Monday, September 26, 2022

2022 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss Balances Rugged Exterior with Massive Infotainment Overhaul

The 2022 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss is just as capable and burly as you’d expect from its name, and all of us here at Jim Butler Chevrolet of St. Louis have watched as countless potential buyers come back to our lot thrilled after a test drive! Its diesel engine, lifted suspension, and extra beefy mud-ready tires along with a large assortment of useful technology and an infotainment overhaul render it a class-leading and always-on-point choice for a busy family or steadily growing business.

The 8-inch display from last year and physical gauges on the dash have been removed to make way for better things like a larger 13.4-inch Chevy Infotainment 3 system and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster. The entire dashboard has taken on a completely different form with the addition of these larger screens, but the Silverado still retains most of its physical controls for climate, volume, and other functions as they were. The Chevy Infotainment 3 is based on Android Automotive OS and combines the usefulness of various Google services.

The Google Play app and Google Assistant voice commands are two of the awesome features that will aid you during every drive, with the Google Assistant running directly from the phone you brought along. The onboard Android Automotive OS is integrated directly into the hardware and uses the vehicle’s OnStar services connection to glean data, so you can use it as much as you need even if you leave your phone at home. Once you are logged in to Google, you can give Google access to your location and data to assist with your destinations, practical personal reminders, and other functions.

This setup also provides access to Google Maps, boasting a capable system that can automatically download and periodically update map data for destinations you frequently drive to. Once the Android Auto is up and running, one of its coolest features is the ability to install applications directly from the Play Store, which now features apps designed specifically for vehicles such as news, podcasts, and music players. Once you find the ones that suit you best you can download and store them onboard for simple access.

Inside you’ll also find a standard wireless phone charger situated directly on the center console, along with both very convenient USB Type-C and Type-A ports situated on the dashboard. Moving back to the bed you will find a 120-volt AC inverter that has enough juice for a contractor’s power tools or some extra loud tunes for the next tailgate! The Trail Boss Premium Package provides A-list extras such as leather trim, spray-on bed liner, perimeter lighting, a power lift, and a release tailgate. 

The Chevy Safety Assist driver-aid suite also comes standard for 2022, bringing you watchful eyes and ears in the form of automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. You’ll also be able to be forewarned of eminent danger with pedestrians or other vehicles with a surround-view camera system, rear cross-traffic alert with auto braking, and a hitch-view camera along with other helpful trailering aids. Our pick for the tops in performance and efficiency? Check out the 3.0-liter Duramax, cranking out 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of very ready and willing torque.