The GMC Sierra 1500 pickup is set for a model refresh for the 2022 model year, ushering in, among other things, a completely new interior. The new cabin space will delete the current model’s column shifter.
GM Authority recently published spy images of the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra Denali 1500’s interior space, showing off the new gauges, new infotainment gear, a new center stack, and a new dash. Critically, the new images also show that the refresh will remove the column shifter.
We wrote about the removal of the column shifter with the debut of the 2022 GMC Sierra back in October following the release of an older set of spy images. Now, these newer images confirm that the column shifter is indeed going away with the upcoming model refresh.
It’s also worth noting that the new console-mounted shifter seen on this 2022 GMC Sierra prototype appears as though it comes straight out of the 2022 GMC Hummer EV, with a bent, L-shaped design and glossy trim with a silver surround.
The shifter will incorporate GM’s Electronic Precision Shift (EPS) technology, which means it will be a “digital” shifter control without any kind of mechanical linkage to the actual shifting mechanism. The EPS tech, first used on Cadillac models, provides reduced noise and vibration, and a smoother, more precise shifting response, while also enabling greater cabin real estate in terms of hard controls.
Notably, the upcoming refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado will also include an overhauled interior design that won’t come with a column shifter.
In addition to a new interior, the 2022 GMC Sierra will introduce a new front and rear fascia design, new wheels, new exterior colors, and updated tech features, including the GM Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assist system.
What do you think, dear reader? Do you prefer the console shifter slated to arrive with the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra, or do you prefer the current model’s column shifter? Let us know by voting in the poll below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
All this tech sounds good, but I worry about the longevity of it all–electronic shifting control, all-digital gauge cluster–makes it hard to let go of some of the remaining mechanical “Truckish” type things like the column shifter, regular key start, physical gauges, etc., but this is the way things are going…so I just hope they make everything robust to it can take a beating and last a reasonable amount of time.
After I read your comment, I ran out to the garage and looked under my 2020 GMC, it looks to be a cable shift linkage, which I I am not sure if that is any more reliable than electronics in 2021?
On another subject, while I was under there I noticed the bottom of the cab is not painted, just a greenish tan primer.
Fair point, cables are pretty inconsistent. I guess when I meant mechanical I mean more like rigid linkages, but I guess how many of those things are there anyways? As long as the transmission shifting control, engine starting, gauges, brakes, steering…you know…the essentials are bulletproof, that’s good enough for me, whether they are all electronic or not.
Most cars aren’t color painted underneath. Look at say, a Honda Civic or a F-150, you’ll find the same. Also check the back side of body panels.
Hummer Ev’s look to be painted underneath, at least the prototype ones that are running around are. Not sure if that will make it to production, but it looks nice.
The horse and buggy gang said the same thing about the Model T.
Simple solution to these overrated, overpriced, over complicated new vehicles.
Buy a 2000s vehicle instead.
Everything is ruled by the cost analysis engineer how do we do the same job but make it cheaper . Less moving parts more profit more plastics less metal
I like the console shift over column shift, but like the digital stalk even better, like what is coming in Lyriq…
This is why products from the companies like Apple and Tesla are sough after by customer, they use simplicity as richness ; looking clean, simple and straightforward is new luxury. You absolutely don’t need that fake huge stick shifter. Give real estate to the customer, don’t clutter the space.
Yup, There is beauty in simplicity!
Why do so many people get bent up about a column shifter? I just don’t get it. Especially in trucks, there needs to be a bench/split bench seat option at least. And why use the space for the console shifter? Personally, I would prefer a column shifter over anything else, but I can also say that I don’t like these new ways of shifting they are now using. My Volvo S60 is so stupid compared to my CT4. In the Caddy, just get in and shift the old fashion way into R or D. Simple. But the Volvo is two movements just to get into R or D. Stupid.
Problem 1: overshooting reverse every time you get in the car and need to back out.
Problem 2: American cars are paranoid about having two stalks on the right, so all the wiper controls get jammed on the left stalk, which is particularly confusing when you have rear wipers on a SUV and extra buttons for features such as auto high beams and auto wipe.
