GMC was the first to elevate key off-road truck categories with its capable and premium Sierra 1500 AT4X. The brand has taken things one step further today with the 2024 GMC Sierra HD AT4X. This truck allows adventurers and heavy-duty haulers to go farther while still maintaining the essential towing capabilities.
2024 GMC Sierra HD AT4X Review
GMC’s Sierra HD AT4X is a premium off-road truck that offers a balance between increased off-road capabilities and smooth handling on the road. It also offers the best trailering technology and luxury features in its class. The new Sierra HD AT4X builds on the refreshed 2024 Sierra HD which features a fresh design update, premium interiors that are now available, and a tech-focused layout.
- Maximum trailering weight of 18,500 pounds
- The suspension lift is factory-installed at 1.5 inches
- Multimatic DSSV dampers
- The rear differential is e-locked (unlike the Silverado HD ZR2, this vehicle does not have a front locker).
- 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mt tires
- Specific upper and lower front control arms as well as steering knuckles
- Front aluminum skid plates and larger steel transfer case skid plates
- Interior features premium appointments such as massaging front seats and whole-grain leather.
Engine & Specs
The 2024 Sierra HD AT4X is a luxury off-road hauler that comes with a new Off-Road Mode. Off-Road Mode, when activated, adjusts various vehicle calibrations such as anti-lock brakes and traction control to optimize performance off-road. Off-Road Mode also alters the throttle progression and transmission shifting to improve off-road performance and control. Off-roading is made easier with the 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel or standard 6.6L gasoline engine. The Duramax engine will be enhanced for 2024 to deliver 470 horsepower with 975 lb. ft. of torque. This means more power throughout the operating range.
A Turbodiesel With 470 HP
Updates continue to be made under the hood, with a 6.6-liter Duramax engine featuring a turbocharger and optimized cylinder head, as well as a revamped ignition system that includes higher-flow injectors. The engine now produces 470 horsepower (350 kW/ 477 PS), and 975 lb.-ft. (1,320 Nm). This is an increase of 25 horsepower (19 kW/25 PS) and 65 pounds-feet (88 Nm). GMC also noted that low-end torque production has increased by up to 25 percent for better towing performance.
The 6.6-liter engine is also available with 401 hp and 464 lb.-ft. (628 Nm). The gas engine has been carried over but is now paired with a 10-speed Allision Transmission that replaces the six-speed gearbox.
Performance
Both engines are 6.6L and produce 401 horsepower and 464 pounds-feet at 4,000 RPM. You can go all out and select the GMC Duramax diesel engine as an option. The turbocharged oil burner produces 470 horsepower, and 975 pound-feet of torque. In the diesel engine, torque is reached at 1,600 rpm. No matter what fuel you use, a 10-speed automatic transmission will send power to the four-wheel drive system.
Sierra HD AT4X tows up to 18,500 lbs., despite its off-roading abilities. GMC has also added 14 camera views that allow you to monitor the hitch, the bed, and the rear of the truck or trailer. GMC also offers an optional trailering system called ProGrade. This system includes several driving aids such as adaptive cruise control and trailer blind-spot detection.
This feature makes the Sierra HD AT4X unique. Off-road credentials can often take away the towing capacity. Sierra HD towing limits in other configurations can exceed 20,000 pounds. Even though the maximum weight is 18,500 pounds, it’s still much more than most people want to tow, especially if they are heading to the desert.
Sierra AT4X First Impression
The 2024 GMC Sierra AT4X looks great, with its huge ground clearance. You can even fit a cup of coffee on the tire’s top without it hitting the wheel well. The knobby tires and sidewalls add a rugged look, while also giving off a “take me away from the beaten track” feeling. This truck is nearly 21 feet long with more than 13 feet between the front axle and the rear axle. The inherent size and shape of the truck limit its off-roading capabilities.
Interior Technology
SLE and SLT trims feature a brand-new interior. The AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate trims are even more luxurious, as they feature a “premium” interior that is best-in-class. GMC did not go into much detail, but buyers can expect a new 12.3″ digital instrument cluster as well as a 13.4″ infotainment with wireless Android Auto as well as wireless Apple CarPlay. The infotainment screen can be split into two screens so that drivers have the navigation screen on one side and audio controls on another.
In addition to the new displays, you can also see an updated dashboard, better materials, and revised switchgear. A revised center console and a wireless smartphone charger that has been relocated are also included.
Towing Capabilities
Towing is the main focus of heavy-duty trucks, which is why the Sierra HD 2500 Crew Cab has been equipped with a Max Tow package that allows it to tow up to 21,900 pounds (9,934 kilograms), the best in class. Sierra 2500 HD is capable of towing up to 22,500 pounds (10,206 kilograms) in other configurations. This is an increase of 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) over the previous model. The 3500 HD can tow 36,000 lbs (16 329 kg).
There are new features that make towing easier. Adaptive cruise control with trailering assistance is a key feature. The system works like the traditional adaptive cruise control, but it also takes into account increased drag and increased brake distances when a trailer is being towed. GMC’s Transparent Trailer View has been enhanced to include support for goosenecks and 5th wheels. The system uses a camera on the rear of a truck, and another on the trailer’s back to create a live video. This allows drivers to see through their trailers.
The pickup also gains a GCW Alert System that alerts the owner when the truck weight and the trailer exceeds the Gross Combination Weight Rating. The Sierra HD is also available with Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert. This system extends the monitoring area of the blind zone to include the lengths of trailers.
Also included are Forward Collision Alerts, Lane Departure Warnings, and Automatic Emergency Breaking. This model comes with IntelliBeam Headlights as standard, a Distance Indicator, and Front Pedestrian brakes. The optional Pro Safety Plus package adds Rear Cross-Traffic Braking, as well as the Trailer Side Blind Zone Alarm.
New Denali Ultimate Is One Fancy Workhorse
GMC has introduced a new Sierra HD Denali Ultimate. While we welcome the updates, the most exciting is yet to come. The model is designed to be both luxurious and capable. It features a unique grille with Vader chrome accents and exclusive 20″ aluminum wheels in gloss black. The power side steps are joined by a MultiPro tailgate with six positions and a unique Fender emblem featuring Mount Denali’s topography.
The interior of the car is an exclusive Alpine Umber with full-grain wood trim, and leather covering everything from the seat to the door panel. Bose audio with stainless steel speaker grilles and a microsuede headlining are also highlighted. The 16-way power seats have heating, ventilation, and massage functions. A power sunroof is also included, as are leather-wrapped grip handles, a reverse-view camera mirror, and a 15″ color head-up screen. The 2024 GMC Sierra HD is expected to arrive in dealerships during the first quarter of 2019. It will be followed by a brand-new AT4X model. More information will be revealed closer to the launch date, but we can expect it to be a luxury off-road model.
2024 GMC Sierra HD AT4X Price & Release Date
Cost is another concern. GMC will announce the pricing closer to the fall. GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X begins at $83,545. That’s nearly six figures to start in one. This is a price that many people can’t afford.