Last week, General Motors unveiled the fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. At the time, Big Red only showed photos of the range-topping Sierra Denali Ultimate, which is a new trim level that will slot above the (now-“regular”) GMC Sierra Denali. But now, GM Authority has obtained the very first on-road photos of the 2022 GMC Sierra Denali (without the Ultimate treatment).
This particular model is the Crew Cab, Short Box model coated in Ebony Twilight Metallic paint.
The biggest change to the exterior is the new front fascia, with a new grille and headlights. Unlike the Denali Ultimate, which features darkened exterior accents, the “regular” Denali features the traditional bright chrome grille and accents. The grille features slightly larger dimensions than the pre-facelift models, with a different slat design.
With the grille growing in width, the headlights are now slightly thinner. They continue to wear GMC‘s signature C-shaped design aesthetic, but with a different execution for the refresh, with a deeper-reaching bottom end of the “C.”
The lower front fascia has also been revised to feature a new set of fog lights at the outer edges. Between the upper and lower grille reside a new set of grilles for the front air curtain.
The side profile of the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 remains the same as before, but with a key difference: the wheels. The 22-inch rims with bright chrome inserts on this truck feature a double-six-spoke pattern. Also note the 6.2L V8 insert on the front quarter panel denoting the optional, naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline EcoTec3 engine rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The atmospheric eight is mated to GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Precision Shift. Two-wheel drive driving the rear wheels is standard, while four-wheel drive with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case is optional.
The 5.3L V8 L84 engine (355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque) is standard on the Sierra Denali, while the 3.0L LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax engine (277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque) is optional. Both of these engines are also mated to the 10-speed auto.
This truck also features the retractable running boards. Carry-overs from the pre-refresh models, the units are officially known as the GMC MultiPro Power Steps.
Out back, the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 remains largely the same as before, with the standard power rear window. Also note the C-shaped tail lights flanking the six-way configurable GMC MultiPro tailgate.
The dual exhaust setup remains as it was before, but the cutouts for the CornerStep rear bumper do appear to be slightly smaller on the range-topping Denali compared to those used on other trims.
The refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra Denali continues to ride on the Denali Premium Suspension with Adaptive Ride Control as standard.
Base pricing for the 2022 Sierra Denali starts at $61,295. Ordering for the refreshed model will open in December, as GM Authority exclusively reported last month.
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Comments
I think it looks pretty good… a lot of detail to clean on the front though.
Denali grilles have always been a pain to clean lol. After seeing both I prefer the Vader chrome grille and emblems on the Ultimate, it has a very stealth appearance. Imagine how good the Ultimate would’ve looked if they had done all the chrome trim in that finish! Now I’m curious if they are going to offer an HD Ultimate for 23′. Very nice update overall, especially the interior!
It would look worse, like they couldn’t decide between the blacked out look or shiny look. It doesn’t stand out at all with that darker color grille, that fad really needs to die and follow the trucker cap and bedazzled clothes faze…
Grill is hideous and obnoxious , SLT grill looks much better.
I like it as well. Anxious to check out the options and put an order in early next year.
I am extremely curious to see what options they choose to offer only on the Ultimate as opposed to the regular Denali.
Would be amazing to get a similar brown color leather interior without a 19k up-charge to the Ultimate
Keep in mind that a loaded Denali used to run $70k with most options. Now the Denali Ultimate includes Super Cruise, Unique wheels, the special touches of the mapping of the Denali summit, unique trim. All those extra touches are $10k over what you typically would have spent.
I do agree, would love that brown interior but i suspect that’s going to be unique to the Denali Ultimate. Just hopefully they have options beyond just black for the regular Denali.
Pre-pandemic many dealers in my area used to sell the 19-20 1500 Denalis with the Ultimate package for 55k (these trucks had a 69k sticker), they had every option available except the carbon bed and the Brembos (a few of them even had the performance intake and exhaust).
I’d expect 2022 Ultimates to go for 65k once stock levels return to normal (in 2023).
Nah, trucks are expensive these days, got to buy ram at that price as both F150’s and GMC’s are in that 80K range for a half ton, and the HD will approach 100K Ford SD is already there, for the loaded model.
I LIKED THE SHAPE OF THE OLD GRILLE BETTER THAN THIS ONE.
I like it! It NOW looks like a GMC Sierra, a cut Above the rest.
Best looking truck on the market.
Since I don’t like the black chrome of the Ultimate and I don’t need supercruise and the carbon bed, I’ll go for a loaded regular Denali that should go for 70k since trucks are leaving dealers at sticker prices these days.
I don’t need all the nanny electronics or super cruise on the Ultimate, but would like the Vader black chrome trim on a white regular Denali, but I’m sure that’s how you differentiate between the regular Denali and the Ultimate. Now if they could just give you no added cost paint colors – every paint color option is extra on the current Denalis.
EVERYONE NOTICE GM PRESENTED A BLACK TRUCK WITH THE CHEAP UNFINISHED WHEEL LIP MOLDINGS SO ALL THE CHEAP CRAP BLENDS TOGETHER. BLACK INTERIOR , CHEAP TRUCK
Shock has a new name….
I wonder where they’ll go with the Canyon re-design. It looked like a baby Sierra when it first came out, but this refresh of the Sierra made the Sierra look more like a baby HD. Do you think we’ll see the baby Sierra design Canyon again or something entirely different like the Colorado?
The BEST full-size 1/2 ton truck on the market.
New interior looks great and the front end is sharp.
Get it with the 6.2 and let toyota suck on that tailpipe for awhile!