2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate: Denali Ultimate Redefines The Luxury Pickup

Sedans and SUVs from premium brands have traditionally been the bearers of creature comforts. But today, trucks have joined the fray and are a lot more luxurious – how things change! The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is at the forefront of posh driving with many luxury features. It is the most advanced and luxurious Sierra pickup truck available. Here’s how Denali Ultimate pushes the luxury envelope in the pickup truck market.

Sierra Offers Four Potent Engines On Sierra 1500

The GMC Sierra line comes with a choice of four engines that are no pushover for heavy duty work. The 5.3-l V-8 with the 355 ponies and 383 pound-feet of torque is the base engine, mated with a 10-speed Hydra-Matic auto transmission. The second and most powerful engine in the lineup is a 6.2-liter, V-8, which creates 420 horses and 460 lb-ft of torque, this is one of two engines offered on the Denali trim.

There’s also the 3.0-l, 6-cylinder turbo diesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. This is the send engine option on the Denali line. There’s also a new 2.7-l, 4-cylinder turbo mill which generates 310 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of oomph. The 2.7L Turbo has enhanced trailering and refinement in off-road manners. While the 3.0-l, 6-cylinder turbo diesel gets a 10-speed Hydra-Matic auto, the 2.7-l, 4-cylinder is mated to an 8-speed Hydra-Matic auto gearbox. I found both transmissions to be extremely refined and smooth to shift.

Eye-catching Exterior

On the outside, Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is a symbol of opulence. It boasts a Vader chrome grille and Vader chrome GMC badging and rides on 22-inch low gloss black wheels. It would feel more at home in Hollywood and on the silver screen than an old country road.

On the other hand, a bold new front fascia design, the C-shaped daytime running lamps, and the wider and border dual-projector LED headlamps give the truck a bold face. It’s a guaranteed head-turner!

Plush Hand Stitched Interior Puts The Ultimate In Denali

An Alpine Umber theme cabin with open-pore Paldao wood trim and full-grain leather appointments is the hallmark of opulence. GMC opted for a leather-trimmed instrument panel, full-grain leather-wrapped seats, console lid, and door panels to make you feel you’re in a luxury vehicle. It really does feel very upscale compared to offerings from other brands, great work GMC!

It Boasts The Latest Supercruise From GM

The supercruise hands-free technology on Denali Ultimate can be used on 200,000 miles of US roads. The tech works with automatic lane change and has trailering compatibility.

Also, a 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster colonizes the dash. GMC Denali Ultimate drivers get a multicolor 15-inch-diagonal Head-Up Display, with power-adjustable front seats, a power sunroof, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium system that makes you wish you’d keep driving.

CarbonPro Composite Cargo Box For Ultimate Strength

As a luxury truck, it’s not likely you’d push Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate to the limit. But GMC is not taking chances. The brand introduced the carbon fiber bed a couple of years ago and tested it to its limits. One would believe the cargo bed on a luxury model is not so much about utility but bragging rights, and that would not be far off from the truth.

The new Sierra 1500 has a multifunction tailgate operable in six different ways. The MultiPro tailgate has another small tailgate you can use for various purposes. It can flip down or open at a 90-degree angle to keep items on the bed. The small tailgate also gives access to the bed without needing to open the main tailgate.

Quality And Features Outshine The Competition

Given the various luxury features the Denali Ultimate offers, it would be expected this truck won’t come cheap. The starting price is $81,195 and tops out around $83,000, as there are only a few optional features on the Denali Ultimate trim, like premium colors and the upgraded 6.2L V-8. This pricing is within the same range for a premium model from Ford and RAM. I must say the Sierra Denali Ultimate does feel more upscale than the F150 and less gimmicky than the RAM.