2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for the 2020 model year, showcased a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. While its exterior design was widely appreciated, the interior had some shortcomings. The material quality, especially in the top trims, didn't match up to competitors like Ram and Ford. Additionally, the cabin, though not cramped, wasn't as spacious as the Ram 1500 and Ford Super Duty.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced the Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, expanding on the premium Denali and AT4 trims. With eight trim levels, the Sierra 1500 appeared larger and more aggressive, thanks to an updated grille, front fascia, and headlight design. The Denali's grille featured a "tri-linear" theme, while the Denali Ultimate had dark-colored "Vader bars" inserts. The SLT, AT4, and AT4X trims had less showy but equally intimidating grille designs. The new 22-inch wheel designs and three new premium paint options further enhanced its look.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD boasted impressive figures with its 445 horsepower, 910 pound-feet of torque, 3,597 pounds of maximum payload capacity, and 18,500 pounds of maximum trailering weight. Despite these numbers, it was considered underpowered compared to its diesel-powered heavy-duty competitors. The Sierra 2500HD's 6.6-liter V8 engines, both gas and turbodiesel, were strong performers, especially when paired with the Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. However, it lagged behind the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ram 2500 in towing capacities.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options, including the enhanced 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six. The turbo-four produced 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, while the diesel engine had 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class tow rating of 13,200 pounds for 2WD models. Other engine options included a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Sierra Denali Ultimate 4WD offered a smooth and comfortable ride, while the AT4X impressed with its off-road capabilities, thanks to its Multimatic DSSV dampers and unique springs.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD was highly functional with three cab configurations, two pickup bed lengths, and available 4WD. It could seat up to six passengers and offered abundant passenger space. The truck's height made entry a bit challenging, but the side assist step and corner-step rear bumper helped. Inside, the Sierra 2500HD had a wide and deep center console, dual glove boxes, hidden storage compartments, and a 120-volt household-style power outlet. The MultiPro tailgate, available on the base Pro trim and standard on SLE and above, offered six distinct functions for improved loading and unloading.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 excelled in roominess and utility, with best-in-class cargo capacity even in its short bed. Front headroom was about 43 inches, and legroom for front-seat occupants was 44.5 inches. Rear-seat passengers in the double cab had 35.2 inches of legroom, while those in the crew cab enjoyed 43.4 inches. The Sierra 1500 had numerous storage compartments, though the gloveboxes were on the smaller side. The cabin's ergonomics were a bit perplexing, with low-positioned screens and an abundance of knobs and buttons. The AT4X featured off-road controls in two different places, and the massaging seats, though not intuitive to operate, were a welcome feature.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above, while a navigation system was standard on the Denali and available on SLT and AT4 trims. The Sierra 2500HD came with hitch guidance, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar with connected services. The Bose premium audio system provided rich sound, though the voice-recognition system had some quirks. The Sierra 2500HD's 15 available camera views, including the "transparent trailer" view, made trailering easier.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 featured larger display screens, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. Compatible with Android and Apple devices, three years of complimentary service were included for Sierra AT4 and Denali trims. The infotainment screen offered a clean and simple display, though figuring out which map to use could be confusing. The larger touchscreen allowed for personalization and dual modes, and wireless device charging was standard. Available options included a 15-inch multicolor head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD was available with advanced driver-assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist. Standard items included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system. Due to its high gross vehicle weight rating, the Sierra 2500HD was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM’s Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, as a standard feature on the Denali Ultimate. Super Cruise handled automatic lane changes and offered trailering capability. The Sierra 1500 was equipped with up to 14 camera views, a new GCW Alert feature, and Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert. GMC Pro Safety included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, a following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic headlights. The Sierra received mostly “Good” crash safety ratings from the IIHS but had a “Marginal” grade in the front-passenger small overlap test and a “Poor” grade for headlights. The NHTSA rated Sierra 2WD models with four out of five stars for crashworthiness.