GMC is selling two versions of a 2022 Sierra pickup — the Sierra 1500 Limited, which is a carryover model, and the Sierra 1500, which has been updated significantly for 2022.
This Autotrader Trim Review is focused on the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited, the carryover model that will be sold while the updated new Sierra ramps up in production.
For the Sierra 1500 Limited, the engines, cab configurations, and trim levels will stay the course for the most part.
One engine change, though, is the deletion of the 4.3-liter V6 from the lineup. Consequently, four engines now provide the Sierra Limited with thrust.
They include a turbocharged 4-cylinder, two V8 engines, and one turbodiesel.
GMC offers the Sierra 1500 Limited in six trim levels. They are the base Sierra, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
For general value, we recommend the SLE. To tow, it’s the SLT. For off-road, it’s the AT4. If sheer luxury is your thing, it’s the Denali.
We like the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited for its ProGrade trailering system, MultiPro tailgate, available Active Ride Control, and an impressive array of engines.
Power and Fuel Economy
Standard in the base Sierra, the SLE, and the Elevation is a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It feeds the wheels by way of an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Sierra Limited pickups with the 2.7 are rated by the EPA at 19 miles per gallon in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg in combined driving. With 4-wheel drive (4WD), that drops to 17 mpg/20 mpg/18 mpg.
Available in the base Sierra, SLE, and Elevation, but standard in the SLT, AT4, and Denali is a 5.3-liter V8 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic tranny.
This duo colludes to earn an estimated 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway/18 mpg combined with RWD. Opting for 4WD scrubs off a little mileage to 15/20/17.
The Sierra with 4WD, the 5.3-liter V8, and the 10-speed automatic transmission is rated by the EPA at 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined.
Available on the SLE, Elevation, SLT, and Denali is the most fuel-efficient powertrain, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel coupled with the 10-speed transmission.
It delivers 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined with RWD. Picking up 4WD reduces those numbers to 22/26/24.
Last but not least is the 6.2-liter V8, which is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and is available in 4WD versions of the Sierra. This 6.2-liter 4WD Sierra is rated at 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway/17 mpg combined, or 14/19/16 (without stop-start technology).
To reach the Sierra 1500’s maximum towing capacity of 11,800 pounds, you need the 6.2L V8 and 4WD.
Adding 4WD to any trim will set you back $3,300. However, for the base Sierra with the Regular Cab, the upcharge is $4,600, and on the AT4, it’s standard.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited (starting at $30,700)
The listed price is for the RWD Regular Cab base Sierra. This is the only grade offering the Regular Cab.
The Sierra is a fairly stripped-down vehicle with 17-inch painted wheels, a capless fuel filler, and manual windows and door locks.
Also included are LED exterior lights (headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights), a locking tailgate, and a 40/20/40 split-bench seat.
The other content includes a tilt steering wheel, an outside temperature display, rubberized floor covering, and air conditioning.
Features within the infotainment system are a 7-inch color touchscreen, Bluetooth, a 2-speaker audio system, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.
Moving up to the Double Cab will set you back $3,900. Check the box for the Crew Cab, and you’ll add $6,300 to the bottom line. However, those cabs bring with them power windows and door locks, as well as a 6-speaker audio system.
Adding 4WD to the Regular Cab boosts the price by $4,600. Adding it to either the Double Cab or Crew Cab increases the bottom line by $3,300.
As with every full-size truck, options and option packages abound. You can pretty much outfit your truck with whichever features you want.
For example, the Convenience Package ($1,735) adds remote keyless entry, cruise control, heated power outboard mirrors, the EZ Lift tailgate with a power lock, and more.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Sierra base price totals $32,395. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $582 per month. See 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited models for sale
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited includes:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows these smartphone features to interface with your vehicle.
- Tilt steering wheel – Not as useful as a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a tilt wheel does allow a driver to adjust its height.
- Capless fuel filler – Simply opening the fuel filler door provides access to the fuel tank. There is no cap to unscrew.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited SLE (starting at $41,900)
The listed price is for the RWD Double Cab. You’ll spend another $2,400 to move up to the Crew Cab.
The SLE adds an automatic locking rear differential, MultiPro tailgate, EZ lift tailgate with a power lock, and heated power outboard mirrors to the base truck’s content.
Also included are a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 4.2-inch driver info display, a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, carpeted floor, and cruise control.
Dual-zone auto climate control, heated outboard seating front seat, a heated steering wheel, Hitch Guidance, and keyless entry with push-button start are also standard.
The other content is a leather-wrapped tilt-telescopic steering wheel with system controls, power door locks and windows, and remote start.
