For now, GMC may have the best midsize truck on the market.
GMC is hoping that its 2023 Canyon redesign will help the truck make a splash in the midsize truck market. After years of being GM‘s worst–selling combustion passenger vehicle, the Canyon is set to receive a host of features that make it more competitive with the Toyota Tacoma and its sibling, the Chevy Colorado.
All Canyons will come with a two–inch suspension lift and wider track upgrade, as well as the high–output version of GM‘s 2.7–liter turbocharged engine, for 310 horsepower and 430 lb–ft of torque. GMC is also introducing the AT4X trim for off–roaders, which will have a three–inch lifted body. With these changes, GMC is aiming to make the Canyon the premium midsize truck on the market.
An opportunity to test out all the trims at “Camp Canyon”, Action Sports Today drove the Elevation, Denali and AT4 trims on mixed-terrain drives, and spent a full morning driving the new AT4X trim on and off-road. And there’s a lot to be impressed with.
While the AT4X is the star of the show, the Elevation, Denali and AT4 offer a lot of drivers looking to enter the midsize truck market or switch from a different truck. The drive is smooth, the interior is adequate and comfortable and you will not be disappointed in the pricing and performance.
2023 GMC Canyon AT4X: What We Think
GMC has taken the midsize truck market to the next level with the introduction of the Canyon. The off–road Canyon AT4X is not only the most premium option in the segment, but it is also armed with GM‘s turbocharged 2.7–liter inline–four, which offers 310 horsepower and 430 lb–ft of torque. This impressive engine makes the Canyon stand out from the competition, as there is nothing else on the market that can match its power. The eight–speed automatic transmission and the Multimatic DSSV dampers make the Canyon an incredibly robust and capable truck, with the ability to tow up to 7,700 pounds. Although the engine does not produce the rumble and growl of a V6, it still provides a powerful performance on both on–road and off–road excursions. Ford and Toyota may soon be launching new high–end off–road trucks, but the Canyon is sure to remain one of the top contenders in the midsize truck market.
Off-Road Driving
The 2023 GMC Canyon was put to the test with a drive route along a dirt backroad with tight turns and holes you could lose a hippo inside of them. The results were impressive – the truck handled bumps in the road with ease, and body control in the corners was strong. The transmission shifted gears without any fuss, while the big 33–inch mud–terrain tires made for a noisier ride on the highway. However, the trade–off was well worth it thanks to the Multimatic DSSV dampers that delivered a smooth and comfortable ride, both on and off the road. With 9.6 inches of ground clearance, bumping up to 10.7 inches with a three-inch lift, and Goodyear Wrangler MT tires, the truck had plenty of grip and flex to get over obstacles. Its 430 lb-ft of torque was also a great help in muscling over or through just about anything.
Driving a new truck like the Canyon AT4X, with its torquey engine and incredible suspension, is like off-roading in easy mode, and that opens the door for a wider audience. All you have to do is turn the dial to the appropriate drive mode, press a button for high- or low-range four-wheel drive and then toggle the switch on the cluster to activate the front and rear differential lockers. The AT4X also has an exclusive Baja mode for high-speed off-road bombing which was done with the truck driving with ease.
It‘s clear that GMC has created a truck that is built to last.
Looks Like A Truck… Walks Like A Truck
Beyond the performance on and off-road, the 2023 GMC Canyon looks good. From the bold exterior to the white and red trimmed out interior, this is a truck that stands out for more than just its rugged good looks. It‘s the only midsize pickup truck on the market with an available four–inch lift and a widened stance. This makes it capable of taking on tough terrain and makes it look cool doing it. With its lifted and widened stance, the Canyon AT4X is the perfect blend of form and function. It offers the capability to handle off–road adventures while maintaining a classic, rugged look. Whether you‘re looking for a truck to take on your next outdoor adventure or a stylish, capable daily driver, the Canyon AT4X is a great choice for someone who does not need full size and does not want to spend for full size.
Customers of the new GMC Canyon can rejoice as the latest model comes with upgraded tech and comfortable seating for long rides. The interior is basic yet functional, with easy–to–reach buttons, digital instrument displays, and a large 11.3–inch touchscreen. Its seats have been designed to be comfortable for extended trips, ensuring a pleasant journey. GM has put great effort into making the new Canyon the perfect vehicle for both short and long trips. The display behind the steering wheel can display the maps system which as a driver is super smart since it is easier to look down and up then down and to the side.
One thing to note, GMC places the headlight controls on the touchscreen. We learned this after driving into a dark tunnel and fumbling around for a few moments for a stalk or dashboard control before the automatic headlights mercifully kicked on. There is no physical control for them—only a lightbulb-shaped icon at the top of the touchscreen, which, even more frustratingly, you must press before a menu of various headlight options (off, parking lamps, headlights on, etc.) appears, requiring yet another button press to change something.
Can I Tow?
There are several different trim levels for the Canyon each with a different tow option. The Elevation, Denali and AT4 all tow up to 7,700 pounds, but the AT4X can only tow 6,000 pounds. And the AT4X also has the lowest payload capacity of the lineup, at 1,250 pounds. The Canyon Elevation with two-wheel drive has the highest payload capacity at 1,640 pounds, but opting for 4WD drops that down to 1,590 pounds.
It’s clear from the numbers that the AT4X is not as well-suited for cargo and towing as the other Canyons, but that’s kind of the point; the AT4X is less work, more play, and wow is it sure a lot of fun to drive.
Conclusion
GMC is on point with the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X. The Canyon AT4 and AT4X are expected to make up more than half of Canyon sales, making it a great option for people looking to get out and explore nature. The Canyon will start at $38,390 and reach up to $58,490 for the AT4X, making it a luxurious, yet affordable, option compared to its competition. The Canyon AT4X is also a great alternative to the larger GMC Sierra, offering the same off–road performance without the extra size and bulk. With the AT4 and AT4X, GMC is making sure that everyone can experience the great outdoors.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!!!!
The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X is already capable enough as it is, but GMC is partnering with American Expedition Vehicles to increase the midsize truck’s off-road capabilities with the new Canyon AT4X AEV Edition. So far, the U.S. automaker has only released a teaser of the new truck that shows off the AT4X AEV Edition’s underbody protection, as well as its integrated front winch.
GMC is set to fully unveil the AT4X AEV smack dab in the middle of summer, on July 6. That ought to leave enough time to still get out on the trails before the cold season — not like that would be a detriment to the Canyon AT4X, anyway, which boasts the same capabilities of the highly-lauded Chevy Colorado ZR2.
Drivers and off–road enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Canyon AT4X AEV, a special edition of the already impressive Canyon AT4X. This upgraded version of the AT4X will come with a number of features, including stamped steel bumpers, integrated recovery points, a front winch, steel skid plates, AEV–branded wheels, and more. While the price for the AT4X AEV is still unknown, the Canyon AT4X already retails at a starting price of $58,490 including destination, with the premium for the AT4X AEV expected to be over $10,000. The Chevy ZR2‘s Desert Boss package provides a good indication of what may be included in the AT4X AEV, with a range of unique features such as beefier bumpers and underbody, unique wheels, and unique branding. With the promise of even more features and enhanced performance, the Canyon AT4X AEV is sure to be a hit when it hits the market.
