This week (12/08/2022), I am reviewing the 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 4x4 pickup, a truck designed to be a great off-roader and a pickup you can actually use as a daily driver. I suspect GM decided to build this beastly truck after the success of the Colorado ZR2 package.
Comparing Silverados? We've reviewed several models since 2019. Here's a list of every Silverado we've reviewed.
Powertrain
Let’s start under the hood where you find a massive 6.2-liter V8 that is putting out a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 putting out 420-horses and 460-pound feet of torque. It is hooked to a 10-speed automatic transmission
Exterior
The ZR2 package actually debuted in 2022 on the Silverado, but GM tweaked it for 2023, and actually upped the ante with a Bison package that is mostly appearance upgrades.
The ZR2 has 18” glossy black wheels, meaty 33” all-terrain tires, a bulging hood, front tow hooks, fender flares, and a lot of blacked-out materials on the exterior.
Interior
Moving to the inside, there are two-tone gray and black leather seats that are power for the driver, but heated for both front seat occupants. The seats are very comfortable and the center console is well done and comfortable. There is a T-Bar gear shifter that I liked a lot, a couple of nice cupholders, and a wireless phone charger with USB and USB-C ports.
There is a 12.3” colorful gauge cluster that comes to life and is configurable. The gauges are easy to read and give you a lot of information.
On the dash is a huge 13.4” touchscreen that is easy to operate. It includes a Bose stereo, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HD radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get Amazon Alexa, and Google Voice assistant.
You will also find a trailering app, and swipe to the left and you can program your own apps, operate OnStar, and save your camera settings.
Under the air conditioning controls is a row of buttons that lets you turn off start/stop, turn on the 110-volt power source inside the bed, a button to roll all four windows down at once, and something really cool, you can lower the tailgate from inside. There are also USB outlets, an outlet for 110-volt power, and also a cigarette lighter power plug.
Head and legroom for all occupants is cavernous, and back seat passengers get air vents, a power supply, and their own USB ports. Fold the seats up from the bottom for a huge cargo area out of the weather.
Standard Equipment and Options
Standard equipment gives you keyless entry, remote start, LED head lights and taillights, a heated leather steering wheel with controls, rear corner-step bumper, E-Z lift tailgate, power mirrors, and rear defroster.
Options include a head-up display, rear camera mirror, adaptive cruise control, power tilt steering wheel, a hard tonneau cover, power sunroof, multi-flex tailgate, and rear parking assist.
Safety
On the safety side, you get automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keeping assist, teen driver mode, rear cross-traffic alert, safety alert seat, and blind spot warning.
Ride and Drive
The fuel economy of the truck isn’t overly good, but what you might expect with a big 6.2-liter V8. It is rated at 14 city, 17 highway, and 15 overall.
The Silverado ZR2 is built for off-roading with special shocks that adjust for the best ride, it has a terrific approach angle and great ground clearance. You can just tell it would do an amazing job off the pavement. One note, there are side bars under the doors, but they are not running boards. With practice, you can get a toe-hold and pull yourself up with a grab handle, but unless you are 6’5 or so, getting in and out of the ZR2 can be challenging.
What You'll Pay
Total MSRP on this one is $77,400, which unfortunately isn’t a ton of money these days in a serious off-road truck.
Verdict
Look, this is not a Ford Raptor or Ram TRX, but it’s capable and a LOT less money than either of those. I also found it the most enjoyable of the three when using as a daily driver.
- What I liked most: The exterior looks and ease of daily driving.
- What I would change: Fuel economy is rough.
- MSRP: Base $69,800. As equipped $77,400 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: 14 City/17 Highway/15 Combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 900 miles.
- Weight: 5,730 pounds/7,100 pound GVWR.
- Spare Tire: Full-Sized Spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 232.8” long/81.2” wide/78.7” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 24 gallons with the filler on the driver's side.
- Official Color: Red Hot.
- Towing Capacity: Up to 8,900 pounds when properly equipped.
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2023 Silverado ZR2 in a few words: A capable off-roader that also makes a terrific city truck to work out of.
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Warranty: 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, 5-year 60,000 mile power train with roadside assistance, free courtesy transportation, and first maintenance visit is free.
- Final Assembly Location: Silad, Mexico.
- Manufacturer's website: Chevrolet
