The GMC Sierra 1500 is a capable full-size pickup that’s ready for work, adventure or both. It comes in a myriad of trims, engine choices, cabin configurations, bed lengths, and prices so you can get the truck that’s right for you.
Base Price: $56,300
As Tested: $64,715
Horsepower: 277
Mileage: 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway/21 mpg combined
Until now, the Sierra could be out-classed by all of the luxurious features available in some rivals. That changes for 2022 with a refresh that includes upgrades to the cabin and the addition of more tech.
The Sierra 1500 needed updating. It was last redesigned for 2019 and felt behind the times compared to class leaders made by Ford and Ram. The exterior gets refreshed and elevated, and the interior gets significant upgrades including a new 13.4-inch touchscreen and cockpit-like instrument panel. The first-ever Denali Ultimate trim joins the line-up, adding even more luxurious touches and tech to the popular Denali trim. And the new Sierra AT4X has more off-roading capability than the AT4.
But here’s where it gets complicated. GMC has also come out with the 2022 GMC Sierra Limited, which is what I’m test driving this week. The Limited is basically a pre-makeover version of the new 2022 Sierra, and is a good way for buyers to get some new features until the fully revamped 2022 Sierra is widely available. The 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited starts at $30,700 while the top-of-the-line Denali starts at $59,900.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Sierra 1500 comes in Sierra Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X and Denali Ultimate trims. Starting prices range from $31,200 to $81,100. Rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive are available. The Sierra 1500 comes in Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab configurations. There’s room for three to six passengers, depending on the cab. Regular Cab models come with a standard box or long box. Double Cab models come only with a standard box. Crew Cab models have a short or standard box.
Four engines are offered on the 2022 Sierra 1500. Gone is the old 4.3-liter V6; instead, the base setup is a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder that makes 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The other three engines are the same: a 5.3-liter V8 that puts out 355 hp and 383 pound-feet, a 6.2-liter V8 that generates 420 horses and 460 pound-feet, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6 that makes 277 hp and 460 pound-feet. Each is these engines is paired with a 10-speed automatic.
My AT4 Limited tester has the diesel engine. This trim is ready for off-road adventure with four-wheel-drive with low range, all-terrain tires, hill descent control, traction control system, skid plates, and an off-road suspension with an additional two inches of ground clearance. It’s also surprisingly easy to drive around town. The ride is smooth and it’s easy to forget you’re driving a huge truck until you try to slide into a small parking spot. The diesel accelerates briskly with little turbo lag and it’s a breeze to merge and pass at freeway speeds.
The Limited diesel also has impressive towing and hauling capabilities. And the six-way MultiPro tailgate provides a lot of flexibility and is great for working, hauling, tailgating and camping. You can open it with the key fob, and configure it as a work bench, table, or bed extender, or you can even open it so it makes steps leading up to the bed.
Fuel efficiency is decent for a full-size pickup. EPA ratings for my tester are 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway with a combined rating of 21. I got 22 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The interior needed a facelift and the 2022 Sierra 1500 it gets one including a new 13.4-inch touchscreen that comes standard on all but the base Pro trim. A new shift lever replaces the outgoing column-mounted shifter.
The 2022 Sierra Limited has many of the same features as the 2021 Sierra but that’s not all bad. The cabin is quiet and extremely roomy. Materials are decent with a lot of soft-touch plastics. The older eight-inch infotainment system is user friendly, and lots of other features and tech are available including navigation, wireless device charger, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Standard features include manual windows, single-zone air conditioning, tilt-only steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, and two-speaker audio system.
There are many available features in packages and options, including keyless entry, push button start, remote start, rear camera mirror, bed view camera, surround view camera systems, head-up display, eight-inch gauge display, power windows and locks, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, two additional USB ports, six-speaker audio system, Bose audio system, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charger, navigation, Wi-Fi, automatic high beams, rear seat reminder, LED bed lighting, and the MultiPro tailgate.
Available driver assistance technologies include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
The good:
Available in many trims and configurations with four different engines
Quick acceleration
Smooth ride
Decent fuel economy for the class
Good towing, hauling capability
Off-road prowess
The not-so-good:
The 2022 Sierra Limited is very similar to the 2021 Sierra 1500
Few standard features and tech
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $56,300. The AT4 Premium Package is $3,405 and includes a universal home remote, rear sliding power window, GMC premium infotainment system with eight-inch HD color touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bose premium sound system, wireless charging, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with bind spot alert, rear cross traffic alert, AT4 high clearance step, and mud-terrain Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires. The Technology Package is $2,075 and includes HD Surround Vision with two trailer camera provisions, rear camera mirror, bed view camera, multicolor head-up display, and multicolor eight-inch digital driver info center. The Driver Alert Package II is $1,095 and includes forward collision warning, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, following distance indicator, and rear seat alert. Cayenne Red tintcoat is $645. Destination charge is $1,695. The AT4 premium discount is $500, bringing the grand total to $64,715.
Bottom line:
The 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited is in a unique lane among pickups. It’s capable and comes in a dizzying array of trims, configurations, cabin sizes and bed lengths. For someone who wants a new Sierra now, the Limited may make sense. But other buyers may want to hold out until they can get their hands on the fully redesigned 2022 Sierra 1500.
