2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Performance

There are four engines to choose from across the Sierra 1500 Limited lineup. If outright power and not efficiency matters most to you, skip everything else and go for the 6.2-liter V8 which generates a stout 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine is powerful enough to get the truck from 0-60 mph in around 5.5 seconds according to independent testing, and reaching the top legal speed is no chore either. The only other V8 is a smaller 5.3-liter unit that musters 355 hp.

Providing a decent blend of efficiency and performance is the 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel we tested which makes the same 460 lb-ft of torque as the bigger V8 but at a lower 1,500 rpm. Finally, the 2.7-liter turbo that's standard on lower trims makes 310 hp and 348 lb-ft. All trims have 2WD as standard but 4WD is an option, besides the AT4 which is 4WD by default.

The maximum towing capacity of 13,000 pounds is unlocked if you opt for the 6.2-liter V8 engine with the Max Trailering Package, the Crew Cab, and the short bed. That's not quite as much as the Ford F-150, which can tow another 1,000 lbs over and above the Sierra's maximum.

Standard on the lower three trims is the 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder engine which produces 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter naturally-aspirated V8 produces 355 hp and 383 lb-ft and has the same transmission on the Pro and/or with 2WD, but a 10-speed auto is paired with this engine in all other instances.

Above this is the 3.0-liter turbodiesel which produces 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, along with the 6.2-liter V8 which has 420 hp and 460 lb-ft at its disposal. All the engines play their part well, but the 6.2-liter V8 is the most enjoyable of the lot as it's never short of power. The diesel and this bigger V8 also come with a more refined 10-speed automatic transmission.

Our tester's $995 Duramax turbo-diesel quickly won our hearts. The torque arrives early in the rev range with the full 460 lb-ft hitting at just 1,500 rpm. To compare, the V8 gas engine's twist comes at 4,100 rpm. This engine's standard 10-speed automatic does its job well. If we had to pick just one engine, the Duramax would be it. It's fuel-efficient, quiet, and powerful. What more could you ask for in a truck? We couldn't think of anything.

The turbodiesel model is easily the most efficient and will return 23/30/26 mpg city/highway/combined with 2WD. With the optional 4WD system, those figures will dip to 22/26/24 mpg. Next is the 2.7-liter four-pot which returns 19/22/20 mpg with 2WD and 17/20/18 mpg when powering all four wheels.

Inevitably, the V8s are the thirstiest. The smaller 5.3-liter V8 manages best figures of 16/21/18 mpg with 2WD or 15/20/17 mpg with 4WD. Finally, the powerful 6.2-liter V8 - available exclusively with 4WD - returns 14/19/16 mpg.

While the Double Cab has a large 28-gallon gas tank, the Double and Crew Cabs must settle for a 24-gallon tank. With the 2.7-liter engine, the Regular Cab should be able to attain a range of around 560 miles thanks to its larger tank. However, the 6.2-liter V8 with 4x4 will be restricted to around 384 miles.