Pickup trucks are far from being one-trick ponies. As they’ve grown more popular, they have developed in different directions, making them a suitable choice for a wide variety of lifestyles. Vehicle manufacturers have diversified their pickup lines to meet the needs of their widely-varied consumers. When it comes to different jobs, not all trucks are created equal. In a matchup between the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2022 Ram 1500, we’re exploring which truck is best-suited for certain jobs.
Off-Roading – 2022 Ram 1500
Both the Ram 1500 and the Silverado 1500 have offerings that are fitted with features designed to make them capable off-roadsters straight from the factory. For the Silverado, it’s the new-for-2022 ZR2 trim. It’s powered by a 6.2 liter V8 that gets 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Silverado ZR2 also comes with skid plates, premium Multimatic shocks, and plenty of style cues that make the ZR2 look as good as it drives.
As much of a beast as the Silverado ZR2 is, the Ram 1500 TRX has got it beat in the arena of off-roading. Its supercharged 6.2 liter Hemi V8 gets a whopping 702 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque and an ultra-sophisticated Bilstein shock system that allows for 13 inches of front suspension travel and 14 inches of rear suspension travel. It has several different driving modes, ranging from a road-friendly comfort mode to an all-out Baja mode that allows for the greatest amount of movement in the suspension, so the truck can fly over lumps and bumps without losing traction. It doesn’t just ride like a Baja truck, either. Certain aesthetic cues, like the two-tone paint option and optional RamBar with mounted lights, capture the spirit of dramatically-styled Baja trucks. The 35-inch tires paired with flared fenders and a 145.1-inch wheelbase make the Ram TRX look like a cross between King Kong and a jacked-up bulldog (it works).
Working – 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500
We all have to go to work sometimes, and even vehicles have got jobs to do. Pickup trucks are a popular choice for company fleets everywhere, thanks to their brute strength and versatility. Both the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 and the 2022 Ram 1500 make excellent choices for people who are haulin’ and ballin’, but the Chevy Silverado 1500 has got the best towing prowess of the two. It has a total of four engines: a 2.7 liter turbocharged inline-four, a 5.3 liter EcoTec3 V8, a 6.2 liter EcoTec3 V8, and a 3.0 liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six.
The 6.2 liter EcoTec3 V8 allows for a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 lbs when paired with the double cab, Chevy’s Max Trailering package, and 20-inch wheels. It’s an available option on the High Country, LTZ, LT, Trail Boss, and RST trims. The 3.0 liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six is also a workhorse, with a maximum towing capacity of 9,300 lbs. It’s also one of the most fuel-efficient options of the bunch, with an EPA-estimated 23 MPG for city driving and 33 MPG for highway driving. That means less time spent fueling it, and we all know that time is money.
Another job-friendly aspect of the 2022 Chevy Silverado is its customizable body, which can be configured to fit whatever you need it for. It’s offered in crew, double, and regular cabs, and bed options are aplenty as well. The short bed has 62.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, the standard bed gets 71.7 cubic feet, and the long bed gets 89.1 cubic feet.
Lifestyle – 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500
Pickup trucks may be the top choice for those who want or need a lot of power out of their vehicle, but they’re also popular for people whose lifestyles could be kept up with by a hatchback. Even if they don’t really need them, people like trucks. The best pickup for a “lifestyle” pickup owner is the 2022 Chevy Silverado. It’s generally cheaper than the Ram 1500 and has eight different trims, making it well-suited for a variety of buyers.
The Chevy Silverado is offered with a lot of nifty features that can make life just a little bit easier, like the power-lift and power-close tailgate, as well as the Multi-Flex Tailgate. The Multi-Flex Tailgate is multifunctional and can be configured to do different things, like prevent extra-long loads from sliding out of the bed or create a work surface for laptops or blueprints. The Chevy Silverado is also incredibly stylish and is offered in four special editions that give off completely different vibes: the Rally Edition, the Midnight Edition, the Redline Edition, and the Realtree Edition.
The Rally Edition has black accents and racing stripes, while the Midnight Edition is completely blacked-out for an effortlessly high-end look. The Redline Edition is geared towards a sportier crowd with red and black accents, stripes on the rearview mirrors, and glossy paint. Lastly, the Realtree Edition can’t be beat as far as hunting trip companions go. It’s got camouflage accents and a factory 2-inch lift. For a vehicle that acts as a daily driver, comfort is a necessity. The Chevy Silverado 1500 is one of the roomiest in its class, thanks to 44.53 inches of front legroom and up to 43.40 inches of rear legroom in the crew cab body style.
Luxury – 2022 Ram 1500
The Ram 1500 is known for being one of the most luxurious in its segment. It boasts some of the most impressive tech in the game and is offered with a number of cool features that just might make you feel like you’re operating a spaceship. One unique feature is the optional digital rearview mirror. Instead of being a plain mirror, Ram gets fancy with the addition of an LCD monitor that shows a video stream from the rear-facing camera when switched on. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof is basically as close as you can get to a drop-top without having to expose yourself to the elements (you wouldn’t want to get rain on your Gucci pants). It gets a whopping 10 square feet of views.
Luxury for the Ram doesn’t just mean cool technology, either. Comfort and quality play a big role in the high-class feel of this truck. It’s got a best-in-class rear-seat legroom at 45.2 inches and, because one isn’t good enough, Ram 1500 owners have the option of including upper and rear glove compartments. Each trim level of the Ram 1500 has a unique interior because skimping just isn’t its style. One of the most luxurious features is the Harman Kardon audio system, which features 19 high-quality speakers. The active front air dam automatically extends at certain speeds to reduce drag, while the Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension automatically lowers the truck’s frame for an even more aerodynamic ride.
Different Hats
A pickup truck is kind of like a blank page – depending on who’s dictating its direction, it can become a lot of different things. Whether you need an off-roading beast or a luxurious daily driver, there’s a truck that can get the job done. Scarce few are more customizable than the 2022 Chevy Silverado and the 2022 Ram 1500; there isn’t much out there that these trucks can’t tackle.
