General Motors launched the GMC Sierra AT4 with the debut of the light-duty pickup’s fourth generation for the 2019 model year. The Sierra range, including the AT4, was later refreshed for the 2022.5 model year (also known as the 2022 interim model year), debuting a host of updates and changes – including new front end styling. Now, we’re taking a closer look at the front-end design differences between the refreshed GMC Sierra AT4 and pre-refresh Sierra AT4.
Since the rear and sides of these two trucks is identical, we’ll focus on the front end in this comparison.
Pre-refresh Sierra AT4 1500 on left and refreshed truck on right
In the refreshed GMC Sierra AT4, the headlights adopt a sharper, more angular appearance compared to the rectangular, traditional design of the pre-refresh model. The refreshed headlights integrate a larger C-shaped LED daytime running light (DRL) signature, which seamlessly blends with the lines in the grille, giving the truck a more cohesive and aggressive look.
The grille on the refreshed model has been restyled as well. The pre-refresh Sierra AT4 features a series of horizontal slats configured in a different pattern from the one on the refreshed model. In both trucks, the GMC logo is prominently placed in the same location at the upper part of the grille, but is framed with an underlining bar within the refreshed grille design.
Additionally, the grille topper, which sits at the top edge of the grille, has also been redesigned in the refresh, now featuring chunkier design compared the sleek, more integrated look of the pre-refresh model.
The fog lights in the pre-refresh model are quite prominent, featuring a vertical orientation within a surround just below the primary headlights. Meanwhile, the refreshed model gets much smaller fog lights, now repositioned to the lower-most part of the front fascia. In place of the fog lights on the updated truck are now a set of vertically-oriented intakes for the front air curtains.
Finally, the lower grille in the refreshed model has a different pattern with more slats.
The rest of the fascia, including its general size, shape and the red, vertically-oriented tow hooks are the same. The question is – which design catches your eye? Vote in the poll below.
Comments
Think the new one looks better.
I prefer the one on the left, the article never really says which is the new one.
There is a caption on the image.
Left is pre refresh. Right is refreshed.
The one on the left is far better, but I don’t know which is which, ahem. Would have been nice to tell us.
*Pre-refresh Sierra AT4 1500 on left and refreshed truck on right* – Caption copied and pasted from the second picture.
Looks like they made the truck even higher for the refresh and that’s the last thing any modern truck needs.
The height is the same. The reason the refreshed one is higher (that’s actually my truck) are the 20-inch wheels vs. the 18s on the pre-refreshed model.
If it’s higher, then the height isn’t the same. That’s literally what heights means.
Nate – you’re confused. The OP (James) says that the height changed for the refresh. It did not.
The two trucks seen here have different heights because they use differently-sized wheels and tires. Both of the wheels and tires seen here were and still are available on both trucks. The 20s and their respective aspect ratio tire make the AT4 ride a bit higher than the same truck with 18s and its higher aspect ratio tire.
Had the pre-refreshed model seen in these photos been equipped with 20s on the refreshed model, then it would be the same height. So this is NOT a change that was made for/during the refresh. It’s simply a matter of what size whees and tires the truck is riding on.
Height has nothing to do with wheel size… IT may appear higher due to lower miles and the springs are settled in. Or it has a taller profile TIRE.
It’s the combination of wheel size and tire size, though the tire is strictly the determining factor.
Given that both trucks pictured are on stock wheels and tires and the tire changes by wheel, the wheel is also an important factor.
Alex, the 20s look less aggressive, how do they sound and are they worth the extra cost?
I drove this from Missouri to South Florida in late December/early January. The 20s with the Bridgestone Duellers are very quiet and ride well.
The 20s with the Duellers are now standard on the AT4 while the 18s (different design) with the Wranglers are extra-cost options priced at $800. To me, it all depends on what you’re planning on doing with the truck. My truck will be driven on pavement or light off-road most of the time. If I was doing more off-roading, I would go with the 18s and Wrangers.
Much prefer the right, which looks it was drawn by a decent stylist. It’s simple, crisp, coherent and appears honest about what it is. To my eyes the left looks like a hodge podge of chunky and incoherent attempts at I don’t know what. The shape of the headlights, gill and the lower corner thingies are all fighting one another for attention. To each their own.
The rear/side is NOT the same!
The rear top corners of the bed are different. Enough that a camper shell from one will not fit the other!
You really have to like the looks of these trucks. They have no parts to fix these trucks. Mine has been a lawn ornament for 7months waiting on parts. Think before you buy and check on part availability
7 months is a long time to wait for parts.
What parts? Did you wreck it?
No accident. Purchased that way from a dealership, they missed it in inspection. Cracked housing for front end. They also missed a couple open recalls. So much for the 200 point inspection. Global parts says no idea when it will be available.
I had no problem discerning the new one from the old one. It’s described underneath the 2nd comparison pic and also on the vote tabs. This may have been edited in by the time I saw this though. I like the new one; it got a bit simpler and elegant (its a GMC ya know) while sill looking masculine. I am really tiring of some of the exaggerated styling of the last decade, like the deeply recessed, over styled fog lights on the older one – those are more prominent than the headlights.
The styling is to make it look like there’s a diesel from a semi under the hood. The engine in there can fit under the hood of a C7 Corvette.
The new styling is atrocious. How much larger and uglier can you make a grill- so large it looks like it can swallow a Bolt in one bite. Wretched excess at its worst.
I agree the new grill looks almost cartoonishly oversized. I much prefer the Silverado front end.
Looked better before the refresh.
I like The New LED headlights, but the refreshed fog lights look wimpy and . like an afterthought. This is the best looking truck in the segment. Same for the Canyon, especially the AT4X
The 22.5 year there is no good way to put grill lights in the grill
Old one looks better. But I like the Chevy look 10 times better than the gawdy GMC