Written by Marco Carvajal
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2
Test driving the new and robust Silverado ZR2 is exciting, this is the first time that this trim level is available.
The new 2022 Silverado makes you feel powerful like a superhero as you take the wheel. From off-road adventures in the first-ever Silverado ZR2 to just navigating the city, this pickup truck has the strength that no other Chevy Silverado ever had.
The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is a truck for roads where other trucks can’t go due to its power and off-road capabilities.
Silverado Evolution
The Chevrolet Silverado and its mechanically identical twin, the GMC Sierra, are a series of full-size pickup trucks manufactured by General Motors that were introduced back in 1998 as the successors to the K-line.
The Silverado is built at several assembly plants. In Flint, Michigan, Roanoke, Indiana, and in Silao, Mexico.
The Silverado name was taken from a model used prior to its predecessor.
The previous 2019 Silverado was good as usual but not as impressive as the new 2022 Silverado.
Chevrolet worked hard to produce the new 2022 Silverado model. It gets a new interior, among many changes including the Super Cruise system that will appeal to car buyers looking for a modern, high-tech truck experience.
The new redesigned 2022 Silverado is very powerful and is better than any previous Silverado
- $34,600 Starting MSRP
- 13,300 LBS maximum available trailering
- 2,270 LBS. maximum available payload
- 460 LB.-FT.maximum available torque
Silverado ZR2 Trim, The Best Silverado you can purchase
The new 2022 Silverado ZR2 model brings a series of improvements to give it greater off-road capability and more power in general.
The Chevrolet Silverado is undoubtedly something very important for the automaker since it sells hundreds of thousands every year, and it is one of its workhorses against the competition. The ZR2 model transforms this pickup into a serious contender for the best off-roaders including Ford Trucks.
The first Silverado ZR2, Chevy’s flagship off-road truck, made its official racing debut in the “Best In The Desert King Shocks Laughlin Desert Classic.”
Off-road racing champion Chad Hall has been competing in the production full-size stock class with a prototype Silverado ZR2 since 2019. Working with Chevrolet engineers, the team uses racing to test and confirm the truck’s off-road performance in the most extreme and demanding conditions in the world.
“Chevrolet has been competing on some of the most grueling, toughest off-road courses with a prototype Silverado ZR2 in the Best in the Desert race series,” said Dom Lester, General Motors chief engineer
The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 leads the factory-lifted off-road lineup offering race-proven off-road performance combined with a premium new interior, immersion technology, and a full package of standard safety equipment features.
Pricing for the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2
The ticket price to have this strong Silverado is not low, starting at an MSRP of $70,195 for the ZR2 Silverado Model.
Other Silverado models start at lower pricing at $43,395 MSRP and up.
Power Train and Performance
The ZR2 features a large and powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, working together with a 10-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Precision shift and front bucket seats
The ZR2 is terrific in the worst off-road conditions, and technology like the one-pedal off-road function allows drivers to focus on the gas pedal when stopping and holding the truck on inclines. A good function for those who have never ventured into these paths and want to feel safe.
The ZR2 features Silverado’s first application of Multimatic DSSV dampers, off-road cut front bumper that enables an improved 31-degree approach angle, and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud Terrain tires among many other features bring more power to the ZR2.
In general, in normal driving, it feels safe and powerful. Off-road, it exhibits excellent composure when traversing rocky trails as it sits on its true gravy.
Special suspension shocks and uniquely tuned springs provide greater wheel articulation and control for rock crawling. Suspension optimizations enhanced off-road technology and exterior advancements were developed to increase performance and off-road capability – whether driving through the desert or rocky terrain – while balancing everyday driving comfort with cargo capabilities. Comparable payload and towing to other off-road versions of the Silverado.
The ZR2’s maximum payload is 1,440 pounds and the conventional trailer weight rating is 8,900 pounds.
The ZR2 also comes with locking front and rear differentials, model-specific skid plates, 33-inch off-road tires, and a redesigned steel front bumper for increased clearance.
Fuel Economy
Get ready to spend a good budget on gas with 14 MPG fuel economy when driving in the city, but remember you are driving a low of power, almost a war tank.
