GMC Sierra 1500

GMC’s off-road-focused AT4X lineup comes in three sizes: the heavy-duty Sierra HD is the largest, the mid-size Canyon is the smallest, and smack in the middle is the full-size, light-duty Sierra 1500. All three trucks are also available with extra off-road equipment courtesy of American Expedition Vehicles, and each AT4X AEV Edition serves as the halo off-roader for each class of truck.

Related: 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X Review: Beautifully Built for Things It Will Never Do

In between my Montanan off-road adventures in the Sierra HD and Canyon AT4X AEV Editions, I got to spend some brief time behind the wheel of the 2024 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition. Sadly, most of that time was on pavement, but it did give me a chance to sample its newly standard turbo-diesel 3.0-liter engine (per Cars.com’s ethics policy, we pay for our own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events).

What Do You Get in the AEV Edition?

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It starts with the already capable AT4X, which has Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve dampers, knobby off-road tires and an aggressive exterior appearance. In addition to the standard turbo-diesel 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six engine, a 6.2-liter gas V-8 is also available. The AT4X comes standard with the Sierra 1500’s towing package and also gets a premium Obsidian Rush interior with leather seating.

The AEV Edition ups the ante with steel front and rear bumpers — the front bumper is winch-capable, if buyers desire — and 33-inch mud-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch AEV wheels. It also gets five high-strength steel underbody skid plates for protection from obstacles, even more aggressive looks and extensive AEV badging outside and in. It also carries a hefty $6,895 premium over the AT4X, with a starting price of $88,090 (including destination).

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Comfortable but Noisy On-Road

On pavement, the Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition with its standard Duramax diesel is cushy and comfortable, eating up bumps and potholes with ease. The Duramax delivers power smoothly, and the standard 10-speed automatic transmission shifts smartly and quickly; the two are very well matched. With 305 horsepower and 495 pounds-feet of torque that provides lots of low-end grunt, the AEV Edition accelerates without strain but is far from sporty. Highway driving is fairly noisy because of the racket the knobby mud-terrain tires generate; the diesel engine is quiet — for a diesel — but contributes some droning noise of its own. The 6.2-liter V-8 is a better choice for sportiness and is available with an active exhaust system for a throatier sound. In my experience, however, the V-8 can’t overcome the heft of a truck like this and compete with a Ford F-150 Raptor in terms of performance.

Steering feel is numb on pavement, and the mud-terrain tires lack the cornering grip necessary to navigate curves at a higher-than-speed-limit pace, unfortunately, but off-road capability has its costs.

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Off-Road Potential

My time driving took me ever so slightly off paved roads, but provided no real test of the AEV Edition’s capabilities; I don’t think I even had to engage four-wheel drive, let alone the truck’s off-road drive modes. But the appeal of the AEV Edition for me is its potential as an overlanding rig. With the standard Duramax diesel, the AT4X’s EPA-estimated combined fuel economy is 19 mpg; the V-8 only manages 15 mpg combined. Even if you knock off 1 or 2 mpg for the AEV Edition’s extra weight and worse aerodynamics, the diesel has a significant range advantage over the V-8, and overlanding isn’t about going fast. The Sierra 1500 is also not too big like its heavy-duty sibling, leaving more trails accessible.

There’s also a dearth of new diesel off-road pickups of any size; the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison is a less luxurious Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition, and the heavy-duty off-road pickups from GM aren’t on the same level of capability. Most manufacturers have canceled diesel powertrains in light-duty full-size pickups as the industry transitions to a more electrified future. The hybrid Toyota Tundra TRD Pro offers fuel efficiency similar to the Sierra 1500’s diesel engine and a lower price tag, but it also has less robust equipment.

My time in other AT4X AEV Edition pickups from GMC makes me confident that the Sierra 1500 can handle serious off-roading, and the diesel powertrain should offer significant range for, well, ranging. It’s pricey, but for those who want a premium off-road truck that’s not too big for its own good, the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition is an excellent choice.

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