Since the Ford Raptor began flying off dealer lots in 2010, Ram and General Motors have responded only halfheartedly, leaving the Blue Oval’s Baja racer in a class of its own. That will still be the norm for full-size pickups after the arrival of this 2019 GMC Sierra AT4, a far less intense off-roader than the latest Raptor or the Hellcat-powered Rebel anticipated later this year.
The AT4?which, a GM spokesman said, does not stand for “all terrain”?is a burlier, trail-hardened trim that will spread across the GMC lineup. It’s a relatively mild tweak of the all-new Sierra 1500 for less extreme off-road duty. Visually, it’s an SLT with a two-inch lift kit, red tow hooks, and enough darkened chrome pieces to pass for yet another “midnight” edition. Available in crew-cab trucks with the short bed, the AT4 has standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case (of course) and sports standard 18-inch wheels wearing mud-rated Goodyear Wranglers and suspended by Rancho monotube dampers that come from a small Michigan supplier. Optional 20-inch rims may fill in the giant air gaps in the fender wells. Embroidered headrests, darkened aluminum trim, and all-weather floor mats decorate the interior, which also features hidden storage space within the rear seatbacks and a large tray beneath the back seats.
New to the AT4 is the Traction Select System, GMC’s take on terrain mapping, which alters throttle, transmission, and sta...