The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 will debut in a just under two weeks, with General Motors planning the reveal for Thursday, October 21st. Until now, we’ve only seen the refreshed truck in all kinds of spy shots wearing a bunch of camo, which prevented us from seeing many of the details associated with the update. But now, GM Authority has obtained exclusive photos showing the fully-refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 without a trace of camouflage.
Fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
The photos come to us courtesy of GM Authority reader Jeff Hairston, who caught two refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra trucks during a commercial shoot in Long Beach. Impossible to miss for those in the area, the event included a heavy police presence on a nearby bridge, as well as a Porsche SUV rigged up as a camera vehicle.
It seems that both 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models caught in the shots appear to be the range-topping Denali trim, one of which is draped in white paint, the other of which is finished in black.
Current GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
Fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
Outside, the fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra features a slightly revised front fascia, including what appears to be a larger grille, revised bumper and a thinner lower fascia. The headlights are also revised, and now include sharp C-shaped lighting signatures that continue into the lower portion of the front grille.
It’s also worth noting that trim-specific grille treatments will continue be offered, much like they are on the pre-refresh Sierra. As such, the front fascia seen will be offered with different grilles for other trim levels. Also note the revised front air curtain treatment that GM Authority brought to light back in August.
All in, the new fascia gives the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 a more modern appearance, not that the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Sierra Limited models looked outdated (in our opinion).
Current GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
Fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
The side and rear ends of the 2022 Sierra refresh do not see many changes, with the cab, bed, tail lights, rear end styling and exhaust treatment appearing very similar to the pre-refresh models. However, the refreshed trucks do appear to feature smaller cutouts in the rear bumper for the CornerStep feature when compared to the cutouts found on other Sierra trims. This lines up with the strategy in use with the Sierra’s corporate cousin, the Chevy Silverado 1500, which also comes with smaller CornerStep cutouts for its range-topping High Country trim.
It’s also worth noting that the white 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 appears to be wearing a black trim package that includes black wheels, a black grille, and other black accents.
Current GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
Fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
Under the hood, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 is expected to introduce some noteworthy revisions to the powertrain lineup, namely the deletion naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 LV3 gasoline engine, as well as deletion of the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L82. Additionally, the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine will get a substantial torque boost to 420 pound-feet, while the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine option will get a boost in tow ratings.
Fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
But the biggest news about the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra will be the completely overhauled interior with a new cockpit, a bigger center screen with a modern, new infotainment system, and fresh tech, the latter of which will include GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assist feature with towing capabilities.
We are expecting that GMC will offer at least two interior layouts, with Denali trims expected to offer a unique cockpit compared to the rest of the lineup. Models equipped with the front center console will replace the column-mounted shifter with a console-mounted unit, while models with the 40-20-40 front seating configuration will continue to equip the column shifter.
The below video, hosted by GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, provides a detailed walk-through of the updates.
Keep it on GM Authority as we cover everything there’s to know about the fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Not too much of a change
I give the win to Silverado.
yo a tundra
I thought the 2019+ Sierra was one of the best looking trucks in the segment on the outside, so I’m honestly glad they didn’t change it too much. It’s a classy overall design that has always looked like a proper luxury truck from the outside, and now it’ll have a thoroughly modern interior to match.
I’m proud of GM for fixing the horrendous 2019-2021 interior. My opinion it that it was a direct downgrade from the overall material quality, build quality, aesthetics, and simplicity of the 2014-2018 interiors.
Lol that’s it?
Looking decent, can we get an unique engine option over the Chevy for once?.
Not a Denali,endgate isn’t multi function
You can get the Denali with the regular tailgate.
And for commercial purposes it would look cleaner
Well Brad now that the reveal is out of the way and we know the black one was the Denali ultimate and you were wrong.
Looks like they pulled details from the Terrain front end and put them on the Sierra.
I was afraid they would do that, but that is because I am not a fan of the Terrain’s front end.
The days of unique engines are all but over. That’s for all manufacturer groups not just GM
Yep, based off of the earlier exposed front end Sierra teaser photo that was shown earlier this year.
