Consumers have fallen in love with luxury pickups and the GMC Sierra Denali helped pave the way as it was originally launched 20 years ago.
While the truck has been immensely popular, it’s been outclassed by higher-end versions of the Ram 1500 which offer a more upscale interior with a 12-inch infotainment system.
GMC is now fighting back with the 2022 Sierra 1500, which features an updated design, a significantly improved interior and cutting edge technology. However, the company isn’t stopping there as they’re also adding new Denali Ultimate and AT4X trims.
An Evolutionary, But Refined Exterior
The GMC Sierra has always been one of the better looking pickups and that trend continues as the facelifted model adopts a more refined design.
Starting up front, there’s a revised grille which is better integrated into the curvier fascia. They’re joined by new LED headlights with daytime running lights that feature a less pronounced C-shape. Speaking of the lights, owners can expect “expressive lighting animations when approaching, starting or walking away from the vehicle.”
Additional changes are limited, but the truck sports a revised front bumper and more discrete fog lights. The SLT and Denali come with restyled wheels, while buyers will also find a revised color palette that now includes Titanium Rush Metallic, Dynamic Blue Metallic and Desert Sand Metallic.
A Classy Cabin With Google Technology
Without a doubt, the weakest aspect of the outgoing Sierra was its plasticky interior. While the entry-level Pro largely retains the old school cabin, SLE and above trims have an all-new interior that is far more upscale and luxurious.
The changes are extensive for a facelift and the model sports a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 13.4-inch infotainment system with built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play. This provides a number of benefits as owners can install apps on the infotainment system and use their voice to make calls, send texts, and control the audio, navigation and climate control systems.
The infotainment system is highly customizable and users can select between full or split screen displays. It also boasts Amazon Alexa as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Putting the screens aside, the truck has a new center console with a relocated shifter on models equipped with front bucket seats. Buyers will also find higher quality materials, improved switchgear, and a newly standard power-adjustable steering column on higher-end variants.
Denali Ultimate Aims To Redefine Luxury Pickups
GMC helped to spearhead the luxury truck movement and the all-new Denali Ultimate aims to reassert their leadership by being the “most advanced and most luxurious pickup in its class.”
It builds on the standard Denali and features a unique grille as well as exclusive Vader chrome accents. The truck also sports power side steps, a CarbonPro bed, a MultiPro tailgate, and exclusive 22-inch wheels with a low gloss black finish as well as machined accents.
Those are nice features, but luxury trucks are all about the interior and this is where the Denali Ultimate shines thanks to its Alpine Umber cabin with full-grain leather on the seats, door panels and center console. Buyers will also find a leather-wrapped instrument panel, leather-wrapped grab handles, and a microsuede headliner that continues down the pillars.
If that wasn’t luxurious enough, the truck comes equipped with 16-way power front seats that feature heating, ventilation and massage. Other highlights include a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, a digital rearview mirror, and a 15-inch multicolor head-up display.
Another interesting touch is the open-pore Paldao wood trim, which has laser-etched topographical maps of the summit of Mount Denali. The map-inspired accents can also be found on the seats and they’re accompanied by “Ultimate” badges up front.
Besides the unique styling cues and equipment, the Denali Ultimate comes standard with the Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system. It allows for hands-free operation on more than 200,000 miles (321,869 km) of compatible roadway in the United States and Canada. The system also boasts Automatic Lane Change and Lane Change on Demand functions as well as the ability to be used when towing.
Furthermore, the Denali Ultimate features a comfort-focused suspension with adaptive ride control. It’s joined by a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 420 hp (309 kW / 426 PS) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) of torque. The engine is paired to a ten-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel drive system.
The Sierra AT4X Is A Luxury Off-Roader
While the Denali Ultimate is focused on luxury, the new AT4X blends comfort with off-road capability. It boasts Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers and unique springs that give the model an additional 1-2 inches (25-50 mm) of suspension travel, when compared to the standard AT4.
The truck also sports front and rear e-lockers, additional underbody protection, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires. Other highlights include an off-road focused one-pedal driving mode and available rock sliders.
Despite its rugged nature, the AT4X is one civilized cowboy as it has an upscale Obsidian Rush interior with black leather that is contrasted by white piping and red stitching. The truck also sports dark ash wood trim as well as a number of features shared with the Denali Ultimate. These include 16-way power massaging front seats, a microsuede headliner, a sunroof, a head-up display, a Bose audio system and a 6.2-liter V8 engine.
A Handful Of New And Improved Safety Features
The 2022 GMC Sierra comes standard with a suite of driver assistance systems that includes Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking and Front Pedestrian Braking. They’re joined by Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and IntelliBeam headlights.
Customers can order additional safety features including an enhanced adaptive cruise control system that now works when towing. Speaking of towing, there’s Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert which factors in the length of the trailer. The truck also offers up to 14 different camera views including a transparent trailer view, which allows you to ‘see through’ your trailer thanks to an accessory camera mounted on its back.
Last but not least, there’s a new GCW Alert system. It warns drivers when the truck may be overloaded and is a handy feature as it can be hard to know how much weight you’re carrying around.
The Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Now Delivers V8 Levels Of Torque
Like the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the Sierra can be equipped with a significantly improved turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. It features a host of changes including a more rigid cylinder block casting and a 30% stiffer crankshaft. Thanks to these and other updates, it now produces an estimated 310 hp (231 kW / 314 PS) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) of torque.
That’s 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) more than its predecessor and the truck’s eight-speed automatic transmission has been updated to offer quicker downshifts as well as more refinement. The four-cylinder also has a higher towing capacity as its maximum rating climbs to 9,600 lbs (4,354 kg).
On the topic of towing, models equipped with the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel – that produces 277 hp (207 kW / 281 PS) and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque – can now tow up to 13,200 lbs (5,987 lbs) thanks to chassis changes that allowed for the inclusion of a max tow package.
Last but not least, the 4.3-liter V6 has been dropped while the 5.3-liter V8 continues to produce 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS) and 383 lb-ft (519 Nm) of torque.
The 2022 GMC Sierra Arrives Early Next Year
The facelifted GMC Sierra 1500 will arrive at dealerships in the first quarter of 2022 and the company is currently accepting reservations on their website. Pricing starts at $32,495 for the entry-level Pro grade, but buyers will need to upgrade to the $43,895 SLE to experience the new interior.
Prices quickly climb from there and the AT4X starts at $74,995 which is a $14,000 premium over the standard AT4. However, that’s nothing compared to the $80,395 Denali Ultimate which costs $19,100 more than the standard Denali.
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