Whenever we talk about pickup trucks, we think of classic work trucks such as the Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra 1500. For the first time, we tested the heavy-duty, off-road version of the GMC Sierra. It's a gigantic, rugged, powerful pickup that raises the bar. Our GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV 4WD had an MSRP of $136,964 and was manufactured at the Flint, MI, plant.
The GMC Sierra 2500 HD underwent a mid-cycle refresh for 2024, even though it already looked modern when introduced in 2019. The headlights and grille have been slightly reshaped; the AEV adds a stamped-steel front bumper to increase resistance to the elements. The vehicle's massive profile is over 6.3m (250.75in) in length. It's so long, and it also is pretty tall at 2.1m (82.68in). The power-retractable assist steps make it easier to climb in and out of the truck; the 18-in Gloss Black AEV wheels mounted on 35-in Goodyear Wrangler off-road tires stand out. A step is also located near the rear doors, allowing easy access to the bed from the side. In the back, the GMC Multipro Tailgate deploys an additional step, and a cleverly located ramp on the driver's side hides inside the bed. The 6'10" bed is quite large, allowing a payload capacity of under 3,900 lbs. The AEV also includes a stamped-steel rear bumper with integrated heavy-duty cast recovery points. This heavy-duty truck looks mean and tough, and we love it!
The new GMC Sierra 2500 HD offers a plethora of cabin configurations and bed lengths; the AT4X AEV version is only available as a crew cab with a standard bed. What's striking at first is the quality of the materials found on the door panels and dashboard, and the seats look great in this Obsidian Rush trim. With seating available for five people in our version, everyone has plenty of legroom and headroom. The leather seats provide support and are also heated, ventilated and massaging. In the back, storage compartments hide under the seat, and even the seat backs have little doors to provide additional storage. Car seat installation is more accessible thanks to the ISOFIX ports on the back seats and the rear anchors behind the headrests. Rear passengers will have cup holders, heated seats, climate vents and USB ports. The AT4X plaque is placed on the seats, and the AEV trims add the imprinted logo to the headrests. Its price tag places this Sierra 2500 HD in luxury territory, and GMC went out of its way to fulfill this premise.
The GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X has the latest technology, including a large 12.3-inch digital Driver Information Centre and a 15-inch Head-Up Display. The digital gauge cluster is also large and has many different configurations available. You can have a full-screen map or other information, such as fuel economy, drive mode, and trip information. In the center, the new 13.4-inch touchscreen is excellent and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa and Google compatibility. The next-generation GMC infotainment system functions exceptionally well, and the 14-camera views provide improved visibility for towing trailers. The optional Bose sound system is a bonus. The climate controls are under the screen, with a long row of buttons visible in the area to control the exhaust brakes, the window bed and a remote tailgate opener. This new generation introduces elevated luxury and technology to the HD pickup segment.
Under the hood, you'll see a potent powertrain, a 6.6L V8 gas engine. Our test version has a $10,995 option: a 6.6L turbo diesel V8 engine coupled to a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission. This powertrain develops a hefty 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque, providing a towing capacity of up to 18,400 lbs, even with the AEV package. This massive truck reached 100 kph in about 7.2 seconds, but we especially liked how smooth the engine was. The transmission is very responsive; the shifts are barely noticeable, and you don't feel any vibrations in the cabin. Braking is also impressive; the brakes quickly bring the Sierra to a halt. Steering and handling on a truck of this size may not be very precise, but it is still relatively easy to maneuver. If this is your first time driving a newer heavy-duty truck, it may take some time to get used to the sheer size of the vehicle. The ride quality in this behemoth stood out during our test; the Sierra 2500 HD drives smoothly on the pavement, even if the road isn't. The Multimatic DSSV Dampers help keep the truck stable on the road; the ride is surprisingly comfortable and helps justify its significant price tag. We finished the week with a reasonable average (in this situation) of 18.5 L/100km (12.7 mpg); it would've been worse with the 6.6L V8 gas engine without the increased towing capacity.
When you venture off the pavement with the GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV, it can go anywhere… if the road or trail is large enough! It isn't a small vehicle measuring nearly 21 feet long and over 6 ½ feet wide. While it can climb through rocks and mud, the truck is so huge you must constantly consider its size and ensure you will fit in the trail! Fortunately, the different camera angles will also be helpful in that situation. The suspensions feel slightly bouncy, especially if you're going over rocks; it gets annoying after some time. We think the $10,795 AEV package lacks off-road amenities. It mainly consists of reinforced skid plates and bumpers, a different wheelset and embroidered headrests.
Our final thoughts regarding the GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV is that it is a large, capable, luxurious, heavy-duty pickup truck. The amenities inside rival the German brands, with the added benefit of the 18,400lbs of towing capacity provided by the immense 6.6L turbo diesel V8. This truck has a few drawbacks; the unresponsive Kicker sound system on the tailgate was disappointing. The best news here is that you get the diesel engine on the lower SLE trim, giving customers excellent towing capability and saving about $35,000 on the price tag.
GMC has lent us this vehicle for one week as a press vehicle. We have no affiliation with GM Canada. The above reflects our personal opinion of the car referred to above. During this test we visited Vermont to find some off-road trails to verify GMC claims on the prowess of this vehicle. Above are some photos of our road trip.
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