The GMC Sierra has a distinct look and it stands out in a crowd. During my test week with the New Sierra, I found out one of my employees photoshops himself in pictures with the Sierra and is saving up for his dream truck. I actually heard this more than once while driving around town. “You have a beautiful truck, it’s my dream truck”. Well, I am here to tell you that if I dreamed up a truck, it would look a lot like a GMC Sierra. It has everything I could think of and more. Let’s look at what I discovered with the all new 2023 GMC Sierra AEV edition.
GMC has teamed up with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) and is introducing the First Ever 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab AT4X AEV Edition. I was excited to see this on my list of test vehicles and the new Sierra did not disappoint. The combo effort has resulted in better off-road capability, luxury and technological advancements.
American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is a world-renowned premier supplier of quality aftermarket parts and accessories for vehicles geared toward recreational driving and overland adventure travels. AEV products are of high quality and built with advanced and innovative engineering and manufacturing processes. Their goal is not just to customize a vehicle, but to improve the vehicle’s look, functionality, and drivability on highways and trails.
GMC Sierra is already one of my top choices in the full size truck market. I believe GMC owners and enthusiasts will be impressed with the combined effort on the 2023 Sierra.
Exterior
The exterior of the 2023 Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab AT4X AEV is an attention-grabber, the design makes a lasting impression. My test vehicle was in Deep bronze metallic, which looks like a deep green with mixed in gold to me but it changes with the time of day. It is a really cool color. The body looks muscular and like the truck can handle anything.
The AEV package gives the Sierra a distinctive off-road persona. Equipped with beefy all-terrain tires, a reinforced heavy-duty suspension system, and robust skid plates, it stands ready for a challenge. The large, iconic grille is noticeably GMC. It is noticeable from a distance and contributes to the overall tough look of this truck. LED headlights and rugged styling details complete the bold aesthetic, ensuring that this truck turns heads wherever it goes.
One thing that has some practicality to it and the cool factor is the tailgate functionality. It can be lowered with a section that provides a step for getting into the bed of the truck. I helped a friend move a few items and this was really helpful. It also has a blue tooth sound system for tailgating.
2023 Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab AT4X AEV
Interior
The cabin is spacious, and there is a combination of comfort, convenience and technology inside the interior of the AT4X AEV. GMC definitely uses premium materials and quality products throughout including soft leather upholstery and authentic wood accents to create an ambiance of luxury. The cabin has plenty of storage which makes it a great work truck or for that awesome road trip or adventure.
The technology is intuitive, not a big learning curve on figuring out the basics. There are a lot of possible settings to tailor the vehicle to your needs. There are a lot of buttons which make things easy like opening or closing the tailgate. Towing is especially made easy with the buttons and interface. The displays stand out almost as much as the exterior, there is a 13.4″ diagonal infotainment center, 12.3″ diagonal digital driver information center and 15″ diagonal multicolor head-up display, offering over 40 inches of combined driver-focused digital displays — the most in its class. The 12-speaker Bose Premium Series with CenterPoint Surround Sound includes AudioPilot Noise Compensation technology to help keep the cabin quiet and a Richbass subwoofer. Listen to your favorite music outside the cabin as well — the standard 6-function MultiPro Tailgate includes the MultiPro Audio System from KICKER®†All the data you would want is there at your fingertips as well. We were surprised at how good this beast was on gas. There is plenty of space for driver and passengers. We fit 3 adults in the back and all said they had plenty of room.
Engine and Transmission
Beneath the hood lies a massive 6.2-liter V8 engine mated to a seamless 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain duo delivers a lot of horsepower and torque, it does so efficiently as noted earlier with the great gas mileage. On the highway, the acceleration is steady and adequate. It’s summer here so I didn’t get to test it in rain or mud but off-road it perfroms and there is plenty of power. One of the highlights for me was the responsiveness of the accelerator.
Options Packages
One of the standout features of the Sierra 1500 is its versatility in options packages. It offers a range of packages catering to various preferences, be it technology enhancements, off-road prowess, or premium luxury. The AT4X AEV package, specifically tailored for off-road aficionados, takes the truck’s ruggedness to the zenith. It includes an array of off-road-focused components such as specially tuned shocks, all-terrain tires, and a locking rear differential, enabling you to tackle the toughest trails with confidence.
Towing Capabilities
When it comes to towing, the 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV is in a league of its own. With a remarkable maximum towing capacity of up to 13,000 pounds. If you have to tow things, this is definitely a truck you want to consider.
2023 Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab AT4X AEV
Safety Features
Frankly, I felt safe just being in this hulk of a truck and sitting above traffic but GMC does have a lot of safety features built in as well.
It comes equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking are just a few of the technologies designed to protect you and your passengers. These systems work seamlessly to enhance safety and provide a sense of security during your journeys.
As a side note, my wife is terrified on the freeway with large 18 wheelers which are found frequently flocking together on I-10. She mentioned that she did not feel as anxious in the GMC as she felt more safe and secure.
Conclusion
In summary, the 2023 Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab AT4X AEV is a truck lovers truck. It offers comfort, performance, rugged toughness and all the modern technology that wasn’t in your Grandpa’s truck. It performed above expectations on and off-road. If you are in the market for a luxury truck that is tough enough to take almost anything you can throw at it then I would say this might be the one.
My test truck had an MSRP $90,935 with AEV options package at MSRP $6,895. You can get in a GMC Sierra starting at MSRP $66,800. Follow the link below for the official all things Sierra and to see all the trims and options.
https://www.gmc.com/trucks/previous-year/sierra/1500/at4
