The present is here and the Future has been announced with the most luxurious and advanced Sierra 1500 lineup.
The new 2022 Sierra 1500 AT4X pushes trucks to new heights of luxury, technology and performance. The Sierra AT4X delivers serious capability and uncompromising refinements but when called upon, will take the off-road trail with ease.
Now you don’t have to pick between luxury or off-road performance, you get it all in one truck.
We have always said the AT4 is the perfect truck and you are welcome to change our minds. That being said, the AT4X is perfection redefined.
The new 2022 Sierra AT4X has an attitude that doesn’t sacrifice style and comfort for it’s ability to go anywhere it wants.
On-Road Ride And Handling
Under the hood GMC equipped this pickup with a 6.2L V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2-speed transfer case, meanwhile, has selectable modes for multiple off-road scenarios. For example, Off-Road Mode helps give momentum in low tractions situations like gravel or mud. And Terrain Mode in 4-LO enables one-pedal driving for low-speed, off-road technical scenarios to help give greater control when taking on rugged environments.
Power from the V-8 engine is routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission, which can now be operated by way of steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. When shifted into “L,” the paddles become active and allow the driver to select the maximum gear for the transmission. We used this function extensively during our time on the mountain roads and found gears 3 to 5 to be good for keeping downhill speed under control without overworking the friction brakes.
The Obsidian Rush interior features a premium microsuede headliner and best-in-class 16-way power front massaging seats wrapped in full grain leather with red and white double needle stitching, technical grained leather appointed accents and Vanta ash wood trim. Translation….the inside is really..really.. nice. You do not feel like you are in a premium off-road vehicle.
The audio experience has also been elevated to provide a more perfect way to hear the soundtrack for any outdoor adventure. The 12-speaker Bose Premium Series with CenterPoint includes AudioPilot Noise Compensation technology and Richbass subwoofer. And to enjoy audio outside of the cabin, the standard 6-function MultiPro Tailgate includes the MultiPro Audio System from KICKER. So when the day of riding your UTV that you trailered out with your AT4X is done, you can relax fireside with your tunes.
A 15-inch head-up display is standard, as are a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.4-inch infotainment screen.
The AT4X trim is also the only pickup in its class to have front and rear e-locking differentials, which will send power where you need it most in low traction scenarios like mud, gravel or sand. The lockers will also help give control when ascending or descending steep inclines.
Multimatic DSSV Dampers
The most impressive improvement of the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X comes from the inclusion of Multimatic’s DSSV dampers. First introduced to the pickup world on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, the Multimatic’s DSSV dampers replace the standard shock piston and shim stack with spool valves that can be tuned so that under light pressure (on-road) they are soft and compliant, and under heavy pressure (such as large bumps off-road) can firm-up greatly. By utilizing three separate spool valves, the DSSV dampers are able to provide both position- and velocity-sensitive damping in the same package.
But taking on the most punishing terrain means mitigating potential damage. That’s why the Sierra AT4X has underbody skid plates and a large steel transfer case skid plate to help protect underbody components. The available rock sliders will help shield the truck’s sills and frame rails.
Super Cruise
Let’s talk Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free-driving tech.
Now, you can travel hands-free on more than 200,000 miles, and counting, of compatible roads in the U.S. and Canada with the available enhanced version of Super Cruise.
In addition to driving hands-free, this first-in-class advanced feature performs automatic hands-free lane changing to maintain your set speed or allows you to pull your trailer hands-free.
The driver attention system uses a small camera located on the top of the steering column and works with infrared lights to determine where the driver is looking whenever Super Cruise is in operation. If the driver attention system detects the driver has turned their gaze away from the road ahead for too long, the steering wheel light bar will prompt the driver to return their attention to the road.
While admittedly, it’s hard to feel comfortable with your hands off the wheel, you will slowly find your confidence in it within a few dozen miles of letting it take over. Once the speed limit is set to a speed you feel comfortable driving, Super Cruise can be engaged through the steering wheel and the guidance system holds both the truck and the trailer down the middle of the lane perfectly.
