GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate Vs Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum, Which Luxury Truck Wins?

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is one of the highest luxury pickup trucks available. Just released, the light-duty pickup truck features all the great aspects of the Sierra 1500 combined with an unparalleled luxury design. Although the Denali has been known as a top luxury trim, the Denali Ultimate takes it one step further. A competitor to the luxury pickup truck is the Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum. With its electric platform and performance, the all-electric pickup truck has taken the truck segment by storm. Additionally, the Platinum trim reaches into the luxury sphere with a premium design and convenience features. While GMC has pursued its own EV endeavors with the GMC Hummer EV, we thought we’d compare the two luxury pickup trucks and see which fares better in terms of performance and features. 

GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate arrives with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The light-duty pickup truck can also be equipped with a 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine that delivers 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines feature a 10-speed automatic transmission that provides the GMC Sierra 1500 with smooth and responsive performance. Steering is also responsive and the braking system offers good control. Owners can enjoy the performance offered by the truck along with its impressive towing ability. With up to 9,000 pounds of towing capacity, the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate also offers impressive towing and hauling capabilities.

As for the luxury aspects of the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate, the light-duty pickup truck features a bold new fascia design with a Denali chrome grille. Riding on 22-inch aluminum wheels, the pickup truck also features Vader chrome badging, power assist steps, and dual-projector LED headlamps. Inside the Sierra 1500, owners will note a spacious interior cabin with perforated forge leather and open-pore Paldao wood upholstery. There are also patterned aluminum trim and chrome accents as well as a 13.4-inch diagonal infotainment screen, a 15-inch head-up display, and a 12-inch-speaker audio system.

Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum arrives with a dual-motor setup that delivers 580 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. While this electric setup provides more power than the Sierra 1500, it is still an electric powertrain. Still, the electric pickup truck sees smooth acceleration and can hit 0-60 mph in just four seconds. For charging, the F-150 Lightning can fully charge in 8 hours with an extended-range charger. There’s also the onboard generator that can be used to charge appliances or vehicles. For towing capability, the electric pickup truck does pale in comparison with its max 7,700 pounds of towing capacity.

As for its aesthetic, the 2022 Lightning Platinum features an intricate front grille due to the lack of an engine. Daytime LED lights serve as the headlights and its 22-inch wheels complement its aerodynamic look. While not entirely impressive as a luxury truck on the outside, the Lightning Platinum does offer real wood trim accents along with a black leather-wrapped steering wheel. There’s also a large panoramic sunroof. While some materials are plastic, the electric pickup truck does feature a 15.5-inch infotainment screen, a 12-inch digital display screen, and an 18-speaker audio system.

Verdict

Both the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate and 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum are luxury pickup trucks with a lot to offer. While one uses a combustion engine and the other a dual-motor, they share some similarities. They also feature stark differences. When it comes down to it, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate which starts at an MSRP of $81,900 (plus destination fee) takes the edge. At a cheaper price compared to the F-150 Lightning Platinum’s MSRP of $90,874 (plus destination fee), the Sierra 1500 offers more in terms of luxury for less. Also, while the F-150 Lightning may offer a bit more in terms of performance, its electric battery may prove troublesome when taking longer trips. The Sierra 1500 on the other hand still offers impressive capability and versatility without the worry of an electric battery.

Come Test-Drive a Brand-New Buick at Southern Buick Lynnhaven!

Interested in a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate? Come visit us today at Southern Buick Lynnhaven. Here at Southern Buick Lynnhaven, we’re all about helping our customers enjoy their shopping experience. We have a friendly and passionate sales team that will make your buying, leasing, or selling needs easy. Browse our new vehicle inventory or check out our quality pre-owned inventory. We can offer suggestions like auto financing to help make paying for a vehicle easier. 

Don’t forget we have a trained service team that can help with an online appointment to get started on all maintenance work and repairs. Stop by today and see what we can do for you at Southern Buick Lynnhaven.

Photo Credit: Ford/GMC