Automotive industry critics analyze various criteria to rank vehicles in the best fuel mileage, most dependable, and best bang for the buck. But rarely do they harshly discount a car or truck based solely on its appearance. The 2022 Chevy Silverado may not appeal to everyone’s aesthetic, but is it that bad?

MotorTrend places the 2022 Chevy Silverado low on their list

MotorTrend recently compiled a list of the best full-size pickup trucks in 2022 and put the 2022 Chevy Silverado in fifth place. Only the 2022 Nissan Titan appears lower. MotorTrend had a lot of good things to say about the Silverado, including “big towing capacity and relatively agile handling,” which they called “standout traits of the Chevy Silverado.” So why did MotorTrend put the 2022 Chevy Silverado behind Ram, Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, and GMC Sierra?

MotorTrend presents a good case for placing Ram, Ford, and Toyota ahead of the GM trucks. But between the practically mechanically identical Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra, they gave the nod to the GMC because the critics found the Silverado “kind of funky looking.”

Chevrolet released the newest Silverado with what they claimed to be “major enhancements.” Admittedly, the 2022 Chevy Silverado makes a bold statement with its futuristic grille and headlight surrounds. But it is still a dependable work-horse with sporty handling and a choice of four available engines.

The 2022 Chevy Silverado

The Silverado features three truck-cab arrangements, from the basic single cab to an extended double cab and a four-door crew cab, along with three options for truck bed lengths, short, standard, and long. 

Nine trim levels include Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, High Country, and ZR2. The WT trim is a basic work truck with available driver-assist safety features, cloth seats, and your choice of Chevrolet drivetrains. The High Country offers a luxurious interior and every available option depending on the package you choose, and the ZR2 is a capable off-road truck straight from the showroom floor. 

Engine choices for the 2022 Chevy Silverado include one turbo-diesel option and three gasoline-powered versions, one turbocharged four-cylinder, and two V8s. The 3.0-liter I4 turbo-diesel produces 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and the turbocharged 2.7-liter gas I4 makes 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.

Gas-powered V8 choices include the 5.3-liter and the 6.2-liter engines. The 5.3-liter V8 makes 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the more powerful 6.2-liter V8 makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. In addition, Chevy mates the 2.7-liter turbo to an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the other choices receive the ten-speed automatic. 

The 2022 Chevy Silverado exhibits superb handling via its front suspension featuring independent coil-over-shock with twin-tube shock absorbers for a full-size pickup truck. Offroad-centric trims such as the Z71 and ZR2 feature upgraded shock absorbers. Rear suspension specs include a “solid axle with semi-elliptic, variable-rate, two-stage multi-leaf springs” and “splayed twin-tube shock absorbers.”

Whether you need a basic work truck or a luxurious pickup truck with all the amenities, the 2022 Chevy Silverado offers many configurations that might be your best fit despite its “funky look.”