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2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Review: Halo Truck Lite

The Silverado ZR2 isn’t not quite as extreme as a Ram TRX or Ford Raptor, but it’s still plenty capable.

2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Review

Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Jun 17, 2022 at 12:00pm ET

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Verdict

9.0 / 10

The Chevrolet Silverado needed an update – desperately – to keep up with fresher options from Ford, Ram, Toyota, and the like. Thankfully, the Silverado's 2022 makeover addressed its biggest issues, affording the truck necessary boosts in the styling, safety, and technology departments, while also adding an option that enthusiasts have been clamoring for: a ZR2.

The Silverado ZR2 isn't as tough as a Ford F-150 Raptor or Ram TRX – a more extreme ZR2 Bison will arrive soon – but this off-road–capable pickup still packs enough hardware to take on America's trickiest trails. Multimatic shocks, skid plates, and chunky tires come standard, and with GM's ubiquitous 6.2-liter V8 engine underhood, the Silverado ZR2 is a recipe for rugged success.

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Quick Stats 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Engine: 6.2-Liter V8 Output: 420 Horsepower / 460 Pound-Feet Efficiency: 14 City / 17 Highway / 15 Combined Trim Base Price: $70,195 As-Tested Price: $76,170

Gallery: 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Review

2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Review

Design

8/10

Exterior Color: Glacier Blue
Interior Color: Black
Wheel Size: 18 Inches

The Silverado still has a lot of face, even post-2022 styling update. The gaping black maw takes up most of the real estate on the front end, with slim headlights on the upper corners of the bumper and prong-shaped running lights below that. But the makeover does alleviate some previous styling gripes, like the unusual “blade” elements beneath the light fixtures.

The ZR2 toughens up Silverado's look with exclusive black mesh in the grille and a signature “Flowtie” emblem dead center. Red tow hooks at the base of the bumper – while not exclusive to ZR2 – look neat, and the silver skid plate helps protect the underbody in style. Useful for an off-roader, the front bumper corners can be removed and replaced easily in case of trail damage. This truck also wears a bright Glacier Blue paint, a $395 extra that's well worth the cost.

Upgrades to the interior are more obvious, with standard leather buckets on the ZR2 – wearing an exclusive Graystone color – and leather also atop the steering wheel, center console, and door panels. In general, the abundance of leather marks a huge upgrade over the previous model. And sitting front and center are two huge screens stretching across the dash. Both the 12.3-inch digital cluster and the 13.4-inch touchscreen are new, and they’re beautiful.

Comfort

8/10

Seating Capacity: 5
Seating Configuration: 2 / 3
Bed Length: 5.8 Feet

For an off-road truck with huge knobby tires – 33-inch Goodyear Wranglers – the ride is uniquely comfy. Shoutout to the standard Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) shock absorbers, which keep the ZR2 composed on the trail and also help maintain on-road comfort. The ZR2 hardly shrugs at potholes and cruises over speed bumps thanks to those ultra-absorbent shocks.

The unique leather buckets on the ZR2 cradle your butt and back in luxurious comfort, even though they are a bit thin, with heating and ventilation functions available for both the driver and the passenger. And there is a heated steering option, but this truck does without it. The thick off-road tires aren’t exactly the quietest, but the solid sound deadening makes for a nice experience inside.

But since this Silverado is an off-road truck, only the 5.8-foot short bed is available on the ZR2 (because angles). However, that’s also the case with the Ford F-150 Tremor, the Ram Rebel, and the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro – and the Silverado’s bed is still bigger than all three. And the optional MultiFlex tailgate ($445) makes accessing the bed that much simpler.

Interior Dimensions Headroom, Front/Rear Legroom, Front/Rear Bed Length, Front/Rear Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 43.0 / 40.1 Inches 44.5 / 43.4 Inches 5.8 Feet Ford F-150 Tremor 40.8 / 40.4 Inches 43.9 / 43.6 Inches 5.5 Feet Ram 1500 Rebel 40.9 / 39.8 Inches 40.9 / 45.2 Inches 5.7 Feet Toyota Tundra TRD Pro 41.0 / 38.5 Inches 41.2 / 41.6 Inches 5.5 Feet

Technology & Connectivity

9/10

Center Display: 13.4-inch Touchscreen
Instrument Cluster Display: 12.3 Inches
Wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: Yes

The 2022 Silverado's infotainment system is brand new from the wires up – and hugely improved. LT models and above now feature a 13.4-inch touchscreen loaded with features and a highly configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster alongside it.

The center touchscreen is great to use, offering up a cleaner layout, crisper graphics, and quicker response times than the old Silverado. Significant upgrades like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto join the mix, as does a baked-in Google suite with voice assistant functionality and Google Maps.

Adding the $1,970 Technology package (as equipped here) tacks on a rear camera mirror that projects a crystal clear image of your rear surroundings and a 15.0-inch head-up display that displays multiple options at a glimpse. The Technology package also adds a few additional safety features, but more on that later.

Performance & Handling

6/10

Engine: 6.2-Liter V8
Output: 420 Horsepower / 450 Pound-Feet
Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic

The Silverado ZR2 has a buttery smooth 6.2-liter V8 that pushes out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque – more power than any of its direct competitors. That grunt travels to all four wheels all the time, with a two-speed transfer case for extra off-road fun, and a slick 10-speed automatic transmission manages it all.

