These days, pickup drivers are often spoiled when it comes to trim options. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 is no exception, with seven trims running the gamut from cost-effective, reliable models like the WT to premium, full-featured options like the rarefied High Country. Falling towards the middle of the spectrum are two trims that share a name but drastically differ in performance, comfort, and convenience options: the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ and LT. Short for Luxury Touring and Luxury Touring Z, these two trims are not quite similar as their names might suggest.
First off, there’s the price, with the LTZ ringing in at $10,000 more than the LT option, but just what do drivers get for that sort of premium? Well, a more powerful engine for one, along with a host of high-end tech and safety features that further distinguish the two models. While there are plenty of intriguing trim options to check out when it comes to the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500, let’s take a deeper dive into the LT and LTZ and see how these two luxury touring models stack up when it comes to power, performance and those often-overlooked features that can make all the difference down the road.
Exceptional Performance
Power is the cornerstone of any pickup, allowing drivers to tow large loads and tackle challenging terrain without worry. While the more expensive LTZ packs a beefy 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 under the hood, the LT is no slouch in its own right with a recently revamped 2.7-liter Turbo engine. Chevy engineers returned to the drawing board for 2022, redesigning the brand’s turbocharged engine to increase the pickup’s torque. By using a more rigid type of cylinder block and stiffening the crankshaft, Chevy increased the LT’s torque by a considerable 72 lb-ft. The 2.7-liter Turbo engine can now produce an impressive 430 lb-ft of torque.
It’s these sorts of ongoing improvements that make pickups like the Silverado 1500 LTZ such a good value, with Chevy working tirelessly to improve every truck in the lineup. The 2.7-liter engine provides drivers a respectable 310 hp, but those looking for a little more power can upgrade to a 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel for an additional $2,390 or opt for the same 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 found on the higher-end LTZ for $2,390. It’s an impressive slate of options from Chevy, which makes it easier than ever to customize a Silverado 1500 to meet your own specific needs and budget.
Those looking for power won’t be disappointed by what they find under the hood of the LTZ, which offers a major upgrade in the engine department with the inclusion of a 5.3-liter V8. With 355 hp, the LTZ is brawny enough for almost any job, giving drivers more flexibility when they most need it. The LTZ comes standard with the 5.3L V8 gas engine and has the option of upgrading to the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine for an additional $995.
The 5.3L engine is capable of churning out 383 lb-ft of torque, but as is often the case, there’s no beating the diesel option. The available 3.0-liter Turbo-Diesel might offer less horsepower than the other options, but it’s untouchable in terms of torque, with a considerable 460 lb-ft to its name. That’s ideal for acceleration, towing, hauling, and other jobs requiring ample twisting force.
Exceptional Fuel Economy for a Full-Size Truck
While power often comes at the expense of fuel efficiency, a clever trick from Chevy has allowed the larger engine to rival the LT’s smaller setup by some metrics. The 2.7-liter engine on the LT uses the automaker’s active fuel management system, which increases fuel economy by selectively deactivating half of the engine’s cylinders under certain, less-demanding driving conditions. The LTZ’s 5.3-liter engine takes this trick one step further with the inclusion of dynamic fuel management, which can deactivate cylinders in 17 distinct patterns to provide optimal power and efficiency.
Despite having almost twice the displacement of the LT’s engine, the 5.3-liter option of the LTZ delivers an impressive fuel economy rating of 16 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway in two-wheel drive, and 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG in four-wheel mode. This is impressively comparable to the smaller engine’s 19 MPG in the city and 22 MPG in two-wheel drive and even more pronounced when opting for four-wheel drive at 17 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. Not asking drivers to sacrifice power in the name of fuel economy? With gas prices always on the rise, that’s almost the very definition of luxury.
Of course, drivers seeking the ultimate fuel economy can always opt for the Turbo-Diesel, which offers an unbeatable 23 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway in two-wheel drive and 22 MPG in the city and 26 MPG in its four-wheel guise. Producing 277 hp, it’s a great option for those looking to keep fuel costs under control without making any sacrifices on power. Best yet, it’s only a $995 upgrade for those opting for the LTZ trim
When It Comes to Innovative Technology, the LTZ Has an Edge
When it comes to cutting-edge interior tech, the LT trim level is where things start to get interesting and, of course, luxurious. Chevy expanded its slate of high-tech offerings for 2022, giving every Silverado 1500 model from the LT trim and up a generous complement of gadgets, gizmos, and safety features. The most notable addition would have to be the WiFi hotspot and new 13.4-inch color touchscreen display, equipped with the Chevy Infotainment 3 Premium system. The screen is crisp and impressively responsive, unlike so many other touchscreen displays out there today. This has long been a gripe of ours regarding touchscreen displays, which often lag in a way that’s not only frustrating but potentially unsafe.
The touchscreen display is loaded with all the expected apps, from a Google-powered voice-activated assistant to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even available integration with Amazon’s Alexa. While the LT also features a configurable 12.3-inch instrument cluster, much of its tech offerings are only available through the purchase of additional equipment packages like the Safety Package, Convenience Package I and II, and Advanced Trailering Package. It’s no surprise, given the pickup’s relatively modest price point, but for just an additional $10,000, the LTZ is decidedly better equipped.
For starters, the LTZ features more exterior chrome trim as well as LED headlights and taillights, but it’s the cabin where the real advantages start to show. Unlike the LT, where it’s offered as an optional upgrade, the Convenience Package comes standard on the LTZ, bringing a raft of premium tech into the pickup’s cabin. From dual-zone climate control, wireless device charging, a rear defogger, remote and push-button start to its 12-volt power outlets, bucket seats, and heated front seats, the LTZ truly earns its luxury label with the type of features that go a long way in making every ride more enjoyable.
The standard Safety Package for the LTZ, and available for the LT, adds front and rear park assist, rear cross traffic alert braking, and HD surround vision, giving Silverado drivers the confidence to navigate city streets and busy highways with ease. Of course, it wouldn’t be a luxury vehicle without leather seats, so the LTZ throws those in for good measure, along with a digital variable steering assist. Those looking for the ultimate in automotive tech can add the Convenience Package, which throws in a 120-volt power outlet, rear window defogger, and remote start.
One of the most alluring features of the LTZ is the inclusion of a seven-speaker Bose Premium Sound System with a Richbass subwoofer. It’s a notable improvement from the six speakers found on most of the lower trims. The premium Bose system has no problem contending with the roar of the hardworking truck itself, filling the cabin with crisp, high-fidelity audio through its striking stainless steel speaker grilles. Engineered specifically for the Silverado’s cabin, the Bose sound system can be further customized by drivers to deliver the ideal listening experience. Key to this experience is the system’s Richbass woofer, a compact but powerful 5.25-inch speaker located under the center console.
There’s Just Something About That Z
While the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 1500 LT and LTZ are some of the best, most well-rounded pickups on the market, the LTZ offers some clear advantages for discerning drivers. Sure, it’s a little more expensive than the lower luxury model, but that bump in price brings with it a wealth of technology, comfort features, and, most importantly, when it comes to hardworking pickups, power. The LTZ truly earns its luxury designation with a long list of standard features, while the LT’s premium features mostly come in the form of add-ons and additional equipment packages.
That might sound like a knock on the LT, but in truth, both trims are perfectly well-suited for the sector of the market they occupy. The lower trim offers nearly endless customization, and the LTZ arrives as an all-in-one package that’s well worth the higher price. No matter which model you choose, you can take comfort from the fact that Chevy’s reputation for reliability and performance will keep your 2022 Silverado 1500 ticking off the miles for years to come.
