As GM Authority covered last week, recent spy photos of the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 show off the pickup’s revised front fascia styling, which includes new headlamp designs, with unique treatments dividing upper trims from the lower trims. Now, we’re taking another look, this time with an eye for the restyled front air curtain feature.
The current Silverado air curtain design.
The Chevy Silverado’s current air curtain design was introduced for the 2019 model year, routing air around the front wheels and wheel wells, and thus increasing aerodynamic efficiency and reducing drag, all of which nets greater fuel efficiency. While the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado will continue to feature front air curtains, the way in which they are implemented will differ from the current model.
Although it’s a little tricky to see under the camo, it looks as though the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado will utilize air curtains with a larger “air intake” style design that’s sculpted into the outer edges of the front fascia. This design looks as though it will incorporate a cleaner, less-busy aesthetic for the updated front fascia, complementing the truck’s new headlamp design and doing away with the oft-criticized “side burns” seen on the current Silverado design.
As GM Authority covered previously, the 2022 Chevy Silverado will also introduce fresh headlamp designs, with higher trims (Silverado 1500 LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country) offering simple two-tiered lighting with LEDs (high-capacity LEDs for High Country trims, and lower trims (WT, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss) offering two-tiered lighting with notched upper elements and halogen lighting elements.
Inside the cabin, the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado will arrive with an overhauled cabin layout studded with a new, larger infotainment screen, as well as high-end materials. Certain models will delete the column-mounted shifter.
The new Silverado will also offer GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assist as an available option on High Country trim levels. Final touches will include a more robust rear suspension, the debut of the new Silverado ZR2 off-roader variant, and deletion of the base-level 4.3L V6 LV3 engine.
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Comments
Pickups have become extremely ugly. I realize some of this is driven by aerodynamics tied to fuel efficiency but of The Big Three GM’s trucks now are hideous. Oh those sideburns! What were they thinking? Ram is eating GM’s lunch on half tons with the F-150 close behind. Styling is a key reason. GM needs to simplify designs and head back to the 90s. The GMT 800s were and still are some of the best looking trucks ever put on the road. Heck, put a widescreen TV in the dashboard. It’s not going to help sales if the truck is an ugly duckling. And also stop driving design toward the high-end buyer who never uses the truck like a truck. There are millions of contractors out there who would buy GM over Ford and Ram and Toyota if GM would just pay attention to their needs instead of some ancient Boomer who wants to drive around in a fully loaded four wheel drive truck to show off his investment portfolio.
You state a lot of opinion there as though it’s fact. Do you suppose Ram’s second-place title has anything to do with them combining sales figures for the new model and the ‘classic’? I’m curious what the new model only figures are, probably not pretty. Just more Chrysler trickery. And I’m not sure who you’re talking with that thinks the Silverado is ugly. Everyone I talk with thinks it’s now the most stylish of the bunch… me included. The ’90s DODGE Ram had waaay more style than Ram’s current design which looks inspired by a half-used bar of soap
Mowmaster, last I saw GM is #1 in truck sales beating out Ford last year. Idk where you are getting that “ram is eating their lunch.” There is a lot that goes into truck sales and GM was held back in 2019 with a union negotiation that went way long, reducing inventory and a lack of incentives. I know media and Ford fanboys like to criticize the GM interior, but in the trims I’m interested in, (LT vs Ford XLT and ram bighorn) the GM interior is much nicer. The complaint with the interiors I never thought was valid as HM doesn’t really have an interior to match ram and fords “limited” trim which hit 70000$ without adding premium engines or off-road packages. The closest thing GM had to it was the Denali carbon-pro package with the much superior 6.2 engine, multipro tailgate, and indestructible bed. One had a superior interior, one had a superior everything else
“Ram is eating GM’s lunch”, really? You do realize that the Silverado outsold Ram by almost 30,000 units in 2020, even after losing a month of production due to the strike. GMC’s have never sold as well as Ford, Ram or Chevrolet, but Sierra’s sales were up over 10 percent in 2020, even after being hit by the same strike as Chevrolet, while Ram sales were down 10 percent. How is this “eating GM’s lunch”? GM dealers are selling every truck they can get. GM’s truck inventory is very low, running around 45 days, while Ram is sitting on close to an 80 day supply, and Ford has about a 70 day supply.
I’m not in love with the styling of the Chevrolet, but it has grown on me and I think it looks pretty good in the RST and High Country trims, with the body color bumpers and grill. I do like the look of the Sierra more, and currently have a new Denali on order. With Sierra sales up over 10 percent, apparently I’m not the only person who likes the looks of the GMC trucks.
