Ever since its debut, the fourth-generation Chevy Silverado 1500 for the 2019 model year, the popular pickup has had two constant criticisms: the treatment of the front air curtains, which has become known as the “sideburns”, and its interior. GM is widely expected to address both in the upcoming 2022 Silverado refresh, which debut at 4 p.m. EST on September 9th.
As the launch of the event nears, testing has ramped up considerably. Here’s everything we know about the 2022 Silverado 1500.
Exterior
The first criticism has to do with the front “sideburns” treatment of the current Silverado, which is just a design preference that many actually like and one that GM says has helped sales. Nevertheless, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 will get a revised front fascia with new headlamps, including a different treatment of front air curtain. The rear end will also receive slight changes.
The Chevy Silverado’s current air curtain design routes air around the front wheels and wheel wells, 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.
The new design will incorporate a cleaner, less-busy aesthetic for the updated front fascia, with the new intakes being more square in their overall shape, rather than the tall slats seen on the current model. Back in May, GM Authority was first to share a drawing of the new front end design.
Also making their way to the refresh will a modified rear fascia and new wheel designs, based on our spy shots.
Interior
The second criticism has been much louder, aimed squarely at the interior of the current Silverado. And there is nothing technically wrong with it until one looks at the competition like the Ram 1500, which has raised the bar in terms of what customers now expect in an interior of a pickup truck. This is especially true on higher-end trim levels like LTZ and High Country.
2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado interior and center console (High Country model pictured)
So the biggest, most anticipated changes to GM’s top-selling vehicle in the U.S will be inside the cabin, where an all-new cockpit is expected to take center stage for 2022 Silverado refresh.
That includes a new dash, center stack, and center console, a larger infotainment screen, and an all-digital gauge cluster/driver information center. Improved materials throughout are also expected. The traditional column gear shifter will also be dropped (at least on some models) in favor of a new electronic gear select system for the first time ever.
Refreshed 2022 Silverado interior will closely resemble that of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, pictured
As GM Authority exclusively reported last year, the 2022 Silverado will receive a similar console and center stack as the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban though a few minor changes will be made.
Some models like Silverado work truck might stick with old interior.
Mechanical
Currently, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 offers six different powerplants. However, the 2022 model year refresh will drop two of those – the naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 LV3 and 5.3L V8 L82 gasoline engines. GM will also drop the 6-speed automatic transmission that was mated to those engines. The changes were announced in a GM fleet presentation earlier this year.
As a reminder, the naturally aspirated LV3 is rated at 285 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 305 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm, while the naturally aspirated L82 is rated at 355 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 383 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm.
Meanwhile, the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B, rated at 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque, will become the standard engine. Other options include the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84, which, like the L82, produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. However, the L84 features Dynamic Fuel Management, as opposed to the L82’s Active Fuel Management.
The rest of the Chevy Silverado 1500 powerplant lineup will remain intact, and include the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87, which is rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, which is rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
These engines are mated to 8- and 10-speed automatic transmissions.
Suspension upgrades for the refreshed 2022 Silverado will be in the form of a more robust four-leaf rear setup.
Supporting these exterior, interior and mechanical updates is the planned migration of the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 to the new GM Global B electrical architecture, which will enable over-the-air system updates while allowing GM to offer the latest technology features, such as its hands-free Super Cruise drive system.
Model Lineup
Besides these all these key upgrades, Chevy will introduce the new Silverado ZR2, which will be based on the Trail Boss LT as per exclusive GM Authority reporting. That includes an increased ride height, an upgraded suspension, knobby tires, and underbody skidplates for enhanced off-road performance. Chevy teased the new Silverado ZR2 model in June, “Celebrating those who love the mud.”
While the refreshed Chevy Silverado 1500 will make its debut on September 9th, the 2022 model year truck won’t arrive for a little while longer. As we reported previously, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Limited – a continuation of the 2021 model year Silverado with the same trim levels, options, and exterior and interior colors – will be the first 2022 model year version of the Silverado to launch.
Production of the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Limited is set to begin at the GM Silao plant in Mexico on September 20th, 2021, and the GM Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Indiana on September 27th, 2021. Orders for the 2022 Chevy Silverado Limited opened July 15th.
Sales Performance
The Silverado has consistently been the best-selling Chevrolet model in the United States as well as globally. In wearing that title, the truck is also the best-selling GM model in the world.
Sales for the Silverado 1500 fell by half a percent during the 2020 calendar year.
Chevrolet Silverado Sales Detail - Q4 2020 - USA
| Model | Q4 2020 / Q4 2019 | Q4 2020 | Q4 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | +9.9% | 179,444 | 163,341 | +3.2% | 594,094 | 575,600 |
| Silverado LD | +0.9% | 125,688 | 124,619 | -0.5% | 436,281 | 438,686 |
| Silverado HD | +39% | 51,020 | 36,704 | +14% | 150,394 | 131,953 |
| Silverado MD | +35.6% | 2,736 | 2,018 | +49.5% | 7,419 | 4,961 |
However, second quarter 2021 sales are up nearly three percent and over 31 percent compared to last year.
Chevrolet Silverado Sales Detail - Q2 2021 - USA
| Model | Q2 2021 / Q2 2020 | Q2 2021 | Q2 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | +34.5% | 164,731 | 122,432 | +9% | 291,322 | 267,166 |
| Silverado LD | +31.1% | 117,275 | 89,465 | +2.8% | 207,980 | 202,390 |
| Silverado HD | +42% | 44,431 | 31,279 | +26.4% | 78,430 | 62,052 |
| Silverado MD | +79.2% | 3,025 | 1,688 | +80.3% | 4,912 | 2,724 |
It’s also worth noting the possibility that the 2022 Silverado refresh will introduce several other surprise features and updates that we haven’t mentioned here. We’ll be here to report on those potential items tomorrow. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more Silverado news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Comments
GM needs to add two cylinders to the four cylinder to make a turbo charged straight six
They made one of those, it just happens to be diesel
Agree 100%. The 2.7 4 cylinder is a great engine in the wrong application as it sits.
Honest question, why?
Because they have never driven it.
To be competitive with the F-150’s best-selling engine, the standard-edition (non-Raptor version) 3.5L Ecoboost. It blows away GM’s most-popular truck engine, the 5.3L V8. If you test drive both of these in the same day, I don’t see how you’d ever pick the Chevrolet. I drove a Silverado crew cab for six years prior to test driving my first F-150 Ecoboost, and while I liked the Chevrolet better overall, I couldn’t get past how much more powerful the Ford was. I was used to the 5.3L struggling to push the truck’s weight at initial acceleration, whereas the F150 threw me back in the seat a little.
Ford 3.5L V6 Ecoboost: 400 HP at 6,000 RPM, 500 lb-ft torque at 3,100 RPM
GM 5.3L V8 Ecotec3: 355 HP at 5,600 RPM, 383 lb-ft torque at 4,100 RPM
The 5.3L doesn’t really compete with Ford’s base V8 either:
Ford 5.0L V8: 400 HP at 6000 RPM, 410 HP lb-ft torque at 4,250 RPM
I guess your definition of blown away is different than most…
That new 3.5 (which is the top dog engine and competes with the 6.2) is less than 5mph faster through the traps, that isn’t much, you are talking a couple truck lengths at the line. The 5.0 is the 5.3’s equal and the GM engine always tends to punch above its weight class. The 3.5 requires premium to get those performance numbers and is detuned when ran on regular 87. The 5.3 can also run E85 and get a nice power bump there. The 5.3 moves out well and is no where near a dog some like to call it when they have zero clue and think it is a reflection of their masculinity. The 5.3 will get real world better MPG, reliability is better and none of the engines make the trucks fast. A 2.0T Accord or V6 Camry will run door to door with any of those engines (including the 6.2) and walk it as speeds increase. So as long as it has plenty of power I am not going for the top dog engine. With Ford that is a 2,500 option while the 5.3 is standard on many trims, so we need to compare apples to apples. I bet many would choose the 5.3.
