Auto manufacturers, with the benefit of today’s tech and ability to collect several data points on consumers, have wised up to listen to their audience and doing so is paying off in the form of giving the masses more of what they want. GMC trucks have been on the verge of listening to its fan base and with the newest Sierra, they have delivered a specialized trim level, the AT4, one that fundamentally takes the Sierra Denali and adds proper off-roading chops without losing the plush appeal of the Denali.
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The new 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 brings us the redesigned Sierra truck in a new flavor that combines many creature comforts that were once reserved for the Denali. The full-size GMC Sierra is redesigned for the model year further departing from its distant Chevy Silverado relative.
The new GMC Sierra’s AT4 trim level is a nice addition to give a few extra off-roading traits without losing the creature comforts that are mostly reserved for the Denali trims. The AT4 gets a 2-inch lift, upgraded monotube dampers, and all-terrain (or mud-terrain) 18-20-inch tires all ready to conquer where you wouldn’t dare track your chrome-clad Sierra Denali.
With the trick off-road setup from the lifted suspension and off-roading tires, the Sierra AT4 was surprisingly smooth on the road yet proved to have respected off-roading prowess. Never did the Sierra AT4 feel as if it was unsettled on or off the road with the one exception of a bit too much body bounce going over a bumpy bridge with repetitive surface dips.
Having the option of equipping the new Sierra AT4 with the brand’s 5.3-liter V8 or the more powerful 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission found in my test vehicle, buyers have a bit of wiggle room for pricing based on their needs. With the 6.2-liter power comes on strong with the optional performance exhaust and intake and is more of a confidence in performance without a load as it would be more so hauling just over 1,700 pounds or tow up to its 9,400-pound limit.
Setting the new Sierra AT4 apart from other trucks starts with its best-in-class front head and leg room, which was surreally appreciated with my 6-foot-3-inch frame. There’s ample room in the crew cab Sierra and the cabin is adorned with a good amount of soft-touch surfaces and plenty perforated leather seating surfaces with heated and ventilated front seats. The other feature that stands out in a crowd is the new multifunction tailgate, dubbed the Multipro Tailgate, which manages to be quite the useful feature due to allowing me to have more leverage in reaching and grabbing items out of the bed. The multifunction Multipro tailgate combines a nifty folding action that nearly cuts the gate in half while having a few additional tricks up its sleeve such as a neat step system that makes you feel as if you’re simply climbing “normal” steps up to the bed.
The Sierra AT4 opens up a vast set of options. Many of those benefits of the AT4 trim include a color heads-up display with an off-road inclinometer, a 360-degree high-definition surround vision camera system with several live viewing options when trailering, a rear camera mirror system (live camera feed from the tailgate camera displayed in the review mirror), additional storage found in the rear seatbacks, all LED lighting inside and out, a dual exhaust system, active safety features of forward collision warning with emergency braking and blind spot monitors, front pedestrian braking, rear cross traffic alert, and lake keep assist with lane departure warning. The infotainment unit is of the latest variety from GM featuring the 8-inch touch-screen with many straightforward menu sets with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The only complaint about the infotainment unit is there was no physical camera button requiring me to go through the home menu screen and swipe until I came to the menu with the camera option. Fumbling through the screen isn’t welcomed to simply bring up the camera when you need it to either park in a tight spot, navigate rough or steep terrain, or get a quick view of your trailer hookup out back.
GMC’s professional grade moniker goes the distance with the new Sierra and the AT4 trim is a special offering that many have been asking for where there isn’t much compromise. Starting at a price of about $50K, the AT4 is a welcomed addition to the many trim levels of the all-new Sierra adding to its appeal to run against the stiff competition. Though, some of the unfortunate aspects of the new GMC Sierra is that its interior doesn’t really push the envelope when compared to many other newly redesigned trucks. Still, the GMC Sierra AT4 gives everyone a step in the right direction for a multipurpose full-sized truck that can be clad with the comforts that were once reserved for upper-level trims. The AT4 is having your cake and eating it too just don’t expect to overindulge because there are a lot of truck offerings out there to compete on the same level.
My new 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 loaded up with several desirable options tested out at a price of just over $64,000 before the currently-offered incentives and dealer discounts.
>> Get the best price on the GMC Sierra from a network of local dealers now. <<
