Refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra Elevation: First Look
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The refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 made its official debut this week, arriving with updated exterior styling, a heavily overhauled interior, new technology and a host of other improvements. With the revised truck’s official debut, General Motors also confirmed the different trim levels the Sierra 1500 would be available in for 2022, which include the Pro, SLE, Elevation SLT, AT4, AT4X, Denali and Denali Ultimate.
For now, let’s turn our attention to the Elevation trim level, which is a slightly better-equipped, though still entry-level, trim that sits at the heart of the Sierra 1500’s model lineup and thus makes up a large portion of the nameplate’s overall sales. One of the biggest changes to the Sierra Elevation for the 2022 model year is the addition of the available Elevation Premium Package, which adds the ability to equip this trim level with leather seats for the first time. All 2022 GMC Sierra Elevation models will also come with a monochromatic exterior trim treatment with a gloss black grille and unique 20-inch wheels.
The standard engine in the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation will be the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B, which is now rated at 310 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Customers will also be able to choose the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine or the Duramax turbodiesel 3.0L I6 LM2. The four-cylinder comes paired with an updated version of the GM eight-speed automatic transmission, while the L84 V8 and Duramax diesel engines link up with the more advanced GM 10-speed automatic.
As an interesting aside, the ‘Elevation’ nameplate was originally inspired by GMC’s vision for its customers to eventually move into, or “elevate” to a Denali trim level from the lesser models as they stick with the brand over the years.
“Our inspiration really came from Denali,” Mark Alger, National Marketing Manager at GMC Canada, told GM Authority back in 2019. “Since Denali is our top-trim level, and we see Elevation as the gateway to the GMC brand, we felt it was fitting to have a distinct connection between entry-level models and top-shelf models at GMC. It’s all about mountains, climbing, adventure, the outdoors. That’s what Elevation means to us, this connection with Denali.”
The fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 is slated to hit dealers in Q1 of the 2022 calendar year. Pricing for the Elevation trim level will start at $45,495 including destination.
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Elevation is a gateway trim level to the Denali? That’s a very condescending and a disrespectful analogy to the GMC buyers out there who can’t or won’t spend $80k on a half ton pickup truck.
Denali base trim is 60k, the Ultimate is the 80k top Denali trim.
It’s about time GM made leather an option in the overpriced Elevation. The RST Silverado had that option available since the 2019 refresh.
I wonder if they’ll bring the sunroof back as well?
There is no equivalent to the RST in GMC terms. The elevation was nothing more than a trim level to make work truck buyers look more prominent now that they have colored bumpers, inside was nothing more than the standard WT interior.
What would be cool is if they introduced an elevation Pro/premium edition that had the had the same features of the SLT trim and painted bumpers. Otherwise GMC owners have to go for the Denali/AT4 which means you have to fork up $10k+ just to have factory painted bumpers which is insane.
Elevation is not a work truck, it’s very similar to the RST and better in some ways, depending on the year. RST Gaines the 6.2 option bit the Elevation didn’t.
In the 2014-2018 Sierra, Elevation was a work truck appearance package like the Silverado Custom.
In the current gen 2019+ Sierra, Elevation is basically an appearance package on the SLE.
No, it wasn’t. Not in the years I was looking at buying which was 17 or 18 trucks. Work trucks had floor shifting 4wd, vinyl floors and didn’t have things like center console, Bose audio and the 8″ screen. The Elevation was like a LT2 Z71 at that time, which is what I ended up buying because I couldn’t find an Elevation near me.
They had 2 elevation packages in those years. A base and an sle elevation, I had the base elevation for 2017 which had a floor 4×4 shift lever, no steering wheel radio controls, the smaller intellilink screen and no remote start
Elevation is nicer than the work truck. Buy the SLT if you want more options!
This makes me hopeful we will see an RST premium package with cooled seats/technology package or a sport appearance package for the LTZ.
What a name for a truck, I’d never buy an Elevation sounds to close to elevator.
UGLY HEADLIGHT DESIGN
Agree, whose idea was it to copy the worst looking vehicle in the GMC lineup?
I’m guessing you don’t like the new gmc.
A real exciting name. It’s about as exciting as the thought of walking over a hot bed of coals, or eating glass. GMC needs some old school car/truck guys calling in the nomenclature.
They don’t make a double cab with a 6.2, so i have to get a Chevrolet.
I don’t think that GM minds.
This is a comment that applies to all of the new trucks. There is a large grab bar on the already large A pillar, on passenger side and driver side. I am pretty ambidextrous, relatively tall, and I am not shy about using grab bars. But does anyone find that they actually use the grab bar on the A’s? For me they are too low to be of any help using left hand (or right on the passenger side) when getting into the truck, and they are equally useless in getting out. Where would you position grab bars to make the most use of them?
I like the look of the interior and I like leather. I also like room in my big pickups and hate that more than one third of the space is taken up by the console. I bet that that “bucket seat sport car” option with console is the only way to get upgraded audio and safety features – no matter the size of the truck they could not figure out an out of the way place to install the electronics.
This frustrates me on the GMC truck as well. I need 6 seats as my family size is 6, but that front bench isn’t compatible with so many other options. Lights in the bed are only available with bucket seats??? Bed installed power outlet, only with bucket seats??? Bose premium sound system, only available with bucket seats??? What does any of this have to do with the seating arrangement? I know they put the USB ports in the center console, but they can’t find somewhere else to put those???
I mean they can really only offer so many combinations and have to quit somewhere. Not everyone is going to end up being happy. That being said, they want people buying the higher trim levels. I’d venture to guess most people aren’t looking to stuff 6 legal citizens inside a pickup :). On the BOSE configuration though, the subwoofer is installed in the console so without it, no BOSE.
Alfred Sloan’s ladder of success is alive and well at GMC.
See how GM future goes as the purveyor of fine vehicles 80 and 100k and upwards. Sure other brands will take the little people customers
SLT with Monochrome and I’d be all over it.
Isn’t the image an AT4X interior?
I wish they (gmc and chevy) would still offer the AT4 and LTZ trims in the double cab configuration.
Brad, from Oct. 24. They do indeed have the sunroof option for the Elevation. I ordered my 2022 (“Refresh”, not LTD) Sierra last week. I had the option of adding a sunroof, Kicker audio system in the tailgate, Elevation Premium package (which adds leather seating and Universal HomeLink I believe). I chose the Premium package, but no sunroof or tailgate audio. I also went with the 327 (ok, 5.3L I guess) mated to the 10-speed tranny. I also opted for the auto- locking rear diff., Bose audio upgrade, and X31 package, plus a few others add-ons. Should come in around $56K MSRP, and about $49K with my GM discount.
Did they have a power folding mirror option (or standard)? Love the elevation and really all I want/need but absolutely have to have power folding mirror and it’s a PITA trying to chase down all the parts to install them myself.