Styling matters, even for traditionally utilitarian vehicles like pickup trucks. The Chevy Silverado is certainly no different, with GM updating the styling for the light-duty Silverado 1500 as recently as the 2022 model year (technically 2022.5). However, looking at the refreshed design, we can’t help but think that the Silverado has lost some of its character.
2019 Silverado 1500
2022.5 Silverado 1500
Let’s start with a quick look back. When GM unveiled the all-new fourth-generation Chevy Silverado 1500 in conjunction with the 2019 model year, it marked a major departure in terms of the overall exterior design. Gone was the classic look, and in its stead was a totally new, highly aggressive, and decidedly modern-looking front end, combining thin headlamp housings and C-shaped turn signals. The new look was unlike anything seen on the Chevy Silverado before, and it breathed new life into the light-duty nameplate as a whole. As a result, new customers poured in to buy one.
Not too long afterwards, GM refreshed the Chevy Silverado 1500 for the 2022.5 model year, and, as expected, the exterior design was refreshed with it. However, while the new front end wasn’t a huge departure from the initial fourth-gen, it did remove some of the design flair and aggressiveness of the pre-refresh design. In our opinion, the refreshed look is, to be totally honest, a bit more bland.
2019 Silverado 1500
2022 Silverado 1500
Of course, one of the big-ticket items of the 2022.5 refresh was deletion of the Silverado’s much-maligned “sideburns” air curtains, a topic that GM Authority has covered extensively. But looking back, we have to wonder – were those side burns really all that bad?
So then, with that all said, what do you think? Do you agree that the refreshed Chevy Silverado 1500 lost some of its character with the 2022.5-model-year design refresh? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below, and sound off in the comments with your opinion!
Comments
Prefer a more traditional looking truck.
My 18 still has plenty of life left.
Why do you think GMC has picked up so much market share since 18?
Get a GMC if you can wear the dealer down and avoid paying the GMC tax.
I actually liked the ’19-22 front end styling better on both the Chevy/GMC. The interior was a huge miss though, and worse than the K2 trucks, which were a major improvement over the GMT900 lower truck interiors.
Currently don’t like any of the interior’s or colors GM offers. The screen is too big, too canted towards the driver, and too many trim lines require a console shifter (which I won’t buy). I much prefer the interior on the Ram 1500/2500 trucks and consider even the Ford F150/250 interiors to be superior to the GM offerings.
For the next gen, GM needs to go back to a simple dash with knobs instead of buttons, a screen usable from the passenger seat, and put the god**mn shifter back on the column where it belongs.
Yes, but only slightly.
knowing that the 2019 and up model years had its fair share of problems combined with that fisher price interior, ill say no, it hasnt lost any character.
The refreshed cleaned up the look at bit. How could it change the character of the truck?
Overall, I prefer the look of the refreshed Silverado to the original 2019 look. I don’t think it looks more “bland”, but they definitely simplified the look. I think that was a success.
Where the truck needs help is the rear. Those godawful taillights and the extruded tailgate have to go!
The T1XX was bland the moment GM locked in its styling probably back in 2016/2017.
I thought the 19 trucks looked great. However the interior was awful. Felt like a downgrade from 14 ltz.
The 22’s they fixed the interior but I don’t like the raising of the bow tie. It looks off
Major reason I still have my 14
If people who don’t need them would stop buying them trucks would be less expensive. If the reason you aren’t buying something is because of an emblem, you aren’t the demographic that needs a truck. That is probably the most petty reason I have heard yet (trumps the led tail lights I heard someone say a few months back). Stop buying based off looks, buy what you need. Looks should be one of the last things on the list. This is really getting sad when 40+ year old people buy based on what they think makes them look cool; it’s why minivans aren’t in flavor as much anymore.
wrong. I could care less if it makes me look cool or not. But I do care about how it looks to me as I walk up to it. I want to drive something that looks good TO ME. I could care less what others think. I realize there are those people who do buy to impress others, I am not 1 of those people. SUV’s are nothing more than 4WD minivans. Everyone wants 4WD or AWD these days. But they still stay home when it snows (if they live in north). Which I find funny. Why buy a 4WD or AWD to sit home when it snows?