- Fuel Tank Capacity, approximately 24.0 gallons.
- Cruising Range – City 336 mile
- Cruising Range – Highway 408 mile
- EPA Fuel Economy Estimated City 14.0 MPG
- EPA Fuel Economy Estimated Highway 17.0 MPG
- Fuel Economy Estimated Combined 15.0 MPG
New Interior
The interior of the 2022 Silverado is very appealing compared to the previous model. All of the previous version’s round, dropped panels and aluminum accents are gone. In its place is a slimmed-down horizontal motif that accentuates its overall width.
The new Silverado uses modern design and architecture, although there is still hard plastic visible in several places, even on the luxury level model High Country, but there are also striking thin lines and open-pore wood available.
Information Screen
In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital information display, which is configurable and provides stylish animations when you select new driving modes.
Along with the new 13.4-inch touchscreen is Silverado’s adaptation of Google’s technology for voice commands.
By simply pressing the push-to-talk button on the steering wheel or saying the phrase “Hey Google”, the driver can send text messages, change audio sources or modify the climate control. It also responds accurately to directions and other navigation commands.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto users still enjoy wireless smartphone connectivity and Amazon Alexa is supported. There are enough USB ports to keep all your devices charged and happy.
At the center of the dash is a 13.4-inch touchscreen, made to look even bigger because it’s housed in a gloss-black housing unit that stretches from the driver’s-side door to the passenger’s left armrest.
This gives the illusion of a huge screen running all over the cabin but also frames the image nicely for optimal viewing.
New Gear Lever
The previous Silverado held on to its traditional column-mounted shifter for as long as it could. Now, this column lever disappeared and was replaced by a center-mounted gear selector, very easy to handle.
These types of selectors sometimes reduce the available storage space in the center console, but Chevrolet has done a good job of keeping cubbyholes, storage pads, and cup holders roomy.
The Super Cruise System
Another big news for the 2022 Silverado is the availability of Super Cruise, Chevrolet’s hands-free driver assistance system. It works with great accuracy and ease of operation. It might be the best autonomous system on the market today.
Silverado buyers will now have the option to add Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free drive assist feature, to their 2022 Silverado 1500. It comes with some cool additions to the interior cabin.
The Super Cruise has been calibrated specifically for the Silverado and can be used when towing, which should alleviate some of the monotony of a long-distance trip with a trailer. Sure, it can only be activated on certain roads.
Along the top of the steering wheel is a strip of LED lights that emit alerts in multiple colors to indicate Super Cruise status as you use it.
Just below that on the steering wheel housing is a small trapezoidal screen that looks like it can shoot lasers. But it’s nothing that sinister, it’s just looking into your eyes at all times.
This is the driver’s attention monitor to make sure your eyes are on the road ahead. If it suspects you’re not paying enough attention, it will issue warnings and eventually turn off Super Cruise.
Safety Systems
Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags.
Also standard includes services such as automatic fault notification, roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and stolen vehicle assistance, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a driver aids package.
Standard on all Silverados is the “Chevy Safety Assist” system. This suite of advanced driver aids includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, the following distance indicator, and automatic high beams.
Other available safety features include a comprehensive surround-view camera system and Chevy’s Advanced Towing System. The latter makes hooking up a trailer easy and allows drivers to monitor trailer tire pressure, brake lights, and more.
Competition
Chevrolet has given the Silverado 1500 a major update with the 2022 year model and it continues to update its popular full-size pickup with the goal to win over the hard competition and have a larger market share.
In a segment where the competition is fierce, and considering all the competition around it, with the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and GMC Sierra, the Silverado is a very good model with pros and cons compared to its competitors. Competition from heavyweight trucks is so high that manufacturers keep updating their models.
The Ford F-150 is the segment leader for decades and with this new 2022 Silverado 1500 ZR2, Chevy is getting closer to the F-150, and the 2023 Silverado will be even better.
Along with its functional features, the new Silverado ZR2 is distinguished by several aesthetic cues, including a new black hood insert, a unique grille with integrated lighting, fender flares, ZR2 badging, unique 18-inch wheels, and a unique interior. Jet Black / Graystone leather trim with complementary dark accents.
