New in 2022 – A look at the latest model pickups from Mario Cywinski

The big changes in the pick-up space for 2022 are in the 1500-sized group, with Toyota re-designing their U.S.-built Tundra, Ford adding a fully electric version of its F-150 (Lightning), General Motors refreshing its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models and Stellantis making a series of package additions and changes.

FORD
F-150
The big news for Ford’s pick-up portfolio is the addition of the fully electric F-150 Lightning.

The Lightning offers two lithium-ion battery options, a standard range with an estimated 370 kilometres of range, and an extended range version with an estimated 483 km of range. Power comes in two flavours as well: a standard range model with 426 horsepower and and extended range model with 563 hp. Both versions come with 775 foot/pounds of torque. 

Charging times are projected to be as follows: the Level 3 charger (50/150 kilowatts) for 15 percent to 85 percent is (91/44) minutes for a standard range and (122/41) minutes for an extended range. Level 2 charging on the standard range can be 10 to 14 hours, and extended range eight to 19 hours. 

Capability-wise, Lightning offers estimated maximum payload of 1,800 pounds for the extended range to 2,000 lbs for standard range. Maximum estimated towing ranges are (with the maximum trailer tow package) from 7,700 lbs (standard-range) to 10,000 lbs (extended-range).

An interesting new feature on the Lightning is Ford Intelligent Backup Power, which can turn your truck into a backup power source for a building. The system gives the Lightning the ability to offload 9.6 kW of power. When using the truck with an 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro and a management system, the system sends power to the building instead of charging itself. Once power is restored, the truck goes back to charging its battery. According to Ford, an extended-range battery model can power a house for up to three days when using an average of 30 kWh of daily use.

Four trim levels are available for the Lightning: a fleet-focused Pro trim and XLT, Lariat and Platinum. 

Other F-150 models have already received onboard scales, smart hitch, and continuously controlled damping, plus an appearance package, a utility package and colour changes. A new Raptor R trim is also on the horizon.

Super Duty
For 2022, Super Duty now has an available 12-inch touch screen with cloud-connected SYNC 4 offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and connected navigation. 

A new Lariat Sport Appearance Package offers body-colour grille, bumpers and mirrors. All King Ranch and Platinum models now have standard four wheel drive. Other package and colour changes also occur.

Super Duty models now offer available 360-degree dual-beacon LED warning strobes, which takes the place of a four-corner LED warning strobes.

Larger F-350 to F600 chassis cab models get revised frame bridging reinforcements as standard. Lariat receives standard SYNC 4 and SiriusXM with a 360-litre tank. 

GENERAL MOTORS
Chevrolet Silverado
For 2022, the Chevrolet Silverado sees a refresh, which updates various parts of the vehicle. All trim levels have a new front fascia and grille, revised DRLs and new colours.

Silverado LT models and above get a new interior with a standard 13.4-inch touch screen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The new interior also features built-in Google, which has access to Google Assistant, Maps, and Play on the infotainment screen; these work with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Available on High Country trim is Super Cruise, a hands-free driver assistance feature, which in this version also allows trailering. The main two aspects of the system are the driver attention system (which uses a small camera makes sure the driver is looking at the road) and LiDAR map data. This is the first time it is available on a Chevrolet pick-up truck. The system works on about 320,000 km of divided and compatible roads in Canada and the U.S. 

An updated 2.7L turbo engine now offers 420 ft/lbs of torque (a 20 percent increase over the previous version), has a 30 percent stiffer crankshaft and can now tow 9,600 lbs on two-wheel drive models. The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine models now allow for inclusion of the maximum towing package (through chassis changes), and in turn can now tow 13,300 lbs on two-wheel drive models.

A new ZR2 off-road-focused model is added for 2022. It has a 6.2L V-8 engine (420hp and 460 ft/lbs of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission), a tuned spring with Multimatic dampers, front and rear e-lockers, an off-road chassis, 33-inch off-road tires, a skid plate package, a high-approach steel front bumper and more.

Looking to the future, Chevrolet is bringing an EV version of the Silverado to market as a 2024 model. It will use GM’s Ultium EV platform and RST models will offer an estimated range of 640km on a full charge and up to 10,000 lbs of towing. RST with wide open watts will have over 660hp and 780 ft/lbs of torque taking the truck from zero to 96 km/h in under 4.5 seconds. Production versions of the vehicle may have slightly different specifications.

GMC
Sierra
Sierra offers a refreshed exterior with new fascia, front bumper, grille and headlight design, along with new dual-projector LED headlights with C-shaped DRLs and new colours. 

