When discussing the absolute pinnacle of factory off-road 1500-series trucks, two names dominate the conversation: the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor and the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X.
While they compete for the same buyers, these trucks possess distinct personalities. The Raptor is designed as a wide-body, high-speed desert runner, while the AT4X positions itself as a luxurious, technical trail crawler.
Based on an in-depth review, here is a comprehensive breakdown of the differences between these two off-road titans to help you decide which one suits your driving style.
Powertrain: Turbo V6 vs. Naturally Aspirated V8
The heart of the difference lies under the hood. It’s the classic battle of forced induction versus displacement. Both trucks utilize 10-speed automatic transmissions and standard 4WD, but power delivery is very different.
2024 Ford Raptor:
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Engine: High Output 3.5L EcoBoost Twin-Turbo V6
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Horsepower: 450 hp
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Torque: 510 lb-ft
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Note: Ford squeezes impressive power out of the V6. It’s rated for 15-18 MPG. While it can run on regular unleaded, premium is recommended for peak performance.
2024 GMC Sierra AT4X:
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Engine: 6.2L Ecotec3 V8
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Horsepower: 420 hp
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Torque: 460 lb-ft
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Note: The GMC offers that traditional V8 rumble, enhanced by a factory active exhaust system in Sport mode. It is rated similarly at 14-17 MPG but premium fuel is highly recommended.
The Verdict: The Raptor holds the edge in raw numbers (30 more hp and 50 more lb-ft of torque), but the AT4X satisfies the purist craving a big, naturally aspirated V8 response and sound.
Suspension and Off-Road Tech: The Critical Difference
This is where things get incredibly technical and where these trucks diverge the most in their engineering philosophy.
Ford Raptor: The High-Speed Baja Beast The Raptor uses electronically controlled Fox Live Valve shocks. These "smart shocks" constantly communicate with the truck's computer, adjusting damping rates in real-time based on terrain and driving style, whether you are on the highway or jumping dunes.
Furthermore, the Raptor features a five-link rear suspension with massive coil springs. This setup is class-leading for wheel travel, designed to absorb high-speed impacts in desert environments.
GMC Sierra AT4X: The Technical Trail Master GMC utilizes Multimatic DSSV (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers. This is the same shock technology found in high-performance supercars like the Corvette Z06 and Camaro ZL1. It is a highly precise, mechanical system engineered for supreme control in varied conditions. To understand how these complex dampening systems work to control vehicle movement, it helps to visualize the internal components.
Unlike the Raptor, the AT4X sticks with a traditional leaf spring rear suspension. While perhaps less compliant at high speeds than the Raptor's five-link, it contributes to the GMC's slightly higher towing capacity.
Locking Differentials: A major advantage for the GMC AT4X in technical rock crawling scenarios is the inclusion of front and rear electronically locking differentials. The 2024 Raptor only features a rear locker; it relies on brake-based vectoring to simulate a front locker.
Dimensions and Capability
The Ford Raptor is significantly wider than a standard F-150, giving it a mean stance and incredible stability for high-speed cornering. However, this width can be a liability on tight, brush-filled trails. The GMC AT4X maintains a narrower profile, making it easier to navigate narrow paths.
Tires and Clearance:
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Raptor: 12 inches of ground clearance. Rides on 35-inch BFG KO2 tires with 17-inch wheels (the preferred setup for off-roading due to more sidewall).
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AT4X: 11 inches of ground clearance. Rides on roughly 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires with 18-inch wheels.
Towing and Payload: If hauling is a priority, the GMC has a slight advantage in towing, while the Ford offers more payload capacity.
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Towing: AT4X (8,900 lbs) vs. Raptor (8,000 lbs)
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Payload: Raptor (1,188 lbs) vs. AT4X (1,006 lbs)
Exterior Utility
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Raptor: Features a power up/down tailgate with an integrated step. A massive winning feature for the Raptor is the available 2kW Pro Power Onboard generator built into the bed, perfect for powering campsites or tools.
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AT4X: Comes standard with a spray-in bedliner and the famous MultiPro Tailgate, which includes a built-in Kicker audio system. The front bumper is steel, ready for serious abuse.
Interior: Sporty vs. Luxury
The interior is where the GMC asserts its dominance in terms of refinement.
Ford Raptor: The Raptor interior is cavernous, incredibly spacious for bigger drivers, and decidedly sporty. It features highly adjustable drive modes (steering, suspension, and exhaust can be tuned individually). It has great tech, a panoramic sunroof, and B&O sound, but uses more hard plastics than the GMC.
GMC Sierra AT4X: The AT4X feels like a luxury vehicle that happens to be off-road capable. The materials are premium, including a suede headliner, real wood trim, and leather-wrapped surfaces. It features a heads-up display, a rear-camera mirror, and a Bose premium sound system.
The biggest luxury flex? The AT4X comes standard with massaging front seats.
Finally, while both have great camera systems, the GMC offers a superior "side-view" camera angle that shows exactly where your front tires are placed—invaluable for avoiding rim damage while rock crawling.
Conclusion
Both trucks are incredible machines, but they are tools built for different jobs.
If you want a wide, aggressive, high-horsepower truck built to fly across open deserts and offers practical features like an onboard generator, the Ford Raptor remains the benchmark.
If you prefer a traditional V8, need a narrower truck for tight trails, demand front and rear lockers for technical crawling, and want a highly refined, luxurious interior with massaging seats for the ride home, the GMC Sierra AT4X is the superior choice.
Watch the full in-depth comparison here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai-jEJT2HPM