Intro
Everyone can tell that this is not a typical half-ton pickup truck simply by taking a glance at the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, which has been lifted and fashioned in an aggressive manner. The ZR2 is Chevrolet’s most formidable full-size pickup, and while it may not be as extreme as the high-flying Ford F-150 Raptor or the 700-plus horsepower Ram 1500 TRX, it is the most powerful truck in Chevy’s lineup.
In addition to its menacing appearance, it is equipped with a V-8 engine that produces 420 horsepower, rides on tires that are 33 inches tall, and has a suspension that has been modified. The latter variety is equipped with Multimatic spool-valve dampers, which are adapted from Formula One cars and Baja race trucks.
Its inside is also outfitted with a digital dashboard, and the only body style it comes in is a crew cab, which means that even when the blacktop ends, everyone can still enjoy the ride. Despite being a true off-roader, the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is unlikely to appeal to Ford F-150 or Ram 1500 fans.
Even with the style upgrade in 2022, the Silverado retains a significant amount of its original visage. There are thin headlights on the upper corners of the bumper, and below that there are prong-shaped running lights. The gaping black mouth takes up the majority of the available space on the front end of the vehicle. However, the makeover did help to resolve some of the previous design issues, such as the peculiar “blade” features that were located beneath the light fixtures.
The Silverado ZR2 gives the Silverado a more aggressive appearance by adding a distinctive “Flowtie” logo in the exact middle of the grille and using a special black mesh.
Even though they are not unique to the ZR2, the red tow hooks at the foot of the bumper have a cool appearance, and the skid plate in silver helps protect the underbody while still looking good. Off-roaders benefit from having front bumper corners that are easily removable and replaceable if the trail causes damage to them. This truck also has a dazzling Glacier Blue paint job, which came at an additional cost of $395 but was well worth the investment.
The ZR2 comes standard with leather bucket seats that are upholstered in a special Graystone color, and the steering wheel, center console, and door panels all feature leather upholstery as well. Upgrades to the interior are more readily apparent. In general, the substantial amount of leather constitutes a significant improvement over the earlier model.
And occupying the front and center positions are a pair of enormous screens that span across the dashboard. The digital cluster measuring 12.3 inches and the touchscreen measuring 13.4 inches are both brand new and look stunning.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Engine and Performance
The 6.2-liter V8 engine found in the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is buttery smooth and produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. This is more powerful than any of the vehicle’s main competitors offer. This power is sent to all four wheels continuously, and there is a two-speed transfer case for further off-road excitement. A smooth 10-speed automatic transmission is responsible for managing the entire system.
The ride quality of the ZR2 is refined, and the V8 engine produces enormous amounts of torque. The ZR2 is surprisingly compliant when driven on public roads. Although its engine won’t knock you out as the Raptor or TRX would, the ZR2’s V8 gives it enough power to keep up with the competition when going in a straight line. Additionally, it has a great throaty sound when equipped with the optional Borla cat-back exhaust.
The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and is capable of producing 420 horsepower as well as 460 pound-feet of torque. Every ZR2 comes standard with a four-wheel-drive system that has an electronic locking front and rear differential along with a two-speed transfer case.
A highly adjusted suspension that features high-performance spool-valve dampers helps the truck’s 18-inch wheels, which are shod with monstrous 33-inch off-road tires, remain stable. The underside of the truck is guarded by a one-of-a-kind skid-plate package, and Chevrolet claims that the ZR2’s high-mounted steel bumper offers an approach angle of 31.8 degrees, which is greater than what is provided by the similarly elevated Silverado Trail Boss models.
Since we’ve had the opportunity to put the Zr2 through its paces in Joshua Tree State Park, not only do we have a better understanding of its capabilities, but we also have a better understanding of how its narrower width in comparison to the F-150 Raptor and the Ram TRX allows it to negotiate more difficult terrain with greater ease.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Towing capacity
If we are talking about the ZR2 Silverado towing capacity, It is capable of hauling up to 8900 pounds when equipped with a standard trailer hitch. Additionally, the half-ton truck can haul a weight of up to 1,440 pounds.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 MPG
14 miles per gallon in the city and 17 miles per gallon on the highway contribute to a combined rating of 15 miles per gallon for the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 with its 420 horsepower V-8 engine. Although those numbers are more impressive than the Ram TRX with its 702-horsepower supercharged V-8, which only achieves a combined 12 mpg, they are, in and of themselves, not very impressive. Estimates for the combined fuel economy of the Ford F-150 Raptor with its 450 horsepower twin-turbo V-6 are between 15 and 16 miles per gallon, with the lower value applied to cars with the optional 37-inch tires.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Interior
Inside, the Silverado ZR2 sports a slick-looking dashboard that has a fully digital instrument panel that is 12.3 inches and is located next to a large touchscreen that measures 13.4 inches. The seats are upholstered in leather, and the inside has a sleek dark accent for a sporty look. A center console that has a T-shaped electronic shifter may be found in the space between the front bucket seats.
However, we found the shape of the gear lever to be awkward, and on more than one occasion, we pressed the Park button on the top of the console by accident while our hand was resting. Because the ZR2 is only offered in a crew-cab body style, there is ample space for passengers, particularly in the back seat. Those who intend to transport a greater quantity of items in the cargo box can benefit from selecting the longer standard-length bed rather than the shorter bed.
Chevy Silverado ZR2 Pricing
Although it competes with the Ford F-150 Tremor and the Ram 1500 Rebel, the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is priced more similarly to the Ford Raptor and the Toyota TRX. This fully loaded test vehicle’s ultimate price of $76,170 is higher than that of the standard Raptor because it includes upgrades and options like the $1,970 Technology package, the $995 sunroof, the $445 MultiFlex tailgate, the $395 Glacier Blue paint, and a few other dealer-installed types of equipment. The ZR2 is currently only a few thousand bucks away from entering TRX territory; the base price of Ram’s super-truck is $80,585.
Connectivity and informational entertainment in Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
The Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 comes standard with an enormous infotainment system that has a touchscreen that measures 13.4 inches and is angled horizontally.
The central touchscreen is quite easy to use, and in comparison to its predecessor, the previous Silverado, it features a more organized layout, clearer visuals, and quicker response times. Significant enhancements have been included, including wire-free Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as an integrated Google suite that includes voice assistant capability and Google Maps.
The Technology package, which costs $1,970 and is already installed in this vehicle, includes a rear camera mirror that presents a crystal clear image of your rear surroundings and a 15.0-inch head-up display that offers many options at once. Both of these features may be added to the vehicle. The Technology package comes with a few extra safety features in addition to the ones already included, but more on that later.
The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is compatible with Amazon Alexa and is equipped with built-in Google voice assistance, navigation, and an app store. Additionally, the system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay.