Workhorse or Overkill? A Week with the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X AEV

The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 4WD Crew Cab AT4X is a formidable heavy-duty truck that masterfully combines luxury, advanced technology, and unparalleled off-road capability. With its powerful 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 engine, robust towing and payload capacities, and premium interior features, it excels as both a workhorse and an adventure vehicle. The AT4X trim and the enhanced AEV Edition bring added ruggedness with specialized off-road components. However, while it impresses with performance and style, its massive size can make daily urban driving and parking a challenge, making it best suited for those who truly need its capabilities for work or outdoor pursuits rather than as a routine commuter.
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[@txGarage]

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[@josemuniz2878]

My dealership has a used 2024 AT4X AEV on sale for 92k. It has 11k miles. It looks so good.

[@robedmund9948]

Overkill? Yep! Overpriced? Yep! Worth it if you can afford it? Oh HAIL yes!!

[@alexgardner7779]

Nice truck. MSRP on mine was $106,000. For that you get zero 12 volt outlets in the cab, so no way to plug in the fridge, spotlight, portable radio, rechargeable flashlight, or radar detector you already own. (I’ve looked for adaptors for 12v to USB). Also no accessory (“upfitter”) switches, like those that come standard with higher trim levels on Dodge. And Jeep. AndFord. You can buy a GM accessory switch kit now, but it’s about $600 with the harness extension required to mount it, and it’s a HUGE pain in the ass to install, because the dash and console have to come apart. Also, tthe recommended mounting location is behind the steering wheel, in the bezel above the gauges, facing down -- so you have to reach through the steering wheel to switch on an accessory. That’s idiotic and dangerous. For $20 GM could have added a panel overhead, like other manufacturers. Also, installing the GM switch only gets a third of the job done, as the wiring harness doesn’t run switched, fused, power anywhere. You’ll have to run individual hot wires through the firewall if you want to power backup lights, ditch lights, etc. That was no big deal years ago when there was room to maneuver under the hood, but it’s a real rodeo on this truck. CarPlay works well, at least with an Apple phone, thank goodness, as that allows the use of a Garmin bluetooth switch for exterior accessories, and it give you better navigation that works through the infotainment system, but I haven’t figured out how to stop the constant reminders that I can subscribe to paid services through GM. I’m hoping that the rumors of GM discontinuing CarPlay support to force subscription-only navigation aren’t true… The Duramax and Allison are as wonderful as ever, There’s less power than the Cummins or Powerstroke options, but still more than I need, and I’m hoping the Duramax reliability is best in class. The suspension is fantastic - best in class, I think. We also appreciate the smaller sunroof that doesn’t bake the cab when it’s over 100 degrees. The AC works well too, although not as well as the AC in our Fords, Ram, Jeep, or Toyota. In our light-colored AT4X AEV truck it will eventually cool to downright chilly, even if it’s 105 degrees out, but it takes about 18 ro 20 minutes to get there, while the other makes get there in maybe 10 minutes or less. We can’t feel the seat cooling/venting at all, even on high. Neither can my buddies at work, though the GM service writer assures us it’s working as designed. Finally, the Bose stereo is lousy. I drive a lower trim level Tahoe at work, and the stereo sounds similar. I’m not an audiophile, I don’t need my neighborhood to hear my music, and I don’t need my mirrors to shake. I drove three rubber-floored, commercial-duty, stripper, Chargers for eight years…If the AT4X stereo had been as good as the stereo in the Chargers I wouldn’t have fussed with it (but still would have rolled my eyes at the notion that it was ‘high end”) Read on the forums. These are common complaints. The markup on car audio stuff is enormous. With GM’s purchasing volume/power GM could have matched the sound quality you find in all higher trim levels from other American manufacturers for about $50 per vehicle. For less than $200 per vehicle GM could have given us a decent stereo, accessory switching, 12 volt outlets, and other missing conveniences… There are other frustrating little issues, like the fact that the interior “refresh” eliminated all secure cell phone mounting solutions for those of us who go offroad (like the mounts sold by 69 Designs, BulletPoint, etc). Suction cup mounts fail in my trucks within a week of driving rough, dusty, roads… Next, GM’s OEM backup lights are pathetic, but the housings are sealed, so you can’t swap in any of the convenient aftermarket LED solutions that used to “plug-n-play” (and still do for trucks built by other manufacturers.). Also, depending on what you’re looking for, there are few to no aftermarket accessories available through places like Offroad Alliance, RealTruck, and others, so no easy plug-n-play wiring harnesses or other conveniences that are available for every other make. I assume GM made all of these choices to 1) Force purchase of only GM accessories, and 2) Push people to GM subscription services…. I get it, and some of the GM accessories are well made by the same aftermarket manufacturers (like Retrax, for example), but GM accessories are very limited, particularly when it comes to lighting options, and customers like having options. Don’t charge me an ultra-premium price and then deliver substandard convenience. With the possible exception of the anemic AC and uncomfortably firm, flat, seats, all of the shortcomings can be fixed with aftermarket solutions. I upgraded the stereo from lousy to mediocre for about $2500, added GM 12 volt outlets for about $40 and two hours of my time, and added a Garmin Powerswitch for $500, plus more of my time. I also added Banks gauges and pod for about $1000, so I could anticipate regens and monitor what was going on with my truck without looking down and toggling through menu after menu.. Once the rest of the shortcomings are addressed I’ll be a happy owner as long as the truck proves to be reliable and durable - but a vehicle with a price tag over $100,000 shouldn’t require this much extra money and work to get right.

