Review: 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate cruises previous competitors

GMC didn’t waste any time fixing its full-size pickup truck drawback, and in doing so, it has outgunned the competitors.

For 2022, GMC overhauled the pickup and added a Denali Ultimate mannequin to the highest of the lineup that comes with a terrific driver-assist system, nifty towing tech, and an eye-watering price ticket.

It’s a Super Cruiser

In a transfer that ought to’ve occurred with the 2019 launch of the present era Sierra 1500, the full-size GMC pickup can now be had with GM’s Super Cruise system.

While Super Cruise was already hands-down the perfect driver-assist system in the marketplace, and one in all solely two at present on sale within the U.S. that allows really hands-free driving on restricted entry highways, it had limitations. The system has realized new tips, together with trailering capabilities and automated lane altering to move a slower shifting automobile with zero driver involvement. Soon, GM will double the mapped roads to cowl 400,000 miles.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate with 20-feet of fiberglass walleye boat lashed to it

Hands-free towing is an actual journey and brings the attention of how horrible different individuals are at driving to a complete new stage. Adding greater than 20-feet of trailer to the again of the Sierra whereas the driving force subsequent to you comes approach too near the painted strains on the highway can result in squirmish moments, however the system retains the truck straight and true in its lane. The system additionally integrates the truck’s blind-spot monitor system to account for the trailer’s added size. Good present, GM.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate options Super Cruise, which may now routinely move slow-moving visitors

In my testing, the up to date Super Cruise within the Sierra Denali Ultimate modified lanes to move slower shifting visitors a number of occasions on Minnesota’s I-94, whereas correctly partaking the flip sign with out driver intervention. Its manners and lane self-discipline had been higher than many drivers on the highway in the present day.

The Ford F-150 has a restricted hands-free driver-assist system known as BlueCruise, however it is available in second place in comparison with Super Cruise. The system can’t tow, fails to maintain the automobile centered within the lane, and might’t routinely change lanes. A pending replace ought to allow hands-free lane modifications and higher lane steering.

Ram doesn’t have any form of hands-free driver-assist system in any respect, but.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate has probably the most handy security chain hookups on a light-duty pickup truck

Other towing benefits of the Sierra (and subsequently the Chevrolet Silverado) are a greater towing receiver and emergency chain setup than the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500. The receiver doesn’t function any bizarre double walling just like the Tundra, and the security chain hookups function giant holes and aren’t tucked beneath the rear finish as within the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

Finally, a aggressive inside

The greatest weak level when the present Sierra debuted was the inside. For 2022, GMC swapped in a brand new dashboard and a 13.4-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and soft-touch supplies throughout the lineup aside from the bottom Pro work truck trim.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

Unfortunately, that digital gauge cluster isn’t as creatively laid out as what’s within the Ford F-150, and the large touchscreen now runs on Android software program that may lag earlier than actions are registered.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate options the power to see a trailer coming round a nook whereas towing

In a genius transfer, GMC put the Sierra’s accessible 15 digicam angles to work in a sensible approach when towing. When a trailer was related, the system engaged the facet mirror-mounted digicam when the flip sign was on. This then put a facet view of the truck and trailer on all the touchscreen, permitting me to see the trailer because it rounded the nook. Slick.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate has a number of the nicest leather-based accessible in a GM automobile

High-zoot Denali Ultimate fashions slather on the facilities with a 15.0-inch shade head-up show, open-pore Paldao wooden trim, stitched leather-based dashboard, cross-stitched accents on the seats and door panels, suede headliner, and massaging seats. The Ram 1500 Limited inside continues to be a nicer place to be each when it comes to consolation and supplies, and for much less cash than the Denali Ultimate. Notably, the Denali Ultimate’s full-grain leather-based seats may be the nicest leather-based in a mass-produced GM automobile.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

Carry over the nice and unhealthy

Much of what can’t be seen, and even a few of what will be, on the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 carries over from its predecessor, for higher and worse.

The huge mattress nonetheless has tall sides that I can’t attain over at 5-foot-10. The entrance finish is very large and intimidating; the hood and tops of the fenders almost attain the highest of my chest. The entrance cowl is puffed as much as match the macho hoodline. All of it appears totally pointless, as if the truck’s compensating.

Occupants nonetheless sit low contained in the cab, which makes ahead imaginative and prescient harder due to the excessive entrance cowl in comparison with the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150.

Upscale Denali Ultimate fashions experience on 22-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Alenza luxurious truck tires, which slip and slide in winter however are quiet and observe properly on the freeway in the summertime.

The Ultimate tester and its 12-speaker Bose audio system didn’t impress resulting from an excessive amount of bass and muddy lows. Fiddling with the sound system equalizer settings did little to repair the problems.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is about to be the one light-duty pickup in the marketplace accessible with a turbodiesel engine

While base vehicles acquired an uprated and upgraded 2.7-liter turbo-4 with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, top-spec vehicles such because the Ultimate Denali will be had with both a 6.2-liter V-8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft or my tester’s {smooth} and torquey 3.0-liter turbodiesel-6 with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. A ten-speed automated sends energy to all 4 wheels through a four-wheel-drive system and 2-speed switch case.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate sips diesel gas on the freeway

The turbodiesel-6 powertrain carries EPA gas financial system scores of twenty-two mpg metropolis, 26 freeway, and 24 mixed. On a 206-mile freeway highway journey with the cruise management set at over 70 mph, I averaged 23.8 mpg, in accordance with the onboard journey laptop. Speed and wind had been an element and 26 mpg feels achievable with much less of a lead foot and fewer wind.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate’s fabric sunroof materials would not match the suede headliner

Oversights

At $82,795 the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is without doubt one of the most costly full-size light-duty pickups cash should purchase, however it makes some bizarre cost-conscious concessions.

The sunroof cowl is a fabric materials that doesn’t match the suede headliner. The rear home windows don’t have an auto-up perform that’s commonplace on a $25,450 Volkswagen Taos.

Also regarding was the truth that my basically new (it had simply over 1,500 miles on it) Denali Ultimate tester’s rear roof-mounted spoiler rattled every time the rear doorways had been closed.

Perhaps probably the most egregious and perplexing oversight of all is there isn’t a 12-volt outlet in all the Sierra 1500. A 12-volt outlet is a function present in each different full-size pickup truck offered in the present day, besides in the primary Sierra lineup. The base Pro work truck retains a 12-volt outlet and the outgoing truck’s dated dashboard.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

Finally worthy of the Denali badge

That (huge) 12-volt oversight however, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate rights the inside wrongs of the newest GMC full-sizer. It additionally brings forth a brand new stage of luxurious for the model with good leather-based, nice towing know-how, and Super Cruise.

Frankly, anyone that plans to do long-distance freeway driving, particularly whereas hauling, ought to take into account the Sierra Denali with Super Cruise and the butter-smooth turbodiesel as their high decide, for now. As lengthy as you don’t want a 12-volt outlet.