Everyone is saying it’s not that different. If you consider going from a practically perfect truck design to ruining it… not much of a difference then we’ll agree to disagree. They stuck the Terrain front end on it. What a crying shame. Typical GM. They generally hit clean sheet/new gen designs out of the park, then the refresh commando team comes along 3 years later and makes a mess of it. I.E. 5th gen Camaro refresh in ’13, 6th gen camaro ’19 refresh, last gen 1500 refresh in ’15 with the robotron hood etc… Their refreshing jobs always look like a glued on afterthought. The Sierra was universally loved, except for the head scratching, asymmetrical trapezoidal wheel wells. They were universally hated. That’s all they had to change.
And the most frustrating thing is the refresh hatchet jobs invariably coincide with a new upgrade that you really want. Powertrain upgrade, new interior… pretty sure this is the last straw for me with GM. Lifelong fan, almost 30 silverado/sierras’. Fords are now built good enough, they know how to massage, fine tune and not botch when it’s time to refresh a design.
So, not only do you make all your final decisions on a vehicle with blurry, long distant photos, you also take a non-sensical marketing slogan like “Built Ford Tough” at face value. You seem like a gullible person or just a Ford simp.
Stop trying to impress Ford, John! It isn’t going to sleep with you because it’s not attracted to you. Also, it’s a car company.
Sensible point Mr. Andy!
Go simp for Mary you worthless bum and cry about how they didn’t show you the Celestiq on investors day.
Haha king simp calls another person a simp lol. You can’t make this stuff up. Andy aka king simp/shill
Tony and Jake, Mary won’t sleep with you either! I’m sorry!
Wow Andy way to put a woman down. Is that what you think women are just sex toys? You are a disgusting pig. Grow up women are not here for your pleasure only. Get a life pig.
Well, they objectify how much “driveshaft” performance men do more then most guys know…
Right so that excuses his nasty behavior or treating women like they are nothing but his personal sex toys got it. It’s nice to know you approve of what he said.
Battalion of morality right here…
No your just a troll looking for attention. Rick don’t respond to this dude just downvote him. He comments every now and then usually someone tells him off and he crawls back in his hole.
Soy toy boys everywhere, ok I’ll say something to it more acceptable to the 2021 crowd, you’d like to kiss Mark Russ…..🥴
Rick: Defender of women! Welcome to the fight, dude!
Your disgusting do not reply to me again. The comment you made is shameful and you should be ashamed of yourself. One day I hope you wake up and realize women are not here for your own pleasure. Now go away pig.
Ruining it? You think the current truck is great looking? So you aren’t bothered by the buck tooth fangs in the grille or the overly styled dimples that are fog lights. At least this cleans up the design, the current one was a little over done and making Chevy nearly the better looking truck in some layouts. Yes looks are in the eye of the beholder but you certainly don’t speak for the masses.
BTW, all refreshes look like after thoughts as they try to incorporate 90% of a previous style and that is hard to do, not very often is it nailed as the original was designed together.
First glance this looks like an improvement to me, cleaned up some of the ugly jagged lines out front. Still won’t determine whether I buy one or not based on looks, but a simpler design getting away from the over done big look at me styling is a win in my book!
Look no one complained about the outside.
Everyone was upset with the interior. They fixed it.
Thanks for making my point. You are correct, no one complained about the exterior design.
Many did if you see my post above. Jagged buck tooth grille, huge dimple fog lights, it needed a nip and tuck to clean it up. The wheel wells I do agree with but looks aren’t an important factor in the buying process and they can clear some larger tires.
Sorry you complain about everything anymore so we don’t take it seriously and count it.
The majority of average folks have no issue with the styling. GM also to their credit tries to give two different looks today vs just no lying in a different but similar grill. If you hate one odds are you like the other. If that is not good enough go elsewhere.
Who’s we?
The current AT4 is the best looking truck on the market. This includes versus the 3rd gen Raptor and TRX.
You have no idea what you are talking about. Do you always just make stuff up? People don’t take you serious anymore since your horrendous gm stock predictions that have been completely wrong for what? 4-5 weeks straight now?
