Off-Road in HD: GMC Announces the Sierra HD AT4X and Extreme AEV Edition

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

People use pickup trucks as everyday vehicles, even heavy-duty models, so it’s not surprising to see automakers adding more luxury and capability to their most work-ready models. Rugged, off-road-read heavy-duty trucks are nothing new, but GMC’s taking it to the next level with the new Sierra HD AT4X and Extreme AEV Edition trucks. The pair comes with a slew of upgrades to improve their off-road capability while maintaining the workhorse attitude that people expect from heavy-duty trucks.


The 2024 GMC Sierra HD AT4X gets a 6.6-liter gas V8 as standard, but buyers can add the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel. A ten-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive are standard. The truck delivers 18,500 pounds of towing, a 1.5-inch lift kit, Multimatic DSSV dampers, an electronic locking rear differential, and 35-inch Goodyear tires. The HD also gets a new off-road driving mode, which recalibrates braking, steering, and other settings to improve traction and performance. 


The Extreme AEV Edition brings touches from American Expedition Vehicles, including 18-inch wheels and underbody steel skid plates. It also offers steep bumpers with integrated recovery points and a winch mounting point. 


Both trucks bring the luxury inside, where GMC equipped leather upholstery and massaging front seats. Ash wood trim and a Bose 12-speaker premium stereo come standard, along with a 13.4-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. GMC offers several driver aids, but most are withheld in added-cost options package. Available tech includes a transparent trailer-view camera system, blind spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and adaptive cruise control with trailering.


GMC hasn’t detailed pricing for the new trucks yet but said more information would become available closer to their on-sale date this fall.


[Image: GMC]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • Wjtinfwb Rivaled only by the Prowler and Thunderbird as retro vehicles that missed the mark... by a mile.
  • Ravenuer Haven't seen one of these in years! Forgot they existed.
  • Pig_Iron I one of those weirdos who liked these.
  • SCE to AUX Inflation adjusted $79k today (!), so I guess $28k is a bargain....This is another retro car that was trying too hard, but it is very nice.
  • EngineerfromBaja_1990 It might provide an edge in city driving but from what I've read elsewhere the Hybrid trucks are 600 lbs to 700 lbs heavier than the gas only trucks. That translates to a curb weight of around 5000 lbs which is not uncommon for a full size truck.And a test drive suggested the Hybrid is not quicker than the gas only trucks. So it looks like the Hybrid powertrain is pretty much compensating in power for all that added weight while not providing significant fuel savings. Not what many would expect after shelling out an extra $5K - $7K for the next step up in power.
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