2026 GMC Sierra 1500
T1-platform generation (2019–2026, refreshed for 2022); an all-new 2027 Sierra 1500 arrives late 2026
Spec plateChecked Sep 2026
- Starting price
- $38,300
- 4x4 from
- $42,900
- Max towing
- 13,300 lb
- Max payload
- 2,230 lb
- Most power
- 420 hp
- Ground clearance
- 11.5 in
AT4X (including AT4X AEV Edition)
Our verdict
The AT4 is a lifted, Autotrac-equipped Sierra with a rear locker and a standard diesel, and it works well on rough roads and moderate trails. The AT4X adds the hardware that matters most off-road, DSSV dampers and lockers front and rear, at a price near $80,000. With the next-generation 2027 Sierra due at the end of the year, 2026 models should be negotiable.
Best for
Buyers who want a premium full-size cabin with serious off-road hardware, especially the AT4X's DSSV dampers and two lockers.
Skip it if
You're shopping on price, since a Silverado Trail Boss or ZR2 offers similar hardware for less, or you'd rather wait for the redesigned 2027 Sierra.
Strengths
- AT4X pairs Multimatic DSSV dampers with front and rear e-lockers
- 3.0L Duramax (305 hp, 495 lb-ft) is standard on AT4 and AT4X and returns up to 24 mpg combined in other 4WD trims
- Up to 13,300 lb towing and 2,230 lb payload
- AT4X has a 34-degree approach angle behind its AEV front bumper
Weak spots
- AT4 starts at $67,000 and AT4X at $79,600 before destination
- Some lower 4WD trims use a single-speed transfer case with no low range
- AT4X tow ratings top out at 8,700 lb (6.2L) and 8,500 lb (diesel)
- GMC says 35-in tires will not fit a Sierra 1500
Capability vs other full-size trucks
- Cabs
- Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab
- Bed lengths
- 5.8 ft, 6.6 ft, 8 ft
- Fuel economy
- 15–24 mpg combined for 4WD models per fueleconomy.gov (gas 15–18; 3.0L Duramax 19–24, with the AT4X diesel at 19)
- Pricing notes
- Excluding destination: Pro Regular Cab 2WD $38,300; Pro Regular Cab 4WD $42,900 (cheapest 4x4, per Cars.com). GMC.com trim starts: SLE $48,700, Elevation $50,500, SLT $55,100, Denali $66,100, AT4 $67,000 (Duramax diesel standard), AT4X $79,600, Denali Ultimate $84,400. AT4X AEV Edition is a package on AT4X.
- Configurations
- Crew Cab on every trim (short or standard bed), Double Cab on Pro, SLE and Elevation (standard bed), Regular Cab on Pro only (standard or long bed). AT4 is Crew Cab 4WD with short or standard bed; AT4X is Crew Cab 4WD short bed only.
Off-road hardware
4WD / AWD system
AT4 and AT4X use a two-speed Autotrac transfer case (automatic 4WD mode plus 4-Low). GMC says some 2026 Sierra 1500 4WD models have a single-speed transfer case with no low range; those get a Terrain mode that mimics 4-Low at crawling speed without the torque multiplication. GM does not publish the 4-Low ratio.
Locking differentials
AT4X (and AT4X AEV Edition): front and rear electronic locking differentials, a combination GMC says no class competitor offers. AT4: automatic locking rear differential. SLE lists the auto-locking rear as a standard feature, and trims above it inherit it.
| Approach angle | 34.0° |
|---|---|
| Breakover angle | 24.4° |
| Departure angle | 24.4° |
| Ground clearance | 11.5 in |
| Water fording | Not published |
Off-road tech
- Multimatic DSSV dampers (AT4X)
- Front and rear electronic lockers (AT4X)
- Two-speed Autotrac transfer case (AT4, AT4X)
- Hill Descent Control
- Terrain mode (4WD models with the single-speed transfer case)
- Rancho monotube shocks (AT4)
Engines & transmissions
| Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L TurboMax turbo I-4Standard on Pro, SLE and Elevation. | 310 hp | 430 lb-ft | 8-speed automatic |
| 5.3L V8Standard on SLT and Denali; available on lower trims. | 355 hp | 383 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic |
| 6.2L V8Standard on Denali Ultimate; available on AT4 and AT4X (and SLT, Denali). EPA lists it on premium fuel. | 420 hp | 460 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic |
| 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel I-6Standard on AT4 and AT4X; available on SLE, SLT, Denali and Denali Ultimate. | 305 hp | 495 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic |
The off-road trims
AT4
2-in lift with Rancho monotube shocks, two-speed Autotrac transfer case, automatic locking rear, skid plates and Hill Descent Control; 20-in all-terrain tires or available 33-in MT; 11.1-in clearance (short bed).
AT4X
Adds Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear e-lockers, an AEV steel front bumper with winch capability and boron-steel front skid plate, and 33-in Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires on 18s; 11.5-in clearance, 34-degree approach.
AT4X AEV Edition (package on AT4X)
AEV steel front and rear bumpers, five hot-stamped boron steel skid plates, AEV Salta wheels and rocker protectors; GMC lists 11.4-in clearance and 34/24.4/24.4-degree approach/departure/breakover.
What's new for 2026
Carryover lineup and powertrains. A Sport exhaust calibration becomes available with the 6.2L on SLT, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate and is standard on AT4X, and Glacier White Tricoat and Coastal Dune replace two colors. This is the last model year before the redesigned 2027 Sierra 1500.
Rivals worth a look
Sources & data notes
These specs were checked on September 24, 2026 against the sources below, starting with the manufacturer's own material. When a figure isn't published, we leave it blank instead of estimating. Ratings are maximums for the best-equipped configuration; confirm yours on the door-jamb labels.
Sources for this page 11
- gmc.comgmc.com/trucks/previous-year/sierra/1500
- gmc.comgmc.com/trucks/previous-year/sierra/1500/at4
- gmc.comgmc.com/gmc-life/at4x-aev
- gmc.comgmc.com/future-vehicles
- gmc.comgmc.com/content/dam/gmc/na/us/english/index/about/trailering-towing/2026-pdfs/2026-gmc-sierra-1500-trailering-charts.pdf
- gmauthority.comgmauthority.com/blog/gm/gmc/sierra/2026-gmc-sierra/
- gmauthority.comgmauthority.com/blog/gm/gmc/sierra/2026-gmc-sierra/2026-gmc-sierra-1500/2026-gmc-sierra-1500-changes-updates-new-features/
- gmauthority.comgmauthority.com/blog/gm/gmc/sierra/2027-gmc-sierra/
- cars.comcars.com/research/gmc-sierra_1500-2026/trims/
- edmunds.comedmunds.com/gmc/sierra-1500/2026/features-specs/
- fueleconomy.govfueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/model?year=2026&make=GMC
Understand the hardware
