The revised lineup will include the rugged AT4X and plush Denali Ultimate trims.
Although the current GMC Sierra 1500 was first introduced to the market in 2019, its uncomfortable interior was a big letdown when compared with its main rival, the Ram 1500. The updated Sierra 1500 will bring some changes to the market in 2022. It features a new styling and major interior upgrades. Two new trims, the Denali Ultimate and the off-road AT4X, join the lineup.
With enlarged touchscreens, revised materials and a more modern design than the previous Sierra 1500, the new cabin draws inspiration from the GMC Yukon SUV. While the exterior styling is unchanged, there are a few updates that will keep it current. The new Sierra will be available in the same trim 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 15 and will go on sale in the first quarter 2022 at a starting price $32,495 for base Pro trim.
Dissidents, a New Face
The 2022 GMC Sierra’s exterior has seen the most significant changes. Its front end now features a larger grille. Every trim level has a new grille texture. The Denali Ultimate and Denali Ultimate have the same. This will be extended to other luxury-trim models in the future. The new front bumper conceals subtle LED foglamps. Meanwhile, the dual-projector LED headlights get bolder C-shaped daytime running lamps and animated lighting sequences.
The side profile has been updated with new wheel designs and three exterior colors, Titanium Rush Metallic (Dynamic Blue Metallic) and Desert Sand Metallic (). The truck’s bed remains the same, with its clever six-position MultiPro tailgate design and CarbonPro composite construction. The new Sierra’s sharp new face and minor changes elsewhere are all modern without affecting its attractive exterior design.
The Denali Ultimate trim, which is new for 2022, gets a dark-finished Vader chrome front grille, exterior accents, low gloss black 22-inch wheels, revised badges and revised badging. The AT4X, a similar-new model, gets its own 18-inch black wheels as well as an optional rocker guard to allow for aggressive off-roading.
Modern Comfort
The exterior of the 2022 Sierra looks very similar to its predecessor. However, the interior is quite different. GMC has released images of its two new trims, Denali Ultimate, and AT4X. They ripped their cabins almost unchanged from the high-spec Yukon Denali, and AT4. This means that the dashboard design is more modern and sophisticated than the old Sierra 1500’s blobby, boring design.
New for 2022, the Denali Ultimate trim features Adaptive Ride Control, a sueded headliner and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system with etched stainless-steel speaker grilles. The Denali Ultimate’s unique Paldao wood trim in matte finish, paired with stunning Alpine Umber upholstery, is what makes it stand out stylistically. The wood is engraved with a topographical map showing Alaska’s Denali mountain and the leather seats are embossed with it. The leather dash, door panels and center console add appeal, as do the 16-way massaging front seat. The Ultimate will cost $80,395.
Similar polish is applied to the AT4X trim. The AT4X has 16-way massaging, but it is not as luxurious as the Denali Ultimate. It also features trim-specific Vanta Ash wood trim and leather upholstery. Bose’s audio system is also standard and all have the same interior design as the Denali Ultimate. To get the AT4X, a luxurious and powerful device, you will need $74,995
Even the smallest trims of this revised Sierra lineup will get new cabin styling. GMC did not have any photos, but a representative of the company confirmed that the Sierra SLE/SLT would sport similar interior styling to their Yukon counterparts. The AT4X, AT4X, Denali Ultimate and AT4X are similar. Every trim SLE and higher will receive a standard 13.4 inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch digital cluster. This is a significant upgrade to the previous Sierra’s flagship 8.0″ touchscreen and analog gauges with an 8.0-inch central display. The pixel overload will only be available on the base Sierra Pro.
Robust Capability
The new Sierra 1500 AT4X has more to offer than styling and interior upgrades. It also features a long list suspension and hardware improvements that will make it stand out from the crowd. A new set of Multimatic DSSV spool valve dampers is the highlight. These dampers are based on technology from the smaller Colorado ZR2, and share some similarities with the mechanically identical Silverado ZR2. They provide greater control on varied off-road terrains without compromising on-road comfort. They are amazing in the Colorado mid-size pickup, although we haven’t tried them there.
Unique springs are used in the AT4X to increase wheel travel. They can be adjusted by the front 50 millimeters and the rear 25 millimeters, respectively, compared with the AT4. Standard features include front and rear electronic locking differentials. This improves traction in low-traction, offroad conditions. To prevent damage to large obstacles, the transfer case’s underbody shield is larger. The drive mode selector also includes hardware upgrades. Terrain mode allows one-pedal trail driving, with the transfer case set at 4-Low.
Take a look, but don’t touch
General Motors’ Super Cruise driver-assist system will be standard on the Sierra Denali Ultimate, and optional on Denali. Super Cruise activates when the Sierra is on a mapped road. This allows the driver to get off the wheel and allow the truck to manage adaptive cruise control, lane centering, lane tracing, and automatic lane changes. Super Cruise can also be used with a trailer attached. The driver can enter the trailer’s length and enable automatic lane changes. Super Cruise monitors the distance to the sides and behind the truck.
The 2022 Sierra’s Android Auto infotainment program found on SLE trims above makes Super Cruise operations more efficient. The embedded Google Maps feature allows the system to make route suggestions based upon Super Cruise availability. The system also includes other Google ecosystem apps like Assistant and Play and will provide over-the-air updates. The system will include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Tow harder
These software enhancements will allow the GMC Sierra 1500 2022 to take advantage of its slightly modified powertrain and chassis. The 5.3-liter V8s and the 6.2-liter V8s remain largely unchanged. However, the headline-grabbing turbocharged inline-four makes an estimated 420 poundfeet (569 Newton-meters), which is a 20% increase over the current 2.7’s 348 Lb-ft (472Nm). Although power is not confirmed, the four-banger’s outgoing engine produces 310 horsepower (231 kW). This adds up to a trailer weight of 9,600 pounds for a two-wheel-drive version. It is a 200-pound improvement over 2021.
The optional Duramax inline-6 turbodiesel 3.0-liter Duramax has received minor upgrades. GMC has made minor chassis modifications so buyers can choose the diesel with GMC’s max tow package. This increases the trailer rating from 13,200 pounds to 13,200 with two-wheel drive, a difference of 4,000 pounds over the Duramax. The Sierra Duramax 4×4’s maximum weight of 13,000 pounds is a top-of-the-line number for light-duty four wheel-drive diesel pickups.
Too Limited
GMC has already started to market the pickup in 2021 style as the 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited (in Pro and SLE grades, AT4 and Denali grades), leading many to believe that the company will also offer the pre-facelift trucks. This decision was made to better plan for the future. It may also allow more Sierra 1500 Limited models to be sold through discounted pricing and fleet sales. Ram uses a similar strategy with the 1500 Classic, an older-generation version that has been sold in tandem with its successor since 2019.
Whatever case, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 promises a vast improvement on the Limited-style predecessor. Although we liked the Sierra’s attractive exterior and quiet ride, the cabin’s styling and materials felt far from the best. The Sierra will be a contender in the full-size truck market with its massive technology and functionality upgrades.