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2022 Sierra Denali Ultimate Is Most-Luxurious Sierra 1500 Yet

General Motors has unveiled the fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, and with it, the new Sierra Denali Ultimate, the latest range-topper in the Light Duty Sierra pickup lineup.

GM teased the new 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate in a brief video just last week. Now, we’re getting the full official rundown on the most-luxurious Sierra 1500 to date.

The 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate is set apart from the rest of the lineup thanks to unique exterior styling, including a unique grille treatment finished in exclusive Vader chrome. The new grille is complemented by further Vader chrome details, such as the GMC logo, as well as unique front fender trim featuring Mount Denali. The corners of the 2022 Sierra Denali are filled by exclusive 22-inch wheels finished in Low Gloss Black with machined accents, while the rear of the pickup features the six-way configurable GMC MultiPro tailgate. Power assist steps are equipped as standard.

The cabin space incorporates a new interior design debuting with the fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. This new interior layout is equipped by all 2022 Sierra 1500 models with the exception of the base-model Pro. However, the 2022 Sierra Denali Ultimate takes the new interior a step further with a variety of exclusive materials and features. Highlights include full-grain leather upholstery and open-pore Paldao wood trim, as well as a leather-trimmed instrument panel, door panels, and console lid, a premium microsuede headliner, and Sierra Denali Ultimate badging. A laser etching depicting topographical maps of Mount Denali can be found in the dash.

A Rear Camera Mirror, 15-inch Head-Up Display, and sunroof are all standard, as is GM Super Cruise, the automaker’s semi-autonomous driver assist system, which offers semi-autonomous trailering with the new 2022 Sierra Denali Ultimate.

As for the engine spec, the new Denali Ultimate is equipped as standard with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The ‘eight connects to a 10-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Precision Shift, as well as four-wheel drive and an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case, all as standard. Denali Premium Suspension with Adaptive Ride Control is also standard.

Pricing (including destination charge) for the 2022 Sierra Denali Ultimate starts at $80,395. Look for deliveries of the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra to begin in the first quarter of the 2022 calendar year.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. One word… BADASS

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  2. 80k is a bit steep, not sure it is worth 20k over the regular Denali, but since I don’t like black wheels and I do like the red GMC badge, I’ll be going for a loaded regular Denali over the Ultimate (I’m sure that chrome wheels and maybe even a red GMC badge will be options but come on! The truck already costs 80k to throw in more money.

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    1. If you can pay 80k for it, getting those options are inconsequential.

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    2. I dunno, I wouldnt be in line to buy it, but you’re getting a legit interior, the carbon pro package, and the most advanced autonomous system in the industry. This model will sell.

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      1. Yup, this Denali Ultimate will be 25% of Sierra 1500 volume, great package. Now I cannot wait to see the HD’s.

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      2. “This model will sell”
        Not without the computer chips to run it!

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        1. The new electrical architecture in the new trucks will use more modern chips. So much of the chip problem for the automotive industry is they are using 20 year old chips. The major chip makers got sick of being blamed and said the automotive industry is using ancient tech and had they been using remotely modern chips the production impact should have not been nearly as severe and recovered by now.

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          1. not exactly.. perhaps you should study the new architecture before commenting on it.

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    3. Is it steep? Assuming it has literally every option that’s pretty close to what it would have cost before. I remember pricing out a Yukon Denali and it got well into the 80k range once you added options. Unfortunately the market is willing to pay for it.

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    4. Me too. Problem is the non ultimate Denali has the old dash. I think. For the new dashboard and console shifter one will have to buy the Ultimate?

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      1. Every 2022 Denali will have the updated dash and console shifter, whether it is an Ultimate or not.

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        1. When I go to the GMC website for a 2022 Limited Denali build, it shows the “older” dashboard in the pictures. ITT department lacking? I like the Ultimate, but do not want a black color car and black wheels. I would like to buy the Ultimate in Pearl White. But it appears the Ultimate will only be available in black for now.

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          1. The configurator for the updated 2022 isn’t available yet, the 2022 Limited is the same one as the 2021.

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            1. Thanks! Do you know if the Ultimate will only be available in Black with black wheels? Would be stupid imo if true. The Ford Limited which I own, comes in 5 color options.

              I just hate the new Digital dashboard on the new 2021 F150. The speedo and Tach are just big digital numbers. Looks terrible. no round gauges with pointer. Just big numerals.

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        2. Jorge, are you sure that all denali models will have the console shifter?

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    5. Yep, give me the loaded regular denali over the blacked out ultimate

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  3. Im not a truck person but that Denali is awesome. Love how they gave the Sierra a different interior from the Silverado. Bravo GM

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    1. Agreed, Especially how the climate controls (more frequently used) are above the toggle switches for other truck functions (less frequently used). I also really like how they made the engine start/stop button look like you’re launching a rocket or something. The Denali interior overall is gorgeous. Not sure how I feel yet about the trailer brake controller being down on the center console, but we’ll see…

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  4. Interior looks great… I am impressed.. Outside looks better, but a bit of a yawner.

