DRIVEN: 2024 GMC SIERRA 2500 4WD CREW CAB AT4X AEV EDITION FEARS NOTHING

When you're stuck on black ice and parked at the wrong angle, it doesn't really matter what vehicle you have - grip is non-existent, thanks to snow that melts into slush. This was my experience one morning, and I had the hardcore 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 in AT4X AEV Edition kit with me at Colorado’s Copper Mountain resort.

I received 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 was thrilled the GMC was waiting for me. The timing was perfect; the harshest blizzard of the year was striking the mountains and heading straight toward the Mile High City, and I had to get home. The speed limit, strong winds, and heavy rain required careful, thoughtful driving.

Behind the wheel of this big truck, I became king of the highway by maintaining the speed limit while driving in the nearly empty left lane. The rain was battering the windshield, but the wind couldn’t get the best of this heavy, off-road-ready truck. It's worth noting that despite the terrible weather outside, the inside of this near-luxury truck was pretty quiet. How did it fair against the black ice a few days later, however, and in our overall assessment of it?

Exterior Styling: Bix, Boxy, & Glorious

The GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition comes fully loaded inside and out. My sampler featured the $495 Thunderstorm Gray exterior paint, animated LED projector headlights - which are awesome in the rain - and the contents of that $9,395 AT4X AEV Edition package.

This pricey package adds the following to your GMC 2500:

• Stamped steel front skid plate and underbody shield
• Stamped steel AEV-embossed front and rear bumpers with heavy-duty cast recovery points
• Stamped steel transfer case protection and mid skid plate
• 18-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels with laser etching and AEV center caps and full-size spare wheel
• AEV floor liners and embossed headrests

It's an expensive add-on for protective plates and some aesthetic enhancements. Is it worth the money? We're not so sure.

There are no major styling differences between the AT4X AEV Edition and the AT4X. GMC designers did the best they could to make the AEV Edition stand out, but barring the bespoke badging and black wheels, it's not all that different. The regular AT4X trim already boasts 18-inch wheels, red recovery hooks, cargo bed LEDs, and a 120-volt power outlet in the bed. It’s up to you and how you'd use this truck to decide if the additional AEV package costs are worthwhile.

Additionally, the AEV Edition is only available in the Crew Cab Standard Bed configuration. Those seeking a Long Bed will have to settle for the AT4X or other Sierra 2500 HD trims, such as the Denali and Denali Ultimate. Those likely to use it for off-roading will not be too fazed by this, though.

Without question, this truck’s dimensions are impressive: 252 inches long, 81.9 inches wide, and 82.6 inches tall.

The truck's off-roading credentials aren't as impressive as those designed for desert running, but it'll manage the rough stuff without too much of a fuss:

Interior: Elegance Has Some Flaws

A truck as capable and expensive as this should have a quality and premium interior to match. The 2024 Sierra 2500 AT4X AEV Edition delivers - in most ways.

The AT4X model gets a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen in the center stack, a 12.3-inch configurable driver’s gauge cluster, a 15-inch head-up display, a Bose Premium 12-speaker audio system, MultiPro Audio System, a rear-camera mirror, and the trailering package as standard. That's enough premium equipment to warrant such a high price tag.

In particular, I liked the Obsidian Rush interior and the heated and cooled 16-way power front massaging seats. These are supportive and comfortable, and it's easy to find the right position up front. But there is one thing I found frustrating: the gear shifter that's mounted to the steering column.

The shifter sticks out quite a bit, and when in Drive, partially blocks access to the touchscreen for the driver. Numerous times I found myself reaching over and around the shifter when attempting to access the screen and couldn’t understand why designers didn’t opt for a center console shifter or even a dial knob. It’s a distraction, simply put, and seems to be a design oversight.

I only had one passenger with me and we both instantly made ourselves comfortable in the front seats, putting the massage function to good use. The AEV Edition tacks on AEV-branded floor liners and headrest logos, and that's about it inside to truck. For what GMC charges for this package, brushed aluminum trim should've been included, at the very least.

Adventures & Daily Driving: This Truck Delivers

Driving around town in the Sierra AT4X AEV Edition is a breeze - as long as you’re not trying to park in tight spots - it’s just not going to happen with a vehicle this size, and that goes for any heavy-duty truck.

The turning radius was surprisingly decent, but general maneuverability - even in a Costco parking lot - can be challenging. Where this big truck shines brightest is when driving it off the beaten path. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to take it off-road this time, but I did have to drive this big rig in post-blizzard conditions.

Local roads were still not fully plowed after the storm, but the AT4X AEV Edition took no notice of this inconvenience. The 35-inch tires helped (though GMC could make even bigger rubber available for off-road situations), but it's the nearly two-inch factory-installed lift kit and Multimatic DSSV dampers that provide both position- and velocity-sensitive damping that made plowing through wet and heavy snow effortless. The skidplates protect the truck's underbody components, and rock sliders are standard.

The aforementioned black ice incident reminded me that automakers and aftermarket specialists alike can’t do much, if anything, about ice; we cannot underestimate the importance of knowing your vehicle and its capabilities. I was able to shift the truck intro Drive, apply some throttle pressure, and straighten the truck out to find better grip.

I needed some help from locals since about two feet of wet, heavy snow had accumulated in the bed during the blizzard and reaching in was a challenge for me and my 5’4” 'Marty McFly' height.

A Gem Under The Hood & Towing Galore

The Sierra 2500 AT4X AEV Edition comes with a choice 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. Both engines are paired to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. However, diesel isn’t the power segment leader. That honor goes to Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel V8 that busts out an impressive 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of twist when equipped to the Ford F-250 Super Duty. The Ram 2500 can be had with the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel offers 370 hp and 850 lb-ft.

GM’s oil burner - a nearly $9,500 option - is worth the added expense. Heavy Duty trucks like this require more torque and this turbo diesel delivered the goods brilliantly. Acceleration was buttery smooth and quick for such a heavy brute. There were times I found myself cruising on the highway well above the speed limit and didn’t realize it until I checked the speedometer. Maximum towing, something I wish I had the chance to utilize, is 18,400 pounds off a standard hitch, and it can carry up to 2,701 pounds in the bed.

Pricing & Verdict

The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition is wonderfully ridiculous. Its dimensions, presence, and AEV exterior add-ons make for a handsome truck. The combination of impressive towing, payload, and off-road capabilities makes the automaker believe it can charge $103,075, including the $1,895 destination fee as on our tester, for it. For the majority of buyers, I think the regular AT4X package would more than suffice, and leave you with extra cash to spend on other toys.

My scheduled week with the Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition proved to be impeccable timing. Heavy wind and rain followed by a 24-hour snow blast hardly affected the truck’s abilities. While other vehicles struggled, the GMC proceeded with confidence.

For those looking for competition, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offers the ZR2 Bison package with similar upgrades to the AEV Edition package seen here. The Chevy truck will cost you a little less, but none of these trucks come cheap. With the GMC, what you’ll get in return is a long list of features, capabilities, and overall luxury that’ll make it a great weekend lake or cabin vehicle. But as a daily driver, you’ll quickly grow tired of maneuvering Goliath in any parking lot.

2024-05-10T13:16:52Z dg43tfdfdgfd