When it comes to trucks in America, there’s always a tug-of-war over who builds the baddest, most capable, and most feature-packed pickup. Truck buyers tend to chase the top of the ladder, and for many, compromise is not part of the deal. For 2026, GMC continues to play that game well with the Sierra 1500 AT4X, a trim that blends a Denali-like level of comfort with legitimate off-road hardware in a way that feels purpose-built for someone who wants one truck to do it all.
To push that idea even further, GMC still offers factory-installed AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) equipment. If you’ve followed AEV over the years, you already know the brand doesn’t mess around. On the Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition, GMC bakes in nearly $7,000 worth of AEV upgrades from the start, and you still get the peace of mind of a bumper-to-bumper warranty. That’s a big part of what makes this package so appealing for those who want to get out into the rough without immediately heading to the aftermarket.
For 2026, the Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition carries over with the same general formula, and honestly, that’s a good thing. The AEV content remains the star of the show, bringing hot-stamped boron steel skid plates that protect the areas you worry about most when you leave the pavement, including the front approach zone under the steel bumper, steering components, transfer cases, the fuel tank, and the rear differential. GMC also keeps the AEV stamped steel rear bumper, rocker protection that doubles as a usable step, 12-spoke gloss black Salta wheels, AEV-stitched headrests, and AEV all-weather floor liners. It’s not just decorative branding. Most of it has a real purpose, and it reinforces the AT4X mission of being a half-ton that’s ready to take abuse.
Power still comes from the familiar 6.2-liter V8, and it remains one of the big reasons the AT4X feels so effortless. Output stays at 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 4WD system also stays user-friendly, letting you run in 2WD High, 4WD Auto, or drop into 4WD Low when you need it. The ability to lock the front and rear differentials with the push of a button continues to be one of those features that makes you feel like the truck is always prepared, even if you’re the one still deciding how far you want to push the trail.
On the road, the Sierra AT4X AEV Edition behaves like a heavy truck with a lot of grip and a lot of suspension travel, which is exactly what it is. Acceleration remains strong for the segment, and getting to 60 mph in the mid-6-second range feels about right given the weight and the off-road-focused rubber. The 33-inch tires provide the bite you want on loose surfaces, and the MultiMatic DSSV shocks with their three spool valves still do an impressive job of balancing control with compliance. The truck does not feel soft or floaty, but it also avoids beating you up on imperfect pavement, which is not always the case for an off-road package. Towing tops out at 8,700 pounds and payload capacity is up to 1,290 pounds, keeping the AT4X in the realm of being a real working truck even with all the added hardware.
Some of the joys of such a truck come from its roaring exhaust note that you get in the Sport drive mode combined with a rather smooth ride quality thanks to the trick suspension setup. Moreover, despite still falling a little short of the power you get out of Ford F-150 Raptor, the GMC Sierra AT4X AVE Edition still brings you some serious goodies to conquer rough terrain and do it without much of a worry in having “trouble.”
With the AT4X equipment, the AEV add-ons, and those 33-inch tires, nobody buys this truck expecting fuel economy to be a highlight. For 2026, the EPA estimates of 14 mpg city, 16 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined are mostly dismal but at the expense of having fun with such a truck. Around town, I ended up hovering right around that 14-mpg mark, but it’s easy to dip into the low 13 mpg mark when traffic gets dense or you lean on the V8’s torque a little too often. On the highway, I found myself just shy of the estimate as well, and that’s usually the price you pay when you run at faster interstate speeds and let the truck stretch its legs.
One of the more interesting contradictions of the AT4X AEV Edition continues to be how plush it is inside. GMC still gives you a cabin that feels close to Denali territory, which means lots of comfort features mixed into a truck that’s clearly intended to see dirt. The heated and ventilated front seats remain excellent, and the massaging function is still one of those details you don’t expect in a truck built to crawl over rocks. You also get heated rear outboard seats, upscale stitching, a microsuede headliner, and enough soft-touch surfaces to make it feel like you’re in a luxury vehicle rather than a tool for punishment.
Technology also stays strong for 2026 with the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto continue to be the easy win here, especially since you can jump in, connect, and go without overthinking it. The MultiPro tailgate remains a standout party trick, not just because it folds and flips in multiple ways, but because it genuinely makes tailgating and loading tasks easier. The built-in Kicker audio setup tied into that tailgate adds a fun layer for anyone who treats the truck as a weekend hangout machine.
The Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition continues to come loaded with the active safety tech you’d expect at this price point. The multi-angle 360-degree camera system is still one of the best features for daily driving and trail use alike, giving you useful views of the bed, trailer hookup area, and blind spots around the truck. The digital rearview mirror remains a favorite feature, too, especially when rear passengers, cargo, or a piled-up bed would normally block your view through a traditional mirror.
Even in 2026, the AT4X AEV Edition still lands in that territory where you pause and ask yourself how many boxes one truck needs to check. The standard AT4X already feels pricey, and once you pile on the AEV gear, it’s not hard to see a loaded example hovering around nearly $90K, $89,945 for my test vehicle, which includes a $2,595 destination charge and a $1,500 AEV edition credit. That’s the big question for most buyers. Is the factory AEV package worth the jump when you’re not getting more horsepower or a different engine option? For the right person, the answer is yes, because you’re buying capability, protection, and a warranty-backed setup that would cost real money to replicate properly after the fact. For everyone else, it’s still a head-scratcher, but it’s a very well-executed head-scratcher that delivers exactly what it promises.
Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice in the automotive media world for over two decades. With 20+ years of hands-on experience covering the industry, Malcolm has built a reputation for delivering honest reviews, sharp insights, and in-depth coverage of everything from new car debuts to high-performance test drives. Passionate about the evolving car culture and staying ahead of the curve, Malcolm continues to lead Automotive Addicts as a go-to destination for enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