Even if you’re driving GM cars, they have the same left stalk but all the controls are switched around so there’s no muscle memory, e.g. front spray button is also used as auto wipers, auto high beams is also cruise set, and cruise on/off is also used as rear wipers.
Some of the electronic sticks are more efficient when you realize you can pull back and hold to get into D (e.g. FCA).
Sam: I see what you are saying, but don’t totally agree. Back in the day, you had your dimmer switch on the floor where you used your left foot to activate the hi or low beams. Great feature that I found simple and gave that left foot something to do (especially in an auto). At that same time, the wipers were located on a dash switch. Not saying that was better, but I found it to be a great place while leaving the turn signals to the left lever. That left the column shifter to the right side of the wheel and it was always easy and useful. When I was a police officer, the departments required a column shift for good reason. However, I believe that has gone to the wayside now.
Oh well, it is what it is. I’m used to both my cars and how different they really are.
The Japanese don’t have an issue with putting two stalks on the right. Maybe the American companies thought old people would get confused, shift and crash instead of turning on the wipers.
If you think the stalk might have confused them, just wait for the glossy button shifter.
When some sees change they are not sure of they make up circumstances that are either far fetched or due to them not fully understanding – not possible – to justify their thoughts.
I disagree. As a Volvo owner, within one day I “mastered” the gearshift. If you can’t figure it out, maybe you need a chauffeur. It’s all about change, if you cant adapt, you will get lost in the dust.
Is this better or just different? I can change gears with column shifter without even looking and keeping thumb on wheel and keeping head up. This is another distraction looking down at console.
Why are you looking at the console? It’s not like manual transmissions are distracting.
Absolutely horrible idea! Don’t go Ford and Toyota on us! Ram will be my next truck. They are the only one left without a shifter in the console. I love the room for storage in the console. This RUINS it! Please give an option for column shift. Ford has the option on certain trim levels
On my company Ram 1500 with a column shifter, when it’s in drive, it hides the 4×4 selector, brilliant engineering…..doh.
I look at the instrument cluster when I use a console shifter, that’s usually where the gear indicator is. Pretty simple stuff, and plenty of petty complaints on this supposed issue, in “my” opinion.
Some really big drivers want a column shift as often the console shift hits their knee.
As for longevity the electric is as good to better for the most part.
But it is different. This is taking an item that was a mindless thing no matter what vehicle you got in and now has made it different.
To some they find it interesting to others infuriating.
It is done better in some vehicles than others.
The difference can be just a simple forced glance got some to death like the guy in Star Trek that got killed when he missed park in his Jeep.
In my in-laws 300 it is not easy hitting the right gear when you are not use to the shifter. Also my mother in law got stuck where the car would not go into drive. I removed the battery cable to reboot the computer and it has worked fine since.
Much of this is a matter of adjustment and a matter of design related to vehicle use.
There is no right or wrong here just what is best accepted by the customers related to that particular vehicle and use of the vehicle.
And yes standardization does have some benefits. If moving to different cars it helps if you know how to get it in gear with out a learning process.
I will survive this but some folks could walk away from some models if a company gets it wrong.
“Learning process”? Wow! How long does t take you to adapt to a different gear selector?
Minutes, hours, days, weeks? OMG.
It’s about time. 20 years or more behind the competitors.
Yeah, just in time for a fake mechanical shifter to be done away with and replaced by buttons or a knob on the dash.
Can we just get rid of shifters altogether? Push button or dial is all you need these days
So, my dad had a ’56 Plymouth and it came with push buttons for shifting. Over on the left side of the dash as I recall.
One day he pulled up behind a semi trailer and wouldn’t you know it, IT STARTED TO BACK UP!
He tried about 5 times to grab the column mounted shifter and go into reverse only to grab some air.
The semi crunched our hood before he could punch the reverse button.
Well, I was the only one who thought it was funny.
Given the fact that transmisions are fully electronically controlled, the deletion of a mechanical shifter makes sense. Take the silverado with the 5 spd Allison way back from 2001 or so, it used a coulumn shifter and cable arrangement to operate the electronic shift selector (nsbu) mounted on the side of the trans case. It wasnt mobing any mechanical valves in the valve body, the only mechanical thing it was doing was moving the mechanical park pawl. The Allison lct1000 was the only Allison to actually have a park pawl. Mist commercial grade transmissions dont, and use a keypad to select gear ranges. The park mechanism can easily be done electronically as well.
