A Look at the Chevrolet Silverado HD

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LTZ

By Issac Bouchard

The Silverado HD is an excellent overall truck; only a few shortcomings hold this Chevrolet back from being best in class, and those look to be addressed next year. As it now stands, it has an amazing 445hp Duramax turbodiesel engine with 910lb-ft of torque, stout 10-speed Allison transmission, stiff and strong frame, good steering and brakes and decent handling. It also has a superb 6.6-liter, gasoline V8 with all the poke most will ever need, but it’s been hooked to a 6-speed automatic, limiting its desirability. No longer; for the coming year a 10-speed goes with that 401hp/464lb-ft engine as well.

Tow ratings range from 17,400 pounds all the way to 36,000 in the 3500HD dualie. The gas-engined Silverado actually gets about the same fuel economy while towing a 6,000-pound trailer as the diesel: 8-10mpg. The diesel pulls much harder thanks to its turbocharged torque and extra gear ratios, but the gasser works really well and saves a lot of upfront cost (though its percentage of retained value will be lower based on history). The new tranny should make it an even better bet. Unladen, the diesel can net 18-19mpg rolling at legal(ish) speeds.

Next year, all 2500 half tons and 3500 one tons get a new interior, the Chevy’s biggest shortcoming. The hard, shiny plastics that coated most surfaces are mostly banished, and the amateur design of the center console controls will be a thing of the past, too. The center touchscreen on most models goes from 8 inches to 13.4; the gauges go digital as well, in a 12.3-inch format. This new cockpit already graces the 1500 models, and it is a game changer; no longer does one feel like the General is laughing at what he was able to fob off on a gullible customer. It’s thoughtfully designed and feels worthy of the price. There are changes to the exterior of the Chevrolet HDs as well, though they are less noticeable.

Driver aids get much more competitive as well, with adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking now taking a trailer’s mass into account and blind spot monitors that adapt to it as well. The coolest feature might be the long-rumored “transparent trailer” option, where a suite of cameras (including one on the trailer’s backside) create an uninterrupted view of what’s behind—very useful when backing up into tight spots.

Other updates Chevrolet will bring include the aforementioned transmission upgrade for the 2500’s gas engine, and that the diesel gets bumps in power and torque to 470hp and 975lb-ft. There is even going to be a hardcore ZR2 off road machine. All told, these changes will make the 2024 model (available in the first half of next year) a real contender, even with a new Ford Super Duty coming. For those who can’t wait—and can get their hands on one—the 2022 Silverado 2500 is an effective truck, albeit one whose interior and tech are not the best available.

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LTZ

EPA Ratings: N/A
0-60mph: 5.5-6.5sec (est)
Price as tested: $74,565
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Here is what Chevrolet has to say.

Automotive Editor Isaac Bouchard owns Denver-based Bespoke Autos ([email protected]; 303-475-1462). Read more of his automotive writing, reviews and recommendations on coloradoavidgolfer.com and bespokeautos.com.

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