The ever-growing evolution of the pickup truck has seen the heavy-duty model take on many forms as manufacturers cater to the different wants and needs of consumers. We’ve seen trucks made sporty, some have been updated with EV technology, and some are made for the purpose of going off-road and playing in the dirt. However, there are those who still need a truck for its primary purpose – getting the heavy jobs done – and that’s where the 2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD comes in. This is what Americans are known for – taking on the most arduous of tasks and completing them, no matter what difficulties they might contain.
This year’s GMC Sierra 3500HD is available in five trims, so you can customize your level of power and luxury to match what you need to get the job done. You can keep it simple and powerful with the Pro, SLE, and SLT trims, or you can get a more tailor-made ride with the off-road-oriented AT4 or luxury-packed Denali trims.
GMC Sierra 3500HD: The Big, The Bad, and The Bold
The GMC Sierra 3500HD is more than just a nice-looking truck; it’s designed to be the ultimate tool you need to get the job done. Whether you like your truck simple on the inside with a lot of functionality, or you like to spice things up with leather seating and some fun tech features, there is a Sierra 3500HD for you.
So, What Are Your Engine Options?
The 3500 has two available engine options, a gas-powered 6.6L V8 and a diesel-powered 6.6L V8. The standard 6.6L V8 generates an exceptional 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque, so the big jobs in front of you will cower when you draw near. You’ll find this engine matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
If you prefer a diesel truck, then the 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel will impress even the most stoic of drivers. With this engine purring under the hood, you’ll get 445 hp and an impressive 910 lb-ft of torque. The standard 10-speed automatic transmission will give you the power you want, and the efficiency that a diesel engine provides means you won’t be running to the gas pump quite as often.
Carrying the Load
So these engine specs look pretty great, but how much can the GMC Sierra 3500HD actually carry? When you have the gas-powered V8 powering your truck, the Sierra can tow up to 16,800 lbs and haul a payload of up to 7,442 lbs. If you have the diesel engine, your towing maximum is going to shoot up to 36,000 lbs; however, you are only going to be able to haul up to 6,523 pounds of payload.
With a best-in-class cargo bed volume of 83.5 cubic feet, you’ll be all set to carry all of the equipment or materials you need. Why do multiple trips when you can achieve it all at once? Hitch Guidance and other available trailering tech will also help ensure that whatever you hitch up to your GMC will be arriving with you safely.
The Pro, SLE, and SLT: Your Work Companions
We are going to group the first three GMC Sierra 3500HD trims together since they offer mostly the same features with some slight upgrades as you go up the line. The Pro model is your base trim and is pretty bare-bones, which is perfect for those who like a truck that is simple yet powerful. Upgrade to the SLE, and you will now get the MultiPro Tailgate as standard, so if you find yourself needing more functionality out of your truck bed, this is the trim to start at. The SLT will add perforated leather-appointed front seats and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so if you want a little bit extra when it comes to creature comforts but not the full luxury experience, this may be the trim for you.
The AT4: Off the Road and Beyond Expectations
Sure, everyone who works hard likes to play hard, but this is the GMC for those who pursue adventure and charge into the wild at every opportunity. The AT4 is what happens when you take the power of a workhorse and put it towards recreation. Nothing is overlooked, from the suspension to the interior. If you’re someone who lives for getting down and dirty, then look no further. The AT4 doesn’t just let you enjoy your playtime—it turns it into a competitive sport.
The AT4 sits atop a pair of 18” darkened wheels, but that’s only part of the innovation that GMC has to offer its off-road aficionados. Almost a full foot of ground clearance and a 2” lifted suspension means you’ll not only be taking the path less traveled, but you’ll be taming it as well. You’ll be leaving the competition far behind and looking good while doing it courtesy of a black chrome accentuated aesthetic.
You might be on your way to being crowned king of the wild frontier, but you still need to keep your eyes on the prize. With the AT4, nothing will be out of sight ever again. GMC changes the game entirely with an available camera system with 15 points of view. This means whatever you’re carrying with you into the great outdoors will never be out of sight, and with the ProGrade Trailering System, the process of hitching and towing has never been easier.
The Denali: Power and Luxury in One
If you’re familiar with the term Denali from other GMC vehicle options, then you can already assume that this is the very top tier of full-sized trucks. This year, GMC not only crafted a truck that puts all others in its class to shame but completely shattered the mold in doing so. If you want to combine the towing power that the Sierra 3500HD is known for, but unleash the absolute best in performance and style, then look no further. The 3500 Denali encompasses all these attributes and then reaches farther.
The Denali Black Diamond Edition is perfect for those who like a truck with a dark and imposing aesthetic. A black metallic exterior sits upon 20” glossy black wheels. The advantages to this line of luxury extend far beyond just the outside aesthetic. If you love listening to music or podcasts on your drive, you will be delighted by the MultiPro Audio System by KICKER. With premium interior appointments like all-weather floor liners with removable carpet inserts and a power sunroof, you will love driving to work, to the trails, or anywhere in between.
If you want some upgrades to your Denali, but don’t necessarily want the black-out aesthetics, then consider getting the Denali Ultimate Package. This package gives you a multicolor 15-inch Head-Up Display, so all of your important info will be displayed on your windshield for easy viewing, and the rear camera mirror will be a blessing when backing up. This package also gives you the power sunroof and an optional power-retractable assist steps with LED lighting. This is the perfect package for adding just a little extra flair to your Sierra.
The Denali combines technical prowess and mechanical capabilities in a sophisticated interior that’s normally reserved for luxury sedans. Heated leather seats to turn any job into a luxurious endeavor rest inside a spacious interior that will provide more than enough legroom and an elevated position to survey the world in front of you. You get all the comfort you could want without sacrificing the power you need when you get a GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali.
Which Sierra 3500HD Will Get the Job Done for You
If 2022 is the year you decide to become a member of the GMC family, you’ll have a fine selection to choose from. With the Sierra 3500HD, there won’t be any job that’s out of reach and no compromises in capability, luxury, or technology. GMC has taken the initiative to break the mold, so now you can take to the road.
