2020 AT4, 2 months and 3k miles... Good, Bad, and Ugly

March 8, 2020

The Good -

The 6.2L + 10 speed is absolutely superb. Silky smooth and surprisingly fast. I have not yet towed my 6k LB trailer, I expect it to be "OK" but not great.

Interior - vastly improved over my 2015 Denali 2500HD. My old infotainment frequently locked up with my 30 gig iPod hooked up. The new system is flawless. Seats are very comfortable. The reviewers can complain all they want, I like this interior much more than what the new Yukons are going to have. This looks like a truck, the screen is fine for me.

The tailgate is cool. The truth is the best advance in pickup beds the past 5-6 years is the GM bumper corner steps. I like the multi-gate, but I would trade it for the 2020 HD's steps at the front of the box. That is a great idea that the 1500s should have too.

The towing mirrors are awesome. Even wider than what the 2015 HD had. GM got these perfect.

The Bad -

The 24 gallon gas tank is the worst thing about these trucks. I'm used to a 36 gallon on my Duramax, which incidentally averaged the same 18 MGP that this truck is getting me.

The Ugly -

My bed could use a realignment. It is not 1/2" off like some, but it is about 5/16". I might leave it as is as opposed to having the dealer adjust it. But no reason for it. My steering wheel is not perfectly calibrated. My wheel alignment is fine, but my GMC logo aims a little left when I go straight. Again, poor assembly. My truck is made in Mexico. If I did it again, I would choose a US made unit. Then again, my rear window does not leak, I can live with the other flaws if that does not become an issue.

Overall, I am very satisfied. I traded my Denali Duramax as a new job has me in stop and go traffic 5x / week. Modern diesels don't do stop and go, that is a fact. I think 18MPG is very reasonable w/ a 6.2L V8. If I did not get on it so much, I bet I would average 20MPG. But the 6.2L begs to run.

I had 70k miles on my 2015HD. That truck stickered at 68k, I bought it for 57k. I got 40k on a trade in after 5 years towards this AT4. I loved that, and know this 1500 won't hold the value the same, but the 6.2L will help. As long as my back window never leaks, I'm a happy purchaser.

Edited March 8, 2020 by 453030

smrr1 · March 9, 2020

Good review. Plenty happy with my 19 6.2/10 AT4. I agree completely about the gas tank but disagree completely on the 20 2500hd bed side steps. Those things might be useful but they are hideous!!! They blend ok on a black truck but thats it. If any one thing kept me from a new GMC 2500hd it would be those. They should be an option at least.

March 9, 2020

57 minutes ago, smrr1 said:

Good review. Plenty happy with my 19 6.2/10 AT4. I agree completely about the gas tank but disagree completely on the 20 2500hd bed side steps. Those things might be useful but they are hideous!!! They blend ok on a black truck but thats it. If any one thing kept me from a new GMC 2500hd it would be those. They should be an option at least.

Thanks. I respect your point.

For me, I'm all about function on a vehicle. I'm only 5'7, those front steps would be great. I can't say how many times I hook straps on the front bottom bed hooks and need to climb into the bed. Sure, I can use the edge of the running board, but I would love the indented step, especially in snow and rain.

If not for all my stop and go driving, I would have bought the HD for sure. While I love the smoothness of my 1500, I miss the solid feel of the 2500. But that is a slow death and a guaranteed emissions nightmare in a modern diesel.

Badbird2000 · March 9, 2020

Good information. I have a 2012 Silverado 1500. I have the LT version, so the lower grade interior. Its "fine", but could be much better. I like the new interiors. My truck has the 5.3/6speed but when I replace the truck, I want the 6.2/10 speed. I have been eyeing the RST with Z71 option.
Enjoy driving yours!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

March 9, 2020

1 hour ago, Badbird2000 said:

Good information. I have a 2012 Silverado 1500. I have the LT version, so the lower grade interior. Its "fine", but could be much better. I like the new interiors. My truck has the 5.3/6speed but when I replace the truck, I want the 6.2/10 speed. I have been eyeing the RST with Z71 option.
Enjoy driving yours!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Thank you. The drivetrain on this truck is really impressive. For only $2500, I'm sure of any good reason to go for the 5.3. You'll easily see that difference years later in resale value.

ILSilverado · March 9, 2020

US or Mexican built? I have a reason for asking. I'm guessing Indiana.

truck_newbie · March 9, 2020

I have the same steering wheel slight logo tilt to the left. I initially wanted to take it in to get the steering wheel re-aligned but have just gotten used to it overtime. Doesn't bother me as much anymore.

Ianwelch001 · March 9, 2020

I live the denalis power steps. Hit a button on the side if the step and it rotates it to the bed so I can get things in the front if the bed

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amxguy1970 · March 9, 2020

16 hours ago, smrr1 said:

Good review. Plenty happy with my 19 6.2/10 AT4. I agree completely about the gas tank but disagree completely on the 20 2500hd bed side steps. Those things might be useful but they are hideous!!! They blend ok on a black truck but thats it. If any one thing kept me from a new GMC 2500hd it would be those. They should be an option at least.

Seriously, you would buy a different lesser fitting truck because of an aesthetic look of an extremely useful feature? Who buys a truck based on looks? That should be at the bottom of the list; fit, reliability, toughness, user friendliness, quality should be much higher than how a piece looks.

More and more we are seeing the new type of truck owner...

Tyler

amxguy1970 · March 9, 2020

14 hours ago, 453030 said:

Thank you. The drivetrain on this truck is really impressive. For only $2500, I'm sure of any good reason to go for the 5.3. You'll easily see that difference years later in resale value.

No you won't. $2500 up front, financing, insurance then the MPG hit and premium fuel you will spend way more than the 5.3. About $4000 over 5 years in added fuel cost alone. You may get half that 2500 back in resale...

Tyler

smrr1 · March 9, 2020

34 minutes ago, amxguy1970 said:

Seriously, you would buy a different lesser fitting truck because of an aesthetic look of an extremely useful feature? Who buys a truck based on looks? That should be at the bottom of the list; fit, reliability, toughness, user friendliness, quality should be much higher than how a piece looks.

More and more we are seeing the new type of truck owner...

Tyler

I dont need a 3/4 ton so its a non issue. I do have a 19 GMC 6.2 AT4. Some things are just a deal breaker. I can't stand the way those things look at the front of the bed. For the folks that would use it i can see that it is a hell of a good thing but i don't need it.

But thanks for implying that i am not a worthy truck owner in your eyes. I am willing to bet a very large portion of truck buyers and owners would say look has a lot to do with their purchase decision. We all have different interests and needs and opinions. I did buy my current truck based on fit and user friendliness, MINE not anyone elses.

Anyhow i don't want to completely go off the rails from the op’s review.

Edited March 9, 2020 by smrr1

March 10, 2020

9 hours ago, ILSilverado said:

US or Mexican built? I have a reason for asking. I'm guessing Indiana.

Mexico, I included that in my review.

March 10, 2020

7 hours ago, amxguy1970 said:

No you won't. $2500 up front, financing, insurance then the MPG hit and premium fuel you will spend way more than the 5.3. About $4000 over 5 years in added fuel cost alone. You may get half that 2500 back in resale...

Tyler

Financing? Not for me. I wrote a check for my truck for the difference on my trade, which was also paid in full. Extra gas cost? LOL. If that is a concern, you should not be buying this truck.