2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Updated With Even More Luxurious Trims
In September, we saw GM’s take on an updated 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, featuring smooth new exterior styling, new capabilities, a much needed interior upgrade and even an all-new, first-ever ZR2 off-road model. Now it’s GMC’s turn to show us its update, and the brand has not disappointed, unveiling not one but two new trims for its 2022 Sierra 1500 pickup truck.
Related: Chevrolet Updates 2022 Silverado Pickup With New Interior, Capabilities
The goal here is to boost the luxury chops of the Sierra even beyond where the previous model was, and it’s doing so by creating a new Denali Ultimate trim. But wait, there’s more: The AT4 off-road model has proven so popular that GMC has added an AT4X trim, boosting that truck’s off-road abilities by adding the same suspension and chassis bits seen on the Silverado ZR2 but amping up the luxury quotient inside the truck, as well.
What else has GMC updated on the Sierra for ‘22? It’s a pretty thorough mid-cycle refresh, to use some industry jargon, but the changes run much more than skin-deep.
What (Almost) All Models Get
All Sierras get new styling up front, with a longer, wider look that incorporates new headlights with the GMC C-shaped running lights that sweep into the new grille. There are new dual-projector LED headlamps, as well, with animated lighting sequences on some models as a “welcome feature.” There are three new colors: Titanium Rush Metallic, Dynamic Blue Metallic and Desert Sand Metallic. And the SLT and Denali get some new wheel designs.
Under the hood are the same changes seen in the Silverado, including the updated turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a whopping 420 pounds-feet of torque, and an increased tow rating for trucks equipped with the turbo-diesel 3.0-liter engine and Max Trailering Package of up to 13,200 pounds, depending on equipment.
Inside, all trims of the Sierra get a new interior — except for the base work truck, the Sierra Pro model. Just like the 2022 Chevy Silverado, the old interior will carry over for commercial fleet trucks while consumer-grade trucks (SLE, SLT and AT4) will get new digs. And just like the Chevy, there’s a new 13.4-inch horizontal multimedia touchscreen standard from the SLE on up. The gauge cluster also gets a new look, with a standard digital and reconfigurable 12.3-inch digital display, also standard on SLE-and-up trims. A new dash stretches the width of the interior with improved materials and layout, while GMC-specific controls for climate and other functions grace a new center console. The column shifter is out for any truck fitted with that center console (meaning anything SLE and above), replaced by a console shifter.
The Ultimate Denali
Since a lot of customers spec’d their Sierra Denali pickups with just about every conceivable option anyway, GMC decided to just bake ‘em all into a new top trim level called the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate. Both the Denali and Denali Ultimate get another new dashboard, different from the new one in the SLE, SLT and AT4, featuring even more luxurious materials and designs. It’s trimmed in leather and real open-pore wood, as are the doors, console lid, and front and rear seats. The headliner is microsuede, as are the visors and pillars, while the handles are leather-wrapped. The seats all feature embossed topographical maps of Mount Denali, while the fronts are 16-way adjustable and massaging. A new 12-speaker Bose premium audio system is standard, with speakers located behind real stainless-steel grilles.
On the outside, the typical Denali chrome treatment gets toned down just a tad, darkened to become “Vader” chrome on the grille and door trim. Unique 22-inch wheels are fitted, as is special badging. Under the hood, there’s only one engine offered: the top 420-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.
The Denali Ultimate will also feature Super Cruise, GM’s semi-autonomous hands-free cruise control, as standard (it’s optional on the lesser Denali trim and not available on any other trim level … yet). Other standard features include a moonroof, a huge head-up display and the GMC Pro Safety suite of features such as forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with blind spot warning, automatic high-beam headlights and more.
- ${price_badge()}
- ${battery_badge()}${ev_report_link()}
- ${hot_car_badge()}
- ${award_badge()}
- ${cpo_badge()}
${price_badge_description}
The EV Battery Rating is based on this vehicle's current expected range relative to the vehicles expected range when new. ${battery_badge_text}
Certified cars are manufacturer warrantied and typically go through a rigorous multi-point inspection.
This car is likely to sell soon based on the price, features, and condition.
${award_blurb}
${award_two_blurb}
Shop the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 near you
The Most Luxurious Off-Road Pickup?
If you like the idea of a super-luxurious pickup but still want to get it dirty now and then, GMC has another new trim level that might work for you: the AT4X. Think of it this way: All the equipment from the new ‘22 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, including that truck’s Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve off-road shock absorbers and upgraded off-road suspension, but snapped onto a more luxurious truck with a more posh interior than the ZR2’s more businesslike environment. You still get the muscley 6.2-liter V-8 and 10-speed automatic, but you also get more suspension travel than the regular AT4 thanks to new springs. The two-speed transfer case features a unique Terrain Mode that allows for one-pedal rock crawling. There are front and rear electronic locking differentials activated by the “piano-key” controls in the cabin, while a larger steel transfer case underbody shield is fitted for better protection. The wheels are 18-inch black-painted alloys wrapped in LT275/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires.
All of that is the same as the ZR2, but it’s inside where things differ. The AT4 and AT4X get the super-premium interior seen on the Denali and Denali Ultimate, but the AT4X gets a different scheme to it: Obsidian Rush with dark Vanta wood. Leather is everywhere, as is white piping and red stitching. But there are still some washable mats with super-durable carpet, as well, ready to get dirty from muddy boots out on the trail or worksite. Other luxury touches mimic the equipment in the Denali, including the 15-inch head-up display, a power sliding rear window, power moonroof, 12-speaker Bose audio and the 16-way power massaging seats.
Pricing and Release Date
Pricing is not yet available for these new top trim levels; that will be coming closer to the trucks’ on-sale date in the first quarter of 2022.
Related Video:
More From Cars.com:
- Chevrolet Introduces First-Ever Off-Road Silverado ZR2
- 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 Vs. 2020 Silverado 1500 Trail Boss Z71: How They Compare
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Gets Fancy Tailgate, Higher Tow Ratings
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Review: Few Wows but Plenty of Good
- Pickup Trucks News
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
