We Jump Sand Dunes And Push The Chevy Silverado ZR2 To Its Limits | Review

Is there anywhere you'd like to drive a car that you haven't driven yet? For years, my answer was to drive a proper off-roader on empty sand dunes. So, when an invite landed in my inbox to spend a day driving the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 in the sand, I jumped at the chance.

The Silverado 1500 ZR2 has been around for a few years now, offering a more aggressive edge to the popular Silverado and providing shoppers an alternative to the popular Ram 1500 RHO and the Ford F-150 Raptor. The model we tested wasn't the recently updated 2027 model unveiled in the U.S. four months ago, but rather the outgoing generation that's still sold in markets, including Australia.

The destination was Tasmania, the small island state south of the Australian mainland, with a beachside area dominated by towering sand dunes. As a place to test the off-roading abilities of a pickup like the Silverado ZR2, it's hard to think of a better location.

The ZR2 is one of just two Silverado 1500 models currently sold Down Under, with the other being the LTZ Premium. Prices start at AU$147,490 (US$103,500), excluding fees, making it much more expensive than the same model sold in the US, starting at AU$71,800 (US$50,400). The reason is simple. To sell the Silverado in Australia, General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has to have it converted to right-hand drive by local firm Walkinshaw Group.

Fortunately, GMSV hasn't had to ditch any of the great upgrades that distinguish the ZR2 from other Silverado models. This means it keeps the same naturally aspirated 6.2-liter EcoTec 3 V8 engine as the American model, producing 313 kW (420 hp) and 624 Nm (460 lb-ft) of torque. Mated to this engine is a 10-speed automatic transmission with an external auxiliary transmission cooler, and an upgraded 2-speed transfer case.

Even more important than the powertrain are the Multimatic DSSV dampers fitted as standard on the ZR2. Multimatic's advanced dampers have become legendary, used not only on brilliant off-roaders like the Silverado ZR2, but also on cars like the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE and even the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano. We won't bore you with a detailed analysis explaining the wizardry behind these dampers. Just know they are among the finest on the market and, as we discovered, absolutely perfect for messing around on sand.

Chevrolet has made several upgrades to the new 2027 Silverado range in the U.S., but this doesn't mean older models like the one we tested feel dated. In fact, the ZR2's cabin is still a lovely place to spend time.

Key features include a 13.4-inch central infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It also includes a decent Bose audio system, though it only has seven speakers, and is equipped with heated front and rear seats. It also has a heated steering wheel, a power-sliding rear window, and a combination of Jet Black and Greystone leather upholstery.

Our day with the Silverado ZR2 started off in the city of Launceston before we headed northeast and near the famed Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links, often regarded as one of the best golf courses in the world. Nearby, the GMSV team scoped out a beach area with awe-inspiring sand dunes that would serve as our playground for the day.

Even without the added performance of a Hennessy Goliath ZR2, the stock truck feels great. Those torn between the ZR2 and rivals such as the Ram 1500 RHO or F-150 Raptor will appreciate that the Chevy has a roaring V8, not a six-cylinder relying on forced induction. It comes standard with a dual active sport exhaust and, under full throttle, sounds absolutely superb, in the only way that a big V8 can. Crucially, it's not obnoxious, unlike a more extreme alternative like the Ram 1500 TRX or Ford F-150 Raptor R.

The Multimatic dampers also work brilliantly on the road. They don't lock the pickup to the road like a sports car, but they do give it a soft, plush ride, unlike most mid-size pickups. The DSSV dampers' benefits are most obvious when you leave the road.

To reach the sand dunes, we first cruised along the beach, looking out over the Bass Strait, which separates Tasmania from the mainland. After a short stint on the sand, it was obvious the Silverado ZR2 was right at home in this environment. We then turned slightly inland and followed a narrow, rocky, sandy trail up towards the sand dunes, ending up perched on top of one with nothing but ocean, sand, and pristine greenery around.

Our first task was to descend down a terrifying dune that looked like it fell away at 45 degrees. Our instructors, which included former Bathurst 1000 winner Paul Morris, told us the ZR2 could be left in its normal driving mode; there was no need to activate 4LO or hill descent control, and we could simply coast down the sand. That's exactly what we did, and the Chevy took it all in its stride, barely feeling as though it had even been pushed. At one point, I even tapped the throttle because the sand was so deep that even gravity wasn't enough.

Climbing back up this slope would have been impossible in anything but a dirt bike or a side-by-side, but the Silverado ZR2 climbed back up, running diagonally up the slope. With a solid dose of throttle, it feels like it can conquer anything.

Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud-terrain tires come standard on the ZR2 and are great for owners who plan to take their truck off-roading. The downside is that these tires are very loud on the road, which can get tiresome.

To say we abused the hell out of the ZR2 we were driving would be an understatement. I sent it up steep slopes and across bumpy tracks on sheer determination and a heavy right foot. Driving in deep, soft sand is tricky, and the best way to avoid getting stuck is to hit the gas and keep moving. Thanks to the big V8, the Chevy has more than enough power, and the suspension setup delivers enough wheel articulation for bumps and rocks. We also tackled several water crossings, which the ZR2 handled easily. We even got a little bit of airtime over some of the dunes.

Away from the dunes and on the beach, the Silverado also proved to be the perfect companion. With plenty of traction and those advanced dampers, it felt locked to the sand even at up to 100 km/h (62 mph) with waves crashing just meters away. Of course, very few Silverado ZR2 owners will take their pickups to the beach and abandoned sand dunes, but if they do, they can rest assured it'll handle it. Many Aussie owners are bound to do a lot of towing, and the ZR2 should perform on that front, at least according to the spec sheet. 

While we didn't get to do any towing, GMSV says it can tow 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) with the standard 50 mm (1.9 inch) tow ball or 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) with the larger 70 mm (2.7 inch) ball. It also has a solid payload of 713 kg (1,571 lbs). Additionally, the ZR2 includes a rearview camera with hitch guidance, a trailer theft alert system, and an electric trailer brake controller.

Efficiency isn't the strong suit of any full-size truck, and that's especially true for a full-size truck with performance intentions. Chevy quotes combined fuel economy of 12.7 l/100 km (18.5 U.S. mpg), and while that's achievable on the highway, it's hard to achieve in urban settings. During our off-roading adventures, we saw figures exceeding 30 l/100 km (7.8 US mpg), but that's what happens when you're powering through dunes at full throttle.

For our American readers, the Aussie-spec Silverado 1500 ZR2 will sound very expensive, and it is. However, the price is roughly in line with competitors. The closest F-150 on price sold locally is the AU$143,950 (US$101,000) Lariat, but it's obviously less focused on off-roading than the ZR2, instead emphasizing luxury. The ZR2 is probably the best option for someone looking for a pickup like this, until the facelifted model launches in Australia with the larger 6.7-liter V8.