If your recreational activities consist of hitting the trail in an off-road rig and you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you’re in luck because you can get one model that can handle it all. Today, there are street-worthy, off-road-ready models that come straight out of the factory. Even if you live in a place like South Carolina, known for its beaches, golfing, and just being a great place to retire, until you realize there are plenty of places hidden all around you for you to take your trail-ready truck or SUV, you’ll have a daily driver to get you to wherever you need to go. So what are you waiting for? Head on over to your South Carolina GMC dealer to find a brand-new model you can take to work and straight to the trail without any modifications.
Why Choose GMC?
There are quite a few automotive brands that carry off-road-ready vehicles now. So what makes GMC better than the competitors? Simply because it’s GMC.
Although its logo wasn’t seen on any trucks until 1912 once it was under full control of GM (General Motors), the roots of the renowned truck and SUV brand began as far back as 1900. As GM’s luxury truck division, focusing on trucks and SUVs only, GMC has been able to earn brand loyalty with its customers from its affordable premium quality models with driver-focused designs, offering impressive performances and capabilities across the board. Plus, GMC drivers can drive with confidence, knowing that their truck or SUV can handle any of their driving needs and will last them for many years without losing value.
Honestly, the question you should be asking is why you should choose anything other than a GMC. The most capable off-road vehicles are trucks and SUVs. GMC only produces SUVs and trucks, which leaves their focus on providing you with the most advanced, top-of-the-line features for the road and the trail. Why choose any other brand which also has to focus on their commuter-only sedans, crossovers, or performance cars?
Let’s not forget the affordability of GMCs. Your off-road warrior with a satisfying and plush interior is available with a price tag much less than those found on the full-luxury models like those from brands like Land Rover. If you’re looking for a rich commuter vehicle that performs as well in the roughest of terrains as it does with bringing you to work during the week at a practical price, your GMC dealer is where you need to look for your next off-road vehicle.
What Is the AT4 Package?
While most GMC models can handle some form of off-roading, if you’re looking to travel further than your average 4×4 truck or all-wheel-drive SUV, you’re going to want to go with an AT4 model. The AT4 package may have only been available for the full-size Sierra pickup when it was introduced in 2019, but as of 2021, every GMC is available with the off-road-ready trim. This means that even if you need a vehicle capable of holding the family and all of their sporting or camping gear regularly but also want to be able to escape to the trail on the weekends, you have options.
You may be wondering what the AT4 package includes to make it more trail-worthy than other trim options and capable of competing with models like Ford Raptor. Well, let’s start at the beginning. All-Terrain 4WD, or AT4, is GMC’s off-road package that makes its premium models warriors of the lesser-traveled roads above all else. They provide impressive off-road capabilities and style with a touch of richness, loaded with premium style and features that can even handle the city street with ease.
Visibly, you won’t notice the rough and intimidating appearance found with other trail-ready models. Since GMC is a luxury line of trucks and SUVs, even its AT4 lineup has to meet certain standards with appearance. You will, however, notice on the exterior plenty of black chrome, eye-catchy red tow hooks, beefy grilles, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and factory lifts throughout the AT4 lineup. On the interior, as to be expected, you’ll find premium decor and materials, including brushed aluminum, embroidered logos, and Brandy accents throughout. Not to mention the number of tech features that come standard, like a 10.2-inch Google-enabled infotainment center to make connecting to your favorite Google apps a breeze, a high-definition rearview camera, as well as the typical Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, just to name a few, but what matters most, is what makes them trail-worthy.
Depending on which model you choose, on top of the features that help make the AT4 vehicles look like they can handle off-roading, you may be able to utilize the Active Torque Control AWD System, which automatically delivers engine power to the wheels that need it most to give you the most traction. Hill Descent Control is also available to help you descend those steep hills out on the trail smoothly and in a controlled fashion. Or you may find your model of choice is equipped with the Traction Select System with an Off-Road mode that gives you the power to optimize your vehicle’s performance based on the road conditions. Ultimately, no matter which GMC AT4 model you choose, you’re going to end up with a street-styled, trail warrior that can handle your daily commuting and towing needs just as well as any other truck or SUV, only you’ll be able to take your daily driver farther off the pavement than those built specifically for the road.
2022 GMC AT4 Models
One of the best parts of GMC expanding the AT4 package to all of its models is that you have a wide selection of options to choose from with a variety of capabilities. This means there’s an off-road-ready GMC that can meet all of your requirements in a daily driver and a trail rig. Whether you’re looking for an off-road model with great fuel economy, a model that has ample seating for your whole family and then some, or a heavy-duty truck with impressive working ability, there’s a model for you.
Trucks
If you’re in the market for a new off-road truck, GMC has a few truck options for you. Starting on the smaller end of its truck lineup, there’s the midsize 2022 GMC Canyon AT4 which on the street can tow a maximum of 7,700 pounds and carry a maximum payload of 1,570 pounds. Next in line is the light-duty, full-size 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4, which can tow a maximum weight of 13,200 pounds and haul up to 2,240 pounds. These weight potentials will vary depending on which engine option you choose.
SUVs
When you need roomy interiors for passengers and cargo, as spacious as the cabins of GMC trucks can be, an SUV is typically the better choice. They are also more fuel-efficient than trucks unless you choose a diesel pickup. Starting with the smallest and most efficient SUV option is the new compact 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 which seats up to five people with a passenger volume of 103.2 cubic feet, has up to 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, and is estimated to get 25 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The midsize, three-row 2022 GMC Acadia AT4, on the other hand, seats up to seven people with 143.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, has up to 79 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, and is estimated to get slightly less fuel economy with 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway, but it is rated to tow much more than the Terrain, up to 4,000 pounds.
The full-size 2022 GMC Yukon AT4 deserves to be in a class of its own based on its size and capabilities and is even available in a larger XL version for extra legroom and cargo space. While both sizes can seat up to eight passengers, depending on which Yukon you choose, you will get a maximum cargo volume between 122.9 and 144.7 cubic feet behind the front seats. As for towing, the smaller Yukon AT4 can handle up to an impressive 8,200 pounds, while the Yukon XL AT4 is rated for only 8,100 pounds which is still massive. Unfortunately, as grand as this SUV is in every other aspect, it gets the least amount of fuel economy, with only an estimated 14 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway.
Ready to Find Your New Off-Road Vehicle?
In today’s automotive market, there’s no need for you to have both a daily driver and a separate off-road rig. Buying an off-road-ready vehicle that seconds as a daily driver can save you money in the long run. But while saving money, there’s no need for you to have to sacrifice style or comfort. GMC has a whole lineup of premium trucks and SUVs that are affordable, stylish for both the street and the trail, and fully loaded for your convenience and comfort, all while being able to handle your daily driving tasks and still conquer any off-road adventure you take. If you haven’t checked out your local GMC dealer, you may want to if you want to find the best trail-ready daily driver.
