GMC's AT4 Trim Explained

You can get a lot of extra off-road capability with the General Motors brand's AT4 trim if your budget can handle it.

Emme Hall | 

Mar 29, 2023 | 3 min read

GMC

Although pickup trucks and SUVs aren't generally synonymous with luxury, that's been GMC's bread and butter for years. For those who want premium materials and features in their workhorses, the Denali top-trim versions of GMC's vehicles are a fairly popular way to split the difference.

What is GMC's AT4 Trim?

In 2019 GMC introduced the AT4 trim on the Sierra 1500 full-size pickup truck. Since then, the AT4 spec, which stands for “All-Terrain 4WD,” has been introduced across the GMC lineup (only the Savana van and Hummer EV Truck and SUV don't offer it). Slotted between SLT and Denali trims or between the Elevation and Denali trims on the Canyon midsize pickup truck, the AT4 is meant for folks who want all the performance and luxury of a well-equipped GMC truck or SUV with added off-road capability.

All AT4 vehicles are either all-wheel or four-wheel drive. You'll find exterior black-chrome accents and an AT4-specific grille on all vehicles, but the trucks get red tow hooks. Also standard on AT4 trucks is a Jet Black interior with Kalahari accents.

GMC | Acadia AT4

AT4 Upgrades With GMC's SUVs and Crossovers

The GMC Terrain AT4 is a compact SUV that receives the fewest off-road upgrades. This new trim for 2022 includes an engine skid plate, Traction Select System with Off-Road Mode, Hill Descent Control, and Goodyear Sport Terrain tires. Inside, you’ll get more creature comforts like a heated steering wheel.

Moving up the lineup, the midsize Acadia AT4 gets a revised all-wheel-drive system (with standard hill descent and hill start assist), all-terrain tires, and an off-road mode. Outside, the Acadia AT4 wears 17-inch gloss-black wheels and black-cap mirrors. Inside, the Acadia AT4 gets standard heated front seats.

GMC | Yukon AT4

The full-size 2023 Yukon AT4 is available on standard or lengthened XL models and includes skid plates and an available air suspension for a 2-inch lift and nearly 32 degrees of approach angle. There's an electronic limited-slip rear differential and a 2-speed transfer case. Hill-descent control is included, as is Magnetic Ride Control. Outside, the Yukon sports 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, while the interior goes Jet Black with Brandy accents. First and second-row perforated leather seating with heated and ventilated front seats adorns the cabin as well.

GMC | Sierra 1500 AT4

AT4 Pickup-Truck Perks

Moving to pick-up trucks, the midsize Canyon AT4 is sold with off-road-tuned suspension, a locking rear differential, and 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires. Inside you'll find cloth or leather seating and standard heated front seats.

The full-size Sierra 1500 AT4 gets a 2-inch lift, off-road suspension with Rancho shocks, a locking rear differential, skid plates, mud-terrain tires, and the trick MultiPro 6-way tailgate. Inside are heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and plenty of screens if you opt for the available head-up display.

GMC | Sierra 2500 AT4

The AT4 trim available on the Sierra Heavy Duty trucks, adds skid plates, off-road suspension with Rancho shocks, an off-road mode, the MultiPro tailgate, and a camera system to make towing easier. Also standard are 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. Heated and ventilated leather front seats and a heated steering wheel round out the upgrades.

The Heavy Price of Going with GMC's AT4 Trim

Of course, these AT4 trim upgrades will cost you. The most affordable, the GMC Terrain AT4, starts around $37,000 — about a $6,000 premium over a base Terrain FWD in SLE trim. At the other end of the price scale, the 2023 GMC Sierra 3500 HD AT4 starts around $70,000, or about $25,000 on top of a base 3500 HD 2WD Pro trim that starts around $45,000.

Emme Hall

Emme Hall loves small convertibles and gets out to the canyons in her 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata whenever she can. You can also find her in the dirt in her lifted (yes, that's right) 2001 Mazda Miata, or racing air-cooled Volkswagens in races like the Baja 1000. She's taken first place twice in the Rebelle Rally — once driving a Jeep Wrangler and then a Rolls-Royce Cullinan the second time. She was also the first driver to take an electric vehicle to the Rebelle Rally when campaigning the Rivian R1T to a top-five finish.