GMC is blending its off-road AT4X trim level with its Sierra HD pickup truck and adding in some aftermarket AEV treatments as well. The results are two of the most capable and luxurious heavy-duty pickups the brand has ever made.
During our time with the new GMC Canyon, which we can’t tell you fully about until May 5, the automaker rolled out the Sierra HD AT4X and the Sierra HD AT4X AEV Edition.
The AT4X trim level is expanding to the entire GMC truck lineup. Here’s a quick rundown of how that applies to the brand’s heavy-duty trucks and when you can expect to see these gargantuan vehicles on a road near you.
Sierra HD AT4X
Photos Stephen Rivers/Carscoops
Using the standard GMC Sierra HD as a basis for the AT4X means that buyers still get the 18,500-pound towing capacity and the option of either a gas or turbodiesel 6.6-liter engine. Each one employs the same 10-speed Allison automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.
In addition, it gets off-road-specific equipment like a 1.5-inch (38mm) suspension lift, a rear locking differential, 35-inch Goodyear Territory tires, unique front control arms, unique steering knuckles, a larger steel transfer case skid plate, a front aluminum skid plate, and Multimatic DSSV dampers.
The interior of every AT4X features what GMC calls its Obsidian Rush package which comes with massaging front seats, authentic Vanta Ash wood trim, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Sierra HD AT4X AEV Edition
Photos Stephen Rivers/Carscoops
AEV is a brand closely associated with GM and heavily entrenched in the off-road scene. As such it makes sense that the two would work together on this special edition of the Sierra HD. In addition to everything that comes on the standard Sierra HD AT4X, the AEV Edition adds even more off-road equipment.
That includes stamped steel bumpers with integrated recovery points and front winch capability. It also gets heavy-duty steel skid plates and unique 18-inch Salta wheels. Similar wheels are found on the mystery vehicle covered on the trailer behind the Sierra HD AT4X AEV Edition GMC showed us. We suspect it’s a Canyon AT4X AEV Edition. That would make sense as it’s already launched the light-duty Sierra AT4X AEV Edition.
More: What Do You Want To Know About The 2023 GMC Canyon?
Really the whole goal of these trucks is to offer extreme comfort and sincere off-road capability at the same time. “GMC’s AT4X trim, which will be available across the entire GMC truck lineup, offers customers more premium choices when it comes to ‘do-it-all’ capabilities,” said Duncan Aldred, Global Vice President of Buick-GMC.
“Each model delivers unique strengths, with the all-new Sierra HD AT4X taking it to the max, giving our customers the most luxurious and most off-road capable HD we’ve ever offered. AT4X means you can conquer almost any terrain, in complete comfort and with the towing power to bring your recreational toys, gear or camper along for the adventure.
GMC hasn’t told us how much these two trucks will end up selling for but we imagine they’ll be at the top of the lineup in that aspect. Expect to see them showing up at dealerships in the fall of this year and for pricing to drop sometime shortly before that.
While it might seem a bit strange to make an extreme off-road version of a truck that’s too long and wide for many technical trails, it’s worth noting that just such a rig can be perfect for overlanding. After all, brands that go even further than AEV in terms of overlanding extremes, like Tiger Vehicles, Earth Roamer, and Earth Cruiser all leverage heavy-duty trucks as the basis of some of their products.
