2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The cheapest way into Silverado ownership is with the Work Truck (WT) in 2WD, Regular Cab guise, which carries an MSRP of $34,600. This price excludes taxes, licensing, registration, and a destination freight charge of $1,795. Next is the Custom trim at $41,600, the LT at $45,700, and the RST at $49,900.

After this, all the remaining trims are only sold in Crew Cab guise. The Custom Trail Boss can only be had in 4WD guise and goes for $49,500; likewise, the LT Trail Boss, that costs $55,300. The LTZ carries an MSRP of $54,700 and the posh High Country begins at $59,800. The new ZR2 tops the lineup with an MSRP of $68,400. All trims are listed here in their cheapest body style and/or with the default engine option.

Every trim comes standard with 2WD besides the Custom Trail Boss, LT Trail Boss, and ZR2, all of which are equipped with 4WD as standard. On the WT Regular Cab, upgrading from 2WD to 4WD will add $4,600 to the price. However, the cost of upgrading to 4WD differs from trim to trim, with the Custom Double Cab's price increasing by $3,300 when 4WD is added. On the fully loaded High Country, adding 4WD will cost an extra $3,500.

Of course, every trim can be optioned with one of the more powerful engines, with prices also differing for these upgrades. The Double Cab WT uses the 2.7-liter turbo by default, but for an additional $1,940, it can be equipped with the 5.3-liter V8. Higher up in the range, the Crew Cab High Country 4WD uses the 5.3-liter V8 as standard, but can be upgraded to the 3.0-liter turbodiesel for under $1,000. Finally, bed size also affects the price. On the WT trim, the Crew Cab with the standard bed costs $300 more than the Crew Cab with the short bed.

Even though rugged capability is a key consideration for a large truck, shoppers now also expect them to be refined and smooth on the highway, something that Ram has proven is possible with its 1500. On the positive side, the Silverado's steering is effortlessly light, which is at odds with the truck's sizable proportions but does make it much easier to maneuver around town.

As the speeds pick up and the road begins to curve, the Chevy acquits itself surprisingly well, with good agility and well-managed body control that belies its size. On glass-smooth surfaces, the Silverado bowls along smoothly enough, but broken stretches of asphalt see bumps sending shudders through the chassis, and mid-corner bumps require adjustments from the driver that eventually become wearisome. Here, the Chevrolet can't match the smooth-riding Ram 1500, and Ford's F-150 feels a touch more refined, too. At faster speeds of 70 mph and above, the steering also requires regular corrections from the driver.

Off-road, the Chevrolet Silverado delivers the goods, especially if you go for the new ZR2. This model comes with the more powerful V8 and 4WD as standard. It has Multimatic 40mm DSSV spool-valve dampers, a first for the Silverado, front and rear e-lockers, and increased suspension travel. Combined, these changes make the ZR2 a formidable off-roader. The Multimatics have the ability to alter bump and rebound rates quickly. Whether encountering big boulders or sand dunes, the ZR2 impressively maintains traction. Back on smooth tarmac, buyers of the LTZ and High Country trims will appreciate the available adaptive cruise control, taking the effort out of longer trips.

It's clear that Chevrolet has been keeping a close eye on competitors from Ford, Ram, and Toyota. The 2022 Silverado 1500 is a much-improved pickup, especially those models with the new interior. It now has a premium veneer to the fittings and the new infotainment interface is excellent. Lower trims make do with the older-style interior and cheaper materials, but that's less of an issue for a workhorse. However, the Silverado's below-average ride quality means that it still doesn't feel as luxurious as the Ram on the highway.

The engines are not only powerful, but diesel, gas, and turbocharged four-cylinder power offers something for everyone. All the bed sizes can accommodate loads of cargo, the cabin is massive, and the Silverado feels perfectly at home when towing or going off-road. Ram's 1500 is still the top contender for on-road comfort, and Ford's F-150 is a massively accomplished all-rounder, but for the most part, the Silverado matches its two chief rivals and should be on any truck fan's shortlist.

Starting at under $35,000 and going all the way up to around $70,000, the Silverado 1500 you choose will be dictated by your individual needs and your budget. If it's a rugged truck you are after, the Custom Trail Boss offers access to 4WD, aggressive looks, and the off-road package at a price that is still at the lower end of the range. For a more leisure-oriented truck, we suggest the LT trim and above as these have the much-improved interior with the new infotainment system. The ZR2 is expensive but it's by far the most capable truck in the range.

Despite the Ford's lead on the sales charts, the reality is that the Silverado 1500 is a lot closer than you'd think. The Chevy's maximum towing capacity is nearly as good and it has three off-road specific trims that do a fantastic job of handling the rough stuff. Ford counters with its highly capable Raptor and better payload and maximum towing capacities. Both have spacious cabins, but Chevy has closed the gap in terms of luxury appointments on upper trims. On the road, these trucks each do a good job of handling daily trips to the grocery store or longer cross-country jaunts, but both can be a bit bumpy over imperfect roads. Each truck offers several engines, but the Ford's powertrains are more refined overall, and its ten-speed automatic is superior to the Chevy's equivalent. The F-150 also achieved better overall safety scores. It's a close call, but the F-150 just about edges its rival for another year.

If you don't need the Silverado's capability, the cheaper Colorado could be the ideal truck for you within the Chevrolet lineup. Starting at $25,434, the Colorado comes in at nearly $10,000 less expensive than the Silverado. It's not the same powerful hauler, though, with the Colorado managing a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs (as opposed to the Silverado's 13,300 lbs) and a maximum payload capacity of 1,550 lbs. The Colorado also misses out on the Silverado's brawny engines, with the former's most powerful engine being a 308-hp 3.6-liter V6. Both trucks have interiors that don't quite match the best for quality, but the Silverado has more space. If the decision is between these two trucks, we're in favor of a low-spec Silverado over a more expensive Colorado, but the latter is a good choice in its cheaper trims for shoppers who don't require the Silverado's greater capabilities.