Heavy-duty never seemed so luxurious. GMC has managed to become a staple entry in the luxury-heavy duty pickup department thanks to its incomparable Denali trim line. The 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD not only brings all the necessary power and performance you would expect from a heavy-duty pickup, but it also contains a variety of configurations suited for different types of truckers. This one-ton category pickup offers plenty of exciting and utilitarian features for those who want a heavy-duty truck with a sense of style.
The 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD is available in five different trims across two different drivetrain configurations. This includes the new 2022 base trim known as the Pro, followed by the SLE, SLT, the off-road-ready AT4, and the high-end Denali luxury trim. The Sierra 3500 HD is available in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive with either standard or long beds and the option of Regular, Double, and Crew Cab formats.
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GMC's heavy-duty line of pickups is geared towards some of the most arduous towing and trailering tasks out there, and all of those capabilities start with engines that are designed specifically for those tasks. For the 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD, it's available in two distinct yet very capable powertrains, a 6.6-liter gas V8 and a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8.
The gasoline 6.6-liter V8 delivers 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline V8 is paired with a heavy-duty 6-speed automatic transmission. The 6.6-liter Duramax V8 produces a massive 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, giving you the maximum amount of efficiency necessary for all your towing needs. The Duramax V8 is paired up with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 10-speed automatic transmission is from the venerable Allison brand, ensuring that you get the quality, smooth shifting experience that you've come to expect from Allison. What's more is that the Allison 10-speed automatic transmission comes with an electronically controlled overdrive feature, along with the optional Tow/Haul mode that allows you to control the shifts better when trailering heavy loads. The auto-grade braking is also designed to ensure that when you have heavy loads heading downhill or sharp corners, you're in safe hands as automatic downshifting occurs to take stress off the brakes and prevent brake fade.
Both powertrain options are also designed to get the most torque out of the Sierra 3500 HD's engine, which includes a 3.73 rear axle ratio for the 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine and a 3.42 rear axle ratio for the 6.6-liter Duramax V8. The Duramax also comes with an engine block heater to help start the vehicle during freezing cold temperatures and an engine after-run feature to reduce heat and increase cooling.
Another available feature for certain trims, and a standard feature for the AT4 and Denali trims, is the Autotrac two-speed transfer case with push-button controls. This allows drivers to very easily and conveniently swap between four different drive modes, including 2WD, 4-High, 4-Low, and Auto Mode. The four modes are designed for different road situations and weather conditions, with specific modes made to accommodate sleet, rain, or wet roads to increase traction, while other modes are designed for sand, mud, snow, or off-road travel conditions. Each mode gives drivers complete control over how the GMC Sierra 3500 HD performs, whether you're traveling from point 'A' to point 'B' or trailering serious cargo.
The 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD is best known for its towing and payload capabilities. GMC has ensured that the 2022 model year is more than equipped to handle some of the biggest tasks you can put in front, behind, or in the bed of the heavy-duty Sierra, regardless of the trim or drivetrain configuration. In fact, even the luxury-oriented Denali trim has managed to achieve very impressive tow ratings.
The Sierra Denali trim, in particular, can trailer up to 30,990 pounds when configured with dual-rear wheels, the Duramax turbo-diesel V8, and a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. This means that you not only get a heavy-duty pickup that comes with all of the technological pizzazz that you expect from the luxury trim, but it can also manage more than 15 tons worth of trailering. The GMC Sierra Denali also manages up to 6,374 pounds of payload.
Even if you need a heavy-duty off-road pickup, the Sierra AT4 manages a max trailer capacity of up to 21,130 pounds. The one-ton pickup can also carry a maximum payload of up to 4,168 pounds. The reason for the lower ratings is because the AT4 trim does not offer a dually configuration. It also comes with all-terrain tires and standard integration of the X31 package, which includes Rancho twin-tube shocks, reinforced off-road suspension, and undercarriage protection in the form of skid plates.
In its lower trims, the Sierra 3500 HD can achieve a maximum trailering rating of 36,000 pounds with a gooseneck hitch in a dual-rear-wheel, two-wheel drive configuration when paired with the Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel. For maximum payload capacity, the Sierra 3500 HD can achieve a maximum rating of up to 7,442 pounds when paired with the 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine. So no matter what you plan on using the Sierra 3500 HD for, there is a configuration built for the task.
The best part about it for those who need a heavy-duty, one-ton pickup for towing, trailering, and payload hauls, the 2022 Sierra HD comes with the Trailering package. This package includes a trailer hitch, the hitch platform for a gooseneck, as well as a 2.5-inch receiver hitch with 4-pin and 7-pin connectors. You also have a 7-wire electrical harness with a 7-pin sealed connector for your trailer. So no matter which trim you go with, the GMC Sierra 3500 HD has all of the necessary trailering capabilities to get the job done.
Power and performance may be at the heart of the Sierra 3500 HD, but technology is what fuels the personality and panache of GMC's heavy-duty pickup variant. This emanates throughout the pickup's offerings, from the automatic emergency braking to the auxiliary trailer camera to help give you a complete view of every angle of the truck. There is a plethora of tech that helps the Sierra do what it does best.
With available technology, such as a bed view camera and hitch guidance with hitch view, along with the HD rear vision camera with HD surround vision, you get multiple views to monitor your surroundings and your trailer. The added driver assists include lane departure, lane keeping, and forward collision alerts, which are all excellent tools to keep you and your payload safe on the road. The added bonus of the front and rear parking assist also makes it viable to drive and park in tight places without worrying about any possible parking accidents or collisions.
On the comfort front, the Sierra provides up to 10-way power front driver and passenger seating, with power driver lumbar support thanks to adjustable seat cushions. The implementation of a diagonal color driver information center helps keep drivers clued into the vehicle health of the Sierra with the digital dashboard cluster, including driver personalization features and warning messages. The driver information center makes it easy to gather and view information, thanks to being available in up to 8-inches.
When it comes to infotainment, the GMC Sierra pulls out all the stops, offering up an 8-inch diagonal premium GMC Infotainment System featuring a multi-touch display screen with USB connectivity and Bluetooth wireless support. This means you have easy access to smart devices and media apps thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. You can stream or play your favorite music, playlists, or media using the in-cabin infotainment suite with optional voice-activated controls.
With added features like driver memory for the power seats and outside mirrors, as well as dual-zone automatic climate control, the interior of the GMC Sierra 3500 HD is designed for your comfort and convenience. The Denali also opens up additional luxury options in the form of Jet Black perforated leather seating, remote start capabilities, and the standard inclusion of wireless charging, wireless phone projection, and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.
As an added bonus on the technological front, the GMC MultiPro Tailgate continues to be the talk of the town when it comes to a tailgate that serves multiple purposes. Available on every trim of the truck, the GMC MultiPro Tailgate offers six distinct tailgate functions with easy access to the bed. It comes standard with hitch area lighting and both power lock and release. It's the ultimate utility for those who need a heavy-duty pickup truck with a highly efficient, multi-purpose tailgate.