Luxurious off-roading is a thing. The Sierra 2500 AT4X does that and adds on a lot of towing and cargo hauling to boot.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X matches two desires for the pickup truck consumer. It’s both luxurious in its design and interior fitment and extremely off-road-ready. It fits a market where the desire to get out into extremes, but with all the creature comforts is the goal.

We greatly enjoyed this seeming duality of the Sierra 2500 with its AT4X package. But that need to have the extra premium appeal of the GMC is really the kicker. Without that, the Chevrolet model is a better choice value-wise.

Not surprisingly, the Sierra 2500 AT4X with its diesel engine option is a smooth highway driver, an easy day-to-day truck, and a capable puller and hauler.

The Sierra and Silverado are very closely related with a lot of similar equipment and capabilities. The ZR2 off-road package for the Silverado is much like the AT4 off-road package, but lacks a few of the goodies found on the AT4X package. For those on a stricter budget, the ZR2 is a solid second-best.

The Tremor has a nice off-road feel to it and offers some of the items found on the half-ton Ford Raptor. The Tremor is comparable to the Sierra’s AT4X package and is about equivalent in capability.

The Power Wagon is legendary for its off-road excellence and “get there” mentality. Considered the “Jeep” of the pickup truck world, the Power Wagon is priced similarly to the Sierra 2500 AT4X, but has more off-road gear and a stronger reputation for capability in that arena. It is not as luxurious inside, but is otherwise superior.

The base model Sierra 2500HD is priced at about $50,000. The AT4X is about $83,700 plus delivery. Our test model with the diesel engine, AEV add-ons, and a few other options rang in at $88,000 before delivery.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

The 2024 model year marks a mid cycle refresh as the current-generation Sierra 2500 becomes four years old. Changes include some styling updates, especially around the fenders and front grille, more engine power, and the addition of two new trim levels: an off-road-oriented AT4X and a luxurious Denali Ultimate.

The diesel engine offered in the GMC Sierra 2500HD is updated to add about 25 percent more low-end torque for better towing capacity. At the same time, a ten-speed automatic transmission is added to give the gasoline engine more gear options to improve towing as well. Towing for the truck increases by about 600 pounds in the regular and extended cab models, but not for the crew cab most popular among consumers.

The new AT4X trim level builds on the cheaper AT4 off-road model with a raised suspension, advanced adaptive dampers, stronger skid plates, a locking rear differential, and other tweaks. An American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) addition to the AT4X adds unique wheels, heavy-duty bumpers with recovery points, and a couple of other upgrades. The AT4X sits, price-wise, between the luxurious Denali model and the new, uber-lux Denali Ultimate.

The Denali Ultimate comes with the diesel engine as standard and adds a host of convenience and luxury items that are options for the Denali trim. Things like massaging front seats, a tailgate audio system by Kicker, premium leather upholstery, and so forth.

Both engine options for the GMC Sierra 2500 are V8 engines that displace 6.6 liters. The gasoline model produces 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. The diesel produces 470 hp and 975 lb-ft. Both are connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing a six-speed from previous years. Rear-wheel drive is standard on most trims and four-wheel drive is available.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X comes standard with four-wheel drive and the gasoline engine. The upgrade to diesel, as we drove it, is a good choice, adding more low-end power for off-roading and a smoother drive on the road.

Going with the AT4X package, however, does mean that some capabilities are lost. Towing reduces considerably, for example, and the raised height of the bed (thanks to the suspension lift) means connecting to some trailers may be more of a chore. Our test truck was not outfitted with either a gooseneck or a fifth wheel, but parking next to those types of trailers showed that, at least with the fifth wheel pull, a riser for the receiver would be required.

For performance off the pavement, which is the point of the new AT4X package, the verdict is that it’s very good. We had it climb, bounce, and get through several off-road obstacles without issue. It’s not as capable as similar rigs like the Ram Power Wagon, which has more off-road-oriented equipment, but it’s close enough for most people’s actual needs and expectations.

Neither of the two crash testing bodies regularly test heavy-duty vehicles. The sheer size and bulk of HD trucks like the GMC Sierra 2500 means that they are more likely to do well in an accident, but also carry a higher rollover risk.

Most reliability sources give the Sierra 2500HD an average score for expected dependability. The diesel engine is considered somewhat more reliable than the gasoline engine.

With an average warranty and average reliability scoring from most sources, we’re inclined to assume that the GMC Sierra 2500 will be about average and not better.

The 2024 Sierra 2500 AT4X comes pretty well stocked. We like the AEV additions, though, for their good looks and stronger off-road credibility. That package reduces to 18-inch wheels, but that wheel size is easier to find replacement off-road-ready tires for.

The added accessory switches for the inevitable aftermarket add-ons are also a nice bonus.

The warranty coverages for the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 are about average for the heavy-duty truck segment. Note that the powertrain warranties for the gasoline and diesel differ in mileage.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• PowerTrain (gasoline): 5 years / 60k miles
• PowerTrain (diesel): 5 years / 100k miles
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

The AT4X package is new for this year, so finding one used is unlikely. The GMC Sierra 2500 in its current rendition (sans the upgrades for 2024) is available used and is worth looking into if the off-road gear of the AT4X is not needed.

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