Luxury Trucks Just Got More Posh and Capable: The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Takes Denali to New Heights
Shannon Scott
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Think you’ve seen all this pickup truck can do? Think again.
The race to deliver the most capable and luxurious truck has been quite the competition these last few years. It has escalated both offerings and prices, and the stakes just got higher: GMC is taking its Denali trim, already the brand’s top level, to new heights. Vying to deliver the ultimate combination of performance, comfort, and luxury, the result are club-like interiors in a truck that can climb rocks while giving passengers a back massage (and I’m totally putting that on my bucket list).
Starting in the spring of 2022 GMC will release two new models in the GMC Sierra 1500 lineup: The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate and the 2022 GMC Denali AT4x, both of which will deliver the best of luxury and capability.
The new GMC 1500 Sierra AT4X designed for climbing mountains while the GMC 1500 Denali Ultimate trim will deliver an even more premium luxury experience.
Related: I Bought The Gmc Sierra Denali And This Is What I Love About It
Technology is on point for the new 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate Photo: GMC
Super Cruise Adaptive Cruise Control May Be the Ultimate Luxury
Just so you have more time to soak in your surroundings and relax on the road, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate will also be equipped with Super Cruise, GM’s highly praised hands-free driver assist semi-autonomous drive technology.
This feature will be standard on all Ultimate models along with a 3 year subscription to enable functionality. Because of GMC’s integrated Google compatibility, Super Cruise, which is powered with lane change on demand, and automatic lane change (not available when towing) can be used on more than 200k miles of roads in the US and Canada. How’s that for luxury?
The first ever Ultimate Trim available Spring of 2022. Photo: GMC
The Lap of Luxury, Quite Literally, Is Where You’ll be Sitting; the Ultimate Trim Has it All
The Ultimate trim is designed to be just that, the ultimate. In this case, Ultimate means that if it’s offered, you get it. And, design is at the forefront of the mission; GMC’s photos show an interior in this truck that is just simply beautiful. Enhancing the look are touches of the trim’s namesake, Mount Denali, by laser etched and embossed silhouettes across the interior. Other features include:
- A leather-trimmed instrument panel
- Full-grain leather-wrapped door panels with etched stainless-steel speaker grilles
- Full-grain leather-wrapped arm rest console
- Full-grain leather front and rear seats with the Denali Ultimate badge on the front seat backs
- Premium microsuede headliner, visors and pillars
- 16-way power-adjustable and massaging front seats
- A 12-speaker Bose Premium sound system
- 15-inch-diagonal multicolor Head-Up Display
- Power sunroof
Related: Sierra Buys A Sierra: Why The 2020 Gmc Sierra Is The Newest Addition To Our Family
The Sierra AT4X takes off-roading to a whole new level. Photo: GMC
When You Just Feel Like Climbing Over Rocks And Logs
Have you ever just gotten in your truck and been like “dang, I just want to go climb some mountains, get away for a while”? Well, GMC gets you, and you can do just that with the 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X.
The AT4X has more off-road capability without giving up the comfort and luxuries that you want when you aren’t out in the wilderness. From a performance perspective you can expect the following:
- A standard 6.2L V-8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission
- A damper and spring suspension that increases the front and rear ride height
- Multiple off road drive modes including Terrain Mode, which allows one-pedal rock crawling
- Front and rear e-locking differentials for when you really need to power across a rocky landscape
- Specific off-road chassis and suspension calibrations
- 18-inch black wheels with LT265/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires
- Available rocker guards (you know, to keep your baby from getting scratched)
Tough On The Outside, Sweet On The Inside
You might be rolling over rough terrain like a boss but that doesn’t mean that you need to feel the stress from every bump and jiggle, right? The AT4X has massaging front seats so you can relax after a long day of off roading. To keep the calm feeling surrounding you, it features dark Vanta ash wood trim. And a 15-inch-diagonal dead-up display, power sunroof, a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system completes the ambiance. Other features you can expect to see:
- A 13.4-inch touchscreen multimedia system, standard on SLE trim and above
- A 12.3-inch digital, configurable driver information screen, also standard on SLE trim and above
- A new center console design
- Electronic precision shift gear selector on models with front bucket seats (a column shifter is available on models equipped with a front bench seat)
- An Elevation Premium package that includes a Jet Black leather-appointed interior with bucket seats, rear seat with storage, Sierra Safety Plus Package and a spray-on bedliner
- Power-adjustable steering column standard on upper-level trims
The working space and towing capabilities make the 2022 GMC Sierra a dream truck. Photo: GMC
Once You’re There, Why Leave? Tow Capacity Lets You Bring All the Comforts of Home
60% of Sierra owners tow, so we can’t even think about the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X without wondering, what is the towing capacity?
It’s trailering rating is 8,900 pounds, enough for a sizable camper or boat. AT4X also has a payload of 1,420 pounds- enough for your crew and your stuff. And then, there’s trailer side blind spot assist to help keep track of all that you tow.
Last, the AT4X will offer a 6 function MultiPro tailgate that gives you various options to use your tailgate to work, eat, or just enjoy a sunset at your favorite spot.
Related: You’ve Got Horses. You’ve Got Bots. You’ve Got Rvs. You Need A Heavy Duty Truck
2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate and AT4X come in at price points surprisingly affordable. Photo: GMC
Okay Okay. All Of This Sounds Great, But What’s It Gonna Cost?
With all of the luxury, technology, leather interior, upgraded media systems and more, you might expect a pretty hefty price tag.
Happily, this falls in the “reasonable” range for a fully loaded truck these days. The Denali Ultimate starts at $80,395, and the AT4X starts at $74,995.
Those starting prices aren’t the highest in the truck market but a solid bump from the current Sierra 1500 Denali, which starts at $61,295 and the AT4 which starts at $60,995 with additional options available. And now the bad news: You’ll have to wait until the Spring of 2022 to get a look at these trucks. Just in time for mud season!
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