Features within the infotainment system include a 6-speaker audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, OnStar connected services, and satellite radio capability.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the SLE base price brings the total to $43,595. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $783 per month. See 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited SLE models for sale
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited SLE includes:
- Wi-Fi hot spot – A 4G LTE hotspot allows passengers to stream and share online on their smartphones.
- EZ Lift tailgate – This provides a soft lowering and an easy lifting of the tailgate. The tailgate lock is also power operated.
- Remote start – You can start the vehicle remotely if you are within the fob’s operational distance using your key fob.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Elevation (starting at $43,600)
The listed price is for the RWD Double Cab. Moving up to the Crew Cab requires a $2,600 upcharge.
Elevation adds 20-inch black aluminum wheels, LED fog lights, a rear-window defogger, and body-colored elements providing a monochromatic appearance to the SLE content.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Elevation base price makes the total $45,295. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $814. See 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Elevation models for sale
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Elevation includes:
- 20-inch wheels – These are gloss-black aluminum.
- LED fog lights – Brighter and casting the illumination farther, these lights are aimed downward to illuminate under the fog layer.
- Monochromatic appearance – The bumpers, door handles, and so forth are body-colored.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited SLT (starting at $48,000)
The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited SLT starts at $48,000.
The listed price is for the RWD Crew Cab because GMC only offers the SLT, AT4, and Denali with a Crew Cab. SLT also gets the 5.3L V8.
Standard content really explodes on the SLT, particularly for those interested in towing. All of the Elevation’s body-colored elements revert to chrome.
Building on the Elevation, SLT adds the ProGrade Trailering System, Hitch Guidance with a Hitch View rear camera, and an integrated trailer-brake controller.
Other content includes a tailgate-mounted light for night trailer hookups, a trailering app in the infotainment system, and larger coolers for engine and tranny oil.
Also, 18-inch aluminum wheels, power-folding outboard mirrors with driver’s side auto-dimming, a 10-way front passenger seat, and driver-memory seat and mirrors are standard.
Among the other standard fare are an 8-inch color touchscreen, HD radio, more USB ports, an upgraded rear seat with extra storage, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Leather seating and heated front seats are also included.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the SLT base price brings the total to $49,695. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $893 per month. See 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited SLT models for sale
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited SLT includes:
- ProGrade Trailering System – Basically a camera array, this system provides multi views on all sides of the trailer, as well as a bird’s-eye surround view.
- Hitch Guidance with Hitch View – Providing a guideline on the rearview camera display to help line up the hitch to the trailer, it also provides a camera image of the hitch.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows your smartphone to completely interface with the infotainment system without using cables.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited AT4 (starting at $56,300)
The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited AT4 starts at $56,300.
The price listed is for the 4WD AT4 with Crew Cab. It gets the 5.3L V8 with the 10-speed automatic combination.
AT4 is the ultimate Sierra 1500 off-road package.
It gets a 2-inch lift kit, an AutoTrac 2-speed transfer case, Rancho monotube shocks, skid plates, hill-descent control, and a spray-on bed liner.
Other standard fare are front bucket seats, a front center console, and heated-ventilated front seats.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the AT4 base price brings the total to $57,995. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $1,042. See 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited AT4 models for sale
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited AT4 includes:
- 2-inch suspension lift – This adds another two inches of ground clearance.
- 2-speed transfer case – Including a 4Lo gear, it also adds a locking rear differential.
- Spray-on bed liner – This composite material protects the floor and sides of the bed from scratching and scuffing.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Denali (starting at $56,300)
The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Denali starts at $56,300.
The listed price is for the RWD Crew Cab with the 8-speed automatic. Denali loses some AT4 content, such as the 2-speed transfer case and off-road suspension with the 2-inch lift kit.
Added standard features are 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, a premium suspension with adaptive ride control, and 6-inch-wide chrome running boards.
Also included are a power-sliding rear window, a navigation system, a 7-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging.
Blind-spot monitoring, lane-changing alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-rear park assist are also standard.
You can add some options like a head-up display, surround-view camera, power running boards, and adaptive cruise control.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Denali base price brings the total to $57,995. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $1,042 per month. See 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Denali models for sale
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Denali includes:
- 7-speaker Bose audio system – This system includes a subwoofer.
- Adaptive ride control – This system is constantly adjusting the air pressure in each shock absorber to maintain optimum ride comfort.
- Blind-spot monitoring – This radar-based system warns of traffic approaching your flanks. It also includes rear cross-traffic alert to warn of vehicles crossing behind you when in reverse.
