2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Test Drive Review: Old Dog, Impressive Tricks

As has become a tradition among full-size American pickups, when a new generation arrives, the old one lives alongside it. That's exactly the case with the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited, a continuation of last year's Sierra 1500 in light of a new generation's arrival. Think of it as the old model lineup at a slightly reduced price, giving you a solid truck with all the necessities and none of the extra frills, competing with trucks of a similar ilk like the Ram 1500 Classic and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTD. It's ideal for those who need a workhorse on a budget or a cheap work truck that is supremely capable, able to tow up to 13,000 lbs in the correct configuration. You can even get a Denali trim that gives you a little bit of luxury on a budget. With four available engines including a 2.7-liter turbo gasoline engine with 310 horsepower, a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp, and a torquey 3.0-liter diesel with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, the Sierra 1500 Limited has something for everyone.

We were handed the key to a brand new Sierra 1500 Limited AT4 equipped with the Duramax turbodiesel motor for a week. This larger-than-life truck quickly endeared itself to us with its buttery-smooth torque delivery and general comfort. With three cab styles and as many box lengths, as well as trims that cater for everything from work to off-roading and luxury, too, the 2022 Sierra Limited isn't just a cheap cash-grab - it's a solid option in the USA's most demanding segment. The problem is the new Sierra isn't much more expensive but is vastly more capable, making higher trims in the Sierra Limited lineup tough to justify.

What's the Price of the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited?

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited begins at $31,200 for the Regular Cab Pro. The Regular Cab is only compatible with this basic trim. Following this is the SLE at $42,400 and the Elevation at $44,100, with both of those prices representing Double Cabs with the four-cylinder engine. The next three trims are all only available as Crew Cabs. The SLT starts at $48,500, while both the Denali and AT4 models begin at $56,800. These prices represent each trim in its least expensive form and do not include the destination charge of $1,695.

Upgrading the engine or drivetrain will inevitably raise the cost of the Sierra. Adding 4WD to the base Pro costs $4,600, and swapping out the 2.7-liter engine for the 5.3-liter V8 will add $1,790 to the bill. A fully loaded Denali 4WD with the 6.2-liter V8 costs over $82,000, and that's before adding any of the many accessories.

Our opinion is that the Sierra 1500 Limited isn't priced far enough below the new and much-improved 2022 Sierra 1500 which begins at $33,300. We would rather spend the extra on the newer truck.

Our 1500 Limited AT4 tester came to a grand total of $65,155, including the $1,695 destination charge.

Handling and Driving Impressions

We'll never miss an opportunity to keep praising the Duramax diesel. It's excellent. That being said (again), the Sierra 1500 Limited is still a full-size truck and it drives and handles like one. That's not a bad thing but it could take some getting used to if you're not accustomed to trucks. Despite its dimensions, driving the Sierra 1500 Limited AT4 around town is a breeze. Maneuverability is aided on higher trims like ours courtesy of the backup and 360-degree cameras. We quickly adjusted to its size, even while parking, and the torquey inline-six was an absolute gem, especially when entering the highway. In this setting, it's easy to forget you're driving a full-size truck as the Sierra Limited is easy to place within the lanes and the steering didn't require frequent correction as is so often the case with body-on-frame pickups.

Handling-wise, there was very little body roll. The 4WD system and the AT4's 2-inch lift and X31 suspension further helped keep things nice and tidy. There's also an auto-locking rear differential and a two-speed transfer case for the optional 4WD. We did notice the brakes were slightly sensitive but this could simply be limited to our tester.

Verdict: Is the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited A Good Truck?

Overall, our week driving the Sierra 1500 Limited AT4 was an absolute joy, mainly due to that silky smooth inline-six turbo diesel. Having the crew cab makes the truck an ideal all-rounder of a vehicle. Our tester came equipped with the $1,095 Driver Alert Package that included some safety must-haves like forward collision alert, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and front pedestrian braking. We wouldn't even consider not opting for these features and, honestly, they should be standard at this point. The added value they bring makes the GMC Sierra 1500 the complete package: comfortable, powerful, feature-packed, and safe. Above all, the truck is competent both on and off-road. For someone who doesn't understand why modern full-size trucks are so appealing to millions of customers, a few days behind the wheel of the Sierra 1500 will win them over. Our only concern is that the new Sierra is vastly better. And in the upper echelons of the Limited's trim roster, a mid-spec facelift Sierra is much better value.

What GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Model Should I Buy?

Hands-down, get the Duramax inline-six turbo-diesel regardless of your trim preference. It's fuel-efficient, powerful, and an absolute joy to experience whether you're driving in the city, highway, or going off-road. That being said, the AT4 package is also very nice to have but it's not essential. It does come with some nice off-road-ready goodies but, again, not everyone needs them. One could easily enjoy just as much the crew cab for maximum interior space and either the short or standard box with the oil burner beginning with the SLE trim. That can be yours for $48,810, which we could call a bargain... if it weren't for the standard Sierra only costing a few grand more for a much better package. Bear in mind Ford is dropping its own diesel engine in the F-150 as hybrid demand continues to increase. That's all fine and good but GM's mighty diesel delivers the goods and we couldn't ask for anything more.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Comparisons

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited vs Ford F-150

The Sierra 1500 Limited is an older truck than the F-150 and it shows. While the difference in age isn't too jarring from the outside, it will be obvious from behind the wheel. The Ford has a higher-quality interior with a far more modern design, and its infotainment interface has a massive 12-inch touchscreen. Powertrain-wise, the Ford leads the way with its PowerBoost hybrid which has 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque - more than any Sierra powertrain - yet is far more efficient than the Sierra's V8s. The Ford also has a higher maximum towing capacity, and the top-spec F-150 Limited is a more convincing luxury pickup than the Sierra Denali. To add salt to the wound, the F-150 starts at under $30,000 - less than the GMC. This is an easy victory for the Ford.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited vs GMC Sierra 2500HD

The biggest difference between these two trucks comes down to pure capability. Available with a monster 6.6-liter V8 gas engine or a 6.6-liter V8 turbodiesel with 910 lb-ft of torque, the 2500HD can tow over 18,000 pounds when properly equipped, over 5,000 lbs more than the 1500's maximum. It also has a much better maximum payload of nearly 4,000 lbs. Of course, the 2500HD is a massive hulk of a truck so it's not as easy to drive or park day-to-day as the 1500 would be. Tech-wise, the two trucks are similarly matched, but you'll obviously pay more for the 2500HD's added capability. Unless you really need to tow heavy rigs, the 1500 Limited should suffice for most.