I know plenty of contractors. Builders, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, etc. don’t buy trucks for the way they look, they buy based on price, utility and/or brand loyalty.
I’m one of those “ancient boomers” who drives around in a fully loaded four wheel drive truck. I own my own business and need a truck, but I don’t necessarily need or want a “work truck”. I spend a lot of time in my truck, so I’ve always bought high end, loaded trucks, I want to be comfortable, and I want to project a successful image to my customers.
I think GM’s done a pretty good job of targeting the truck market. They have GMC that concentrate’s on the higher end truck market, selling more AT4’s and Denali’s, while Chevrolet tends to sell more low and mid range Custom, LT and RST trim level trucks.
I’m like you, I am a contractor and am in my truck most of the day and have always drove the upper trim level. I have been waiting since 2018 to buy a new truck when the quit making the 1500 in a regular cab LT and now only make it in an ugly work truck. I hope the new refresh offers an LT in the regular cab long bed!
I don’t care for the snub GMC design but the Chevrolet is a different story. Especially, the RST and Trail Boss. However, GM should offer the LTZ package on the RST and Trail Boss trucks or least make cooled seats available. Roof marker lights and the new diesel would be right up my alley on the Trail Boss, as well.
“project a successful image to my customers” If someone pulls up to sell me on something and they are driving the high end box checker edition truck, that conveys the complete opposite of a successful image. All that tells me is you are going to try and over charge for a product that is probably average at best you and you are concerned with your image and that cost is going to be passed on to me so you can drive the late model high end truck with massaging seats. You don’t need to show up in a 30 year old rusted hoopty, but buy the right tool for the job. Show up in a nice LT Silverado with your logo and some tools in the back, I am not going to finance the life some people try to live that they have no business living with write-offs up the wazoo while business is good and nothing saved to cover their down turn. I see guys running around in lifted platinum F250’s all the time around here for construction or roofing companies, you aren’t the type of person who is going to be getting my business as I am not going to fund your lifestyle and probably 150k wakeboarding boat at home…
I hope with this new update GM increases the choices in colors. Ford and Ram offer two tone exteriors on all their trucks. GM none. You have three color choices for Ford interiors. GM, only black on some trims and just two on the others. Black or grey. You have to go to the top trim to get a choice of tan with black.
Henry Ford famously said many years ago, “You can have my cars in any color you want. As long as it’s black.” GM offered their customers the choice of color and passed Ford in sales, never to look back.
I have been to numerous GM dealers and 99% of their truck inventory is black interiors (before Covid when they actually had trucks on the lot). When asked they all said the same thing. That’s what we sell. To which I would say, “Of coarse, that’s all you have.” Does no one at GM own a dog? Do you know what black seats look like when you own a golden retriever, or any other non-black haired dog?
All I am asking for is more of a choice. GM sells nearly a million trucks and everything I am asking for is available on other vehicles, GM sells far fewer of.
I agree with Reno. I ordered my GMC Dually SLT last November and it is somewhere between Flint Michigan and Vancouver BC. After waiting for years to get my new truck, GM cancelled the Burgundy in 2021 just when I was about to put my order in. I paid $498.00 to get the Pacific Blue Metallic. I asked the dealers too why they just bring in White and Black and got the same answer that it is what sells. I guess it is better than paying $1000.00 for the color in the Land Rover like my buddy did. They even did away with the Cloth seats “bucket seats” in the SLE. That’s why I went to SLT. GM make the most “stylish” HD pick up trucks on the road in my opinion. Ford keeps making their front ends Round and then Square and Dodge is just “PLAIN” unless you get one of the special packages. I agree that the F-150 gives the 1500 a good run for its money in looks but in HD, GMC and Chevy ALL the way. It does NOT take Rocket Science, just look at the USED TRUCK LOTS. If you find a GM product you are lucky as they are mostly FORD and DODGE! (in Canada)
PS. Anybody know how long it takes for the vehicles to go from Flint to Vancouver BC. It has been on the train for two weeks now. Camping season is approaching! Anyway, Be Safe and Healthy Everyone no matter what you Drive.
Glad you got a nice color. All the black, white, gray vehicles are so boring. My 2012 Silverado is a kind of gold/brown, I think they called it “Mocha”. Looks great with chrome wheels, grill, running boards.
