gmc sierra-1500 Full Overview

We got super excited when GMC finally pulled the wraps off of the company’s worst-kept secret: the new 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X. Though we appreciated the all-new Sierra 1500 AT4 when it debuted in 2019, we did have a few complaints. The truck’s interior was subpar, its technology a generation old, its exterior design polarizing, and, quite frankly, its included off-road hardware was not what we were expecting. Over the years, the Sierra 1500 AT4 has grown on us and become one of our favorite mid-grade off-road pickups. However, we still wanted more. Well, more has finally arrived, and it’s called the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X.

Trick Multimatic DSSV Dampers

The most impressive improvement of the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X comes from the inclusion of Multimatic’s DSSV dampers. First introduced to the pickup world on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, the Multimatic DSSV dampers replace the standard shock piston and shim stack with spool valves that can be tuned so that under light pressure (on-road) they are soft and compliant, and under heavy pressure (such as large bumps off-road) can firm-up greatly. By utilizing three separate spool valves, the DSSV dampers are able to provide both position- and velocity-sensitive damping in the same package. We did a deep-dive on the Multimatic DSSV dampers when they debuted on the Colorado, and aside from being upsized for use on the Sierra 1500 AT4X, the same technical concept still applies—read about it here.

2022 gmc sierra 1500 at4x first drive

Luxurious Interior Appointments

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X is an off-road truck, but that doesn’t mean the company skimped when it came to the interior. Rivaled only by the new Denali Ultimate trim, the AT4X is fitted with heated and ventilated 16-way adjustable front seats, upholstered in full-grain leather, with a new massage function (which is amazing). A new Obsidian Rush interior color boasts leather accents and authentic open-pore Vanta ash wood trim. Providing the tunes is a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system with Centerpoint surround sound. A 15-inch head-up display is standard, as are a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.4-inch infotainment screen. During our time with the truck, we found the interior to be exceptionally quiet, the seats exceedingly comfortable, and we genuinely enjoyed the amount of information provided by the massive array of screens. We understand the digital displays can be a distraction for some, but we appreciate them. The styling of this new interior is completely on-point, and we especially like the real wood and leather accents, and the massaging front seats. This is the interior that GMC should have had since 2019, but better late than never.

On-Road Ride and Handling

Hitting the road in an off-road truck often means sacrifice. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X. On the highway, the truck’s ride is firm without being harsh, which is a testament to the Multimatic DSSV dampers. Speed bumps and highway undulations are handled with ease, not upsetting the truck or its passengers. Twisty mountain roads are also no match for the 1/2-ton off-roader, which tracks true and flat without even a hint of body wallow, no matter how tight the curve is. Battling said curves was made easier by the truck’s nicely weighted yet highly responsive steering. We also appreciated the truck’s firm yet easy to modulate brake pedal, which allowed us to drive deep into the corners and get the truck slowed down quickly without upsetting the chassis. The Sierra AT4X really handled more akin to a performance SUV than a 1/2-ton pickup on the pavement.

We also enjoyed the performance from GMC’s tried-and-true 6.2-liter V-8 engine. Pumping out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, the 6.2-liter V-8 has plenty of power for merging, passing, and maybe even a little juvenile tire-spinning … not that we could ever be accused of such shenanigans. Power from the V-8 engine is routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission, which can now be operated by way of steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. When shifted into “L,” the paddles become active and allow the driver to select the maximum gear for the transmission. We used this function extensively during our time on the mountain roads and found gears 3 to 5 to be good for keeping downhill speed under control without overworking the friction brakes.

Control Where It Counts—Off-Road

The GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X was a joy to drive on the highway, but it was a downright blast in the dirt. Our off-road experience took us down desert two-track, through wide open sand washes, deep silt beds, and through slot canyons with massive vertical walls and tight clearances. We also descended and then drove back up massive, rutted hill-climbs. Right off the bat, the Sierra 1500 AT4X showed that it is just as happy taking on rough trails as its smaller Colorado ZR2 cousin. The Multimatic DSSV dampers soaked up bumps, dips, and ruts with ease, and we never felt anything that could be misconstrued as shock fade. With the exception of the largest desert whoops, we found the Sierra 1500 AT4X’s 9.84 inches of front wheel travel and 10.62 inches of rear travel to be perfectly suited to all the desert had to throw at us as we blasted through the sand washes at speeds north of highway legal.

When the trial turned more technical the truck’s impressive off-road specs came in handy. With 11.1 inches of ground clearance, 25.5 degrees of approach angle, 23.0 degrees of departure angle, and GMC’s optional rock rails, the Sierra 1500 AT4X was able to easily navigate the toughest trails. (If you desire a better approach angle, the Silverado 1500 ZR2 might be worth a look.) Naturally, with an independent front suspension and relatively small 32.5-inch tires, we weren’t about to take on the trails strewn with Volkswagen-sized boulders, but that should go without saying. While the locking front differential proved invaluable for climbing steep, rutted hills, the rear locking differential was our favorite feature, as it can be engaged at any time (in two- or four-wheel drive) and used at any speed, as long as the truck is in Off-Road mode.

