Cars, trucks, and SUVs; how do you choose which one is best for you? Today, all three choices offer models satisfying the requirements for versatility and fuel efficiency, which are the basics that buyers typically look for in a vehicle. Pickup trucks, however, rank higher for their flexibility, size, performance, and personalization. Trucks have also come a long way since 1896, when the first was built by the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler, and now offer competitive fuel economy to go along with all of the other pickup perks. With GMC’s experience offering quality vehicles to consumers since 1900, the new 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 is a prime example of why you should choose to buy a truck.
#1 – Versatile Flexibility
In the past, pickup trucks were mainly known for their power and abilities as workhorses. Most were purchased primarily as work vehicles. But times have changed and with it, so has the design of trucks. Nowadays, you can find a pickup that offers the versatility to be both a durable workhorse and a fuel-efficient daily driver. Modern trucks provide passenger and cargo space that not only looks good but feels comfortable with luxury interior options and advanced technology for safety and pleasure.
When we dig into the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, you will find impeccable flexibility with its performance, uses, and, surprisingly to some, style and amenities. From safety features to those focused on your comfort, there is certainly no lack of amenities. With the addition of three new trim levels for the 2022 model year, the Sierra 1500 is guaranteed to offer a model perfect for any preference or style.
From numerous cargo bed to cab options and a total of eight trim levels to choose from for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, buyers have a wide selection to choose from to satisfy their wants and needs. You will have access to technology right at your fingertips with the best-in-class 16-way power front seats that offer a massage feature, the world’s first MultiPro Tailgate. Fully optioned, the 2022 Sierra boasts over 40 inches of digital displays spread across an infotainment touchscreen to showcase your favorite apps, a digital instrument panel to display critical information, and a Head-Up Display that gives you the option to project the driver information onto the windshield. By letting you stay in tune with the outside world and your favorite music while staying hands-free, technology also delivers some advanced safety features for the ride.
Along with looking and feeling great with the intricate interior details, luxurious material options, and the abundance of technological features for entertainment, you and your passengers can focus on enjoying the ride with the available advanced safety and driver-assist features. Keeping eyes on all angles around your truck is a lot simpler with the available 14 camera views, and standard with every Sierra trim is GMC Pro Safety which offers a combination of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies to enhance your stress-free experience even more. However, the crowning jewel is Super Cruise, a fully hands-free driving system that makes traveling long distances a little easier by maintaining your safe speed and even performing automatic lane changes on over 200,000 miles of compatible roadways.
#2 – Sheer Size
When it comes to vehicles, size does matter. Some people may choose something smaller for their driving needs. Most, however, want a sizable option with plenty of room for their passenger and cargo needs. Pickup trucks are typically the first choice that comes to mind when thinking of a large automobile option. That is because they have offered the most space in the market for the longest.
Nowadays, SUVs also offer cargo volume worth bragging about, but pickups still take the lead with their versatility of cargo-carrying options. Not only do trucks have room for passengers and interior cargo storage options, but they also offer the ability to carry cargo in the bed that you may not want to put inside an SUV. And although some SUVs have towing capabilities, a pickup still offers better ratings for towing and hauling.
The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, for example, can hold up to five people or carry cargo in its 89.1 cubic foot long bed. Sure, the full-size 2022 GMC Yukon XL offers a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space, but that not only limits you on what you can carry for cargo, but you also have to lose out on all your passenger seats to carry that cargo. With the Yukon XL, to keep all the seats open for passenger use, you would only get 41.5 cubic feet of cargo room on the inside of the vehicle. As for towing capabilities, the Sierra out powers the Yukon XL by a lot.
#3 – Powerful Performance
Power and performance come in many forms when it comes to a vehicle. From speed to fuel efficiency to horsepower and torque to towing and even off-road capabilities. When comparing the full-size SUV GMC Yukon XL and the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, the pickup takes the win over the SUV again.
In towing and hauling statistics alone, the Sierra 1500 outshines with towing capabilities of a maximum of 13,200 pounds and a maximum payload of 2,240 pounds versus the Yukon XL’s maximum of 8,300 pounds for towing and 1,698 pounds for maximum payload. Since they share three out of the four engines available for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, the two model’s horsepower and torque maximums come in the same at a maximum of 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque with the 6.2L V8 engine option.
Believe it or not, the pickup in this comparison also takes the win on fuel efficiency, even while having the same motor. The Sierra 1500 gets a maximum combined rating of 26 mpg for 2WD and 24 mpg for 4WD with the turbo-diesel motor. The Yukon XL gets a maximum combined rating of 23 mpg for 2WD and 22 mpg for 4WD with the same engine.
If you are in the market for a new off-road-worthy partner, although both an SUV and a truck offer the ground clearance and powertrain capabilities needed for the adventure, trucks tend to be better off the beaten path. SUVs can be pretty top-heavy both on and off the trail, making it easier to roll over. Trucks also benefit from 4WD, while SUVs typically only offer AWD. Both drivetrains are beneficial when off-roading, but having 4WD gives you the option to take your trail-riding even deeper into the wilderness where the rough terrain thrives.
#4 – Easy Personalization
From long beds and short beds to regular, double, and crew cabs to a variety of trim levels and colors, lack of personalization is not a problem with trucks. Size, style, and color are not the only customizable options available either. Trucks typically have a larger variety of aftermarket modifications available to make them better workhorses or more capable off-roading. For 2022, GMC has made it a whole lot easier to take the Sierra 1500 farther from the pavement without any modifications.
Offering new luxury and off-road trims, the new Sierra 1500 gives buyers even more options to choose from. Although the new Denali Ultimate trim focuses primarily on luxury, the new AT4X trim level brings the Sierra 1500 to a whole new level. Packed with off-road capabilities along with a luxury interior, the AT4X is ready for adventure right off the assembly line. This trim comes equipped with a Terrain mode for even more control during low-speed off-roading, allowing you to rock crawl using only the accelerator pedal. Front and rear e-locking differentials allow for even more traction in mud, gravel, and sand while keeping you in control on steep inclines. A few other capability features with the AT4X are the 18-inch wheels with Goodyear mud-terrain tires and the steel transfer case skid plate with available rocker protection, to name a few.
#5 – Why Not?
The fifth and most important reason to choose a pickup truck over an SUV or car is that it’s a truck. Why not choose a pickup? The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 is a prime example of the versatility of a pickup with its capabilities and performance combined with a variety of styles, safety features, and technologies packed in a multitude of sizes, ready to fit anyone’s driving preferences, budgets, and lifestyles. What more could you need?