If I could ask GM for anything it would be to do away with the old-style wiper control stalk. There are far better wiper controls on other vehicles now and by that I mean Honda. IMO they make the most ergonomic-friendly controls out there.
I’m driving a 2012 Silverado LT right now which runs like a dream (119000 mi). Lots of chrome, which takes a lot of work to keep looking nice but man it’s worth it when it’s all shined up. My finances won’t let me buy a new truck yet but I’m looking at 2024. I’ll be retiring that year and it’s probably the last truck I’ll ever buy. I like what I’m seeing so far in the 2022 model year. GM has always had nice looking trucks. I recently sold a 94 Z71 which only had 102,000 miles on it. I couldn’t take that truck out without people asking me if I wanted to sell it. It had such a classic look.
“ManInAmerica” I have the same truck, 82K and no issues. Retired four years ago and have a 2019 1SS Camaro, a big toy for weekend use. You’ll love retirement.
Perhaps another picture when it is visible?
Here are some easy and simple steps for the GM light duty truck designers and engineers to follow if you want a more successful line up of light duty trucks that the public will enjoy seeing and purchasing.
For the GM designers…if you are going to charge “Cadillac Prices” for your top of the line trucks then please put a Cadillac interior in them, starting with the Caddy Escalade Dashboard which is amazing and futuristic…same with the rest of the interior, plush bucket seats, door panels, center console ect…full bore Caddy interiors that’ll show all the others “this is the way that you build a “Luxury Truck” interior! For all other GM work trucks and standard duty trucks, stick with what you already got, but improve the materials, they still look and feel cheaper than the Dodge and Ford rivals.
For the GM Light Duty Truck engineers who want to build a “one up on all the others” Super Truck, here is your best bet….
Build an “SS” High Performance Truck…not an ultra expensive Off Road POS like the Dodge or Ford builds right now, Off Roading is expensive and it beats the daylights out of your vehicle, and besides most don’t take these big, expensive trucks Off Road for fear of scratching it or tearing up expensive drive train components, at least not here in SoCal.
Better to build a Super Truck for the Street…GM has the engines, the tranny’s, and the chassis’ to make this happen!
A Chevy and GMC Super Street Truck, with that amazing Supercharged Corvette Z06 engine and 10 speed auto tranny, put the whole drive train on a lowered down chassis, add some special suspension tricks, special 22 inch rims and tires, a true dual exhaust with large chrome tips and like the Corvette style option that “opens things up” when you want it “LOUDER”
a custom “Caddy Styled Interior” from dashboard to Sport Seats, and then….a customized front and back end, chrome grill, bumpers, front and rear, a stylized bed cover, custom tail lights and tailgate!
They basically did this (half hardily back in the 1990’s with the Chevy SS 454 in black at first) sort of Super Truck idea before with some great success (Ford had the Lightening Truck to fight GM with, and a cool ride it was!) and those SS 454 Trucks are going up in value today if in great condition…there is a lesson to be learned here, pay attention GM!!!!
You would sell more of the “Street High Performance Super Trucks” as they’d be more drivable and a great daily commuter plus with about 650 horsepower (755 should you go all out and use the Corvette ZR1 engine, yeah, baby, yeah!) and throw in a deep set gear set up, maybe 4.11’s with a limited slip differential (don’t worry, that 10 speed auto tranny will still get you decent gas mileage in OD) and a few vibrant and wild body colors off the Corvette and you will have a truck that neither Dodge or Ford will have…and to heck with the raised off road stance and 4 wheel drive, lighten that SS Truck up and put a raised “Power Bulge Fresh Air Intake Hood” and anything else that would add to the “Street Scene”, put the rest of the Light Duty Truck manufactures on notice that GM is serious about building a High Performance Street Truck.
Price this “Beast” reasonably (read: less expensive than the Dodge and Ford products) and then watch the public come to flocking to your local GM dealers! Why go to Hennessey or some other specialty group when GM has everything they need in stock to build a “World Beater” High Performance Super Truck! I’d buy one in a “Heartbeat”, as I’m tired of buying GM Trucks that are just “OK”…I want to purchase something that’ll “kick as and take names” and I want it to be on a GM order sheet! Come on GM…you can do it, get your collective minds out of your collective butts and build something that will put all others on notice! The Street Scene is where it’s at, at least in SoCal where I live…I love my Z71 Silverado and my Corvette too…but I’d buy another GM truck if you’d just build something “Kick Ass” for all of us older dudes to play with!
