2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: One Capable and Refined Beast
- 2022 GMC Sierra 1500: $35,400 – $83,000
- Best Resale Value – Kelly Blue Book
- Features: Smooth ride, spacious cabin, advanced technology
- Cons: Gets expensive quickly, Super Cruise limited to Denali model, poor fuel economy
This model is similar to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, but more upscale with exclusive features like GM’s Super Cruze semi-autonomous hands-free technology. Plus, you take luxury to the next step with Denali decor.
The Sierra 1500 delivers a smooth, powerful experience with plenty of power on the tap. The standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbo engine delivers 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. You can upgrade to a 5.3L V8 that makes 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque.
We drove the Ulitmate Denali model equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Also, the 3.0-liter inline-six diesel delivers 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.
It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds, which is delightfully fast. Acceleration is lively, and the 10-speed automatic transmission provides smooth gearshifts. The brakes can feel a little soft at first, but it doesn’t take long to get to grips with its powerful stopping power.
For a bulky truck, the GMC Sierra is surprisingly agile. It has excellent turning radius, responsive handling, and limited body roll. You can easily maneuver around tight areas with the help of the 360-degree camera system.
Accordingly, the ride is a bit rough and can’t match the Ram 1500’s Quilt. However, our model has Denali adaptive suspension, and it dampens shocks very well.
Can the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Go Off-Road?
Yes, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 is a powerful off-road vehicle. The Denali Ultimate features 22-inch wheels and a two-speed transfer case. Sierra has never felt the strength to climb over obstacles. She has mastered mud and crevices without any fuss.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: One Capable and Refined Beast
We admire the ride quality over patches of rough rocks and uneven surfaces. You have kept steady and steady while driving off-road in the jungle. We took it out in the rain, and the tires slipped in the red mud only once.
It has a quality build and hasn’t rattled or rattled in areas that made the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 rattling loudly. We also had to do 3-point courses on narrow sections of trails in the woods.
The upgrade to the AT4 model adds skid plates, all-terrain tires, tow hooks, a two-speed transfer case, a 2-inch winch, hill descent control, adjustable traction control, and an upgraded suspension with monotube shock absorbers.
The AT4X builds on it with off-road adaptive dampers, electronic differentials, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, trailer prewiring, a sunroof, a virtual rear mirror and adaptive cruise control.
But the Sierra 1500 is thirsty. With the 6.2-liter V8, you get 15 EPA mpg in the city and up to 20 mpg on the highway. But it has a large fuel tank and can travel more than 400 miles on a single fill.
How comfortable is the GMC Sierra 1500?
The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 enjoys complete comfort thanks to its smooth ride and quiet cabin. However, our Denali Ultimate tester has additional soundproofing materials to block out wind and road noise.
With intense acceleration, you can hear the occasional roar of the engine that is very satisfying. Engine noise is reduced to a minimum when the truck is idle. Having to turn off the engine when passing a car so people can hear your request is a thing of the past.
The front seats are large, with plenty of tuning controls. Shorter people may need some lumbar adjustment. The seats are also a little stiff but work comfortably. It makes you feel alert and energized. But the masseur can be stronger.
You’ll find the back seat incredibly spacious, too. The seats are well padded, and there’s enough room to comfortably seat three adults. The backrest does not recline but sits at a relaxed angle.
The dual-zone automatic climate control system is impressive. It is powerful, fast and effective. It seems to always set the perfect temperature based on the weather. We hardly need to adjust the controls.
Does the 2022 Sierra have a nice interior?
Yes, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 features a luxurious, high-quality interior with a fit design. Everything you need is close at hand. There are a lot of buttons for technology, camera modes, and driving modes that can be confusing until you take the time to familiarize yourself with them.
Open wood trim, leather-trimmed surfaces and a suede headlining create a luxurious feel. The truck has excellent workmanship that looks sturdy and far from cheap. Denali coordinates laser engraved into Baldo wood.
The interior of the Alpine Umber features topographic map inserts and attractive pleated stitching. Full grain leather is soft to the touch. The package is completed with original aluminum trim and stainless steel speaker grilles.
The front view is great. There are plenty of tuning controls to help you see over the hood. But the sunroof is a bit small compared to competitors with panoramic options. Also, rear view is limited by a small window and rear headrests.