Looks like crap. Simplicity and fancy clusters equals problems. Look at Tesla. Worst reliability I. Any vehicle. Complete crap.
Remember the early 2000’s GM clusters where the stepper motors frequently fail? Lead to a class action lawsuit.
Not a relevant point pertaining to Tesla’s poor reliability. It’s not their consoles or gear selectors that are the issues.
I want my key and my column shifter after all it is a damn truck.
The column shifter I understand. It’s not a manual, so you don’t need it on the console wasting space or jammed against your knee.
But a physical ignition key? Why? If you’ve ever driven a modern car without one, I can’t understand why you’d want to go back.
Wahoo!!! I love it.
I go from my gmc to my van I keep swinging my hand down to put it in drive there would be nothing there . Terrible feeling after 20 or so yrs of a column shifter.
I hope the console shifter doesn’t impede the ability to have a third person in the cab, or take away console storage. I am in the market for a new 2022 GMC SiERRA, if the shifter takes those things away, I’ll have to look elsewhere. Hope that’s not the case, I need those things in a truck. Jim
Looks to me like there is a paddle shifter of some sort.
See the 2021 Escalade for the same setup. They need to replace the transmission range select that was on the lever.
Ahhh, ok. Makes sense.
If GMC is going to go to a digital shifter they might as well do away with the floor shifter all together and just do a push pull button like they do in the terrain that is on the dash under the infotainment system completely out of the way of anything on the floor and you’ll have room for a third passenger with nothing to impede the foot area. Some people don’t seem to like the push-pull button system but I love it … as simple as could be and is out of the way works great
I don’t get the column or console shifter whining. I have an F150 for 15 years with a console shifter and it’s great. Gives me something to hold on to when I’m driving other than my…..well, you know. Also, push button would be fun too but I really don’t care either way. I think after 15 years of driving F150’s I’m gonna try the new GMC when they finally decide to release it. I can tell you this much though, I definitely am not going all electric with a Hummer, or Tesla like the local fan boy on here promoting it every other post. But I’ll say this, GMC should have updated their interior a couple of years ago or more but then again, Toyota should have updated their entire truck 10 years ago.
I am an ole school truck guy. Give me either a console or column shifter. Dials and fancy gizmos are subject to computer malfunctions. Cant see the longevity of those things. I also can’t see investing over 70g in a truck myself that I use for off road, driving on rural dirt roads in ruts & fields. Just will buy a used one with a column or console shifter when my current truck is ready for the salvage yard.
So does this console shifter mean no split bench seats anymore? Not good for my wide backside.
I’d still rather have a manual transmission. More fun to drive. I’d prefer a manual T-case, too.
I love the column shifter, space saving, we need the bench split sest option and chose GM specifically because its the only 9 passenger vehicle in its class. How dumb is a console shifter? GM has the market cornered on SUVs and Trucks, don’t mess with a good thing.
It’s not either-or. Many cars have both console and column options depending on the seats, including the new F-150, Toyota Tundra, and cop cars like the Explorer, Crown Vic, and Charger.
Are you sure that the console shifter is missing? The only “proof” pic is that of the drivers shorts and his excitement for the new truck.
Anything but a console shifter. Column is the top choice with the buttons a close second. They have to have another option for the bench seats, so hopefully there is a button shifter for most versions and the wasteful console shifter for the suburban dad specials (aka box checker versions). It is just silly to limit so much space for something that is useless so someone can think it looks cool.
3 bodies in the front seat is a safety issue nowadays. Side impacts create noggin explosions.
Consoles are useful storage spaces and coffee cup holders. I would rather sit in a bucket seat than on a bench any day.
Will it come with the panoramic roof I’m a big Gm man but if they don’t upgrade this soon I’ll switch to Ford soon
I actually look forward to the column shifter disappearing. I have accidentally hit it in the dark while drive and reaching towards the dash.