Sorry last thought. For those that disagree, take a close look at the front corner, where the upper bumper cover wraps around, transitioning from the fender. That might look great on an SUV, it’s complete dog poo poo for truck design. I wouldn’t be this worked up if the current Sierra front end wasn’t so darn perfect. Again, the only knock on the Sierra was the wheel wells. But the rest of the design made up for it. Now we have a god-awful wheel well’d Terrain crossover.
Whoa there Nelly ! DELETING the L82 5.3 V8 ???? And replacing it with what ? An overstressed Turbo 4 cyl. or an outrageously expensive Diesel ? No one else on here asking about this ??
Go back and look at the old posts.
Eliminated was the AFM.
Truth is the truck doesn’t need it. The L3B does nearly the same job more efficiently, and as someone who has driven both, I can tell you that it has more pep as well. The L82 deserved either an upgrade or to be dropped entirely, as it’s clear GM is focusing their attention on the L3B. The L87 will remain for customers who demand a V8.
What is the long term reliability of it and the 8sp trans?
Wil it be another in a line of engines similar to the Vortec 4200 that go the gm “forget about it” history.
The diesel is a $995 upgrade over the 5.3. Outrageously expensive? No. Way underpriced for the value.
Still no panoramic roof. We’ll thats it for me. I’m gonna buy the new F150 platinum. GM enjoy being dead last. I’m taking my business to Ford
Haha, good luck with that. F150’s are riddled with problems, go look at the forums. The sunroofs are a big complaint line, not working, leaking, noises and in rare cases cracking. You do you, if the sun roof is your reason to switch then you obviously are in that large group of people who have no need for a truck and only buying because you think it looks cool in your kids school drop off line. Let me guess, you are going to get the off road package, put on some black wheels and aggressive tires with a leveling kit, am I right or am I right? Haha….
Haha the Silverado and Sierra are also riddled with problems. Take your own suggestion and go look at the forums
Too bad you can’t photoshop your ugly attitude here Mr.Haley
What’s ugly about his attitude? He said still no Panoramic roof so he is getting an f150 what’s wrong with that? When you say ugly attitude is that because you don’t like the fact that he isn’t praising gm and everything they do?
I really wanted the roof. That would have solidified it for me.
Well wait for 2025 for the next gen gmc sierra that’ll have a full fixed glass roof, if you can’t wait that long, then look at a ford f150 or a ram if you will. I agree with you that gmc should’ve offered a panoramic roof, but these are just early spy shots prototype, you never know if gm will offer a panoramic sunroof as a later option.
Enjoy sitting in your oven in the summer.. the panoramic sunroof is a stupid gimmick that people with half a brain don’t want.. have fun with your clapped out Ford.
At least Denali buyers will finally get a little real wood for there money.
I am waiting to see the new prices for these upgrades.
As an owner of an all original 1968 C10 I’m disappointed in today’s trucks. They’re huge and made to carry families. I also own an all original 1968 Impala and it carries my family of 4 with no problem. I guess automakers decided to quit making family sedans and went with all in one vehicles that obstruct other driver’s views and can’t fit in a normal sized parking spot.
I also own a 1977 El Camino and a 2014 Volt so no I’m not completely stuck in 1968 and I’m aware of new technology.
Johnny it’s not 1968, 71 or 14 anymore.
Due to mpg issues and emissions cars were cut up in size and shape to get better mpg. Most people do not like the size so they moved to trucks and SUV models as they are larger and in many cases easier to haul stuff in.
It was the public that chose and the automakers just responded.
Most CUV models are smaller but usable and fit normal spots. My Canyon fit any spot or garage and my rocker panels are not rusted out.
You may be aware of the technology but not the regulations or reason why people buy as they do and it is their choices that drive the market.
My hope is with the advent of the EV car they can again build a car the size of a 1968 Impala again as no mpg regulations to prevent it. Who knows the market could move back to cars again.
FYI your Impala has a greater foot print than my Acadia.
