Used 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Crew Cab

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited is pretty much the same full-size pickup truck as last year’s Sierra 1500. For reasons best known to GMC, the company has decided to also release an updated version of the 2022 Sierra 1500 and have both models be on sale at the same time.

The non-updated version is this one, the Limited. It remains a fine choice in its class, but perhaps not the first that springs to mind.

Buyers seeking the best machine for towing or payload might need to look at the Ford F-150. Those desiring the most comfortable ride quality should test-drive the Ram 1500 and the new-for-2022 Toyota Tundra, both of which have rear coil springs instead of the traditional leaf springs.

It doesn’t always work this way in the pickup world, however. Each make tends to have its loyal customers. So a 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited might indeed be a serious consideration for a GMC fan.

If so, they would be getting a highly capable pickup based on the same foundation as the Chevrolet Silverado, with a choice of engines, bed lengths, and cab styles. It also has many features to make life with a trailer much easier, decent safety equipment, and the cooly innovative MultiPro tailgate. One thing that no other truck offers — not even the Silverado — is a carbon fiber bed, offered with the AT4 or Denali versions.

Although the Sierra 1500 Limited’s trim levels run the usual gamut from rudimentary to ritzy, there always seems to be a little extra element of class. This current generation (the fourth) debuted for the 2019 model year.

Before dismissing the 4-cylinder engine out of hand and choosing a V8, hear us out. This turbocharged 2.7-liter unit (standard in the SLE and Elevation trims, optional in the lowest trim) makes a respectable 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque, accompanied by decent fuel economy.

Having at least two fewer cylinders than the alternatives means less weight up front. And it can still tow 9,200 pounds.

For maximum torque as well as maximum fuel economy, consider the turbocharged inline-6 diesel engine. It generates 460 lb-ft of torque, the same as the 6.2-liter V8 available in the top Denali model, but achieves 30 mpg on the highway.

It’s standard in the AT4 off-road warrior and optional in a few other trims, including the Denali — which says something about its refinement. And it can pull 9,300 pounds.

Other choices are a couple of V8s.

The best towing performance is achieved by the Denali with its 6.2-liter V8 and all-wheel drive as standard. The variant with the highest payload capacity of 2,250 pounds will have rear-wheel drive and the 4.3-liter V6.

Regardless of engine, the 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited rides quite comfortably. The Denali has an adaptive suspension (not available in other trims) providing the best mix of cushioning and control.

Occupants may not care too much about the underwhelming interior design of the 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited when there’s so much space to lounge around in and so little noise coming from outside. And anyway, there are plenty of soft-touch plastics and agreeable color schemes.

It’s a functional space where some of the main controls can be twiddled while wearing gloves. The number of seats (all comfortable) depends on cab style. A regular cab holds three, the crew and double cabs can take five or six. With the 5-seater setup, the center console gains a large storage area.

Following the typical pickup formula, the base trim forgoes any frippery, bringing hand-cranked windows, manual locks, and flooring of rubberized vinyl. Things get nicer in a hurry in the higher trim levels, to the point where the top Denali trim has luxury appointments like heated/ventilated front seats and perforated leather upholstery.

Not all cabs are available in all trims. For example, the SLE and Elevation trims come with the double cab or crew cab; the SLT, AT4 and Denali are crew cab only.

Just in case anyone is new to this game, regular cabs have one row of seating and one set of doors. Double cabs have two rows of seating and an extra set of small doors for rear passengers. Crew cabs also have two rows, with the most rear legroom (43.4 inches), plus four full-size doors.

To muddy the waters a little more, the regular cab comes with an 8-foot bed, the double cab has a 6.5-foot bed, and the crew cab has a choice of the 6.5- or 5.6-foot bed. Known as Carbon Pro Editions, the AT4 and Denali versions also offer the carbon fiber bed (available solely in the shorter length; the cost is about $1,000), which is lighter yet tougher than steel and doesn’t need a spray-in liner.

Every new Sierra 1500 Limited has a step set into the rear bumper, along with 12 tie-down points in the bed as standard.

The AT4 rides a couple of inches higher than usual on a specialized off-road suspension, wears all-terrain tires, and has a couple of red tow hooks up front.

MULTIPRO TAILGATE
It can be a seat, a set of steps leading to and from the bed, a way of holding long items in place, and the location for an optional sound system. Oh, and it features power operation. It’s standard in all the trims except for the base version, which offers it as an option.

PROGRADE TRAILERING
This system makes it easy to back up the Sierra while you’re towing a trailer. With 15 camera angles and a special “transparent-trailer” feature, it helps you back up like a pro.

For the fleet buyers, the 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited’s base model has the regular cab, long bed, and rear-wheel drive. It also comes with the aforementioned manual windows, single-zone air conditioning, tilt-only steering wheel, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, two USB ports, a pair of speakers, and 17-inch steel wheels.

For those who prefer something more civilized, the SLE trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, remote start, power windows/locks, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel that also adjusts for reach, carpeting, two more USB ports, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, six speakers, rear seat reminder, LED bed lighting, and the MultiPro tailgate.

Now comes the interesting part. The smorgasbord of options and higher trim levels includes 4-wheel drive, different cabs and beds, spray-in bed liner, engines, a variant built for off-road duty (the AT4), a luxury variant (the Denali), wireless smartphone integration, Bose audio system, premium paint finishes, and a snow plow prep package.

A Driver Alert I package adds blind-spot monitoring to the SLE, Elevation, STL, and AT4 trims (it’s standard in the Denali). A Driver Alert II package — offered only with the SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims — includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The base model is eligible for forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.

An SLT Premium Plus package has things like heated/ventilated front seats, navigation, 8-inch touchscreen, chromed assist steps, bed liner, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Some of these items are also in an AT4 Premium package.

A Technology package offered with the top three trims brings a 360-degree camera system, rear camera mirror, bed view camera, and a head-up display.

Also new is the Denali Illumination package, which includes puddle lamps, illuminated door sills, and a red GMC grille badge that lights up.

This model is also eligible for a Reserve package adding MultiPro powered steps, 22-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, and the extra driver aids. Otherwise, the Denali has most things as standard.

Although this truck changes its official name to the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited, there has been only one major engine change: The time-proven 4.3-liter V6 making 285 horsepower has been discontinued.

The new base engine is a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine developing 310 horsepower and paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s standard in the Elevation version.

The Sierra Limited SLE and every trim above it offers a turbocharged inline-6 engine running on diesel, generating a substantial 460 lb-ft of torque. This links to a 10-speed automatic as well. It’s standard in the AT4.

The Denali comes standard with the 5.3-liter V8, or there’s a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8/10-speed automatic transmission/all-wheel drive setup on the options list.

With the exception of the 6.2-liter V8 and the diesel engine in the AT4, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the default configuration, with 4-wheel drive (4WD) available as an option.

The 5.3-liter V8 might be connected to either a 6-speed, 8-speed or 10-speed automatic transmission, depending on the model. Some engines have an engine stop/restart function to save fuel while idling. It can be deactivated by pushing the appropriate button.

2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4
310 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
348 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/22 mpg (RWD), 17/20 mpg (4WD)

3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6
277 horsepower @ 3,750 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-3,050 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg (RWD), 22/26 mpg (4WD)

5.3-liter V8
355 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
383 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg (RWD, 6-speed), 15/20 mpg (4WD, 6-speed), 16/21 mpg (RWD, 8-speed), 15/20 mpg (4WD, 8-speed), 15/19 (4WD, 10-speed)

6.2-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg (4WD), 14/19 mpg (AT4)