2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV

Luxury pickup trucks are very popular now. Test drove a GMC 1500 AT4X AEV, one of the most expensive 1/2 tons from GM. It was nice luxurious, ride like a car with multimatic SDDV dampers (shocks) self adjusts with piggyback fluid revisors doing well off-road and on asphalt. Full grain leather seats, both rows of seats are heated, front seats are cooled and steering wheel is heated.  And my favorite diesel  the Duramax 3.0L inline 6 cylinder was smooth, quiet and great fuel mileage. We towed a 7376 lb. trailer. This is an off-road truck with it’s Multimatic SDDV dampers which are shocks that self adjusting for highway or rocks. Yes luxury $88,585 MSRP. Engine the Duramax 3.0L turbo inline 6 diesel at 305 horsepower and 495 torque at 2750 RPM. a true torque monster. And matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission. You can get this diesel engine for the same price as the 6.2L gas V-8. This truck is rated  to  tow 8500 lbs. of trailer. If a more basic truck, it could tow 12,000 lbs. But this is a durable off-road truck. Factory 2 inch lift, 33 in  tall tires and the AEV package with boron steel skids plates on both differentials, transfer case and fuel tank. Front and rear bumpers from AEV special metal, tow hooks, and 12-spoke high gloss black aluminum wheels, rock rails and special decals. To contain mud, AEV all-weather floor liners.

I’ve seen this 3.0L Duramax diesel beat highway fuel mileage by the EPA’s 20 mpg. This diesel is one of  the quietest diesels in a truck.  With the Multimatic SDDV shocks, also one of the smoothest  ride. I don’t like the rock rails, if you need that kind of off-road protection, they will help. But for most of us, we try to use them as a running board, but too narrow to keep your feet on. The  console shifter is awkward remembering which button is reverse and which on is park. The  truck didn’t come with towing mirrors as they are an option. Standard mirrors are wider than average. Which work well if you are towing a flatbed, but not efficient with a cargo or RV trailer. Brake controller is in a good place on the center console. 15 in heads up display is a good safety device to keep your eyes on the road. 13.4 in center stack touch screen,  adaptive cruise control even with a trailer. An interesting setup with this diesel,  the exhaust brake and tow haul mode turn on together and can’t be separated. 3.23 rear axle ratio is more for fuel mileage than towing. My favorite option is the massaging seats. Carol in the picture is the new Mrs. Truck. Married a couple weeks ago in the cowboy church in Johnstown. She knows trucks and has a Ram 2500 with Cummins.