C8.R My 1968 Impala has a bigger footprint than my 1968 C10. Haha I understand the the manufacturers response to public outcry I have worked in the Automotive Customer Quality field since the early 80’s so I am more aware than most and have built some really good relationships with some famous names in the automotive market. My comment came from what I see in my time on the road and at work daily. Trucks that don’t fit in parking spots in that parking garage and speed bumps tailored for the taller truck suspensions. It would be nice to have more stylish sedans on the road like there once was is all. YES my Impala fits just fine in the same parking spots.
I like and own collector cars but for daily use the fuel economy and safety features of today’s cars make them impractical for that purpose.
Collector car insurance is the only way to protect your investment,if you drive it to work or Costco and it disappears,it is on you.
I’ve had my Impala since high school. I don’t collect cars and I drive all of my cars. I would like to see someone try and take one of them.
For the folks on the wheel wells. They are like this for a reason. They cut the front top corner to keep air out of the wheel well.
This also eliminates the air scoops that everyone complains about on the Chevy,
The fender wells on these trucks eat a ton of air and this really does help the aero count for mpg.
They corner does not hurt using larger tires at all.
The air scoops/air curtain intakes are not eliminated. You can see them in the picture. The current Sierra hides the intakes with the fog lights. They moved the fog lights in the 2022, so the intakes stand alone.
The current Sierra and Silverado have nearly the same system, just on the Sierra, they actually widened the area inboard to accommodate the fog lights, filled in the missing inch of painted metal between the fender and bumper cover (which fixes the main “sideburns” objection), and on nicer models slapped a chrome trim ring around the whole thing.
Sam They are reduced drag plain simple fact is they are there to keep air out of the wheel wells for more aero flow.
The point is no one complains about the air curtains on the GMC or even notice them.
You can argue what you like but the wheel wells are shaped for air.
Get a fricken life.
I think they didn’t need to change the exterior at all, the Sierra was beautiful as it is, the interior on the other hand was a joke for a premium full size truck. Hope they changed the interior to compete with the heavy hitters like the ram 1500 longhorn or the f150 limited. Can’t wait for thr reveal on October 21.
What with the dislikes, did I say something wrong? Looks like I’ve struck a nerve for some people.
Any plans for a larger sunroof?
No
Gross. Go buy one of the other clunkers if you need a giant hole in your roof.
The grill actually looks a bit smaller to my eye. Shorter from top to bottom. Which IMO is a good thing. The growth in grill size over the years has gotten a bit ridiculous. The new Tundra grill is horrendous. Looking forward to seeing this in AT4 trim.
Isn’t a spray-on bed liner standard on (non-Carbon Pro) Denali trucks?? If so, the white one is looking less and less like a Denali, considering it has the one-piece tailgate, as well.
My next door neighbor went with that option of not getting the Multi- Pro tailgate when he ordered his truck online.
Looks decent, I’ll have to see the actual reveal in order to get a feel for the curvy Front-End.
I already have a pretty good idea of how it is going to look on the outside, but the inside was the part that needed the most work thanks to RAM. I’m sure that the Denali will be much more competitive now, I’m wondering if they kept Bose as the audio system supplier, cause they will need lots of speakers to match the Ford B&O and Ram H/K systems.
Now that the 4.3L is done in the full-size segment, they could turbocharge it and offer it in the Canyon as a new Syclone, they will need something to go against the upcoming Ranger Raptor.
gm needs cash and they took advantage of the high price of scrap and scrapped all the casting molds.
Disappointing. They took all of the character out of the front end and replaced it with a smiling jellybean look. It’s terrible. The previous (current?) generation looks great. Just needed a new interior. But now we get this thing that looks like it was designed by a committee of woke women. Don’t want it to be aggressive because that’s scary. FFS. They could have done so much better.
Still no pano roof I see lol..
Thank God. If you need that ignorant gimmick, buy one of the other two clunkers.
Wow. GMC certainly botched the exterior. The refreshed front fascia is ugly. The smaller corner steps in the rear are less appealing as well. GMC ruined the beautiful work of art.