J.D. Power 2022 IQS Heralds Late Summer’s Horizon: Chevy Silverado HD is America’s “Best Heavy Duty Pickup”

Troy, Michigan is home to an American consumer research entity that has long been the authority on product quality, buyer demographics, utilities, automotive opinion, and wealth sectors. Founder James David Power III had worked in customer research and advertising himself for Ford, and it was here that he felt the all-important data regarding customer satisfaction had been overlooked for too long. J.D. Power created their first comprehensive Dealer Attitude Study in 1976, and the highly regarded and on-point U.S. Automotive Customer Satisfaction Index in 1981. 

These surveys are vital and always educational for us here at West Chevy of Knoxville, as every year brings new opportunities to celebrate as we usually have extreme bragging rights with multiple models at the top of the list! The latest J.D. Power 2022 U.S. IQS is based on the collected survey responses from 84,165 individuals who purchased or leased current-year models. This year’s thorough endeavor was composed of 223 questions, which examine vehicle quality based on nine traits. Features, climate, powertrain, controls and displays, exterior, driving assistance, infotainment, interior, seats, and overall driving experience are taken into consideration for each contender.

After gathering these responses, J.D. Power then finalizes individual model and brand scores using their infamous and very informative “PP100”, or Problems Per 100 vehicles stat. A lower score is an indicator of higher vehicle quality. The Chevy Silverado HD was slotted at the top of the Large Heavy-Duty Pickup segment, and the Chevy brand was ranked above Dodge with a collective PP100 score of 147. The Chevy Corvette, Equinox, Malibu, and Tahoe also were at the top of their respective categories, netting Chevrolet six champion-reigning segment awards for the year. 

There’s so much to love about the Silverado HD: When it first came onto the scene in 2000, the base powertrain was a Vortec 6.0-liter V8, which cranked out 300 eager horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. Now enjoying its 4th generation and being expertly assembled by the hard-working men and women of Flint, Michigan, the HD moved to the T1 platform and saw an entirely new exterior design along with more space inside to sprawl out, more capable hardware, and the latest and greatest in technology features. 

The available configurations for the 2022 model are Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country, providing various combinations for 22 durable and hard-working cab, chassis, bed, and driveline lineups. Every test drive of the 3500HD here at West Chevy is excited to work with 35,500 pounds of towing capacity with new hardware, more than half as much more than the previous generation. Bold-looking and loaded with awesome trailer technology to aid when the going gets tough, this award-winning beast is a well-appointed and headstrong tool for hard-working folks that can’t resist the pull of all-American and show-off-worthy steel!

Summer of The Premier Tow: 2021 Chevy Silverado's In-Depth Breakdown of Towing Capabilities

When the sun is shining more frequently, the lakes are more appealing, and the many off-road trails near West Chevy of Knoxville become inviting, everyone who owns a truck begins to wonder about its towing capability. The 2021 Chevy Silverado HD has five different engine selections, 3 different transmissions, three cab sizes, and 3 bed lengths to ultimately choose from. Every option has its own distinct characteristics and the lofty boast of towing anywhere from 7200 to 13,300 pounds. 

Here are some vital statistics to keep in mind during your selection, and a detailed look at just how each engine fits in the all-important summer tow breakdown when jet skis and ATVs make their way excitingly into the picture!

The Turbocharged 2.7-Liter Four-Cylinder doles out 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque, and the top three tow ratings for this engine are 9,600 pounds, 9,400 pounds, and 9.300 pounds. To get the 2.7-liter's maximum 9,600-pound rating, you begin with a two-wheel-drive regular-cab long bed in the Worth Truck trim and can work up to the 9,400-lb rating with the 4WD regular-cab long-box. The 9,300-lb rating comes in the 2WD double-cab standard-box configuration in the WT trim, and many who have tried this potent engine love the way the turbocharger soups things up way beyond the 4-cylinders ground-level expectations. 

The 4.3-Liter V6 is the only Silverado currently available with a 6-speed automatic transmission and allows for towing capacities up to 7,900 pounds in the 2WD WT regular-cab long-box configuration. The third-highest rating of 7,400 pounds Is attainable with the 4WD crew cab with the short and standard boxes and the 4WD double-cab standard bed. 

The 5.3-Liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque is the choice of many Silverado owners who have their sights set on the bigger things in life, not stopping at all when it comes to lake and RV-themed toys to lug along. This choice of the engine can be equipped with the six-speed, 8 speed, or 10-speed automatic transmissions, and the maximum towing configurations are all gained with the 8-speed auto and addition of the Max Trailering Package. To pridefully pull 11,500 lbs are the fighting soldiers of summer fun with the 2WD crew-cab short bed and 2WD double-cab standard bed, both situated in LT trim. 

The 6.2-Liter V8 that doles out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque is where your quest for a hauler that can really hang with the big boys ends. It sees the addition of the 10-speed auto, which is the only transmission offered. This choice equips you to confidently tow 13,300 pounds in the 4WD double-cab standard bed, putting to use the RST trim, hefty Max Trailering Package, and 20-inch wheels. 

The 3.0-Liter Inline-Six-Cylinder Diesel has a tow rating that is now increased by 200 pounds from 2020, to 9,500 pounds. The 4WD LT double-cab standard bed is rated at 9,100 pounds, and this particular configuration has won very high marks for its fuel efficiency and sense of resilience.