2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited: Here’s What’s New And Different

November 28, 2021 1:00 am

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited represents the fourth model year of the fourth-generation GMC light-duty pickup truck, , for which it receives several notable changes.

Before we go on, let’s first stop and note that the 2022 Sierra Limited differs substantially from the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra, with the Limited model bridging the gap between the pre-refresh 2021 GMC Sierra and the refreshed Sierra. The reason for the existence of the Sierra Limited is that the refreshed Sierra 1500 was originally slated to arrive early in the 2022 model year, but was then delayed due to a variety of business complications stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

With that out of the way, here exactly what’s new for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited.

Model Line

For starters, the base Sierra (1SA) trim level has been renamed and will now be referred to as Pro. As such, body configuration and trim level availability is as follows:

Bed – Cab – Wheel Drive Configurations:

Crew Cab – Short Bed – 2WD and 4WD
Crew Cab – Standard Bed – 2WD and 4WD
Double Cab – Standard Bed – 2WD and 4WD
Regular Cab – Long Bed – 2WD and 4WD

Trim Levels and Body Availability:

Pro
- Regular, Double, and Crew Cab
SLE
- Double and Crew Cab
Elevation
- Double and Crew Cab
SLT
- Crew Cab
AT4
- Crew Cab
Denali
- Crew Cab

Exterior

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited doesn’t see any changes or updates to the exterior styling or the color palette. As such, the light-duty pickup truck maintains the following color options:

White Frost Tricoat
Cardinal Red
Satin Steel Metallic
Pacific Blue Metallic
Quicksilver Metallic
Summit White
Onyx Black
Dark Sky Metallic
Ebony Twilight Metallic
Cayenne Red Tintcoat
Hunter Metallic
Brownstone Metallic

For that very reason, we’re showing you photos of the 2021 GM Sierra 1500 Elevation in this article.

Interior

On the inside, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited sees three relatively small changes, starting with the deletion of the HD radio, which was an option on SLE, Elevation 3SB, SLT, AT4 and Denali models. In fact, the feature was removed during the 2021 model year as a result of the ongoing chip shortage.

The single-zone manual air conditioning unit – which was standard on base Sierra models for the 2021 model year – is also deleted. As such, the single-zone, semi-automatic air conditioning becomes standard on the base Pro models.

Lastly, the heating option for the rear outboard seats becomes optional on SLT, AT4 and Denali trim levels. The option, exclusive to the Crew Cab configuration, was previously available only on SLT models, while being standard on AT4 and Denali models. The change comes as GM grapples with the ongoing microchip shortage.

Mechanical

There are also several changes under the hood of the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited, headlined by the deletion of two engines: the atmospheric 4.3L LV3 V6 as well as the equally-atmospheric, but larger 5.3L EcoTec3 L82 V8. With the deletion of the engines, the Sierra 1500 also loses FlexFuel capability. The truck also loses the six-speed automatic that was paired with both the LV3 V6 and L82 V8.

Meanwhile, the 2.7L L3B Turbo I4 engine becomes standard on the base Pro trim level in place of the aforementioned LV3. Additionally, the 5.3L EcoTec3 L84 V8 engine becomes available on the base Pro trim level, while no longer being available on off-road-oriented AT4. Instead, the AT4 gets the Duramax Turbo-Diesel 3.0L LM2 I6 engine as standard.

Other mechanical changes include the heavy-duty 730 cold-cranking amp battery, which is now standard on base Pro models. Lastly, AT4 models now feature LT275/65R18C Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud Terrain tires (RPO Code: R3O) as standard equipment. By comparison, the 2021 model year Sierra AT4 shipped with 265/65R18SL all-terrain tires as standard.

Packages

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited also sees one minor change to available packages, with the Denali Ultimate Package getting a new name: Denali Reserve Package. The package still includes the same equipment:

Technology Package:
- HD Surround Vision
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Bed View Camera
- Multicolor 15-inch Diagonal Head-Up Display
Driver Alert Package II:
Sunroof
GMC MultiPro Power Steps
22-inch multi-dimensional polished aluminum wheels
- May be upgraded to 22-inch LPO wheels

The Denali Reserve Package also available only on the Denali model and requires the following features:

4WD models with either the 6.2L EcoTec3 L87 V8 engine or the 3.0L LM2 I6 Turbo-Diesel Duramax engine
2WD models with the 3.0L LM2 I6 Turbo-Diesel Duramax engine
275/50R22SL all-season, blackwall tires (XCE)

Refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate 1500

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 LTD Availability

Production of the 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited began at the GM Silao plant in Mexico on September 20^th and at the GM Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Indiana on September 27^th. The 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited remain in production until the refreshed 2022 Sierra 1500 begins production in February (Regular Cab and Crew Cab) and March (Double Cab) of 2022.

Looking ahead, we expect the fourth-generation Sierra light-duty pickup truck to remain in production at least until the 2025 model year, at which point the Sierra will get a complete overhaul.

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