Will The 2022 GMC Sierra Ditch The Column Shifter?
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Just last week, GM Authority brought you photos of the updated interior in the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra. Although the prototype model featured in those photos was covered in heavy camouflage, we couldn’t help but notice one particularly noteworthy omission – no column-mounted shifter.
As just about any fan of General Motors pickups will tell you, this is actually quite a substantial change compared to previous model years. In fact, using a stalk mounted to the steering column to shift gears has been a hallmark feature of most GM trucks for decades now. Nevertheless, the prototype 2022 GMC Sierra seen in the most recent spy photos seems to indicate that the column-mounted shifter is on the way out with the forthcoming model refresh.
While the 2022 GMC Sierra is slated to come with a few nips and tucks for the exterior design, the heaviest revisions will take place inside the cabin. With that in mind, it’s very likely that the new pickup will instead adopt a new push-button shifter similar to that of the latest next-generation 2021 GMC Yukon full-size SUV.
2021 GMC Yukon pictured here.
Further details include a new steering wheel, which appears to have a row of silver or shiny buttons added to the left-hand side. What’s more, it looks as though the steering wheel has a Super Cruise indicator added along the top of the rim, which suggests that the 2022 GMC Sierra will offer semi-autonomous self-driving capabilities and features.
The model featured here also doesn’t have a flat-panel infotainment screen mounted on the dash, but rather appears to come with a screen integrated into the center stack.
However, the big question here is about the shifter. Which leads us to ask – what would you prefer to see in the 2022 GMC Sierra? Should the pickup stick with the column-mounted stalk, or is a button-activated shifter a better choice? Let us know by voting in the poll below, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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I’m happy with the column shifter in my 2016 GMC SLT, especially compared to the electronic console mounted shifter in my wife’s XT5. I don’t care for how the electronic shifters function. Trucks, SUV’s and CUV’s are supposed to be utility vehicles, not make believe sports cars. I much prefer having the large open storage compartment in my console, for things I regularly need easy access to (like business cards, sunglasses and nowadays, face masks), than a shifter in the console.
I buy loaded trucks (leather, sunroof, heated seats and steering wheel, etc), but I still want them to be functional. To me, a console mounted shifter of any type, isn’t functional in a truck. While I’d prefer a column mounted shifter, given the choice between dash mounted buttons, or a console mounted shifter, I’ll take the buttons.
I love my 2016, but was planning to replace it with an updated 2021. Now I’m anxiously waiting for the strike and pandemic delayed new interiors in the 2022’s.
How about a center console shifter? More sporty.
Let’s all pretend to hate dails and console shifters but love buttons and column shifts. Why? Because we will agree with everything GM does.
First off – It’s not a “push button shift”, it’s a “pull tab shift” and it sucks to use. I will not buy a vehicle with this obnoxious shifting device. I’ve had it in several GM rental cars over the last year and I can’t understand why GM thinks this is the future. An actual “push button shift” would be a huge improvement. The column shift is also archaic and I’d strongly prefer a counsel shift as it frees up real estate on the dash and is (to me) more intuitive to use. An electronic counsel shift can be space efficient and also lends itself well to manually shifting.
Keep the Column shifter @ while you’re at it give customers the choice of KEY START vs. button start. Still a lot of people out there who are still traditionalists and don’t like stuff changed just for the sake of change.
Another refresh? Sheesh…..
The easiest thing GM can do is make the Column Snifter the Same way Tesla and Mercedes does. Make it an Electric Lever.
Real Simple Solution. The upcoming Cadillac Lyriq will utilize it as well.
I know it’s a typo, but “Column Snifter” made me think of brandy. Delicious.
Haha
In Florida I never need to wear gloves, maybe work gloves occasionally. For those in the snow belt on a zero degree morning, the push button is more of a touch sensor button, and with gloves on it maybe difficult to hit the right button and get a response. A dial select like the Ram seems more practical. I still prefer the stalk. I can go to manual mode with a simple one click of the shifter, with a button you’ll need to look down and on a bumpy road surface it be almost impossible to get the right button. Ever try to tap the infotainment screen while bouncing around?
If you look at the picture, on the bottom of the push button selector show – L +. That is for manual or 4 wheel drive. It will require you to bend over and reach while driving. With a column shift, you just look ahead.
