For 2022, Chevrolet is launching a much anticipated refreshed version of the fifth generation Silverado. While we await the opportunity to log some miles on the updated model, we decided to take one last look at the outgoing version, which will continue to be sold alongside the new one as the “LTD” until inventories are used up. This could mean that once the chip shortage is resolved and supply is able to catch up to demand, deals may open on these outgoing models. We grabbed a top-trim 2022 Chevrolet Silverado LTD High Country and put it to work.
The Chevrolet Silverado is now into its fourth year on the fifth-generation platform, yet to my eyes it still looks very fresh. This may be because the proportions of the fifth generation haven’t grown on me as much as previous generations; the needlessly high hood and raised body line make it seem like the design is striving to look bigger than it really is. That said, overall exterior fit and finish on our High Country is quite nice, and the miles of flashy chrome, bright polished 22-inch wheels, Mosaic Black paint and nice touches such as dual exhaust tips integrated into the rear bumper, do help to distract from some of the awkward lines.
The interior of the fifth-generation Silverado has probably been the biggest reason that the coming refresh has been so anticipated. The general feeling has been that it’s just not up to par par from a design and overall quality standpoint. There’s some truth to it; the dash is blocky and even the luxurious High Country interior feels a little drab in comparison to the Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn. Fit and finish is well done, the two-toned leather is supple and is carried from the seats onto the door panels and dash where it is complimented by open pore wood and aluminum. The heated and cooled front buckets are comfortable and a great place to rest after a long day.
The interior may lack flash for some, but it delivers functionality in spades. The shifter is still on the column, out of the way, which frees up the center console for a big storage area, massive cupholders, and a wireless charging pad. The console, while not pretty, is the perfect place to dump your pockets before setting off on a drive. The door pockets are deep and easy to access, there are two glove compartments, and hidden storage under the rear seats. With the upcoming face-lifted interior, some of this functionality is sacrificed for style.
From a tech perspective, the relatively small eight-inch touchscreen can run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s clean, easy to use, and allows room on the center stack for actual buttons and knobs to control all main functions without taking your eyes off the road. There is a really nice 12-inch heads-up display screen on the windshield as well, which is great for following navigation directions without getting distracted.
One area where the Silverado really is best in class is interior noise control. GM’s triple sealed doors and sound proofing really get results and the High Country delivers a serene driving experience. Combine that with the adaptive ride control system that makes the truck one of the best on-road driving trucks I’ve had the pleasure of piloting. In addition to the great ride quality, you also get a truck that handles sharp and offers enough road feel to know that you’re in control – something I’ve found lacking in the latest Fords.
What you can hear inside the truck is the is the monstrous 6.2-liter V8. It’s the top-dog engine in a list of four options on the Silverado LTD including a turbocharged four-cylinder, the long-running 5.3-liter V8 and the Duramax turbodiesel. GM truck fans will note that the base 4.3-liter V6 has been dropped for the 2022 LTD trucks. The High Country trim can be had with the 5.3, the diesel or the 6.2L. In my opinion, after logging considerable mileage with all of the engines, the 6.2 is the way to go if you really want a truck that’s enjoyable to drive – and you don’t mind paying for it at the pump.
Making 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque the 6.2-liter affirms its role and it responds like one too. The beauty of a naturally aspirated V8 is at its finest here; response is sharp, linear and authoritative. It pulls like a freight train from any speed; no turbo lag, just action. Our tester was not equipped, but GM does offer a factory cat-back performance exhaust which can really liven up the sound. The V8 comes mated to a 10-speed automati which does its work without making its presence known.
Now, just because it’s a big V8 doesn’t mean it has to be terrible on fuel. In fact, it’s not nearly as thirsty at the pumps as some might anticipate. After a week of mixed driving, and a fair bit of time spent on city streets, my average consumption sat at 13.5L/100km. That’s significantly better than what I achieved in a 2021 F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in comparable conditions. Displacement isn’t the only game when it comes to fuel economy.
The High Country might be a little too nice to get dirty, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get the job done. Depending on your axle ratio selection it’ll tow up to 11,700-pounds with a max payload of 2,000-pounds. It comes standard with the handy Multi-Flex Tailgate, which is a tailgate within the tailgate and has six different positions to help load or secure cargo easier. It’s an interesting piece of engineering, but I am not sold on how it’ll hold up to the years of hard abuse that many of these trucks will see.
The Silverado LTD, in its Crew Cab 4×4 configuration, can be had for as low as $43,748, and you can get into something with the top tier 6.2-liter V8 for $52,258 in the form of a Custom Trail Boss trim. If you’re wanting the High Country, it starts at a relatively reasonable $68,348 with the 5.3-liter V8 and jumps to $71,143 with larger 6.2L. Things run up from there depending on what optional extras you add.
Our test truck came pretty well fully loaded for an as tested price of $81,973, which undercuts fully equipped comparable models by at least a few thousand. It includes some luxurious packages such as the High Country Deluxe package ($4,675) which provides the 22-inch wheels, power sunroof and the full suite of electronic driving aids including adaptive cruise control. The other big-ticket option is the Technology Pack which adds a heads-up display, surround view camera, bed-view camera and rear-view mirror camera.
With the new model coming, the outgoing 2022 Chevrolet Silverado LTD High Country offers value in the way of lower pricing. If having the latest gadgets and the fanciest interior is not a priority, you may be able to get yourself into a truck that still offers a world-class driving experience, has the equipment to get the job done, and all the major luxuries that you could ask for. You can also get the beastly 6.2-liter, which is absolutely the best light-duty truck engine available today, and if you can do so at a relative bargain, I’d have that in a heartbeat over the latest and greatest interior that the new model will surely be boasting.
See Also:
2021 Ford F-150 Platinum EcoBoost