What was wrong with your 5.3 where it struggled to push its weight? It traps 94mph in the 1/4, there should be zero struggle there… Oh, you are trying to swing the readers to your point of view with overly exaggerations on words, I see! Well, the 3.5 eco-boost can’t last 100k with out turbo and cooling issues! See how that works? Anyone can say anything on the internet…
The 5.3 does not punch above it’s class
It is no longer e85 compatible.
The 6.2 also requires premium and makes less on 87
My 5.3 ran better on 89, stock
My 5.3 does not run out, but it’s not a dog. It’s ok (tuned now). It will not trap at 94.
My 5.3 on stock tires gets about 13mpg city, 16 average. Eh.
My 5.3 was a $1195 option in 2018.
Just pointing out some errors you bdont see through your rose colored glasses. If they get 10 speeds, a small hp bump and 3.42 gears outside max tow it will compete with the 2.7 just fine.
I will say my 5.3 gets great highway mpg. About 25. City is just terrible though.
Take a 5.3 truck with a 10 spd for a ride & then share an honest opinion.
I own it with a 6 speed and 3.42 (2018). I rented it with the 8 speed in a 2019 I had as a loaner for a week.
It needs more. Not a ton, but more.
That’s because the new F-150’s are made of aluminum cans.
Once installed in a 4wd crew cab it’s under powered. It offers slower acceleration and lower towing numbers than the 5.3 and as an owner of a 5.3, the power level after a tune is merely adequate.
I believe GM was expecting stellar fuel efficiency for this and when they found out it was pretty average, the didn’t talk about it much. So it’s slightly underpowered and average fuel economy. Why buy it?
The 2.7l 4 cylinder would be fine for a 2wd delivery truck, like a Napa delivery truck or similar though.
The 2.7t puts out better overall numbers that the old 4.3, so……
That’s a pretty low bar. so what’s your saying is the 2.7 should be the fleet vehicle / rental engine?
That’s fine. But it would be nice if they ALSO offered something that offered power & efficiency. 6.2 is not very fuel efficient and factoring in needing premium gas, it’s expensive to operate.
I look over at Ford and the 5.0, 2.7TT, Powerboost and 3.5TT offer very good performance and fuel economy. It’s a lineup that GM doesn’t really match anymore.
5.3 & 2.7 are meh performance
6.2 is meh fuel economy (especially considering premium fuel in operating cost).
While that is true.. the real appeal (to GM) is that the 4cyl is far CHEAPER than the old 4.3L v6.
Would much rather have the 6cyl as the base..
What gm needs to do is, make the 10 speed standard behind all engines. Then, keep the 2.7, replace the 5.3 and 6.2 with the 3.6 from the ct4-v blackwing, introduce a higher performance version of the 6.6 from the hd trucks into the 1500, and keep the 3.0 diesel, but give it 300 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque.
GM already has a 3.6 twin turbo LF4 engine with 470HP and 404HP 3.0 twin-turbo LGW engine.
They only use these good downsizing engines in Cadillac’s 1-2 models.(like CT4V CT5V) never on a Silverado or Tahoe/Suburban.
Stupid!!!
shame they are changing the interior, I love it!
You and nobody else. Go sit in a new F150 and be honest with yourself. Not even remotely comparable.
Sales will plummet with the elimination of the sideburns.
Of course that won’t happen Nancy but I fear reducing the side curtains’ prominence will mute the Silverado’s in-your-face character… it’s the only brand I think that really has any character. Let’s hope the refresh doesn’t render Silverado as plain and utterly uninspired as the generic Ram or hopelessly-traditional F-series.
Still no panoramic moonroof 🤦♂️. Even the Toyota now has one.
