2024 GMC Sierra 2500 4WD Crew Cab AT4X AEV Version Fears Nothing

Whenever you’re caught on black ice and parked on the mistaken angle, it would not actually matter what car you have got – grip is non-existent, because of snow that melts into slush. This was my expertise one morning, and I had the hardcore 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 in AT4X AEV Version package with me at Colorado’s Copper Mountain resort.

I acquired the keys to this $100,000 diesel-powered, heavy-duty truck as I returned from the Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor media drive. It was my self-declared “Truck Week,” and I used to be thrilled the GMC was ready for me. The timing was good; the harshest blizzard of the yr was placing the mountains and heading straight towards the Mile Excessive Metropolis, and I needed to get dwelling. The velocity restrict, sturdy winds, and heavy rain required cautious, considerate driving.

Behind the wheel of this large truck, I grew to become king of the freeway by sustaining the velocity restrict whereas driving within the practically empty left lane. The rain was battering the windshield, however the wind couldn’t get the very best of this heavy, off-road-ready truck. It is price noting that regardless of the horrible climate exterior, the within of this near-luxury truck was fairly quiet. How did it truthful towards the black ice a number of days later, nevertheless, and in our general evaluation of it?

Exterior Styling: Bix, Boxy, & Superb

The GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Version comes absolutely loaded in and out. My sampler featured the $495 Thunderstorm Grey exterior paint, animated LED projector headlights – that are superior within the rain – and the contents of that $9,395 AT4X AEV Version package deal.

This expensive package deal provides the next to your GMC 2500:

Stamped metal entrance skid plate and underbody defend

Stamped metal AEV-embossed entrance and rear bumpers with heavy-duty solid restoration factors

Stamped metal switch case safety and mid skid plate

18-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels with laser etching and AEV middle caps and full-size spare wheel

AEV ground liners and embossed headrests

It is an costly add-on for protecting plates and a few aesthetic enhancements. Is it well worth the cash? We’re not so certain.

There aren’t any main styling variations between the AT4X AEV Version and the AT4X. GMC designers did the very best they might to make the AEV Version stand out, however barring the bespoke badging and black wheels, it is not all that totally different. The common AT4X trim already boasts 18-inch wheels, purple restoration hooks, cargo mattress LEDs, and a 120-volt energy outlet within the mattress. It’s as much as you and the way you’d use this truck to determine if the extra AEV package deal prices are worthwhile.

Moreover, the AEV Version is simply accessible within the Crew Cab Normal Mattress configuration. These in search of a Lengthy Mattress must accept the AT4X or different Sierra 2500 HD trims, such because the Denali and Denali Final. These seemingly to make use of it for off-roading is not going to be too fazed by this, although.

With out query, this truck’s dimensions are spectacular: 252 inches lengthy, 81.9 inches vast, and 82.6 inches tall.

The truck’s off-roading credentials aren’t as spectacular as these designed for desert operating, but it surely’ll handle the tough stuff with out an excessive amount of of a fuss:

Inside: Class Has Some Flaws

A truck as succesful and costly as this could have a high quality and premium inside to match. The 2024 Sierra 2500 AT4X AEV Version delivers – in most methods.

The AT4X mannequin will get a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen within the middle stack, a 12.3-inch configurable driver’s gauge cluster, a 15-inch head-up show, a Bose Premium 12-speaker audio system, MultiPro Audio System, a rear-camera mirror, and the trailering package deal as normal. That is sufficient premium tools to warrant such a excessive price ticket.

Specifically, I favored the Obsidian Rush inside and the heated and cooled 16-way energy entrance massaging seats. These are supportive and cozy, and it is simple to seek out the precise place up entrance. However there may be one factor I discovered irritating: the gear shifter that is mounted to the steering column.

The shifter stands out fairly a bit, and when in Drive, partially blocks entry to the touchscreen for the motive force. Quite a few occasions I discovered myself reaching over and across the shifter when making an attempt to entry the display screen and couldn’t perceive why designers didn’t go for a middle console shifter or perhaps a dial knob. It’s a distraction, merely put, and appears to be a design oversight.

