General Motors recently unveiled the refreshed 2022 Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra, debuting a long list of updates and changes for the popular full-size pickup trucks. Both models offer a wealth of in-cabin comfort and luxury features, but critically, neither have the option for a rear-seat entertainment system. That said, both models probably should.
We’ll explain. These days, pickup trucks are far more than just work vehicles. Many models could now also be considered “personal vehicles,” offering a variety of luxuries to make them more comfortable and easy to drive, such as ventilated seats, cutting-edge infotainment, and large touchscreens.
Other times, pickups are more use-case-specific – for example, the 2022 Silverado ZR2 and 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X are both designed specifically for off-roading, equipped with features like off-road specific suspension and skid plates.
Clearly, trucks are now well-suited to a variety of tasks outside the traditional realm of “work.” So, the question is this – where to next? Wouldn’t something like a rear-seat entertainment system fit the bill?
What’s more, rear-seat entertainment wouldn’t be overly complicated to implement on the 2022 Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra. Screens could be mounted behind the front seat headrests, just like on the Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, and GMC Yukon. For reference, the Rear Seat Media System offered in GM’s full-size SUVs includes dual rear seat-mounted 12.6-inch diagonal color-touch LCD HD screens, Wi-Fi wireless projection capability, and two Bluetooth headphones with two HDMI ports on the back of the center console.
Adding this feature would keep those in the rear seat of the truck entertained and quiet, something parents would likely appreciate. What’s more, mounting the screens to the rear of the front seat headrests (as opposed to the roof) would enable the use of a large sunroof or panoramic sunroof, something which the 2022 Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra don’t offer, but would make for a nice complement all the same.
Despite all that, GM Authority has confirmed with General Motors that the 2022 Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra will not offer a rear seat entertainment system. For what it’s worth, the other major automakers, including Ford, Ram, Toyota, and Nissan, don’t offer a rear-seat entertainment system in their full-size pickup trucks, either.
As a reminder, both the 2022 Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra offer four engine options, including the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine (now uprated at 430 pound-feet of torque), the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax.
Both trucks ride on the GM T1 platform, with production taking place at the GM Silao Plant in Mexico and GM Fort Wayne Assembly facility. The 2022 Silverado is also produced at the GM Oshawa Plant in Canada.
So what do you think? Should GM offer rear-seat entertainment systems in the 2022 Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra? Let us know your opinion by voting in the poll below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Silverado news, GMC Sierra news, Chevy news, GMC news, GM technology news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I’ve been banging this drum for years! Cmon gm.
On one hand, I get it. But I personally would never buy one. My son would never use it. He plays games and watches movies on his tablet. Most of the time, an iPad cost less than these systems and it can do A LOT more.
I echo this. Kids who have tablets/phones are not going to use this so why would I pay for the option. Plus all the functions of a screen are in hand and at finger tip length, not stretching out to touch the screen while driving, or potentially unbuckling their seatbelt. The ONE cool thing this may have on a trip is to mirror GPS map to the back seat passengers so they see our location. But still not enough of a feature for me to buy. Spacing is another issue. In the ever quest for larger screens these screens look like a cheap tacky add on attached to a sleek headrest.
It’s funny the full size trucks have 6to 8 cup holders for rear passengers, some have recling seats, heated and cooler seats, HVAC, tons of leg room. Basically all the creature comforts anyone could want and then some, but no entertainment, which is a cash cow option.
Also strange they don’t considering the majority of people coming to luxury trucks from previously outside the truck segment are coming from German luxury sedans
Trucks do not have “6 to 8 cupholders for the rear”. GM full-size trucks have 2 rear center armrest cupholders, 2 for the front, and 2 shared. It’s actually a little sparse when you have more than 2 people and you start having used cups/want extra drinks/have spit cups. If you have 5 passengers, somebody doesn’t get a cupholder. I believer every full size truck is the same way.
Everybody has rear air vents, but nobody has a rear HVAC zone. They merely routed some of the front air to the back.
The Ram 1500 is the only one with reclining rear seats and ventilated rear seats.
If you want luxury, none of the full-size pickups match a full-size SUV
I feel like they used to have 2 low center, 2 door. I do remember just putting water bottles in the seat back pouch. The door ones on my 17 we’re sort of awkward for cups if I remember.
Any of the higher trim trucks where an entertainment system would be offered has 6 cup holders. More if it’s a water bottle or similar with a lid.
I didn’t say i was speaking strictly of GM trucks, rather the luxury truck segment as a whole
Lol of course they gotta be cheap
Kids don’ use them anymore. They want a device in their hands with a touch screen to watch and use. Rear seat entertainment systems serve no purpose anymore with all the portable touchscreens available now.
I disagree. I have 3 kids under 4 and a non touch screen DVD player imo is much better than a tablet. No chance it screws up, no daddy why isn’t this working or daddy I dropper it and they never fall asleep with a tablet, but watching a movie yes. Now when they have cell phones in 6 years you are probably right.
