Although the capabilities of an off-road SUV like the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco can be impressive, I’ve always been a fan of powerful trucks for hitting the trail. There’s just something about a truck that feels at home beyond where the pavement ends, although we all know that not every pickup is built for more than cruising asphalt.
If you head to a GMC dealer, however, you’re going to find a couple of interesting options for off-road vehicles—trucks in particular. Not too long ago, the heavy-duty 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 was pretty much just for tackling work, but the addition of the AT4 and AT4X trims (and the latter’s available AEV Edition) has changed all of that. Do these trucks really have the chops for going off-road? Let’s take a look at them and see what they can offer…
Consider the 2025 Sierra 2500 AT4
For anyone interested in a powerful truck that can easily leave comfortable roads and civilization behind, the GMC Sierra 2500 is a good choice. For starters, we’re looking at the AT4 trim, which is the first of the two off-road trims available. I should point out that the Sierra 2500 is a lot more “truck” than most folks really need, and the Sierra 1500 is a fine choice for a full-size truck, with similar off-road trims available. But for anyone who needs something that can handle much more payload and towing than a light-duty truck, the Sierra 2500 is a good pick. Whether you’re looking for a work truck that can reach remote job sites or you just like having this kind of power in your off-road truck, it’s a great way to go.
The AT4 is only offered on models with a Crew Cab, giving it plenty of room inside for passengers, although it can be paired with either an 82-inch Standard Bed or the 98-inch Long Bed. This flexibility can be great for camping or overlanding, giving you plenty of space to load up with the gear you need while still enjoying impressive capabilities. GMC offers both the standard 6.6L V8 gas engine with 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque as well as the available 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 engine that delivers 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque on the AT4 trim. That lets you get the kind of power you need from your pickup, which impacts how it drives and the sort of towing capacity this truck can provide.
Every Sierra 2500 AT4 comes with four-wheel drive (4WD) since this is a trim built for going off-road, and both engines are paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission for a smooth drive on roads and trails alike. GMC gives this model an Autotrac two-speed transfer case with push-button controls that let you quickly swap between two-wheel drive (2WD), Auto, 4WD High, and 4WD Low. The automatic locking rear differential works well and can sense a difference of about 100 RPM in wheel spin to lock the rear wheels together for enhanced traction when you need it. You get skid plates to protect the underbody of the Sierra 2500 AT4, along with an off-road suspension that other trims don’t have, which helps it handle the roughest terrain.
GMC provides 20-inch wheels on the AT4 trim, which are wrapped in all-terrain tires to provide impressive traction in all kinds of conditions. Nice amenities like a spray-on bedliner, LED fog lamps, and Rainsense automatic wipers are all included to provide a great drive each day. This trim also comes with the MultiPro tailgate, which has EZ Lift, power lock/release, and six functions, including built-in stops and a step. Inside, you’ll find a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch Driver Information Center display, and a seven-speaker Bose Premium sound system. Overall, it’s an impressive truck that beautifully combines rugged muscle with sophisticated refinement.
Go Further With the Sierra 2500 AT4X
For greater off-road capabilities, the AT4X is the clear choice, especially when taken to its highest expression of trail-ready design. The AT4X is only available with a Crew Cab and Standard Bed (not the Long Bed), although it’s still offered with either the gas engine or the turbo-diesel. As you’d expect, 4WD is once again standard, along with the Autotrac two-speed transfer case and the four-button control system. This truck comes with a driver-selectable e-locking rear differential, however, which lets you activate it when you want to lock the rear wheels together rather than its system doing it automatically. You’ll find skid plates on this one, too, including front aluminum skid plates and a steel plate for the transfer case, providing impressive protection for the truck’s underbody.
One of the most notable differences with this trim, however, is that it includes an advanced off-road suspension with a 1.5-inch factory lift to enhance its ground clearance. This suspension features Multimatic DSSV dampers, including three separate spool valves and three connected chambers for fluid flow, providing incredible support in the roughest terrain. GMC gives this truck 18-inch wheels wrapped in massive 35-inch Goodyear Territory MT tires that provide incredible traction and grip in even the slipperiest and most challenging conditions. More than just a pinnacle off-road experience, the AT4X comes with stunning amenities like a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint sound system, full-grain leather seating (with 16-way power adjustability and massage functionality), and heated and ventilated front seats for enduring all kinds of climates.
Perhaps the most compelling thing about the GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X isn’t what’s included, however, but what’s available: You can get a package developed in partnership with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), which is one of the most accomplished outdoor and off-road specialists in the auto industry. The AT4X trim’s AEV Edition includes AEV-stamped steel front and rear bumpers, heavy-duty cast recovery points, and a stamped steel front approach, transfer case, and middle skid plates. Combined with its standard features, the result is an off-road beast that’s ready to go pretty much anywhere you can imagine and deliver next-level performance along the way.
I’ll admit that this is more “truck” that most outdoor enthusiasts are looking for or will ever need. However, for someone who wants to spend a few weeks overlanding in a truck that has the capabilities to tackle anything put in front of it, the specs on this powerful pickup are impossible to deny. After all, when properly equipped, one of these monsters can handle more than 15,000 lbs of towing, which is perfect for hauling a large boat or camper behind you on the trail. These are also great trucks for working outdoors, should you need to be able to go where few other pickups can reach.
What Makes an Off-Road Truck So Special?
At the end of the day, off-road trucks like the GMC Sierra 2500 AT4 and AT4X are built to go places that other vehicles can’t. Any truck with 4WD is a great choice for handling dirt and gravel roads, but they’re not always ready to climb over rocks, splash through creeks, or overcome stumps and fallen branches hidden by tall grass. That’s where these kinds of trucks come into play and when they can justify their rather high prices.
That said, these are ultimately niche trims that not everyone is going to choose; a lot of folks simply don’t need them. But for anyone interested in great performance, gorgeous interior details, and rugged capabilities on the trail, there’s no denying that the 2025 GMC Sierra 2500’s AT4 and AT4X trims (the latter made even better by the AEV Edition) are up to the task.