I solely had one passenger with me and we each immediately made ourselves snug within the entrance seats, placing the therapeutic massage operate to good use. The AEV Version tacks on AEV-branded ground liners and headrest logos, and that is about it inside to truck. For what GMC expenses for this package deal, brushed aluminum trim ought to’ve been included, on the very least.

Adventures & Every day Driving: This Truck Delivers

Driving round city within the Sierra AT4X AEV Version is a breeze – so long as you’re not attempting to park in tight spots – it’s simply not going to occur with a car this measurement, and that goes for any heavy-duty truck.

The turning radius was surprisingly respectable, however normal maneuverability – even in a Costco parking zone – could be difficult. The place this large truck shines brightest is when driving it off the crushed path. Sadly, I did not have the chance to take it off-road this time, however I did must drive this large rig in post-blizzard circumstances.

Native roads had been nonetheless not absolutely plowed after the storm, however the AT4X AEV Version took no discover of this inconvenience. The 35-inch tires helped (although GMC might make even greater rubber accessible for off-road conditions), but it surely’s the practically two-inch factory-installed elevate package and Multimatic DSSV dampers that present each position- and velocity-sensitive damping that made plowing by moist and heavy snow easy. The skidplates defend the truck’s underbody parts, and rock sliders are normal.

The aforementioned black ice incident jogged my memory that automakers and aftermarket specialists alike can’t do a lot, if something, about ice; we can not underestimate the significance of understanding your car and its capabilities. I used to be in a position to shift the truck intro Drive, apply some throttle stress, and straighten the truck out to seek out higher grip.

I wanted some assist from locals since about two ft of moist, heavy snow had amassed within the mattress through the blizzard and reaching in was a problem for me and my 5’4” ‘Marty McFly’ top.

A Gem Underneath The Hood & Towing Galore

The Sierra 2500 AT4X AEV Version comes with a selection between two engines: GM’s large-displacement 6.6-liter V8 that makes 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque, or the 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel V8 with 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of twist. Each engines are paired to an Allison 10-speed computerized transmission. Nonetheless, diesel isn’t the ability phase chief. That honor goes to Ford’s 6.7-liter Energy Stroke turbo diesel V8 that busts out a powerful 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of twist when outfitted to the Ford F-250 Tremendous Responsibility. The Ram 2500 could be had with the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel gives 370 hp and 850 lb-ft.

GM’s oil burner – an almost $9,500 possibility – is well worth the added expense. Heavy Responsibility vehicles like this require extra torque and this turbo diesel delivered the products brilliantly. Acceleration was buttery easy and fast for such a heavy brute. There have been occasions I discovered myself cruising on the freeway nicely above the velocity restrict and didn’t notice it till I checked the speedometer. Most towing, one thing I want I had the possibility to make the most of, is eighteen,400 kilos off a typical hitch, and it will probably carry as much as 2,701 kilos within the mattress.

Pricing & Verdict

The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Version is splendidly ridiculous. Its dimensions, presence, and AEV exterior add-ons make for a good-looking truck. The mixture of spectacular towing, payload, and off-road capabilities makes the automaker imagine it will probably cost $103,075, together with the $1,895 vacation spot charge as on our tester, for it. For almost all of patrons, I believe the common AT4X package deal would greater than suffice, and go away you with additional money to spend on different toys.

My scheduled week with the Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Version proved to be impeccable timing. Heavy wind and rain adopted by a 24-hour snow blast hardly affected the truck’s skills. Whereas different autos struggled, the GMC proceeded with confidence.

For these searching for competitors, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD gives the ZR2 Bison package deal with comparable upgrades to the AEV Version package deal seen right here. The Chevy truck will value you rather less, however none of those vehicles come low cost. With the GMC, what you’ll get in return is an extended checklist of options, capabilities, and general luxurious that’ll make it an incredible weekend lake or cabin car. However as a every day driver, you’ll shortly develop uninterested in maneuvering Goliath in any parking zone.