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  5. Reserved. I cannot wait to actually be able to order the Ultimate. I’m even digging the purple with dark chrome from the CNET video. I was even able to find a dealer who will do GM Supplier pricing. Now I just have to decide if I should accept delivery on 22 Ram 1500 Limited 10th Anniversary Edition I have on order and trade or lose my deposit.

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    1. 🙄

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    2. Are you kidding? You would rather have this then the 10th anniversary?

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      1. I still think the Ram interior is nicer, but GMC has definitely stepped it up to be competitive. The air suspension in the Ram will likely provide a more comfortable ride as well. I personally like the exterior of the Sierra over the Ram. Ram has no answer for Super Cruise at this time which puts it over the top, for me at least. Since it appears that that GMC will not make these available to order until Dec and my dealer said Super Cruise may not be available to order until Q2 like the Escalade, it may not be until summer time before I’d actually be able to get one delivered. That is plenty of time for me to change my mind if I accept delivery of the Ram. My Ram just moved to KZP status, so it’s built and should be getting invoiced to dealer any day now and delivered to the dealer in the next month. I probably should just accept it, than I don’t lose my deposit and maybe can even break even if I do decide to trade since I got it below invoice utilizing FCA Affiliate pricing.

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        1. Nice what color did you choose? Did you go with the 10th anniversary exclusive blue?

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          1. No, when I ordered in July, “Blue Shade” was not available. I ordered mine in “Patriot Blue”.

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            1. That’s still a good color. I think once you take delivery you won’t wanna let it go. Unless you get some crazy offer lol. I hope you get it soon.

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      2. Shane, I would take this over the Ram Limited every day of the week and twice on Sundays. The Denali Ultimate looks more masculine, has a higher tow rating, more payload, more power, and a 10-speed. I watched a hands on review of the new Denali Ultimate on You Tube. After spending time in and around the Ultimate, he came away very impressed with both the looks and interior. In fact he rated the interior higher than both Ford and Ram, Ram being his previous favorite.

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      3. I have own a 2019 ultimate Denali . The first thing I noticed was the seats., thin and hard , always use a purple mattress seat cover 1″ thick.
        I also own a 2015 serria SLT 1500. I found the seat much softer and a thicker padding. I may end with the higher end SLT 1500 just because of the seating 4×4 , 6.2. And install aftermarket electric side steps.

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  6. When will the Yukon be available in the Denali Ultimate?

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    1. 1 year later the SUV’s will get the update

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    2. The Yukon Denali already has an ultimate package. It includes the air suspension and adaptive cruise control.

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  7. 80k? GTFOH

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  8. Can’t wait for the HD update. I would pull the trigger on this but can’t stand the console shifter and vertical cup holders. I do wish they would do the at4x exterior with the denali ultimate interior, but at least the at4 extras can be done aftermarket.

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  9. No double cab available? I’ll stick with my 2016 LTZ.

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  10. I like the updates to both Sierra and Silverado but I’m left with 1 basic question. With all of the updates to both interior and exterior styling they couldn’t squeeze in a panoramic moonroof to either GM offering to compete with the options list of every other full size truck manufacturer?

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    1. This is a facelift, if they added a moonroof it would have required lots of structural changes.
      The moon roof is coming in GM’s next gen Sierra and Silverado.

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      1. Hopefully It’ll be available by then…only a literal 10 years behind their chief rival. (whose name I shall not mention here)

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  11. I have been bashing GM for their Crappy interiors for as long as I can remember and for good reason.
    This right here though is by far the absolute best Truck interior In the Business.
    I will say that it scares me that GM only showed off their two most expensive Trims though. So I will withhold my opinion until I see the rest of the range. But the Ultimate Trim is far superior to anything from Ram, Nissan, Toyota, and Ford.

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    1. Other trims are viewable on GMC’s website.

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  12. Looks great but $80k? That’s like entering Cadillac Escalade territory.

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    1. Yep, no thanks at 80k. Ill stay with my current denali until they lower the price.

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      1. 80K is for the Denali Ultimate trim (that used to be just a Package) the base Denali is 60k.

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        1. I have what amounts to the ultimate package on my 20 and it 66k.

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  13. I have decided to go with the Ultimate, still don’t like the black wheels, but estimates looks like the regular denali with options will cost just as much as the ultimate

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  14. The Ford limited is over $80k also.

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  15. I could imagine a GMC in a W/T trim type : extending cab long box too .. small v8 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive.. hidden doors power windows .. power door locks.. wifi.. built in fun..👍..

    Reply

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