Does the GMC Sierra 1500 have good technology?
Yes, 2022 is a tech lover’s dream. The 13.4-inch infotainment screen features crisp, clear graphics, and the system is very fast. It is powered by Google with access to the Google Assistant. Additionally, you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provides important driver information, and the head-up display on the windshield is huge. Systems could be more intuitive. It takes a few minutes to learn how to adjust the settings.
But the head-up display can show a compass, speed limit, how long it will take you to pass others, and more. There are up to 15 different camera views, including the view inside the bed and view of the trailer hitch.
You can choose a wireless phone charging pad, 120-volt outlets in the cabin and bed, and a sound system built into the kicker tailgate. You can connect to the system using an auxiliary cord, USB cord, or via Bluetooth.
On that note, we can’t forget the Bose 12-speaker audio system. It has clear and immersive sound with a wide range of adjustments.
We tested the Super Cruise system, which is effective at maintaining a proper distance from other vehicles and adjusting your speed accordingly. He even changes lanes for you and waits until enough space is available.
If you are not looking at the road, the system will warn you. After three warnings, the system shuts down, and you have to take care of it until you restart the engine.
How much cargo space is available on the GMC Sierra?
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: One Capable and Refined Beast
The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 offers 62.9 to 89.1 cubic feet of boot space. It has a larger cargo room than its competitors. The short bed is 5.8 feet long, the standard box is 6.6 feet, and the long bed is more than eight feet long.
There are plenty of storage spaces and small closets inside. The center console is huge, and the glove box is a very good size. There’s another cubby above the glove box, and an appropriately sized storage caddy in front of the wireless phone charging pad.
You can access the storage boxes under the rear seats. In addition, the seats are golden on the wall. The cargo floor is completely flat at the rear, with just one slight protrusion. Also, there are compartments built into the middle of the rear seats.
When properly equipped, the GMC Sierra 1500 can tow up to 13,000 pounds and carry a payload of up to 2,270 pounds. It’s the closest to matching the Ford F-150’s 14,000-pound towing capacity.
How Safe is the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500?
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: One Capable and Refined Beast
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 is above average but not the safest truck available. It got a lot of good grades during the crash simulation but it got acceptable, poor and marginal ratings as well.
The marginal rating relates to the chassis and safety cage during small front passenger side interference tests. But it received an excellent rating for its ability to avoid collisions at 12 and 25 mph.
The headlights have a poor rating because they provide insufficient illumination and visibility around curves and to the left on straight roads. We noticed that the automatic headlights were a bit dim and slow to respond.
Also, child seat anchors received a marginal rating because the rope stabilizer is too deep into the seat, hard to find, and can be made with other equipment.
Standard security features include:
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Help keep track
- Blind Spot Warning
- Rear traffic alert
Safety systems are fast and efficient without interference. The seat vibrates gently if you get too close to the side of the road or begin to slip out of your lane. The automatic emergency brake does not have any loud beeps.
How reliable is the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500?
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: One Capable and Refined Beast
It has a slightly above average reliability rating from JD Power. I got an 84 out of 100. Anything between 91-100 is great, while 81 to 90 is good, and 70 to 80 is average.
You can expect your GMC Sierra 1500 to reach at least 250,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. It’s common for 200,000 miles to go before a major overhaul is needed. Also, some models exceed 300,000 miles, and there are models with more than 500,000 miles.
Sierra can provide up to 20 years of service down the road. It costs about $727 to maintain a Sierra year-over-year, while it costs an average of $936 to maintain full-size trucks annually. So taking care of it is a little cheaper.
The experts at MotorBiscuit give the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 a score of 8.7 out of 10
Award 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 with a score of 8.7 out of 10. The redesigned interior is very attractive, spacious, and comfortable, thanks to the high-quality materials.
You get access to a lot of advanced technologies, but the systems aren’t the easiest to spot. However, the handy manuals in the glove box explain how to do different jobs. Wireless phone charger in an excellent location.
The Sierra 1500 has a smooth, comfortable ride with plenty of power. But our model with adaptive Denali suspension may be more comfortable than the more affordable rims. There are plenty of innovative storage solutions for your gear, too.
We’d love to see how the Denali Ulitmate compares to other trims, particularly the thicker GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X.