[@txGarage]

Great info. Thanks 👍

[@jasonroy169]

My wife saw one of this pass us buy on a road trip, she said it’s way to big, but it looks super safe.

[@txGarage]

lol super safe for those in the truck for sure.

[@jasonroy169]

@@txGarage I had a jeep with steel bumpers, I’ve been rear ended and not a scratch. I think having a good attitude and AEV bumpers would make all the low speed fender benders sucks for who ever hits me while I drive home and laugh.

[@shimshonbendan8730]

*too big, not to big!

[@marksullivan8200]

It's built for guts that might have a ranch or a lot of property etc guys that normally view douchy guys that drive an equally expensive EV or hybrid with a smug look on their face thinking everyone should think & act like them it's also good for contractors that build houses for guys that choose to drive a laptop on wheels on their way to pander & virtue signal their agendas to belittle others to feel good about themselves to each their own we all do what works for us however not all of us are so judgemental remember as we point our finger at others 3 more are pointing back on us

[@txGarage]

lol thanks for the comment and I don’t think we disagree. There are plenty of guys here in Texas that do none of the things you mention and drive these trucks because they think they make them look tough.. and they drive them like it’s a race car. 🤷‍♂️ I’m not talking about the workers or those who live in the country and need a truck. Could just be me and the part of Dallas I’m around all day.

[@marksullivan8200]

@@txGarage I understand got a lot of them on both sides of the fence in Florida I tend to play devils advocate so to speak I'm more of a we all do what we think is best, & most people do so without judgement about what others do but there's always those on both sides thinking their way is the only way not realizing one size doesn't fit all great video great dialogue Thanks 👍

[@txGarage]

I’d agree and I’m not “on the other side of the fence” here. I’ll criticize both lol. I’m all for do what you want but I’m also not gonna shy away from telling people how I feel about them. Maybe doesn’t belong in a review and should save it for a rant video or something but too late for that.

[@shimshonbendan8730]

You wrote all of that without even using a period. Imagine you trying to read all that in one breath.

[@ULTRAMAGADEPLORABLEcultmember]

Stop eating carbs.

[@txGarage]

lol me or the truck? Oh yeah 👍 Thanks

[@f16grinch3]

My wife could drive this truck and complain less then u honey

[@txGarage]

Ummm cool