep in mind, though; we still don’t know it all. Chevy may surprise us between this publication date and the date of its release. There may still be more to love up ahead, even if the Silverado HD is already tough enough to shrug off criticism.
