Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a polarizing exterior design, with a front end and grille that resembled a vintage furnace or a freight train. It was anything but a handsome new vehicle, yet it exuded a strong sense of machismo. Inside, the cabin was more conventional, prioritizing quantity over quality. Despite not having the best fit and finish, the spacious interior, comparable to a living room, made up for it. The trim levels ranged from the basic Work Truck (W/T) to the luxurious High Country, each adding more features and comfort as you moved up the line.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, particularly the ZR2 model, offered a refreshed look with styling modifications to the headlights, grille designs, front bumpers, and wheels. The interior saw significant improvements, especially in the LT and higher trims, with digital instrumentation, a widescreen infotainment touchscreen, and better materials. The ZR2 model was factory-ready for off-road adventures, featuring a lifted suspension, steel bumpers, and 33-inch all-terrain tires. The interior was modern and sophisticated, with a 13.4-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, making it more competitive in the market.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered two engine options. The standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional Duramax turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 delivered 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines could be configured with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The diesel engine, in particular, provided excellent pickup and optimal performance. The 3500HD could tow up to 36,000 pounds when properly equipped and had a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, while focused on off-road performance, fell short in towing and hauling capabilities, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,900 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,440 pounds. Its 6.2-liter V8 engine produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ZR2's suspension, featuring Multimatic DSSV dampers and long-travel springs, excelled in off-road conditions, providing a smooth ride on rough terrain. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 16.3 mpg. The ZR2's off-road prowess was evident in its ability to handle challenging trails and rough terrain with ease.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was available in various configurations, including regular cab/long-bed, double cab/long-bed, crew cab/standard bed, and crew cab/long-bed. The crew cabs offered two rows of spacious seating with ample headroom and legroom. The Silverado 3500HD featured integrated bed steps in the rear bumper and additional step-ups along the side of the bed, making it easier to access the cargo area.

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, with its suspension lift and oversized tires, required effort to enter and exit. Chevrolet provided robust grab handles and optional off-road high-clearance side steps to assist. Inside, the ZR2 offered comfortable seating with 10-way power adjustment, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. The interior saw significant improvements, with a 13.4-inch touchscreen, digital instrumentation, and better materials. Storage space was plentiful, with hidden storage in the rear seatbacks and a deep cargo box. The MultiFlex tailgate added versatility, transforming into a step or a desk.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims featuring an 8-inch screen and navigation. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials. The Silverado 3500HD also offered numerous trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and additional camera angles for trailering, as well as a trailering app with a pre-trailering checklist.

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured a new 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, and a WiFi hotspot. The new system included Google Built-in features, though it was slower to respond and less intuitive than the previous version. The ZR2 model came with a seven-speaker Bose sound system, a rear camera mirror, and a 15-inch head-up display. The combination of digital displays made it easy to access information without feeling overwhelmed.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and a full array of airbags. However, advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring were optional. Additional features like front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system were also available for an extra cost.

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included essential driver-assistance features. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on lower trims. The High Country trim offered Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system for approved highways. The ZR2 model included advanced driving assistance systems that worked seamlessly. Crash-test data for the updated 2022 Silverado was unavailable, but the 2022 Silverado Limited received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and unimpressive results from the IIHS.