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Get ready for some heavy-duty off-roading as GMC announces rugged new trims, the AT4X and the Extreme AEV Edition, for the Sierra 2500HD.
Forget the Baja Trucks
Are you in the market for an off-road truck capable of towing massive things deep into the American hinterlands? Well, GMC just might have the truck(s) for you. For 2024, GMC has announced new off-road models for their Sierra 2500HD, the AT4X and Extreme AEV Edition. GMC’s version of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD ZR2 will add new levels of off-roadability to the already rugged Sierra.
New GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X
Undoubtedly, the biggest headline for the new AT4X is its massive 18,500-lb tow rating and 3,300-lb payload. If you’ve got a humungous camper you’ve always dreamed of overlanding with, the AT4X seems like the new go-to solution. The AT4X package will come only on 2500HD models with a standard bed and a crew cab configuration. Four-wheel drive and an Allison 10-speed automatic will also be standard equipment.
What’s not so standard on the AT4X is a 1.5-inch suspension lift and 35-inch off-road tires wrapping 18-inch wheels. Suspension upgrades are also in the mix, adding new steering knuckles and lower control arms to the front suspension (the AT4X and related Silverado HD ZR2 are the only pickups on the market with fully independent front suspensions).
Also new for the AT4X suspension are the Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers which aim to improve both on-road comfort and off-road capabilities. More off-road goodies include an electronically-locking rear differential as well as a front aluminum skid plate and a steel transfer case skid plate. And since GMC is the “fancy” truck brand, they’re adding an “Obsidian Rush” interior trim complete with massaging, leather front seats.
Going Extreme with AEV
If all that isn’t enough to convince the prospective truck buyer, GMC has also partnered with aftermarket supplier AEV for some upgraded parts to kit out your ultimate off-road hauler. In the Extreme AEV Edition of the Sierra 2500HD, GMC adds more robust steel skid plates (no more aluminum) along with stamped steel bumpers front and back. These come with tow points and accommodations for a winch, both of which can come in very handy on the trail. Visual upgrades include new badging and interior cues, plus 18-inch Salta wheels.
Big Engines, Bigger Screens
The AT4X and AEV Edition both come with two engine options. The default motor is a 6.6L V8 making 401 horsepower and 464 lb.-ft. of torque. But for maximum towing power, there’s a 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel with 470 horsepower and a whopping 975 lb.-ft. of torque.
Trailering isn’t just about how much poundage you can pull, either. Among the Sierra 2500HD’s other trailer-relevant features are the 14 camera views available on the 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. This includes transparent trailer view and optional trailer blind spot zone alerts. A 15-inch heads-up display and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster are also there to ensure drivers have all the information they’ll possibly need when trailering, going backward or forward.
GMC has yet to announce pricing for the Sierra 2500HD AT4X or Extreme AEV Edition models, but given their equipment and equivalent competition, you can expect the AT4X to start at around $80,000 and the AEV to carry an additional premium of $5,000-$10,000. DIY glamping doesn’t come cheap, I guess.