Today’s full-size pickups is equivalent to yesterday’s big sedans. In a nutshell a Silverado and Tahoe is equivalent to a Caprice Classic and a Sierra is equivalent to a Olds 98 / Bonneville. They need the same stuff that satisfies car buyers .
We used to sell lots of Minivans with rear DVD and many full size suv’s. With the tablets becoming so common place it really made them pointless for most people
Sadly, some of us will never be able to afford one. Even as a used vehicle, by the time the price is in a reasonable range, the mileage makes it a nonsense deal.
Honestly I’ll skip the screens they put in these that are outdated even when the vehicle is in a development stage. 4K phones and tablets in everyone’s hands soon enough… Now integrated wireless (charging) in some sort of spot to place a tablet or phone in a seat back would be nice.
I’ve bought phone holders that snap onto the headrest poles, those have been nice! However it seems headrests are going away too.
Leave the integrated to the SUVS and Minivans because those who really want it go aftermarket for less and the real big families need third row anyway. Kids do get a kick out head rest TV but for the most part…just like many of the smarter airlines.. Ample charging and a hotspot. My Sierra had great reception and I tossed the cheap plan they once offered on it to supplement my phone. Even used to to Wifi the home during a bad storm that knocked everything out. Skip rear seat entertainment and offer a reasonable plan or better yet have it ab unlocked integrated device to add to my service as a data device.
I guess for Denali and High Country, put it on the option sheet for crew cabs as more options and choice are always good. 100K+ what’s a Dolby Atmos theatre added in at that point.
Ordered trucks for my dealer this week and the rear seat infotainment screens on Tahoes and suburbans have been DISCONTINUED All together
The panoramic roof is useless. GM should go back to the smaller sunroof with the entertainment screens in the ceiling. They function so much better and the kids in the third row can actually see their own screen.
The rear entertainment was an option on the previous body-style. My 15 Denali 2500 HD has a factory roof mounted flip down screen. I didn’t order it that way, it was specked that why by the dealership. I agree that the popularity of hand held devices is likely a big factor in why these systems are no longer available.
It was an option on the GMT800 and GMT900 Crew Cabs as well. I have to imagine not many people opted for it, so GM just decided to discontinue offering it.
GM Accessories offers headrest DVDs. I put them on my 2019 LTZ and will put them on my 2022 LTZ when it finally arrives.
Are they now building the 2022 refreshed Sierra & Silverado?????
IMO, no rear entertainment to watch DVDs. The rear entertainment should be like a MS Surface with a pull down keyboard or use your finger. Meaning, have the connectivity to plug your mobile phone to the screen and the ability to recline the screen for convenience.
Use the data plan from your mobile phone company and not a new subscription through gm or on-star.
Essentially, the MS Surface with keyboard is just an instrument that enables the use of your mobile phone to surf, stream, or work on your projects for work.
Who carries DVDs….
Why not leave rear seat infotainment systems to the after market? Likely better and less expensive… Remember when you ditched the factory radio for an aftermarket radio, cassette, CD sound system?
Agree with the tablet and phone comments for older children. What’s next after these become obsolete? Infotainment chips implanted in their foreheads?
If you really need rear seat entertainment, then just buy a couple of 10 inch android tablets with SD cards and a couple of sets of Bluetooth earbuds. Mount them on the back of the the front seats with some cheap mounts from eBay and your set. As far as how many cup holders are in the back. Anymore than two is a “who gives a crap” situation. The person sitting in the middle can just hold it between they’re legs.:)
I’m 74 yrs old and own a 2020 High Country. I would of paid extra if it was a additional upgrade as my young grandchildren aren’t old/big enough to handle tablets etc without “constantly dropping them” ….which on a trip is a pain in my ….trunk!
I had the roof mounts in my (before) Escalade and they were worth the investment
Once that movie started…..INSTANT quietness!!
What a quiet trip…👍
GM for life…(it’s my initials too)
These have been useless for years as even toddlers use tablets. We never removed the plastic over the screen in our 2016, and it was still outdated in 2018 when we sold it. I hate seeing them in used vehicles as they are WORTHLESS…
I agree totally with GM for NOT having rear seat entertainment on their high end pickup trucks, such as their Sierra Denali Ultimate, etc. I believe it is safe to say for the most part those who purchase these very high end vehicles do not have kids around that would engage in their use or would have back seat riders.
As a Mom who drives a Chevy Tahoe, and kids with tablets, I would love the entertainment in a truck! In the Tahoe, we hook up our Roku on the entertainment system in the back, so we can control the content being consumed and it puts Disney +, Amazon Prime, Youtube, and any other à la carte Roku channels at our fingertips. Would work great for adults in the back seat as well. I know my husband would like this feature for kids as well when we take the truck places or need to tow.