~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Matthew P. Aukofer

You might want to pay a visit to a fortune-teller before buying a full-size pickup truck today. You’ll need to know what the future holds to properly configure a truck to meet your needs.

Full-size pickups are wildly popular in America and manufacturers seek to cater to the needs of the widest possible audience. As a result, they offer pickups with a dizzying array of trim levels, options and engine types. The same goes for both the domestic and import brands.

The Chevrolet Silverado is no exception.

The Silverado trim packages include WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, ZR2, LTZ and High Country. You can order a Silverado with a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 5.3-liter V-8, a 6.2-liter V-8 or a 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six turbo-diesel engine.

But this is just the beginning. Will you need a regular cab, double cab or crew cab? Short, medium or long bed? Quarter ton, half ton or three-quarter ton payload rating? Electric, hybrid or internal combustion propulsion? All-wheel drive or two-wheel drive? Leather, cloth or vinyl upholstery? The list goes on and on.

For this article, Chevrolet sent a 2022 Silverado Crew Cab High Country 4WD model for review. This is the top-level trim model, complete with a plush cabin with heated and ventilated leather seats, dual zone climate control, Bose stereo system, trailering package, and more. Even though it is the top trim level, it can be further gussied up with goodies.

Options on the test truck included the 6.2-liter V-8 engine ($2,495) and the High Country Premium Package ($2,425), featuring a power sunroof, 22″ painted aluminum wheels, and all-weather floormats. The Super Cruise option ($2,200, with subscription required) gets you an incredible self-driving experience, among the best available with today’s technology. The power retractable assist side steps ($1,195) ease ingress and egress.

While the tested model had a base price of $60,300, the extras brought its total price to $72,870, including the non-negotiable $1,695 destination charge.

The bottom-line price you pay for any Silverado depends heavily on how you configure it, hence the need to conjure up all the possible ways you will use the truck in the future.

As equipped, the tested truck is the gentleman’s Silverado, likely never to see a farm or field, but fully capable if called upon to go off road or do the dirty work. The newly redesigned cabin is a nice place to spend time, with the High Country’s elegant mix of leather, chrome and faux-wood trim. The power seats are roomy and comfortable, the steering wheel is heated (as are the outside mirrors) and there’s a power sliding rear window.

The placement of the controls is well-thought-out, with most knobs, buttons and levers logically laid out and within easy reach. The exceptions are the headlight/dash-dimming controls and the 2WD/4WD mode selector, both sets of which are situated low on the left side of the dashboard behind the steering wheel. They’re at about knee height and are difficult to see when seated. With little tactile feedback for your fingertips, these controls require you to divert your eyes from the road to make your desired selections.

Just two transmissions are on offer. If you choose the base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, you’ll get an 8-speed automatic. Any other engine option comes with a 10-speed automatic. No manual or other type of transmission is available.

The 10-speed transmission on the tested truck was silky smooth, with shifts taking place almost imperceptibly. Acceleration was very good with the 6.2-liter V-8 and it also handled well, considering it weighs roughly 5,000 pounds and has a high center of gravity. It could feel tippy at times, but that is the nature of the beast.

Fuel economy is about average for the class, returning 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined.

For 2022, Chevy Safety Assist, a suite of six standard active safety features, is standard on every Silverado trim. It includes forward collision alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, and automatic high-beam adjustment for the headlights. The 2022 Silverado received a four out of five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The Chevy Silverado, always competitive in a crowded field of popular full-size pickup trucks, is upping its game.

Specifications

  • Model: 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Crew High Country 4WD four-door, full-size pickup truck.
  • Engine: 6.2-liter V-8; 420 hp, 460 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmission: Ten-speed automatic with manual shift mode and all-wheel drive.
  • Overall length: 19 feet 2 inches.
  • Height: 6 feet 4 inches.
  • Headroom: 43 in. (front), 40.1 in. (rear)
  • Legroom: 44.5 in. (front), 43.4 in. (rear)
  • Shoulder room: 66 in. (front), 65.2 (rear)
  • Hip room: 61.2 in. (front), 60.2 in. (rear)
  • Weight: Roughly 5,000 pounds, depending on configuration.
  • Towing capability: 9,100 pounds.
  • EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 15/20/17 mpg.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $61,995.
  • Price as tested: $72,870.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos © Chevrolet

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