I’m retired and waiting to spend some cash on a “Factory Hot Rod Truck” I can actually climb into without needing a step stool and that is raised up so high looking like some crazy Off Road Humvee Army Vehicle…I want a Super Truck that I can park it in my garage and not get a damn bloody nose attempting to go flying over rocks and off road desert terrain, I’m too old for that sort of craziness, but I’m I’m not too (yet) old to cruise the street scene! Anyone at GM paying attention here…
Yeah man, that’s the ticket. And while they’re at it, give us that Heads-Up instrument readout like they put in the Corvette and higher-end production models. My one gripe about GM is that in order to “be different” they’re too resistant to change.
1995 called they are looking for you.
Exactly! Time to quit being “Mr. Conservative” and let the Dogs Out! GM has so much neat stuff “hidden away” and or directed towards the “Almighty Corvette” (can’t say too much here, I’ve always owned Corvette’s but, love my Chevy and GMC trucks too!) ….we know GM can build a world beating Sports Car, okay, you’ve proved that, but it’s time to build a World Beating Light Duty Truck like Dodge and Ford! Our car clubs here in SoCal love all kinds of vehicles, foreign and domestic, same with out Truck Scene…but we have to travel too far to go out the desert and play “dirty games”!
The few Super Trucks that we’ve seen are just crowd pleasers, not the raised up kind, but “lowered for the open road” kind!
Some go to Lingenfelter, some go to Hennessey and a few do the local scene, but believe me these Specialty Trucks that are “Road Ready” are where it’s at…Big Boy Toys are cool, if you live where there are places you can go out and bang your expensive up, but for those of us who need to cruise and do some “canyon carving” (SoCal has lots of canyons too) some times ‘ya just don’t want to be the fastest dude on the street, but the “Coolest Dude”, and these newer style of trucks can and do look way cool, when they are hunkered down and sounding oh so sweet! Anyway, I know it’s just a pipe dream, but still, GM can do, they can have one up on all the others…no need to raise ’em up, lowered is cool too! Someday, maybe.
You have a lot of good ideas Rick but you lost me when you said don’t build an off-road truck. You clearly have a passion for street trucks and I agree it would be awesome if the OEMs started building them again, that said the off-road market is too big to simply ignore. I like the idea of having a full out luxury truck as there’s clearly a market. I have said for years the Denali doesn’t reach far enough into that space. At the same time they need to keep improving the more affordable models as well. Curious to see what the “22 1500 refresh brings, hopefully they have the improvements many have been hoping for. I think they also need to stay focused on the HD market. GM is getting a little behind on power output, I’m just hoping they haven’t put all their eggs into the EV basket and continue to develop and improve upon their ICE engines. I’m sure there are many within GM that have our same passions and would love to see some of the same specialty trucks come to fruition. Unfortunately the financial gurus keep getting in the way.
I am also a general contractor and spend a lot of time in my truck. I am also disappointed in the new design of trucks. I would be interested in purchasing new in few years to replace my existing truck.
The new 2021 ford f-150 is out. Reason being, short bed to short, double cab does not have a true 3rd and 4th door. On xl and slt they do not offer up and down seat adjustment . Really?
The dodge ram 1500 is nice looking but i will not buy a truck with a dial shifter.. period thats out.
If chevy does fix the mess they created in the front end and back fascia that would be great. If they just offer a push button transmission, I’m out.
That would leave the new desigh 2023 colorado. C if they screw that up. Currently have a 2015 crew cab long box colorado and has been great truck. If they make it few inches wider and taller it would be perfect.
GOOD LUCK. is it really that hard??
This is first I heard of that the the side curtains was a complaint and the first to be called side burns? Those who complain should look at the sales figures that GM Authority publishes, GM truck sales have not lost any ground to it design or for its interiors even with the COVID-19 issues. The last numbers showed that F-150 sales dropped, therefore, the RAM stole sales from Ford.
Recently published on the Ford Authority and here the Chevy and Ford will still keep some lower trim models with a column shifter. Higher trim levels will have the knob. Column shifter have not been mechanically link to the transmission in a long time. It’s just a giant switch.
How predictable regarding the lone V6 choice for these trucks. First they saddle it with an old outdated 6 speed transmission when most everything else is using more modern 8 and 10 speed units. Then they make it look far worse than it is by pulling a Ford and giving it lower mileage ratings compared to the turbo 4 bangers which they keep pushing. Nothing like taking away more and more choices saving the car companies money and screwing the consumer.