Speaking of drive modes, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X comes equipped with both Off-Road and Terrain drive modes. Much like the 2022 GMC Hummer EV, the GMC’s Off-Road drive mode is intended for high-speed off-road driving, whereas its Terrain drive mode is ideal for slow and technical driving. Both drive modes remove some of the electronic nannies, in addition to adapting throttle input, transmission shift strategy, and steering feel. The Terrain drive mode takes things a bit further and allows for “one-pedal driving,” meaning that the truck manages the braking, allowing the driver to focus on steering and throttle input. We found Terrain mode to be most effective when crawling up or down hills and over rocks. Usable in high or low range, the Terrain drive mode works as a sort of faux low range by dragging the friction brakes. This allows for great control going down hills, and takes a large amount of throttle input to begin moving, effectively damping out sudden and accidental power commands (aka: throttle jabs). The new Terrain drive mode effectively makes hill descent control obsolete, however the Sierra 1500 AT4X is still equipped with this function as well.

The name of the off-road game is control, and the Sierra 1500 AT4X plays it very well overall. The Multimatic DSSV dampers control suspension movement well, and the truck’s new drive modes work well to control throttle and braking, and the front and rear locking differentials manage wheel spin on soft or loose surfaces. We were able to push the AT4X fairly hard and the truck always managed to keep its composure.

Wait, the AT4X Costs How Much?

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X carries a starting price of $77,395, which includes the $1,695 destination and delivery charge. That might seem a bit steep, but it’s worth noting that the Sierra 1500 AT4X comes with an interior that is very similar to that of the new Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate, as well as the powerful 6.2-liter V-8 standard, and the amazing (and expensive to produce) Multimatic DSSV dampers. For comparison, the 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate starts at $82,795.

If that’s still a bit too rich for your blood, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 starts at just $64,845. However, you’ll be sacrificing a lot of the interior comfort bits, along with the trick suspension, in an effort to reduce the price. Checking all the boxes will bring the AT4 interior more in spec with the AT4X but will raise the ask to about $70,000. If you’re looking for a bit more wheel travel and have the $77k, you could instead opt for a base 2022 Ram 1500 TRX or a well-appointed Ford F-150 Raptor.

Sierra AT4 vs. AT4X: What’s the Difference?

Choosing between the GMC Sierra AT4 and new AT4X could prove daunting for those who are less well-versed in the world of off-road pickups. There are a few things that account for the $12,500 difference price between the AT4 and AT4X. First, the AT4X comes with all of the premium interior upgrades as standard. The AT4X gets only the 6.2-liter gasoline V-8, but the AT4 can be had with either the 6.2-liter V-8 or 3.0-liter Duramax diesel I-6 engine. The AT4X comes with 32.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, and the AT4 gets 32.0-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory rolling stock. The AT4X gets more off-road hardware in the form of the Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear electronic locking differentials, and available rock rails, whereas the AT4 comes fitted with Rancho twin-tube shocks and an automatic “G80” rear locking differential.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X: Final Thoughts

We have been big fans of GMC’s AT4 sub-brand since its introduction on the 2019 Sierra 1500. Unsurprisingly, we’ve also been impressed by Multimatic’s DSSV dampers and the off-road hardware included on Chevy’s Colorado and Silverado ZR2 pickups. Now that the AT4X has begun making its way out into the wild and we’ve had the opportunity to slide behind the wheel, we can finally say with authority that the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X might just be the ultimate jack-of-all-trades off-road pickup. Not only does the AT4X drive fantastically off-road through all types of terrain, but it also has impressive on-road manners, great interior comfort and technology, and a gorgeous new exterior. If you’re looking for a truck that can truly go anywhere and do anything, this is it.

Watch Episode 1 Of The 4×4 Garage Video Series!

4×4 Garage, sponsored by RealTruck, is the new video series that shows you how to make smart modifications to your real-world 4×4. In Episode 1, Four Wheeler’s Christian Hazel tears down the suspension of a 1988 Ford Bronco for a 6-inch Superlift system and dives into the axles to prep them for new 4.88 gears and Eaton TrueTrac differentials to support the 37×12.50R17 Falken A/T3W all-terrain tires for awesome performance. To stay up-to-date on the latest episodes by subscribing to MotorTrend’s YouTube channel today!

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2022 gmc sierra 1500 at4x first drive
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2022 gmc sierra 1500 at4x first drive
2022 gmc sierra 1500 at4x first drive
2022 gmc sierra 1500 at4x first drive

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