With the debut of the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 right around the corner, GM Authority can confirm that visible public testing of the updated truck has ramped up over the past few weeks, as GM engineers appear to be in the home stretch before revealing the automaker’s top-selling vehicle in the U.S.
The mid-cycle enhancement of the full-size pickup, otherwise known as an MCE or refresh, will break cover at 4 p.m. EST on September 9th, and our recent spy shots show the most production-spec Silverado refreshes yet, with new details showing through the camouflage, along with all-new wheel designs.
The updated 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 will feature a revised front fascia with new headlamps, along with slight changes to the rear end. The bigger changes, however, will be inside the cabin, where an all-new cockpit will take center stage.
Ever since the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 was introduced as the fourth generation of the venerable light duty pickup truck, many have come out very much in favor of its unique and aggressive styling, which is markedly different from that of the third-generation model. However, others have criticized the appearance, often using the term “sideburns” to express their sentiment about the execution of the front air curtains.
Yet, the new design has actually helped sales.
“Research has shown that the number one reason to buy [the Silverado 1500] is design,” said Bob Krapes, Director of Chevrolet Truck Marketing, in an interview with GM Authority executive editor, Alex Luft.
In fact, the design of the Silverado is the principal reason why the truck is currently the best-selling vehicle of its type among buyers aged from 18 to 34 in the U.S., as GM Authority exclusively reported in January. The styling may not appeal to everyone, but it is doing its job in attracting customers.
Krapes added that the design has also enabled the Silverado to become the top-selling pickup truck among Hispanic buyers in the United States.
But GM must have heard enough criticism from naysayers that it will redesign the somewhat controversial “sideburn” air curtains seen on the current model for the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado, as GM Authority reported in the past.
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.
According to spy shots, 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. Our sources further tell us that the new air curtains will be located under the 2022 Chevy Silverado’s headlamps, roughly in the same location as the turn signals on LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country trims of the current 2019-2021 Silverado 1500 and 2022 Silverado 1500 Limited, and where the high-beam halogen lamp resides on current WT, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss models.
Those claims are supported by a leak of the front fascia brought by GM Authority in May.
The new design looks as though it 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.
Inside, the truck will receive an overhauled cabin with a new dash, center stack, and center console, a larger infotainment screen, and a digital gauge cluster/driver information center, along with improved materials. 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.
The updates to the interior are particularly important because, since its introduction for the 2019 model year, the Silverado has been criticized for a lackluster cabin, particularly on higher-end trim levels like LTZ and High Country, with some saying the interiors do not compare well to the competition. As such, the 2022 Silverado interior enhancements will be aimed at addressing those criticisms. 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, particularly for trucks with the front bench seat option.
Supporting these 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.
Besides these all these key upgrades, Chevy will introduce the new Silverado ZR2, which will feature upgraded suspension, knobby tires, and underbody skidplates for enhanced off-road performance. Along with that exciting development, we’ve also caught engineers testing the refreshed Silverado Trail Boss, Silverado LTZ, and Silverado Work Truck, which might not get a refreshed interior.
While the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 will make its debut in early September, it won’t arrive for a little while longer. As we reported previously, the Chevy Silverado 1500 Limited will be the first 2022 model year version of the Silverado to launch, which is a continuation of the 2021 model year Silverado with the same trim levels, options, and exterior and interior colors.
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.
Regardless of the final changes revealed on September 9th, GM pulling the wraps off its most important vehicle will be one to watch. GM Authority, of course, will provide all the details along with plenty of photos.
We expect to have a lot more on the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 in the coming days leading up to its September reveal, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Silverado news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
GM is already selling and manufacturing the 2022 Silverado so this article is a waste of time.
No. There are two Silverados for 2022. There is the 2022 LTD which is the 2019-2021 design. There is also the 2022 refresh truck that’s coming like January 2022 that will be unveiled September 9th.
The HD models are available for order and are at dealerships in some places. Delivery for the 1500s is as indicated in the article.
I dont know how i feel about what looks like the bow tie not center in the grill……
I’m ready for the completely new generation, this one with the cheap, crappy interior and the updated cheap crappy interior should be Sh$tcanned immediately.
Yes, please improve the “lackluster cabin” and pass it up to the heavy duty models.
Hope it has something other than black interiors.
I agree! Give me a choice that’s not black!
Waited 4 years for better interior and what do we get, outdated Tahoe interior. What a joke! My advice, save some money ,skip this generation entirely. Teach gm a lesson with your wallet, teach them not to come out with half baked vehicles before their time.
Half baked? They listened to the owners and truck guys. The previous generation was praised for the utilitarian interior that was well laid out, not had to look at and easy to use and stand up to abuse. They wanted better capabilities, technologies and engines which they got (two new engines, chassis and capability improvements and a larger and stronger bed with many new technologies). The only ones that are crying are those that don’t actually use trucks at all and just buy them as an image purposes and those magazine reviewers that again just comparing it to cars ans CUV’s. So money was spent where it was asked to, I don’t remember much complaints about the K2 interiors at all, they weren’t at all half baked and were class leading in many areas.
Yah , real trucksters demand cheap, crappy interiors!
I agree, I have a 2020 1500, not a big fan of the front end, but I was sold in the interior and the dash is what I love the most, also I use my truck for work.
Outdated Tahoe? What are smoking?
will the 2022, 2500 HD have the same up grads on the inside as the 1500
No. 2023. For the HD
Will GM push back the revamped Silverado due to them stock piling trucks due to the chip shortages?
I do hope it was better than there last introducing of the Silverado as Ram for the most part kicked there butt.
If I went into the dealership today and ordered a Silverado RST, would it look like the the 2021 models that are currently out now or would I receive the new design “front grill/Interior” that will be revealed on Sept. 9th? The dealership stated if I ordered today it would be listed as a 2022 model and would take around 4 months to get. Thanks for your help!
Orders are being accepted for the 2022 LTD but not the “refreshed 2022”. The LTD is identical to a 2021 but GM is limiting options, colors and packaging the vehicles differently than the 2021 run. The 2022 refresh that is going to be announced really has an unknown order date and delivery timing is even more uncertain.
Shows why newer GM trucks are experiencing a lot of customer complaints because the maker places esthetics as more important than reliability. I’d wait and compare the release of 2022 Toyota tundra.