GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X to Get Standard Diesel Power Next Year
Ford stopped offering a diesel option in the F-150 a couple years ago, but its rivals have carried on. GMC offers a fantastic 3.0-liter Duramax Diesel in the Sierra 1500, and it’s becoming standard in 2024 for the AT4X off-road trim.
The engine got a refresh for 2023, now making 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. GMC said the 10 percent horsepower bump and 7.6 percent increase in torque come from new steel pistons, a retuned turbo compressor, new fuel injectors, and better temperature control. It’s paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Diesel engines’ low-end torque makes them excellent for off-road applications, where low-speed pulling is the name of the game.
Though it’s beefed up for off-roading, you’d never know it by looking at the AT4X’s interior. Why off-road if you can’t do it while sitting on full-grain leather upholstery and looking at real ash wood trim?
The Sierra’s base turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder got a new name but retained its already-decent specs. Now called “TurboMax,” the engine makes 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque.
GMC updated the rest of the Sierra line with new power side steps for the plush Denali, Denali Ultimate, AT4, and AT4X models. Some trims are available with a new active exhaust system, and GMC offers new wheel designs and paint colors.
[Image: GMC]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
More by Chris Teague
Comments
Join the conversation
Most posts onGM trucks mention poor quality. My coworker told me he is done with GM. 2019 Silverado. 100,000 miles. Mostly highway. Never pulled a trailer. Tranny went out - $8800. AC crapped out $2200.
Just like VW, there are too many reports to ignore. I d go RAM.
Diesels are AMAZING engines, and especially appropriate for trucks small (like these) and above all larger ones, where they got FANTASTIC fuel economy (although those big trucks can barely make 65 MPH). I rented one of them from Penske to drive my 200 box of books etc from SE MI to TOronto in 2020. Besides, of course, my two E class diesels.
I wonder what the cost of a diesel vs a ice. Does that cost justify the ?upcharge
Well, that's one way to kill your product's competitiveness. Expect terrible reliability records and class-worst performance numbers. And that's before we get into the fact that most modern diesels can't achieve anything remotely like the emissions numbers they are required to in real-world usage.