GMC GIVES SIERRA DENALI PICKUP 

ULTIMATE UPGRADE FOR THIS YEAR

By far the company’s most popular pickup, the GMC Sierra 1500 gets a new trim for 2022 that takes truck luxury to its highest level.

In fact, the company claims that the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate “is the most advanced and luxuriously appointed Denali ever offered,” which is quite a boast.

After all, the association between GMC and the name of the Alaskan mountain peak goes back over two decades when the company redesigned its Yukon SUV for 1999 and dubbed its most luxurious model “Denali.” Three years later, the name “Denali” was bestowed upon the highest trim for the Sierra.

Just to confuse things, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 series still includes a Denali model along with the entry level Pro and SLE, Elevation, SLT,  AT4, and AT4X trims. Each offers various combinations of drivetrains, including 4-cylinder, V8, and diesel engines mated with 8-speed or 10-speed transmissions as well as the option of rear- and all-wheel drive, three different cabs (regular, double, and crew), four different wheel sizes (17, 18, 20, and 22) and short, standard, or long boxes.

We are dealing here only with the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate and will stick with its features and numbers.

A 6.2-liter V8 Ecotec engine is standard on the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate with the diesel optional. The 6.2L is the larger of the two V8s offered in the Sierra series and puts out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and earns fuel mileage numbers of 15 miles-per-gallon city, 20 highway, and 17 combined.

All the standard and many of the optional features found throughout the Sierra lineup are offered on the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate. These include a spray-in bedliner; LED cargo area lighting; LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights; GMC’s six-way Multi-pro tail gate; Bose audio system; power tilt-and-telescoping steering column; heated second-row seats and ventilated front seats; and wireless charging pad.

In addition, standard features exclusive to the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate include 22-inch wheels, a sunroof, head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and power running boards, and carbon-fiber composite short box bed.

It is the only Sierra model that offers GMC’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system. When you are on one of the 400,000 miles of compatible roads, first push the steering wheel button to activate the adaptive cruise control system, then push the button to activate Super Cruise. A green lights informs you when the system is fully activated and you can take your hands off the steering wheel.

The cabin is exquisite. Seats aren’t the only areas that get leather treatment. Door panels, console lid, and instrument panel also are trimmed in leather, and a premium microsuede headline tops off the crew cab’s interior.

A full suite of tech features that operate off a 13.4-inch touchscreen includes GMC’s Premium Infotainment System with navigation and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability.

Comfort, convenience, capability — it’s all there in the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate.

MSRP for my test 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate was $78,700 with the titanium rush exterior and destination and delivery running the final total to $80,840. That is well over twice the $31,000-plus that the entry-level Pro trim Sierra demands.

Whoever said it only costs an extra 10 percent to go first class wasn’t very good at math.

What I liked about the 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate: Tech features are plentiful and user-friendly. Lots of legroom in both the front and back. Plentiful storage areas. The high-class cabin is very roomy. The 6.2L V8 packs plenty of punch. The standard surround view cameras are welcome. Retractible running boards and grab handles make for easy access.The multi-pro tailgate is really neat and functional if you are using your truck at a  site or just need a step up to get into the bed.

What I didn’t like about the 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate: Parking is a bear, especially in tight strip mall parking lots. Super Cruise is included only on the Denali Ultimate trim and requires a $ubscription, so don’t let the TV ads promoting it lure you into thinking it’s completely free.

Would I buy the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate? I’m never going to buy a full-size pickup but if you are, the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate certainly is a high-class option. You might want to see if its corporate cousin, the Chevy Silverado, fits your needs, however, and save a few bucks over the Sierra, especially on the higher trims.