The world of new off-road pickup trucks continues to expand with the recent introduction of the 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2. How does it compare against other full-size trucks in the segment? We rate all the latest off-road trucks based on their specifications and capability in our latest TFL Talkin’ Trucks podcast.
To even be considered for this comparison, the truck must be equipped with a 4×4 system that also has a low-range transfer case for low-speed crawling. Next up are the off-road packages that you can add to most of the trim levels and raise off-road game even further.
In this off-road capability pyramid, the lowest level is comprised of the following:
- Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 / GMC Sierra 1500 X31
- Ford F-150 FX4
- Ram 1500 Off-Road
- Nissan Titan PRO-4X
- Toyota Tundra TRD Off-Road
These are the off-road packages that offer unique shock & suspension tuning. These usually do not offer a suspension lift (other than the Ram Off-road package). A selectable rear locking differential is mainly the name of the game for these packages, other than the limited slip in the Tundra and the mechanical G80 locker in the GM trucks.
The next level of the pyramid are trucks that offer unique off-road trim levels that suspension lifts and even more capability. This next-level includes:
- Chevy Silverado Trail Boss / GMC Sierra AT4
- Ram Rebel
- Toyota Tundra TRD Pro
The trucks listed here have more ground clearance, larger and/or more aggressive off-road tires, and better approach/departure angles than their more basic counterparts.
Where do we go from here? Well, the 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor just recently went on sale. While we have not had a chance to properly test the newest in Ford’s Tremor lineup – it does offer some very special equipment. The F-150 Tremor offers a raised suspension, larger tires, a selectable rear locking differential, and a TORSEN limited-slip front differential. It brings new off-road technology such as one-pedal off-road driving, one-wheel ‘Trail Turn Assist’, and more. The F-150 Tremor starts at around $51,000 after destination charges, but most of the fully-optioned
Since this new Tremor truck combines all of these elements together, we rate it higher than the trucks on the second level of the pyramid. This level of capability may also include the new Ram Rebel GT, but the new GT package is a little more about engine performance, and interior appointments, rather than the all-out off-road capability.
Finally, this is where the new 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 occupies the next level of off-road capability. Although we have not driven the new ZR2, its spec sheet includes both rear and front selectable locking differentials. It has a larger and more aggressive tire package (33-inch tires). It offers premium DSSV Multimatic spool valve shocks and a great approach angle with a unique ZR2 front bumper. We don’t yet know the starting price of the new Silverado ZR2, but it should be available for sale in Spring 2022.
How do we rate the new Ford F-150 Raptor and the Ram TRX? You will have to watch the podcast episode. In the end, we still rate the Ram TRX at the very highest level of the factory off-road truck capability. It doesn’t all have to do with the power plant – it also has to do with the suspension.
