Look, if you’re dropping nearly a hundred grand on a truck, you probably think you’re getting the ultimate "do-it-all" machine. And on paper, the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X is exactly that. It’s a heavy-duty beast that promises to tow your house on weekdays and crawl over boulders on weekends. But honestly? Reality is a bit more complicated than the brochure makes it sound.
I’ve spent enough time around these rigs to know that the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X isn't just a "lifted Denali." It's a very specific tool. If you buy it for the wrong reasons, you’re going to end up frustrated by the bouncy ride and the fact that it’s physically too big for most driveways. But if you get it? Man, it’s something else.
The Multimatic Secret Sauce
The biggest deal with this truck—the thing everyone talks about but few actually explain—is the Multimatic DSSV dampers. Most heavy-duty trucks use traditional shocks that feel like pogo sticks when the bed is empty. GMC decided to throw in spool-valve technology, which is usually reserved for supercars or high-speed desert racers like the Chevy Colorado ZR2.
Does it turn the 2500 into a Cadillac? No. Not even close. In fact, some owners, like Benjamin Hunting over at Capital One, have noted that the ride can feel surprisingly "crashey" over rough asphalt when you aren't carrying a load. But here’s the trade-off: when you leave the pavement, those shocks are magic. They stay planted where other HD trucks would be skipping across the dirt. You get 11.6 inches of ground clearance right out of the box, which is wild for a truck this heavy.
AT4X vs. AEV Edition: Is it worth the extra cash?
You’ll see two versions of this truck on the lot. The standard AT4X and the AEV Edition.
The AEV version adds stamped steel bumpers and heavy-duty boron steel skid plates. It looks meaner. It is tougher. But it also adds weight. If you’re actually planning on hitting tight trails, the AEV's steel bumpers provide better approach angles (about 29.8 degrees), but keep in mind that the extra hardware actually lowers your payload capacity.
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- Standard AT4X: Uses aluminum skid plates and plastic-trimmed bumpers.
- AEV Edition: Swaps those for steel, adds Salta wheels, and includes a winch-capable front bumper.
The Towing Paradox
Here is the part that trips people up. You buy a 2500 because you want to tow. But the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X actually has lower towing specs than a base-model Sierra 2500.
Why? Because of that 1.5-inch factory lift and those 35-inch Goodyear Territory MT tires. The suspension is softer for off-roading, which means it can’t handle the same tongue weight as a stiffly-sprung work truck.
A standard 2500 Crew Cab can tug up to 22,500 pounds. The AT4X? You’re looking at a max of 18,500 pounds for conventional towing. Don't get me wrong, 18k is a lot of trailer. But if you’re hauling a massive horse trailer or a triple-axle toy hauler, you might actually be pushing the limits of this "off-road" trim faster than you’d think.
Real-World Towing Issues
One thing nobody mentions is the height. Since the truck is lifted, a standard 2-inch drop hitch might not be enough. I’ve seen guys having to buy 6-inch or even 8-inch drop hitches just to get their trailer level. And because it sits so high, reaching into the bed to hook up a gooseneck is basically a workout.
That Duramax Punch
If you’re buying this truck, just get the diesel. Seriously.
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The standard 6.6L gas V8 is fine, I guess. It makes 401 horsepower. But the 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel is the heart of this thing. For 2024, GMC bumped it up to 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque.
The way this engine works with the 10-speed Allison transmission is incredible. It doesn't hunt for gears. It just finds a wave of torque and stays there. On the highway, you’ll see maybe 16-18 mpg if you’re lucky and the wind is at your back. Towing? Expect that to drop into the low teens. But the exhaust brake on the Duramax is a lifesaver on downhill grades—it’s aggressive and keeps you from cooking your rotors.
The "Obsidian Rush" Interior: Luxury or Just Fancy?
GMC calls the AT4X interior "Obsidian Rush." It’s basically black leather with white and red stitching and some Vanta Ash wood trim. It feels expensive. The seats even have a massage function.
But there’s a catch.
The tech can be... finicky. The 13.4-inch infotainment screen is beautiful, but it's powered by Google Built-in. Some owners have reported that the system occasionally "blanks out" or loses sound for the blinkers and radio. It’s a known software bug that GMC is still ironing out. Also, that massive column shifter? It actually blocks the top-left corner of the touchscreen from the driver's perspective. It’s a weird design choice for a truck that costs this much.
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What it’s like to actually live with
Daily driving a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X is an exercise in patience.
You can’t go through most car washes. You’ll be doing five-point turns in grocery store parking lots. And the hood is so high that you could basically hide a small car in the front blind spot. GMC tries to fix this with 14 different camera views, including the "Transparent Trailer" mode, which is genuinely cool tech. It uses a rear camera to make your trailer "disappear" on the screen so you can see what’s behind you.
Common Gripes from the Forums
- The Step-In Height: Even with the power running boards, it's a climb. If you’re under 5'10", you’re going to be using the grab handle every single time.
- The "Blinker Silence": As mentioned on Reddit and KBB reviews, there's a weird glitch where the "tick-tock" sound of the turn signal just stops working until you restart the truck.
- DEF Consumption: The 2024 model seems to be a bit thirstier for Diesel Exhaust Fluid than previous years, especially if you’re idling a lot.
Actionable Insights for Buyers
If you’re on the fence, here is how you decide:
- Check your garage height first. This truck sits nearly 83 inches tall. Most standard residential garage doors are 7 feet (84 inches). It’s going to be tight.
- Evaluate your payload needs. If you plan on putting a heavy camper shell and towing a heavy trailer, look at the payload sticker on the door jamb. The AT4X has a lower payload (around 3,300 lbs) than the standard AT4 or Denali.
- Test drive the DSSV shocks. Don't just drive it on a flat highway. Find a road with some expansion joints or potholes. You need to know if you can live with the "HD truck wiggle" that these shocks don't entirely eliminate.
- Skip the AEV Edition unless you're hitting rocks. The standard AT4X is plenty capable for 99% of people. Only pay the $9,000+ premium for the AEV package if you actually need the steel underbody protection.
The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X is a statement piece. It’s for the person who wants the most aggressive, most capable heavy-duty truck GMC has ever built and is willing to trade a little bit of towing capacity and a lot of parking ease to get it. Just make sure you've got a good drop hitch and a lot of patience for the infotainment updates.
Before you sign the paperwork, go to the dealership and actually try to park it. If you can handle the size, the performance of that Duramax engine will probably make you forget about the price tag.