Farewell to Winter in the 2019 GMC Sierra AT4

At the tail end of winter, VUE had the opportunity to take our very own 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 up to Stowe, VT. A trip filled with all the cold-weather staples like ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowboarding and of course, an obligatory towing demonstrations with GMC experts. Looking back, it was the perfect way to say farewell to winter. Here is a look at our experience with the vehicle and its key features.

A Distinctive Look

While you may prefer the Denali’s classic GMC look, the 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 is bringing a lot of distinction to the brand with a dark-tinted and textured leather interiors. The cabin’s Kalahari accents and jet black detail give the Sierra a classy athletic endeavor to redefine everything you thought you knew about off-roading and tailgating. But it’s not always just what you see, because clever storage space and class-leading legroom are just as important, too.

Towing

During our journey up to Stowe, we stopped over at Billings Farm in Woodstock, VT for various towing demos. This demonstration gave us a close-up look at just how powerful and functional GMC’s trailering system with a GM Performance Engineer who showed us exactly how to tow a trailer with our 2019 GMC Sierra. Needless to say, the ProGrade Trailering System and App made it easier than we ever could’ve imagined.

First is the 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 ’s Hitch View, which is the truck’s rear vision camera that not only does what any good back-up cam can do, but it guides via the trailer hitch as well (the Sierra’s Segment-first rear camera mirror also aids with typical visual obstructions). This hitch guidance system made it easy for us to zoom in for those hard-to-fit places. The trailering system also features an automatic parking brake assist which goes a long way for stopping that extra movement when shifting back into park.

The other towing features include a hitch area lamp which is integrated into the tailgate for backing up at night, and a trailer brake controller to adjust depending on what you have in tow (in our case, snowmobiles). However the most interesting, we found, was the 2019 GMC Sierra Trailering App. This can be used via mobile or the truck’s infotainment system to do things like a light check and overall, make an easy experience, even more seamless.

Off-roading

At our final destination, we got an early morning start on route with the 2019 GMC Sierra’s off-road capability in Stowe. The Sierra is equipped with 4WD, hill descent control, red vertical recovery hooks (striking in appearance), locking rear skid plates, Rancho monotube shock absorbers–essentially everything one could possibly need given the elements we drove in. However the most noticable is the 2-inch factory suspension lift (which on the AT4 is higher than any other Sierra) making it the ideal model for off-roading. These features, and a more rugged, classic look set it apart from its overtly machismo competitors.

The 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 comes standard with a 5.3L V8 but has the option to upgrade for a 6.2L V8 (reaching an impressive 420hp). But still, the truck’s details are what caught our eye, particularly an industry-first MultiPro Tailgate which comes standard with six positions with second tier loading and a standing workstation. Upgrades are also available on the tailgate which includes speakers, USB/aux inputs and GMC’s 4G LTE WiFi. Bottom line, the tailgate’s many functions whether in the mountains or at a game showcase the ultimate versatility. In closing, from our experience, the 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 could make a great alternative to the Denali models for those who want to get a little more “hands-on.”

MSRP for the 2019 GMC Sierra AT4  starts at $50,800. Visit GMC.com for more information.

Photos by TalismanPHOTO