Call me old school but I don’t trust the electronic buttons or hockey puck like Ram uses, that’s just something else to go wrong that you have to go back to the dealer and pay $125/hr labor rates after it’s out of warranty. I’ll stick with the mechanical linkage thank you. That’s the same thing with the screen, that’s more of a distraction while driving, because you have to take your eyes off the road to use the screen.
The newer transmissions are totally electronic and have NO mechanical connection. I mean the column shifter may make you feel better but at this point it has become nothing more than an electrical switch. I have come to much prefer the hockey puck in my Ram to a column shift.
There is no mechanical connection from the column shifter to the transmission.
I totally agree with push button selection, since the present electronic transmissions do all the work and only need the “D” setting (the driver never shifts at all). Many new vehicles have no mechanical shifters, just buttons, knobs, and rotary selectors that replace these vestigial items from the past centuries. Even new EVs never need this since the electric motor runs at all speeds, and reverses direction in “R”. The new methods also save space, and assembly costs, and eliminate linkages. It is a real hassle to replace a broken shifter cable (I did it once)!
It wouldn’t be good for people who use trucks like trucks: towing, steep terrain, etc.
Make it push buttons, It’s drive by wire anyway so why fake it with a column or floor shifter that has no mechanical linkage.
I am OK with the push button shifter – but the buttons should be on the steering wheel. It is a PIA to lean slightly forward a stick arm out to shift. That is the beauty of the column stalk – it is close to the wheel.
Push button is fine, but where has the assist Pull handle gone on the passenger side of the new 2021 Yukon Denali . Shorter people with limitation need to basically pulled themselves in to vehicles. The one above the doorway helps getting out but still some folks need the one on the A frame of windshield. 2021 Tahoe has them but Denali does not. Expedition still has them.
GM used rear coil springs for years on their trucks. NASCAR still uses the coil spring GM truck arm rear suspension on their race cars
And for 10 + years now Ram has gone the coil spring route. Those are great riding trucks!
If you do a push button mechanism on the dash, so be it, but by all means, how could anyone with even just a “small” brain that had anything to do with ergonomics design in this day and age come up with the stupitity to not place the manual tap shift buttons somewhere on the steering wheel or some other convenient spot where you likely have your hand(s) placed while driving. Even on a manual stick shift you naturally often had your right hand resting on the shifter (it was natural or by instinct). I love the new GM SUVs but the placement of the manual tap shift buttons on the dash is not what I call Intelligent Design. At least with the column shifter I can rest my elbow on the armrest or center console and my right hand on the column shifter with the tap shift Right There for thumb use, naturally & without thinking, now I have to take my hand off the steering wheel and make a concious effort to “see” the tiny button on the dash #&*#@ horible design on an $80,000 vehicle…so, GM, please change it on the SUVs and don’t do it on your trucks!!!
ford put the trans push button in the center of the edsel steering wheel
I’d love those in my face when the airbag deploys.
I am someone that actually uses these types of trucks for what they were intended for……towing.
When towing in the manual mode, the shift buttons on the column shifter are intuitive and where they should be. One can manually shift the tranny without taking your eyes off the road.
Assuming that tow/haul and manual mode will continue to be part of the Allison package, the shift buttons will need to be somewhere other than on the dash.
One can only hope that some of the many “new” buttons that are seen on the steering wheel are shift, tow/haul etc. Putting these on the dash would seem unsafe to me.
Can’t wait to see the new interiors as it is about time.
I recommend a center console shifter. The push button selector on the dash takes up space on the dash.
How about give us a choice in the matter. Order what we want like in the old days. I’d pick the column shifter over buttons or dials.
Luxury is for cars IMO.
They need to scrap the afm/dod junk.
I like the shifter. If it works don’t fix it. It’s just more computer stuff to go wrong. I won’t buy a new truck will keep my 2015 cause I have 4×4 shifter on the floor the way it should be. This push button technology didn’t work on the Edsel don’t put it on a truck!! Have we learned nothing in 75 years??
I’ve yet to encounter a single person WITH a push button selector who prefers it to a traditional lever – whether column or console mounted.
Personally, I find them annoying as hell (on rentals), and providing no net benefit.
I see the movement as similar to 80’s digital instrument clusters – WHY tech, not high tech.