- the 2022 chevy silverado receives notable interior and technology upgrades to better compete with half-ton ford and ram rivals.
- most silverado models now have a snazzier cabin thanks to better materials as well as a fully digital gauge cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen.
- super cruise, gm's hands-free-driving tech, can also be had on the top trim.
while pickup trucks were once body-on-frame tools of the trade defined by their max tow ratings and engine output, today's full-size pickups are often judged by their luxury-grade interiors and tech features. the current chevy silverado 1500 isn't nearly as classy or tech-savvy as the ford f-150 and half-ton ram, but that is starting to change for the 2022 model year.
aside from the new off-road-oriented silverado zr2 model, which we've covered separately, the most notable changes to the 2022 silverado are found inside. the dashboard design is modernized and many of the materials now look more upscale. before tradespeople start dreaming about a fancy-pants work truck or custom model, chevy limits the new interior and upgraded features to the lt trim and up. the top-of-the-line high country benefits from new materials such as open-pore wood. this should help it better align with equally expensive f-150 platinum and ram 1500 limited models, but we'll have to experience it firsthand to know for sure.
drivers of the updated silverado trims now face a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. at the center of the dash is a landscape-oriented 13.4-inch touchscreen. peep inside an f-150 or ram 1500 and the biggest infotainment screen you'll see measures a mere 12.0 inches. along with wireless apple carplay and android auto, chevy's new infotainment system includes google's voice assistance, maps, and app store.
easily the most noteworthy addition to the 2022 silverado's roster of high-tech assists is gm's hands-free-driving feature, super cruise. it's currently only available on the high country, but we expect it to eventually trickle down to lower trims. for now, the system will control the truck—under certain conditions, of course—for prolonged periods without the driver needing to use their hands. super cruise is functional when pulling a trailer, too. it can also automatically make the truck change lanes, just not when trailering.
although bottom-rung silverados miss out on the above upgrades, they do get an array of driver-assistance technologies that are now standard across the board. the safety suite includes everything from automated emergency braking to automatic high-beam headlights to lane-keeping assist. every 2022 silverado also has fresh front-end styling and select models with wing-shaped running lights now have an animated lighting sequence.
chevy says it enhanced the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder to be more refined and retuned the eight-speed automatic transmission that this engine pairs with. previously, the four-cylinder engine developed 383 pound-feet of torque, but that figure rises by 20 percent to 420 pound-feet. silverado models equipped with the duramax diesel 3.0-liter inline-six benefit from chassis updates and compatibility with the max trailering package, which now enables it to tow up to 13,300 pounds (up from a previous max of 9500 pounds).
chevy hasn't said how much the 2022 silverado will cost, but we expect to find out before they start to hit dealership lots in the spring of 2022.