The Trend of Bigger Trucks: Defiance or Personal Choice?
Trucks have been getting bigger and bigger, and it’s hard not to notice. Some people might think that this trend is fueled by the media’s demonization of trucks and their drivers. After all, mainstream news reporting has been met with overwhelming distrust and hostility in the past decade. Perhaps the engorgement of trucks is a form of defiance against the pearl-clutching screed of the month.
While some people might feel disgusted by lifted pickups, it’s important to remember that personal choice and responsibility are still mostly the law of the land. Those who need and want this size and capability can sign a foursquare for it. One such truck is the 2023 GMC Sierra AT4X, which was introduced for the 2022 model year.
The AT4X is a top-trim choice for Sierra buyers who prefer a butch style rather than the bling of a Denali. It offers even more off-road capability with 32” Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac M/T tires, a two-inch lift, and Multimatic DSSV dampers front and rear. These dampers are speed-sensitive, allowing the hulking truck to feel much smaller when driving quickly on twisty backroads as well as handling nasty off-road obstacles with poise. Despite the off-road focus of the AT4X package, this is a very livable truck in the pavement jungle.
Visually, the AT4X deviates from the Denali packages as a dark nickel finish replaces most of the chrome found on the lux trim. The Sierra might not be a beautiful truck, but it’s a bit more handsome after its recent refresh.
GMC has done a nice job updating the interior of the Sierra, too. The controls are well labeled, and the shift lever is intuitive. It’s a comfortable place to be, front or rear. The trailer brake controller falls readily to hand immediately behind the shifter, which is convenient when you need it NOW rather than pawing all over the dashboard while trying to manage trailer sway.
Under the hood, the AT4X is exclusively offered with the 6.2-liter V8 giving 420 horses and a lovely growl. Fuel economy suffers, with the 15mpg EPA combined rating seeming about right. The turbo sixes and hybrids offered elsewhere are a bit more appealing at the pump, but it’s hard to argue with the tried and true pushrod bent eight here when considering likely longevity. The standard ten-speed transmission also impresses, as it never feels like it’s hunting for a gear – it’s always seemingly in the right ratio and shifts seamlessly when called upon to do so.
The 2023 GMC Sierra AT4X seems to target buyers who might otherwise look at the aggro Raptor or TRX. While they haven’t done anything about the horsepower – this 420hp V8 can be had in a number of trims – this is plenty of power, and the look here is much more understated than the two rivals. For those who’d like to stay a little bit beneath the radar whilst negotiating the worst the backcountry can dish out, this is appealing.
In conclusion, the trend of bigger trucks might be seen as a form of defiance against media demonization or simply personal choice. Whatever the reason may be, the 2023 GMC Sierra AT4X offers impressive off-road capability, a comfortable interior, and a powerful engine. It might not be the most fuel-efficient option out there, but it’s hard to argue with its longevity and performance.