They would have to redesign entire cab for panoramic sunroof, ain’t gonna happen till next generation, that’s why I say skip this under developed, disappointing generation and buy a RAM.
To me the exterior of the T2 trucks looks fine.
5.3 and 6.2 engines need 25-30 more horses.
Interior looks Cheapo Repo. Miles behind the Ram especially in upper trim levels.
All moon roofs are potential water leaks waiting to pour water on you after Dirt Dobbers plug the drain hoses. Probably cost 8 cents to put anti plugging device on hose.
TO GM Authority – thanks for the quality update and information. Your work is well written and as early as any I track. Appreciate the updates.
There’s an image of a blue ’22 Silverado ZR2 that’s been kicking around for a few hours, I stumbled upon it while checking facebook. No interior pics, just a slight angled front shot. It was a professional looking image with a mountain setting so I think it was legit. Front end is clearly an evolution of the current truck but has enough changes to make it look fresh. I was happy to see this particular truck had a bowtie vs Chevrolet spelled out. The grille was large and the slots gave me Camaro ZL1 vibes. The drawing we have been seeing must have been a lower trim level. The front bumper is similar to the Colorado ZR2 but more refined and detailed. It also had a raised black power dome on the hood. As you would expect the ZR2 has an aggressive appearance, looking forward to seeing the full reveal!
Thanks for the tip. I found the images on Instagram searching #silverado. The front end looks great and interior is much improved. I don’t think it’s enough for me to exchange my Gen2 Raptor for it, but it’s tempting. I’m still hoping Chevy builds a ZRX Raptor fighter so I can leave Ford and come back to Chevy.
Thanks in return since the one I was looking at didn’t have an interior pic! That particular image isn’t the Tahoe interior everyone was expecting, huge improvement from what I can tell. I’m hoping for a future ZRX as well! Now there’s a video on youtube under 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Full Reveal, headed over to watch it!
Full leak is out. YouTube, Reddit, etc. It’s an official corporate Chevrolet video, nearly 15 minutes long. It cut out on the exterior trim/color portion, unfortunately. They did a great job on the video, and the trucks look great! Interior is amazing. ZR2 front end is pretty ugly, though.
I just did a search for “2022 Silverado Leak,” and this popped up.
All that plastic in the grill is awesome I am loving that.
Thanks for posting. Informative. Expect similar with GMC. Now, about those chips…
I seem to find the latest info/leaks in the comments on this site rather than the actual article itself, haha! That video is a little strange though as there are definitely the new trucks, which look legit, but then there’s a bunch of footage of the current-gen trucks as well, which seems strange.
Otherwise, the interiors look REALLY nice, but for me the jury is still out on whether I like the look of these new trucks. I have a feeling I’ll be looking forward to the new Sierras.
Lots of great stuff. I’d be interested in knowing why they continue with the low-hanging rear shock mounts, especially in the ZR2. Why don’t they move them closer to the wheels where they would have less effect on clearance, and may improve stability?
I really hope they keep the column shifter at least as an option. My biggest complaint with Ford is the console shifter, it feels like a car or crossover and you lose that space. I don’t even want to talk about rams knob
The newly published photo confirms the column shifter!!!!!
I think it would be awesome for Chevy to make a Raptor/ TRX fighter called the Meteor. I think it would be the perfect name as it destroyed all the dinosaurs
Already watched the video. Been leaked. You guys are slow.
It’s looking like the new interior is on everything LT and above from watching the video. I want to see more high resolution images to make a final judgment but I think the interior is a big step forward. I like that the center screen is more integrated vs the Tahoe style. I’m now curious if models without the center console will be column or button shift. As far as the looks anything new usually requires a get used to period. They gave the 2.7T a power bump but no word on anything else. I was really hoping for a 5.3 and 6.2 update as well, guess we will find out soon enough.
I think I’m mostly excited about the 420 lbs of torque from the 2.7…and how that engine could wind up in the 3rd gen mid size trucks. Bring on the torque!