Things move fast in an automotive world that’s enamored by all things crossover, SUV, and pickup truck related. So, after the release of the 2022 Chevy Silverado, it was only natural for its GMC sibling to follow suit.
Presented in Detroit back in 2018, one can easily say that GMC’s Sierra 1500 lineup was already a bit overdue for a refresh, especially considering its rather bland interior previously shared with the Silverado. The Chevy counterpart already fixed that with a significantly enhanced cockpit, especially on higher trims, and also upped the ante with its first-ever off-road-focused ZR2.
Sure, it might not be Ram 1500 TRX worthy, but the F-150 Raptor and all-new 2022 Tundra TRD Pro i-Force Max are entirely different matters. With the rock crawling/dune bashing aspect covered, GMC seems to go in a slightly different direction with the 2022 Sierra lineup, revealing both an ultra-posh Sierra Denali Ultimate and the AT4X, dubbed “the new peak of premium off-road performance with serious capability and uncompromising refinements.”
While the exterior redesign is subtle – well, it’s a truck, so the front end gets most changes, with Denali and Denali Ultimate set to become the inspiration for other luxury trims coming down the line. New Sierras are easy to recognize, though, courtesy of the bolder grille setups and headlamp designs (with lighting animations!).
More importantly, the interior gets the attention it deserves, sporting unique styling, a new center console, as well as a larger 13.4-inch touchscreen backed by an equally new 12.3-inch configurable instrument cluster and a 15-inch HUD. Just like on the 2022 Yukon and Hummer EV, there’s built-in Google capability.
Meanwhile, the new Sierra Denali Ultimate ups the ante with a raft of exclusive perks (design, premium materials, etc.) and is powered by a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower. GMC also introduces a new 2.7-liter Turbo High-Output engine and the upgraded, trailering-capable Super Cruise – which is standard on the top Denali Ultimate and optional on Denalis.
While customers can already place online reservations for the 2022 Sierra, the first deliveries are only coming during the first quarter of next year. GMC says MSRPs kick off at $32,495 (Sierra Pro) and can surge up to $80,395 for the new Denali Ultimate.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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