Control Where It Counts—Off-Road
Behind the wheel, the GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X was great to drive on the highway, but it was a downright blast in the dirt. My off-road experience took me down desert two-track, through wide open sand washes, deep silt beds, and through slot canyons with massive vertical walls and tight clearances. I also descended and then drove back up massive, rutted hill-climbs. The Multimatic DSSV dampers soaked up bumps, dips, and ruts with ease, meaning you will never feel anything that could be misconstrued as shock fade. With the exception of the largest desert whoops, I found the Sierra 1500 AT4X’s 9.84 inches of front wheel travel and 10.62 inches of rear travel to be perfectly suited to all the desert had to throw at us as we blasted through the sand washes at speeds north of highway legal.
When the trail turned more technical, the truck’s impressive off-road specs came in handy. With 11.1 inches of ground clearance, 25.5 degrees of approach angle, 23.0 degrees of departure angle, and GMC’s optional rock rails, the Sierra 1500 AT4X was able to easily navigate the toughest trails. While the locking front differential proved invaluable for climbing steep, rutted hills, the rear locking differential is the best feature, as it can be engaged at any time (in two- or four-wheel drive) and used at any speed, as long as the truck is in Off-Road mode.
The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X comes equipped with both Off-Road and Terrain drive modes. Much like the 2022 GMC Hummer EV, the GMC’s Off-Road drive mode is intended for high-speed off-road driving, whereas its Terrain drive mode is ideal for slow and technical driving. Both drive modes remove some of the electronic nannies, in addition to adapting throttle input, transmission shift strategy, and steering feel. The Terrain drive mode takes things a bit further and allows for “one-pedal driving,” meaning that the truck manages the braking, allowing the driver to focus on steering and throttle input. You will find Terrain mode to be most effective when crawling up or down hills and over rocks. Usable in high or low range, the Terrain drive mode works as a sort of faux low range by dragging the friction brakes. This allows for great control going down hills, and takes a large amount of throttle input to begin moving, effectively damping out sudden and accidental power commands (aka: throttle jabs). The new Terrain drive mode effectively makes hill descent control obsolete, however the Sierra 1500 AT4X is still equipped with this function as well.
The name of the off-road game is control, and the Sierra 1500 AT4X plays it very well overall. The Multimatic DSSV dampers control suspension movement well, and the truck’s new drive modes work well to control throttle and braking, and the front and rear locking differentials manage wheel spin on soft or loose surfaces. Behind the wheel, you can push the AT4X fairly hard and the truck will always keep its composure.
Sierra AT4 Vs. AT4X: What’s The Difference?
Choosing between the GMC Sierra AT4 and new AT4X could prove daunting for those who are less well-versed in the world of off-road pickups. There are a few things that account for the $12,500 difference price between the AT4 and AT4X. First, the AT4X comes with all of the premium interior upgrades as standard. The AT4X gets only the 6.2-liter gasoline V-8, but the AT4 can be had with either the 6.2-liter V-8 or 3.0-liter Duramax diesel I-6 engine. The AT4X comes with 32.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, and the AT4 gets 32.0-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory rolling stock. The AT4X gets more off-road hardware in the form of the Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear electronic locking differentials, and available rock rails, whereas the AT4 comes fitted with Rancho twin-tube shocks and an automatic “G80” rear locking differential.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X: Final Thoughts
Action Sports Today have been big fans of GMC’s AT4 sub-brand since its introduction on the 2019 Sierra 1500 AT4. Now that the AT4X has begun making its way out onto the road and I’ve had the opportunity to slide behind the wheel, AST can finally say with authority that the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X is still the ultimate jack-of-all-trades off-road pickup. Not only does the AT4X drive fantastically off-road through all types of terrain, but it also has impressive on-road manners, great interior comfort and technology, and a gorgeous new exterior. If you’re looking for a truck that can truly go anywhere and do anything, this is it.