@TMI
I’m a farmer , p*ss off
The mid door checkmark body line looks awful. Fix that and I can forgive the decidedly Asian inspired front cap.
Just look at the sales numbers for your answer
What. Happen. Chevy. Has. Really. Got. Worse. With. There. Trucks. So. Many. Problems. And. The. Trucks. Look. Like. Spaceships. Now. Gm. Is. Falling. Behind
Why. Do. You. Talk. Like. This? I. Bet. You. Sound. Funny. When. You. Talk.
I wish they’d include the GMC’s wheel arch trim as std to give it a more finished look.
I didnt mind the air blades that much. I absolutely love the back of the current trucks and I’m hoping the next Gen looks similar to the new Colorados. They look fantastic!
if only the colorados ran as good as they looked.
I personally have not been a fan of the overall design direction GM has gone since Ed Welburn retired. The last good looking Silverado was the 2014/2015. I did not care for the headlights on the refresh in 2016.
I have a 2020 3/4 ton and I think it looks great all-around. For these 1500s, the 2019 and 2022 look fine. The 2022.5 looks a bit odd, but I guess we’ll all get used to it. I prefer the 2500s though.
I’ve always liked GM’s trucks and most cars.The new Chevy trucks are good,drive so smooth,what I’ve always liked,just like my late father did.My late father owned mostly GM trucks.He bought a couple of Ford trucks,but it seemed like some kind of bad luck because he had accidents with them and he also bought a Dodge truck twice.One’s transmission gave out in less then 80,000 miles and the other one’s broke a connecting rod and busted through the engine block.My late father didn’t drink and drive,but accidents happened with his two Ford trucks and he really didn’t haul or tow with his Dodge trucks,but they didn’t last very long with him.
But he sure loved his GM trucks,whether it be a 2 wheel drive or a 4 wheel drive truck.He liked how easy they were to fix,which he did himself,even though he wasn’t a mechanic.I like took after him.Just like how much he liked working on to either modify or simply repairing them 4.3 V6,305 and 350 motors,I too sure like them too.I like the way they are set up and how easy they are to fix leaving the rest of all your time to other things like work and family life.
My husband has been a Chevy guy, since his first truck way back when he was 17. He’s 75 Now. Nothing but Chevies. And Black 4×4’s to boot. He still loves his Square Bodies also. Maybe Chevy can do a Retro Square Body. How sweet that would be. Then he could die a very happy man.
a retro sq body would sell so well. Hello GM, are you listening???
OBS GMC/Chevrolet trucks seem to have outlived their competitors in the Middle East as well…I have seen OBS ones here in Qatar and they look pretty good.
My 2012 looks good and still runs perfectly at 99k miles so I’m keeping it a while longer.
GM lost me in 1988. That’s when they did a complete 180 on design. Both body and drive lines. Haven’t been a fan since. Ya-all think I’m nuts? Just check the auctions and your local want adds. Square bodies, are going nuts. Even scrapers, are selling at stupid prices. Forget all the fancy whistles and bells. Bring back the simple styling of the square bodies!!!! They will out sell any other truck made today. K.I.S.S
Not at all! I traded my refreshed 2019 LTZ in for the 2024 High Country this past February. They are both great looking vehicles. Yes the LTZ was a little flashier because of the chrome bumpers (I am old school and like the chrome) while the new High Country with painted bumpers looks quite dignified too (in my honest opinion). But that is a personal trim choice decision! I’ve had 5 back to back GM 1500 pick up trucks (GMC and Chevy) and each one has been better than the last. This 2024 HIgh Country has a smooth ride like no other. I feel like I’m driving a Rolls 🙂
Now what I am not crazy about is the new GMC Sierra’s huge aggressive gaping grill. It looks like it wants to eat sombody. My new 2024 Silverado High Country hits all the right notes for me.
Bring back the north-sky blue
Bring back the regular cab in an LT or higher trim, Hate the looks of the custom and work truck front facia!
exactly, we need a regular cab in higher trims. Not everyone needs or wants 4 doors. All we can do for now is go with extended cabs.