The ZR2 is surprisingly compliant on the road; the ride is refined and the V8 delivers gobs of torque. No, this engine won't hit you over the head as the Raptor or TRX might, but the ZR2's V8 makes it punchy enough in a straight line. And with the optional Borla cat-back exhaust, it sounds nice and throaty, too.

The steering has a small dead-on-center feeling, meaning you can wiggle the wheel a few ticks in either direction before the tires respond, and the ride is wafty. While the advanced suspension soaks up rocks and bumps with ease, it makes the Silverado feel floaty in a tight turn. The Rebel, Tundra, and F-150 all feel more eager on turn-in comparatively.

Off the road, though, is where this truck excels. The ZR2 finds a nice niche between moderate off-roaders like the F-150 Tremor and Ram Rebel and hardcore performance pickups like the Raptor and TRX. Admittedly, my time “off-roading” in the ZR2 was limited to a few dirt roads (if you want an in-depth off-road review, check out our first drive), but the hardware speaks for itself.

Multimatic’s DSSV shock absorbers come standard, as do 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler mud tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels. That – and the specific front-end styling – results in 11.2 inches of ground clearance and an approach angle of 31.8 inches, both better than any of the alternatives.

Off-Road Measurements Ground Clearance Approach Angle Departure Angle Breakover Angle Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 11.2 Inches 31.8 Degrees 23.3 Degrees 23.5 Degrees Ford F-150 Tremor 10.9 Inches 27.6 Degrees 24.3 Degrees 21.2 Degrees Ram 1500 Rebel 9.2 Inches 23.1 Degrees 27.1 Degrees 22.1 Degrees Toyota Tundra TRD Pro 10.9 Inches 26.2 Degrees 24.2 Degrees N/A

Safety

9/10

Driver Assistance Level: SAE Level 2
NHTSA Rating: Not Rated
IIHS Top Safety Pick: No

Super Cruise is new in the Silverado for 2022, which gives Chevy an extra point. But at the moment, it’s only available on the High Country model and you won’t find it on the ZR2. That said, the ZR2 and the rest of the Silverado range now feature Chevy Safety Assist as standard.

The updated suite includes features like adaptive cruise control – part of that aforementioned Technology package – lane-keep assist with lane-centering tech and automatic emergency braking. On the highway, activating the adaptive cruise control features keeps the truck centered in the lane while the distance assist provides throttle and braking inputs depending on the flow of traffic.

Fuel Economy

3/10

City: 14 MPG
Highway: 17 MPG
Combined: 15 MPG

What do you think?

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Comments

No surprise, the Silverado ZR2 with its 6.2-liter V8 engine is thirsty. It drinks premium fuel and is dead last compared to all the other trucks you might cross-shop it against. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder would be a boon to fuel economy, but it's not available with the ZR2 trim.

Fuel Economy City Highway Combined Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 14 MPG 17 MPG 15 MPG Ford F-150 Tremor 16 MPG 20 MPG 18 MPG Ram 1500 Rebel 5.7 eTorque 18 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG Toyota Tundra TRD Pro 18 MPG 20 MPG 19 MPG

Pricing

1/10

Base Price: $39,500 + $1,695 Destination
Trim Base Price: $70,195
As-Tested Price: $76,170

The Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 competes with the F-150 Tremor and Ram 1500 Rebel, but it's priced nearer to the Raptor and TRX. With options like the $1,970 Technology package, the $995 sunroof, the $445 MultiFlex tailgate, the $395 Glacier Blue paint, and a handful of dealer-installed accessories, this loaded tester surpasses the base Raptor with a $76,170 final price. At this point, the ZR2 is only a few thousand dollars away from TRX territory; Ram’s super-truck starts at $80,585.

Trim Base Price: Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 $70,195 Ford F-150 Tremor $51,200 Ram 1500 Rebel $53,180 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro $68,455

Silverado ZR2 Competitor Reviews:

FAQs

What Is The ZR2 Package For Silverado?

The Silverado ZR2 is the toughest version you can buy of Chevrolet’s full-size pickup (for now). It features Multimatic off-road shocks, tougher tires, and a more aggressive exterior designed for off-road driving.

What Is The Difference Between The ZR2 And Trailboss?

While the Silverado Trailboss is also off-road capable, the Silverado ZR2 takes that capability to the next level. Bigger and better off-road shocks, larger tires, and a more powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine give the ZR2 a leg up over the Trailboss.

How Much Does The Silverado ZR2 Cost?

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is the priciest version of the Silverado you can buy, asking $70,195 out of the box with the $1,695 destination fee included.

2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2

Engine 6.2-liter V8

Output 420 Horsepower / 460 Pound-Feet

Transmission 10-Speed Automatic

Drive Type Four-Wheel Drive

Speed 0-60 MPH 5.7 Seconds (est)

Efficiency 14 City / 17 Highway / 15 Combined

Weight 5,620 Pounds

Seating Capacity 5

Towing 8,900 Pounds

Payload 1,440 Pounds

Base Price $39,500 + $1,695 Destination

Trim Base Price $70,195

As-Tested Price $76,170

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