2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a design that was often described as polarizing, with a front end and grille that resembled a vintage furnace or a freight train. It was a vehicle that exuded machismo, appealing to those who wanted a truck with a bold and rugged appearance. Inside, the Silverado offered a more conventional cabin, prioritizing space over luxury. While the fit and finish might not have been top-notch, the cabin's size was comparable to a living room, providing ample room for passengers. The Silverado 3500HD came in various trims, from the basic Work Truck (W/T) to the luxurious High Country, each offering a range of features from USB ports and vinyl seats to leather upholstery and a Bose premium sound system.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced new Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, expanding on the premium Denali and AT4 trims. The Sierra appeared larger and more aggressive, with an updated grille and headlight design that gave it a wider stance. The Denali featured a new "tri-linear" grille pattern, while the Denali Ultimate had dark-colored "Vader bars" inserts. The Sierra's exterior design remained largely unchanged, but it offered a carbon fiber composite bed and a six-function MultiPro tailgate. Inside, the Sierra's cabin felt more spacious due to a redesign, with new materials and a dash design that mirrored the truck's exterior. The AT4X trim was off-road focused yet luxurious, while the Denali Ultimate represented peak luxury with full-grain leather and open-pore wood trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered two engine options: a standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine producing 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and an optional Duramax turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 delivering 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines could be configured with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and the Silverado boasted a towing capacity of up to 36,000 pounds when properly equipped, along with a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds. The diesel engine, in particular, provided excellent performance, making the Silverado feel lively despite its size.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options, including a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine's tow rating increased to 13,200 pounds for 2WD models with the Max Trailering Package. Other engine options included a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower. The Sierra's ride was smooth and comfortable, with the Denali Ultimate offering a quiet and compliant experience. The AT4X trim excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Multimatic DSSV dampers and unique springs, providing extra suspension travel and class-exclusive front and rear e-locking differentials.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was available in various configurations, including regular cab/long-bed, double cab/long-bed, crew cab/standard bed, and crew cab/long-bed. The crew cabs offered two rows of spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The Silverado featured integrated bed steps in the rear bumper corners and additional step-ups along the side of the bed, providing easy access to the truck's cargo area.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 boasted impressive roominess and utility, with best-in-class cargo capacity even in its short bed. The interior was a sanctuary, offering 43 inches of front headroom and 44.5 inches of front legroom. Rear-seat passengers in the crew cab enjoyed 43.4 inches of legroom. The Sierra's cabin featured numerous storage compartments, although the gloveboxes were on the smaller side. The driver-oriented cockpit had a low centerline, with screens and controls positioned lower than expected. The Sierra's cabin was filled with knobs and buttons, providing a tactile experience, but the layout could be overwhelming. Massaging seats were a welcome feature, though their operation was not intuitive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8-inch screen and navigation. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials for easy operation. The Silverado also offered a range of trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and additional camera angles for trailering, along with a trailering app for monitoring critical functions.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 featured larger display screens, including a 12.3-inch digital driver information display and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. The infotainment system was compatible with Android and Apple devices, offering three years of complimentary service for AT4 and Denali trims. The system was fast and responsive, with a clean display and large icons. The Sierra also offered wireless device charging, a 15-inch multicolor head-up display, and a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. However, advanced safety features such as forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking were optional. The Silverado also offered front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system as additional options.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM's Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system available on the Denali Ultimate trim. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving with automatic lane changes and trailering capability. The Sierra also featured up to 14 camera views for trailering assistance and a GCW Alert feature to prevent overloading. GMC Pro Safety, the automaker's suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Sierra received mostly "Good" crash safety ratings from the IIHS but had a "Marginal" grade in the front-passenger small overlap test and a "Poor" grade for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Sierra 2WD models four out of five stars for crashworthiness.