YES, YES, YES! Bring back the SWB Reg, Cab 4×4 in all the high trim levels. I agree. The lower end models look like krap. Why oh why, can’t we order what we want. They have these other models to order in Mexico and the middle east. But not here. Makes no sense at all.
agreed.
We have regular cab models here in Qatar. If they do not decide to make one…I will probably import a regular cab Trail Boss or GMC AT4 after 25 years pass…Since they are mechanically the same, shops SHOULD be able to deal with them.
For light-duty pickups, GM (Chevy + GMC ) has outsold Ford since 2020 and the margin has increased so far in 2024. Clearly buyers collectively have no problem with the styling.
I would want a regular cab short box fleet side V8 4×4 choice before I would return to a GM product of any kind, colour choice lack as well, would be a huge bonus to have two tone paint choices
I wish they would’ve kept the 2014 front end a few years longer. It reminded me of the mid 80s square bodies…
Exactly!
Couple things
1. I believe the last year we could buy a double cab with a 6.2 L87 or in an LTZ edition was 2019. GM thru the double cab truck under the bus from 2020 forward. The longer bed was perfect and worked great for me. This was a very disappointing management decision.
2. At my local dealer the number of vehicles with engine failures (both 3.0 Duramax and 6.2 L87) is significant which is both unfortunate and unacceptable. GM and specifically Chevrolet was renown for many years for its outstanding Engine design, quality, reliability and durability. There appears to be a very serious problem with engine production / supplier quality and or design engineerIng. Very disappointing for many owners. GM Chevrolet really needs to wake up and correct their engine quality and fast as the word is spreading and it’s not good people!
Most of the bearing failures are between MY22 and MY24. I presume by MY26 they will fix the issue or at least cut it down to acceptable levels…
The reasons are due to bad break in…wrong driving style, and incorrect fuel for MOST cases. A small number could be lemons, due to bad supplier parts..
It is usually cheaper to get a CC than a DC and it is worth more at resale.
DC 6.2 RST is about the fanciest in a DC today.
Yes it’s ugly like a toyota the last good looking Chevy Silverado was the 2015 after that model year they just got worse and worse GMC on the other hand has been building great looking trucks the only trucks in this class I would buy is the GMC Sierra the Dodge RAM and the Nissan Titan the F150 is slowly starting to gain my interest again because for a while Ford they took a sip of the toyota poison too and started to design hideous trucks too GM as whole lost its way from a design standpoint Buick is doing a great job but still has a way to go before they Achieve that “Luxury Status” that they are going for same as with Cadillac bottom line gm needs to stop trying to be cheap and offer something that is “Worth” the outrageous prices that they are asking for
I like both, maybe the 19 a bit more but GM trucks keep looking better. Now ditch the dash TV’s and give me back my knobs and switches! And fix the the electrical/computer problems.
My wife and I like the 2018 design. The nice long front end, the squared off wheel wells….interior may be smaller in the back seat, but plenty of space, and who cares? I don’t sit in the back seat! If it wasn’t for the crap transmission, I’d say it was the best truck ever.
You people tend to overthink everything. I can barely tell the difference between the two when looking at the embedded pics. I can’t believe anyone could be flustered by something so miniscule that an article would need to be written about it. Now I could see an article written about the interior as there are significant differences present and way better styling in this regard.
They are NOT designed to look pretty. These trucks are designed for WORK (barring the recent issues they have)..
Go ahead and criticize…will NOT work.
Yes
I agree that we should be able to order a regular cab with a 6′ box with an up graded trim level . I miss the days when you could put a deposit down and order what you wanted .
Quite the contrary; The refreshed design elevated the current Silverado. I actually hated the looks of the ’19 Silverado. I was definitely liking the GMC Sierra’s appearance. The oddest thing that happened, when both trucks were refreshed in ’22, was that Chevrolet corrected the choppy unresolved lines of the Silverado’s front end. The look was more solid and crisp and I liked the result. As far as the Sierra, I felt that its refreshed took the look backward a bit. The front end had a type of smile or “grin” that I thought was distracting. I was liking it a bit less than its previous appearance.