This is such a hack job by GM. This is rushed as Dodge and Ford have bested them on interior. They should have done a digital dash / cluster in 2021 and they know it.
I am fine with electronic control of the transmission but will not buy a truck with console shift. Living in the mountains I constantly am in manual mode and having the manual gear selector at the end of the column shifter is perfect placement. And I like the extra center seat/upper and lower storage compartments instead of a console. Just bought a crate ls3 for my 2009. No interest in buying into the direction GM is going.
There’s a steering wheel paddle for range select, like the 2021 Escalade. Another commenter pointed it out in the photos.
Love it. Been waiting for this. Also get rid of the goofy buttons on the Tahoe while you’re at it. I’m an old school manual guy. I like to have the console shifter for my right arm to rest on.
This discussion brings back great memories. My friend had a ’57 Plymouth with the transmission selector push buttons in the dash. He carried a screwdriver to remove the cover for every time the buttons got stuck behind the cover. Good times!
Mom had a 1962 Valiant with push buttons on the dash, same issues.
U cheat the people with the cheap plastic from china that breaks and has to be replaced but u don’t care about our lives just u bank accounts. The faulty equipment that’s put on these trucks is just bad business and will bite u in ur ass. Make the truck the name was intended Chevy built to last , or break down 5 days after we take ownership. GM is crooked back stabbing and outright lires
I like the old console shifter, not the new button or round knob “shifter”
I love the GMC trucks. They got good design and the shifter is old technology. Put a key pad to the left of the GPS. So you don’t spill coffee all over it.
As much as I prefer to column shifter, as long as GM doesn’t use a push button or rotary knob for the shifter it’s not terrible. I wonder if the column shifter is gone on all trims, including work and SLE/LT or if it’s just replaced with the console shift in the high end trims. Hopefully the column shift with a bench is still an option on some trims.
No… No… No…!
I drive into & out of 50 driveways a day, 50 weeks a year. No column shifter has ever given any problem, and I keep my trucks for about 8 years.
The 2014 Silverado I have infuriates me because it takes much longer to switch from Reverse to Drive (and back) than the four speed auto in my 2006 Silverado. That can be very dangerous when a vehicle is bearing down on you after you’ve backed out of a driveway. The stupid console shifter will be even slower, more fidly, and more problem prone.
Progress…? I think NOT!
Looks like they are trying to keep up with fords , personally I’d rather have a column shifter any day in my truck
So. Console shifter, etc? I take it consoles are now mandatory; no more split bench seats?
They should have left it where it was. Now you will have less room in the middle. Also more to go wrong. Heck just use buttons on the dash then.
I hate the electric parking brake button on a vehicle I have now.
In an Emergency you could slowly engage the parking brake to bring the vehicle to a stop.
You’re going to have alot more people getting ran over when they miss park while using that dial.
I will take a column shifter every time. I have a Cadillac XT-4 with the electronic console shift, it is the most unintuitive thing I’ve ever had to deal with. Even after 2 years, I have to think about how to shift in and out of park. Never an issue with my 17 Sierra.
I to prefer the column shift. It is an easy reach, out of the way and virtually brainless. If the console shifter is so great why is Ford offering the NEW fold away option on their F150. If you don’t put the shifter there in the first place { where I think it takes up too much real estate} — you don’t have to go thru the complicated mess of making it ” dis appear”
My thoughts exactly
Gm should put a switch in to disable the start stop . I have seen vichels stopped at intersection that didn’t start
I am all for getting rid of both the column and the mouse shifter. They only need a push button or dial on the dash. Add pedal shifter to the wheel. That will clean up the dash and console.
While they are at it get rid of the manual parking break. Which would make room for a decent foot rest.
I want to see that pedal shifter on the wheel. 😜
Those manual emergency brakes are required by law, dude.
By “manual emergency brakes” I assume you mean “parking brakes”.
And by “required by law, dude”, I assume you mean, “I haven’t been a modern car that doesn’t have those”
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Column shifters allow for a lot more room in the front seat on date night I never buy a truck with a stationary console or floor shifter (OUCH). I will be trading my GMC Sierra soon…considering a competitor.
no bench seat with shifter means the two trucks i/m buying will go else where===