GMC Unleashes the New 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition
Extreme capability, custom AEV styling and core enhancements added to Sierra AT4X
GMC revealed the new 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition today at Overland Expo Pacific Northwest. The AEV Edition pushes the already highly capable, premium off-road Sierra 1500 AT4X trim to new heights, and provides unique styling cues and extreme off-road capability.
“GMC has been a pioneer in the premium off-road space and this Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition raises the bar yet again,” said GMC Global Vice President Duncan Aldred. “Our customers want an uncompromising combination of on-road technology and offroad capability. Leveraging GMC’s unwavering dedication to providing premium trucks and AEV’s expertise in engineering and integrating performance-driven parts and accessories, this truck provides extreme capability, technology and comfort.”
The new 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition is the most off-road capable factory Sierra 1500 ever. Updates include:
- AEV stamped steel front and rear bumpers with heavy duty recovery points and winch capability (front bumper)
- Five hot-stamped boron steel skid plates (front approach, steering gear, transfer case, fuel tank and differential)
- Unique, race-inspired, laser-engraved 18-inch AEV Salta Wheels in gloss back finish with AEV’s signature recessed valve system for added protection from rocks on the trail.
- 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires
- Updated front grille and fascia to accommodate the new bumper and larger tires, gloss black door handles and a black contrast inner tailgate.
- Exclusive AEV branding throughout the vehicle, including on bumpers, embroidered head rests and all-weather floor liners.
- Available off-road rocker panel protectors to help shield the sills and frame rails and an optional bolt-on step assist when not off-roading.
“The Sierra 1500 AT4X is an incredibly formidable platform when it comes to on- and off-road performance and capability,” said AEV CEO & founder Dave Harriton. “We took our signature approach to help elevate this truck’s inherent off-road capability to the next level. We are confident customers will love the result.”
The AEV-stamped steel front and rear bumpers are constructed of 3 millimeter heavyduty steel and are powder and e-coated for durability as well as UV and corrosion resistance. Additionally, these factory-installed front bumper is winch-capable, something that no other competitor in its class can match.
Five ultra-high-strength, hot-stamped boron steel skid plates help protect the underbody of the Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition. This press-hardened steel is not only three-anda-half times stronger than an equivalent cold-stamped high-strength steel part, but it also provides incredible resistance to gouging and bending.
When it comes time to head off-road, the Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition’s bumpers and underbody protection deliver capability never before available in a factory Sierra 1500. When compared to the 2022 Sierra 1500 AT4X, the AEV Edition features improved offroad stats. The front approach angle increases by more than 27% to 32.5 degrees. The departure angle improves to 23.4 degrees (compared to 23 degrees) and the breakover angle improves to 23.0 degrees (compared to 22.7 degrees). The truck’s ground clearance also improves to 11.2 inches (compared to 10.8 inches).
The AEV edition is built on the Sierra 1500 AT4X trim that offers an exclusive premium interior and advanced off-road capability. Headline features include Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear e-locking differentials and two-speed transfer case with selectable modes for different off-road conditions such as Terrain mode for one pedal driving and Off-Road mode. All the while, the Sierra 1500 AT4X delivers excellent onroad comfort and trailering capability with a standard 6.2L V-8 engine. The AEV edition also features the luxury-focused and tech-infused AT4X Obsidian Rush interior. The cabin boasts full grain leather-wrapped power-massaging front seats, authentic Vanta ash wood trim, a 12-speaker Bose® Premium Series audio system and more than 40- inches (diag.) of combined driver-focused digital displays — the most in its class.
Later in the 2023 model year, a new Sierra 1500 AT4X will be available with AEVinspired enhancements, including a stamped steel winch-capable front bumper, boron steel front approach skid plate and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. These enhancements will increase the already formidable off-road capability of the AT4X through improved approach, departure and breakover angles, as well as improved ground clearance.
The new 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X will continue to be a balanced execution that delivers extreme off-road capability when called upon without compromising the on-road comfort, technology and capability that customers have come to expect from a GMC pickup. The new Sierra 1500 AT4X will have a max payload of 1,290 lbs and max trailering of 8,700 lbs.
The Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition and the new AT4X will be available later in the 2023 model year.
