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GMC Reveals New 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition at Overland Expo Pacific Northwest

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The AT4X by AEV features an increased tire size, stronger skid plates and steel bumpers to protect the vehicle’s body.

  • The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X has been upgraded by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), including special steel bumpers and tougher skid plates.
  • The AEV upgrades also allowed greater ground clearance and wider 33-inch tires like the Chevy Silverado ZR2 used.
  • Next year, GMC will release the AT4X AEV Edition, which features extra heavy-duty parts to withstand the extra wear and tear incurred in off-roading.
  • The AEV off-roading upgrades will eventually be standard on every 2023 AT4X.

Front three-quarter views of the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition (right) and the new 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X (left) parked off-road. Later in the 2023 model year, a new Sierra 1500 AT4X will be available with AEV-inspired enhancements, including a stamped steel winch-capable front bumper, boron steel front approach skid plate and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. Photo by GMC.

GMC just revealed the new 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition at Overland Expo Pacific Northwest near Bend, Oregon. The AEV Edition pushes the already highly capable, premium off-road Sierra 1500 AT4X trim to new heights, and provides unique styling cues and extreme off-road capability.

Bend, one of my favorite adventure sports towns is where everything Oregon converges. It rests at the base of the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains. The Deschutes River babbles through town along its course north to the Columbia. And everywhere you look, massive forests of hemlock and ponderosa pine loom. Bend has a little slice of everything readily available. It’s the perfect location reveal the new 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition.

Oregon’s Crooked River bends through Smith Rock State Park near Redmond, Oregon. Scenic area is popular for hiking, picnics, and rock climbing.

“GMC has been a pioneer in the premium off-road space and this Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition raises the bar yet again,” said GMC Global Vice President Duncan Aldred. “Our customers want an uncompromising combination of on-road technology and off-road capability. Leveraging GMC’s unwavering dedication to providing premium trucks and American Expedition Vehicles’ expertise in engineering and integrating performance-driven parts and accessories, this truck provides extreme capability, technology and comfort.”

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition maneuvering over off-road rocks. The AEV Edition includes a winch-capable front bumper and five boron-steel underbody skid plates. Photo by GMC.

The new 2023 Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition is the most off-road capable factory Sierra 1500 ever. Updates include:

  • AEV stamped steel front and rear bumpers with heavy duty recovery points and winch capability (front bumper)
  • Five hot-stamped boron steel skid plates (front approach, steering gear, transfer case, fuel tank and rear differential)
  • Unique, race-inspired, laser-engraved 18-inch AEV Salta wheels in gloss black finish with AEV’s signature recessed valve system for added protection from rocks on the trail
  • 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires
  • Updated front grille and fascia to accommodate the new bumper and larger tires, gloss black door handles and a black contrast inner tailgate
  • Exclusive AEV branding throughout the vehicle, including on bumpers, embroidered head rests and all-weather floor liners
  • Available off-road rocker panel protectors to help shield the sills and frame rails and an optional bolt-on step assist when not off-roading

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition tackles off-road obstacles. The AEV Edition features 18-inch AEV Salta wheels with recessed valves for added protection on the trail and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. Photo by GMC.

“The Sierra 1500 AT4X is an incredibly formidable platform when it comes to on- and off-road performance and capability,” said AEV CEO and founder Dave Harriton. “We took our signature approach to help elevate this truck’s inherent off-road capability to the next level. We are confident customers will love the result.”

The AEV-stamped steel front and rear bumpers are constructed of 3-millimeter heavy-duty steel and are powder and e-coated for durability as well as UV and corrosion resistance. Additionally, this factory-installed front bumper is winch-capable, something that no other competitor in its class can match.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition driving off-road in the mountains. The AEV Edition features AEV branding throughout the vehicle as well as a black contrast inner tailgate. Also included is a full-size spare 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tire. Photo by GMC.

Five ultra-high-strength, hot-stamped boron steel skid plates help protect the underbody of the Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition. This press-hardened steel is not only three-and-a-half times stronger than an equivalent cold-stamped high-strength steel part, but it also provides incredible resistance to gouging and bending.

When it comes time to head off-road, the Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition’s bumpers and underbody protection deliver capability never before available in a factory Sierra 1500. When compared to the 2022 Sierra 1500 AT4X, the AEV Edition features improved off-road stats. The front approach angle increases by more than 27% to 32.5 degrees. The departure angle improves to 23.4 degrees (compared to 23 degrees) and the breakover angle improves to 23.0 degrees (compared to 22.7 degrees). The truck’s ground clearance also improves to 11.2 inches (compared to 10.8 inches).

The AEV edition is built on the Sierra 1500 AT4X trim that offers an exclusive premium interior and advanced off-road capability. Headline features include Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear e-locking differentials and two-speed transfer case with selectable modes for different off-road conditions such as Terrain mode for one pedal driving and Off-Road mode. All the while, the Sierra 1500 AT4X delivers excellent on-road comfort and trailering capability with a standard 6.2L V-8 engine. The AEV edition also features the luxury-focused and tech-infused AT4X Obsidian Rush interior. The cabin boasts full grain leather-wrapped power-massaging front seats, authentic Vanta ash wood trim, a 12-speaker Bose® Premium Series audio system and more than 40 diagonal inches of combined driver-focused digital displays — the most in its class.

The 2023 GMC Sierra AT 4X is based on the standard ’23 Sierra 1500, albeit with a few changes. For example, the 2023 only comes with a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8, 10-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. GMC hasn’t yet announced how much the limited edition version will cost, but it will likely be several thousand dollars more than the standard model.

A GMC spokesperson says the company intends to make these special upgrades standard on all 2023 Sierra AT 4Xs, but that won’t happen until later in the year. The new Sierra 1500 AT4X will be available with AEV-inspired enhancements, including a stamped steel winch-capable front bumper, boron steel front approach skid plate and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud terrain tires. These enhancements will increase the already formidable off-road capability of the AT4X through improved approach, departure and breakover angles, as well as improved ground clearance.

The Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition and the new AT4X will be available later in the 2023 model year.


In this video, Andre (TFL) goes hands-on with all-new 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV and AEV Kit and fires up the engine.


About GMC

With a strong foundation of manufacturing trucks since 1902 and now selling in a dozen countries across the world, GMC offers purpose-built vehicles designed and engineered to the highest standard. From the all-new compact SUV Terrain to the Sierra HD, our trucks and crossovers deliver GMC’s signature combination of intuitive technologies and premium execution, with the popular Denali representing the pinnacle of GMC design, performance and amenities. Details on all GMC models are available at www.gmc.com, on Twitter at @GMC or at www.facebook.com/gmc.

About AEV

American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has now been on the cutting edge of the 4WD industry for over 25 years, continuously pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. The goal has always been simple: provide the highest quality off-road parts and accessories available anywhere in the world, period.

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