Ground clearance on the GMC Sierra 1500 starts at just 7.9 inches for 2WD trims and goes up to 8.1 inches on most 4WDrives. However, opting for the AT4 or the AT4X 4WD trims gets you 11.1 inches of clearance.

Sierras are capable work trucks, but it wasn’t until the release of the AT4 and AT4X packages that they started to get competitive off the asphalt. The Sierra’s 4WD trims offer a touch more clearance than their 2WD counterparts, but only the burly off-road equipped ATs have what it takes to handle rough, uneven terrain.

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2022 GMC Sierra 1500 ground clearance

Ground clearance for the GMC Sierra varies mostly based on whether your truck is 2WD or 4WD. Here’s how it breaks down:

: 7.9 inches

: 8.1 inches

: 7.9 inches

: 8.1 inches

: 7.9 inches

: 8.1 inches

: 7.9 inches

: 8.1 inches

: 11.1 inches

: 7.9 inches

: 8.1 inches

: 11.1 inches

Denali Ultimate: 8.1 inches

The AT4 and AT4X offer the most ground clearance and are only offered in 4WD configurations. Otherwise, all Sierra 1500 trims average around 8 inches of clearance, regardless of box or cab size.

GMC Sierra 1500 ground clearance over the years

2022 Sierras have only recently begun rolling off the line, and the 5th generation was only released a few years ago, so if you’re driving an earlier generation truck, your ground clearance may not be the same as listed above.

Let’s take a look at how the GMC Sierra’s ground clearance has evolved over the generations:

1st generation (1990-1998): 6.6-8.0 inches

2nd generation (1999-2006): 8.0-10.6 inches

3rd generation (2007-2013): 8.2-9.0 inches

4th generation (2015-2018): 8.3-8.9 inches

If you’re driving one of these earlier generation Sierras, be sure to check your particular trim and model year to determine your truck's unique ground clearance.

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What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

Ground clearance becomes important when you’re looking to take your truck off-road or over rough terrain. Put simply, ground clearance is the distance from the lowest point on your truck’s chassis to the ground. The more ground clearance you have, the easier it will be to navigate uneven terrain, and the less likely you’ll be to damage your vehicle’s undercarriage if you’re taking things off-road.

To make sure you have adequate clearance to keep you from damaging your vehicle or bottoming out, experts recommend you don’t go off-road unless you have at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance. So, if you’re driving a 5th generation Sierra 1500, you’ll need to opt for the AT4 or the AT4X to have the clearance you need for maximum safety.

MORE: Is the GMC AT4 package worth it?

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Is the GMC Sierra 1500 a good off-road vehicle?

If you’re driving one of the trims with at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance—the AT4 or the AT4X—the GMC Sierra 1500 is a great option for going off-road.

It’s not just the added inches of ground clearance on the 5th-generation AT4 that make it a great off-road option. The performance package also adds 15 more horsepower and 9 more lb-ft of torque for increased power, payload, and towing capacity. The AT4 is also equipped with 18-inch wheels and mud-rated Goodyear Wranglers, but buyers can opt for 20-inch wheels with a bit more grab.

The GMC Sierra AT4 and AT4X can’t hold a candle to the

Ford F-150 Raptor

or the

Ram 1500 Rebel

when it comes to off-road chops, but it sends a clear signal that GMC is done letting its competitors run the backcountry.

MORE: How to get cheap truck insurance

Guard against accidents with the best Sierra 1500 insurance

Whether you’re just tooling around town or tearing up the trails, you need to ensure you’ve got your Sierra covered with reliable

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