The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is the new flagship off-roader in the Silverado lineup, besting the Silverado Trail Boss in off-road capability and rugged looks. The much-needed interior and exterior updates to the Silverado take one of our least favorite trucks we’ve tested and propel it to the head of the class.
New for 2023 in the Silverado ZR2 is the availability of the ZR2 Bison package, which is fitted by the renowned off-road outfitter, American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). While we didn’t have a chance to test the Bison, the 2023 Silverado ZR2 is still one of our favorite off-road trucks on the market, just like it comes from dealers.
In this quick video, we look at some of the highlights of the new 2023 Silverado ZR2.
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is the flagship off-road model in the Silverado 1500 lineup. The Silverado received an updated exterior design in 2022 and a much-needed interior refresh featuring a 13.4-inch touchscreen center display and a 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster.
The Silverado ZR2’s center touchscreen is powered by Google and offers built-in access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. The 2023 Silverado ZR2 is powered by a standard 6.2L V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
To give the Silverado ZR2 exceptional off-road capabilities, Chevrolet has fitted it with 33-inch Mud Terrain tires and Multimatic 40mm DSSV spool-valve dampers with connected chambers for fluid chamber flow. Uniquely tuned springs combined with the Multimatic dampers increase front and rear suspension travel over the rest of the Silverado lineup.
Also included in the ZR2 are front and rear e-lockers, skid plates, specific off-road driving modes with one-pedal rock crawl control, and a steel front bumper with removable end caps that improve the Silverado ZR2s approach angle.
While the Silverado ZR2 isn’t a Ford F-150 Raptor or Ram TRX fighter, the Silverado ZR2 will give the Ford F-150 Tremor and Ram Rebel a real challenge on the trails. The Silverado ZR2 is certainly the best-looking of the off-road 1500-series pickup trucks.
