Is GMC's 2017 All Terrain X A Ford Raptor Competitor?

There can be no doubt that the new 2017 Sierra HD All Terrain X is a handsome truck. With body color bumpers, door handles, and other elements - and various blacked out body parts - the All Terrain X package looks great.

But is the All Terrain X a worthy competitor to the Ford Raptor?

New All Terrain Via GMC.com

Key Features of The All Terrain X

Aside from the styling elements, the key features of the X package are:

  • 18" aluminum wheels with 275/65R18 Goodyear Wrangler mud-terrain-rated DuraTrac® tires
  • An Eaton automatically locking rear differential
  • A bed mounted sport bar
  • Some nice add-on options, like a spray-in bedliner, upgraded mirrors, upgraded sidebars, and some fancy add-ons in the interior

Terrain v Raptor 1 The bed-mounted sport bar can support LED off-road lights.

Like the lower All Terrain package, the All Terrain X features the Z71 off-road suspension package. This includes twin-tube Rancho shocks, upgraded skid plates, and hill descent control.

Terrain v Raptor 2 Made for off-roading

But the big story is the availability of GMC"s newest Duramax diesel, a 6.6L monster pumping out 445hp and ridiculous 910 lb-ft of torque. This is a major upgrade over the 6.0L gas V8, which produces a respectable 360hp.

Terrain v Raptor 3 Off-roading doesn't get much more comfortable than this.

A base model All Terrain X should start around $55,000, with a $10,000 (or so) bump for the Duramax upgrade.

How Similar is the All Terrain X to the Ford Raptor?

Terrain v Raptor Via DiamondBack Truck Covers & GMC.com

This comparison chart shows the similarities and differences between the two trucks:

  2018 GMC All Terrain X 2017 Ford Raptor
Beefed up version of the:                                     
Sierra 2500 HD    

F-150
Engine
- 6.0L V8 with 360hp
- 6.6L V8 Turbodiesel Duramax with 445hp                

3.5L V6 with 450hp
Maximum Torque/Towing Capacity
910 lb-ft/18,100 lbs

510 lb-ft/8,000 lbs
Starting Price
Mid-$50,000s

$48,860
Off-Road Upgrades
- Z71 Suspension Package
- Shocks
- Hill decent control
- Off-road information graphics
Too many to list

As you can see, the big differences between these two trucks are:

  • Torque and towing capacity
  • Price
  • The Raptor's substantially different level of off-road upgrades

The fact that the All Terrain X is a heavy duty truck and the Raptor isn't explains a lot of these differences. While the Raptor isn't nearly as capable as the All Terrain X in terms of towing and hauling, Ford's Raptor was purpose-built for off-roading.

Both trucks, however, are luxurious and powerful, and both will manage "normal" off-road situations well enough. The All Terrain X is a better value (more power, more capability, similar pricing), and for that reason we think it's the superior truck.

Of course, there is room to argue.