Pickup Review: 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

Article content

Woah. GM stepped up. 

I came expecting to hate, but at last, the updated GMC Sierra Denali finally measures up to the expectations of its price tag. 

Article content

The 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate is the premium flagship of the brand’s 1500 pickup line. Priced from a steep $98,612 and invariably specified in black (on black tint), Denalis are looked to for their imposing projection of upper-middle-class suburban status. They aren’t Escalades, but they might as well be to the lay passerby. 

Less a work truck than a lifestyle buy, the cabin is the centre of attention — and expectation — for this premium-segment pickup. My review of the 2021 Sierra Denali was harshly critical of its disingenuous luxury pretence and middling performance. Announced the very next day, the truck has since modernized quite dramatically for model-year 2022, porting the updated cabin and styling of the Yukon Denali SUV, along with GM’s Super Cruise driver assistance and up-to-date connectivity. 

Article content

The Ultimate cabin is attractive, with ramped-up use of leather and soft-touch surfaces. Open-pore wood trim has continued, all detailed with the Denali’s recurring topographical motif. Fitment is acceptable, with some crooked gaps such as around compartment doors, but far less of the overall ‘Playskool’ feel that I complained of last year. 

Piano blacks are the flavour of the moment, and the Sierra Denali delivers them in abundance. Fingerprints are as bad here as they are in today’s Porsches, but where Porsche blinds drivers with midday reflections from their use on horizontal console surfaces, GM has done it right by keeping these glossy finishes to vertical panels. 

Article content

At the centre of all this gleaming black is the 13.4-inch display, running a new UI built using the increasingly popular Android Automotive OS. It’s a slick and capable setup, though occasionally lags as though it is short on system memory. Native Google Maps is incredibly handy, integrating smoothly into the cluster and HUD — albeit independently of the also-convenient wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 

Cabin stowage is extensive, including compartments behind each rear-bench seatback. Bed storage is also impressive, thanks to distinctly deep sidewalls. Its carbon-composite construction in the Ultimate also privileges payload, with substantial weight savings over a steel box. Box access is also made easy by the available (standard in Ultimate) folding step — a far sturdier offering than Ford’s, albeit at the expense of substantial tailgate weight that may strain some drivers’ strength. Thinner-armed shoppers are advised to try this function before buying, as it may prove troublesome in regular use. 

Article content

More than just a more premium cabin, the 2022 Sierra Denali is notable for its addition of GM Super Cruise. This hands-free driving assistance capability still requires driver attention at all times, but enables the Sierra Denali to accelerate, brake, and steer itself through traffic along pre-mapped highway routes across North America. The system is impressive, even detecting logical lane changes to overtake vehicles driving below the driver’s set cruise speed. Its left-lane discipline is respectable, returning to the right lane once appropriate. The system can be slightly choppy around bends, however, bouncing between road markings. It is also finicky, cutting out in unmapped areas including construction areas and frequently reading unavailable even across clearly marked highway sections that it had successfully traversed on previous days. 

Article content

Article content

On balance, the hands-free capability is compelling, but as the system still requires the driver’s eyes to stay on the road, it isn’t of much more practical use than usual lane-tracing highway assists with adaptive cruise. Given the choice, I prefer the less powerful but more consistent and versatile assist suites available from Ford and Hyundai-Kia.

Buyers should note that they will need to subscribe to OnStar for $25/month to continue using this function after the three-year complimentary period. 

On the road, the Sierra Denali rides surprisingly comfortably for a pickup rolling 22” wheels and a traditional solid rear axle. Massaging front seats are a help of course, but rural routes are a breeze, and even Eglinton’s violent deformations are little trouble. 

Article content

If anything, the Denali’s greatest on-road headache comes from its tremendous size. Though only a 1500, near-hazard and traffic visibility is relatively poor from the Denali’s high beltline and square-hooded vantage point. Shoppers looking to intimidate their urban neighbours should be aware that road markings vanish a full car-length ahead, that children and small colleagues disappear easily in front of the truck, and that its height risks parkade-roof collisions. In the case of my apartment’s standard-sized parkade, ramp angles required entry from a milder exit ramp to ease down without scraping the roof. 

Article content

The ‘regular’ Sierra Denali comes with a 5.3L V8 delivering 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while power comes to the Ultimate from a larger standard 6.2L gasoline V8 delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Mated to a 10-speed automatic and two-speed transfer case, it’s an ample setup that heaves to speed along on-ramps with more urgency than might be expected. NRCAN fuel economy ratings of 15.7 L/100 km city and 11.9 L/100 km highway are attainable, but keeping with traffic under realistic conditions in testing saw predictable readings some 20 per cent higher. 

Having towed with this latter setup in the past, it is a reasonably workable rig, though its 8,900-pound max trailer weight from a load-distributing hitch (5,000 pounds off the bumper) doesn’t come close to the towing figures available from other Sierra models. Those seeking a little more grunt and efficiency while towing comparable payloads can opt for the 3.0L straight-six diesel, which turns 305 hp and 495 lb-ft. 

Article content

Of course none of this comes cheap from any manufacturer, and the Sierra Denali is no different. Stepping incrementally in price from last year’s model, the 2022 Sierra Denali feels a far stronger value for the cost. The base 5.3L Denali stickers from just under $85,000, while the fully loaded Ultimate arrives three bucks shy of $103,000 including $2,095 destination. It’s a high-margin product and more than I’d advise a friend to spend, but is priced within market. 

Coming from the trades, I stand by my past digs at the Denali’s place in the clean-booted site-supervisor starter pack. Nevertheless, the 2022 Sierra Denali earns respect for finally delivering on its marketing’s premium promise. 

This is a nice product. Kudos to GM for stepping it up this year.