An updated interior offers a new centre console design. Sierra SLE models and above get a new interior with a standard 13.4-inch touch screen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. An available 15-inch heads-up display is available. The new interior also features built-in Google, which has access to Google Assistant, Maps, and Play on the infotainment screen; these work with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The 2.7L turbo engine is enhanced and offers 420 ft/lbs of torque, a 30 percent stiffer crankshaft, and can tow 9,400 lbs on 2WD models (9,100lbs on 4WD). The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine models now can have a maximum tow package (through chassis changes), and in turn can now tow 13,200 lbs on 2WD models (13,000lbs with 4WD).

A new AT4X model is added for 2022. It has a 6.2L V-8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, a tuned spring with Multimatic dampers, front and rear e-locking differentials, an off-road chassis, and a two-speed transfer case with a steel shield. A new Sierra Denali Ultimate trim is added and becomes the top range model. 

The all-electric version of GMC Sierra pickup truck will join the already announced GMC Hummer EV and GMC Hummer SUV soon. The electric version of the Sierra will be built on the company’s Ultium platform and will launch in Denali trim only. 

STELANTIS
RAM 1500
For 2022, all models Big Horn and above get the new Uconnect 5 system, which has Wi-Fi and a tow-specific navigation system that is faster and has more memory. All models also get the Ram clean air system (it filters 95 percent of air particulates).

Also, for 2022 Ram 1500 gets new special edition models added to the lineup. The Limited 10th Anniversary Edition has a blue shade colour, a multi-function tailgate, cold air intake, cold end exhaust, badging and 22-inch polished wheels. On the interior it has Indigo and Sea Salt quilted leather seats; an instrument panel; a console and door inserts; suede headliner, visors and A-pillar; and a unique badging along with a 19-speaker sound system.

A new GT package is available on Laramie, Rebel and Sport trims with sport crew cab and five-foot, seven-inch bed. It offers a sport performance hood, a black grille, GT decals, cold air intake and cold air performance exhaust. Inside are bucket seats with high bolsters, a flat-bottom steering wheel with aluminum paddles, a performance-oriented floor shifter, performance screens, and more

Also, a BackCountry package is available for Big Horn models with a 5.7L V-8 engine, that includes the bed utility group, the off-road group, and the usual selection of body-colour and black coloured options. A Red package is added to Limited crew cab models and has a red RAM grille and door badges and a badge on the centre console lid.

Finally, the performance TRX model gets a new Ignition Edition which is centred around an orange colour outside and stitching and logos on the inside, as well as a selection of standard options.

Heavy Duty (2500 and up)
The 2500/3500 HD models get the Uconnect 5 system on Big Horn and above. Package changes occur with new Big Horn Silver Edition. Power Wagon models now get a new equipment package and new optional features. The Limited Black model gets updates and Big Horn models get a new grille.

The tow mode now offers a digital rearview mirror that allows the driver to see behind the trailer. A 360-degree trailer camera view is available and includes four camera and wiring. Also, a trailer hitch light is now standard and has four LED lights.

Chassis cabs now offer available dual fuel tanks on 6.4L Hemi models.

The Toyota Tundra has probably had the most changes for 2022. Photo: Toyota Canada

TOYOTA
Tundra
For 2022, the American-built Tundra is all-new, with a redesigned exterior that offers a new front fascia, grille and overall appearance. It now comes with a new standard 3.5L twin-turbocharged V-6 engine that offers 389 hp and 479 ft/lbs of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The optional engine is what Toyota calls the i-Force Max, which uses the same standard engine but adds a motor generator with a clutch. It provides additional power transferred through the transmission and offers EV driving, regeneration and electric assist through its hybrid system. The system uses a 288V nickel-metal-hydride battery housed under the rear seats. Overall, the system has 437hp and 583 ft/lbs of torque, mated to the same 10-speed automatic transmission as the standard engine.

Tundra now rides on a new chassis with the multi-link rear suspension now riding on coil springs (replacing the leaf springs used before). The changes allow for the new Tundra to have a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 lbs, a 17.6 percent increase over the outgoing model. Overall payload is now 1,940 lbs, an increase of 11 percent.

Speaking of towing, the Tundra now offers two tow/haul modes, one for smaller trailers and one for larger ones. New cameras are also added along with new power extending and folding tow mirrors, trailer back guidance and a new available air suspension system.

With an all-new interior comes an available 14-inch touch screen with a brand-new audio multimedia system as well as an available 12.3-inch instrument cluster display. Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5 is standard on all trims – it offers a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, lane departure warning, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams and road sign assist. A rear seat reminder is also standard.

Tundra will come in two sizes (double cab or crewmax), three bed lengths (5.5, 6.5 and 8.1 inches), five trims (SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794) with TRD and TRD Pro packages available. 

Mario Cywinski is the Editor of Plant magazine, Machinery and Equipment MRO magazine and Food and Beverage magazine, a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, and a judge for Canadian Truck King Challenge.