Four Wheeler’s Pickup Truck and SUV of the Year 2023, Day 4: Diving Deep

The 2023 Four Wheeler Pickup Truck and SUV of the Year brought a selection of the latest and greatest pickup trucks and SUVs together for a weeklong on- and off-road experience.

Related:Don't Miss the Action From Day 3 of Testing!

2023 Four Wheeler Pickup Truck of the Year Contestants

• 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
• 2022 Ram Heavy Duty Rebel

2023 Four Wheeler SUV of the Year Contestants

• 2022 Lexus LX600
• 2022 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro
• 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
• 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trail Hawk
• 2022 Wagoneer

Where Are the Ford F-150 and Bronco Raptors?

Invitations to be part of the Pickup Truck and SUV of the Year are extended to all pickup trucks and SUVs satisfying the criteria for the respective tests. Though both of these vehicles were invited, the decision to attend the competition is made by the manufacturer, and companies often decline the invitation.

What Is the Pickup Truck and SUV of the Year Test?

Pickup Truck and SUV of the Year is an annual gathering of the latest and greatest pickup trucks and SUVs. The invitation-only event is open to any all-new or substantially revised truck or SUV with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case (or equivalent) that produces low-range gearing. Trucks and SUVs must also have a production run in the United States of at least 1,500 vehicles, and must be available on dealer lots by March of 2023. Invitations were extended to all SUVs and pickup trucks satisfying these criteria. The test includes multiple days of on- and off-road evaluation of the vehicles conducted by a team of seasoned experts in the field.

How Do You Compare the Silverado ZR2 to the Rebel HD?

We don't. Each truck and SUV is evaluated based upon how judges feel the vehicle should perform within its vehicle class. The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 is evaluated based on how it should perform relative to other standard-track-width trucks like the Ford F-150 Tremor, Ram 1500 Rebel, and Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. This is not a test of which truck can grind the farthest up a hillclimb; rather, it's a look at how the features of each vehicle work together when subjected to the rigors of on- and off-road driving.

Day 4 of Testing

Traveling through the mountains after recent precipitation meant snow, ice, and mud for the pickup trucks and SUVs, and a perfect opportunity to drive the vehicles the way we'd expect most people to use their 4x4s. Trails that are normally strewn with rocks were made more exciting with a coating of snow and subsequent mud and water.

We paid attention to the presence and absence of skidplating and body armor when navigating obstacles, as well as how the vehicles' wheel and tire packages handled the trails. Low-traction situations put traction aids to work, and we watched (and felt) how each suspension sopped up irregularities underfoot. Fording depth was not a factor in our evaluation, but we found more than one excuse to splash (respectfully) through a handful of puddles.

To finish the day, we passed the vehicles over a series of washouts to further examine how locking differentials, off-road modes, and suspensions worked together to tackle uneven terrain.