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.
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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 4x4 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.