GMC Introduces More Sensible 'Xtreme' Off-Road Truck

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Do you want heavy-duty work truck wrapped in black sheetmetal fit for a henchman? You’re in luck, my productive and sinister friend.

GMC has expanded its All Terrain X series to include the Sierra 2500HD. It joins the midsize Canyon and full-size Sierra 1500 in offering the X trim, but it’s squarely aimed at its offroad-ready, crosstown rival — the Ram Power Wagon.

Introduced in Austin, Texas, on Monday, the most noteworthy changes on the Sierra HD include Z71 off-road suspension, underbody shielding, a sports bar (no, not that kind of sports bar), Duratrac MT tires, and a locking rear differential. Other big changes revolve predominantly around appearance, which could be considered “tasteful” when compared to the Power Wagon. While a lot of shiny bits are now painted black, you won’t find oversized “All Terrain X” decals anywhere on this GMC.

That’s probably because it still considers itself a slightly more serious work truck. Its 6.0-liter V8 makes 360 horsepower and 380 pounds-feet of torque as standard. Should you choose to opt for the new 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8, to the tune of an additional $8,500, 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque are at the ready. That’s almost the same pulling power as a Super Duty hauling an entire stable of horses, not a fun-oriented ORV.

The pickup features a list of niceties that don’t come to mind when thinking about mud bogging or hill climbs — like GMC’s IntelliLink infotainment system with 8-inch color touchscreen, remote starting system, remote-locking tailgate, rear visibility camera, leather seats, and heated front seats and steering wheel.

While the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and forthcoming Ford F-150 Raptor are great choices for off-road enthusiasts, someone who needs a heavy-duty work truck isn’t going to give either serious consideration. But for the Power Wagon buyer, GMC is finally offering a badass alternative.

[Images: General Motors]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Mandalorian Mandalorian on Oct 13, 2016

    When thinking of my next vehicle, the adult in me says Suburban, but the kid in me says this.

  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Oct 14, 2016

    An appearance package. A decent LSD would of been better.

    • Stuki Stuki on Oct 14, 2016

      At least in the US, almost all GMs come with their somewhat unique, "spin sensing," auto locker. Not the most predictable thing in the world for technical rock crawling with tight clearances, but a pretty darned good solution for most traction problems big truck buyers normally experience (getting stuck, getting moving with a load and getting a boat up a slick ramp). And, nowadays, it seems to be pretty much bullet proof as long as tires aren't too big. Of course, jury's still out on how it will hold up behind the new, torque boosted Duramax....It's one of those designs that just look like it ought to break, as it works by allowing the big diesel and heavy driveline to build up massive momentum and then, Bang!, it locks. But GM seems to have had it under control for a long time now.

  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
  • Dave Holzman A design award for the Prius?!!! Yes, the Prius is a great looking car, but the visibility is terrible from what I've read, notably Consumer Reports. Bad visibility is a dangerous, and very annoying design flaw.
  • Wjtinfwb I've owned multiple Mustang's, none perfect, all an absolute riot. My '85 GT with a big Holley 4 barrel and factory tube header manifolds was a screaming deal in its day and loved to rev. I replaced it with an '88 5.0 Convertible and added a Supercharger. Speed for days, handling... present. Brakes, ummm. But I couldn't kill it and it embarrassed a lot of much more expensive machinery. A '13 Boss 302 in Gotta Have It Green was a subtle as a sledgehammer, open up the exhaust cut outs and every day was Days of Thunder. I miss them all. They've gotten too expensive and too plush, I think, wish they'd go back to a LX version, ditch all the digital crap, cloth interior and just the Handling package as an add on. Keep it under 40k and give todays kids an alternative to a Civic or WRX.
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