The Canyon gets a ground-up redesign for 2023. The AT4X model, a Colorado ZR2 sibling, brings off-road performance and a touch of luxury at a big price.
- The 2023 GMC Canyon adds a sibling to the off-roading-oriented Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 in the form of the AT4X.
- GMC’s mid-size truck has been redesigned with a wider track and strong proportions.
- Along with the beefed-up exterior, the new Canyon also features a redesigned interior with an 11.3-inch touchscreen.
Two weeks after Chevy unveiled the new Colorado, GMC has pulled the sheet back on the 2023 Canyon, revealing newly squared-off styling for the mid-size GMC truck. From the look of things, GMC has been force-feeding the Canyon scoops of pre-workout and creatine for the last year in a bulking effort. It worked. The 2023 Canyon is entering its third generation alongside its GM sibling, the Chevy Colorado.
GMC is eager to stay on the more luxurious end of the mid-size-truck market, hitting the Canyon with a spritz of luxury. Each trim line comes with a color scheme unique to that trim. The Canyon sits on a new, wider track than previous years and comes with a 2.0-inch lift on Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims, with a 3.0-inch lift reserved for the AT4X.
The new AT4X will come at a $64,000-plus price, nearly $20,000 higher than the 2022 Colorado ZR2’s MSRP. That price launches it past competitors including the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Ford Ranger Raptor, landing it in the ballpark closer to off-roading monsters like the Bronco Raptor. According to GMC, the price of the Elevation will also be going up, starting at an estimated $41,495. The AT4, which GMC told us was the most popular Canyon sold in the last generation, is estimated to start at a more reasonable $42,495.
All New Everything
Much like with the Colorado, GMC is paring down the options this year. Each Canyon will come in a four-door crew-cab configuration. Unlike with the Colorado, each new Canyon will come equipped with the same 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. No official fuel economy numbers have been published yet, and none were supplied by the manufacturer, though the engines are equipped with active fuel management and stop/start technology. Equipped with the trailer package, the new Canyon will be able to tow up to 7700 pounds. That figure drops to 6000 pounds in the AT4X model, and a further 500 pounds for the AT4Xs equipped with the Edition 1 package.
The Canyon improves its approach angle this year to 36.9 degrees, slightly worse than the 38.3-degree approach of the Chevy ZR2 but better than the 35.0-degree approach on the Tacoma TRD Pro. The improved approach angle comes with the front air dam being removed, and the front axle moving farther forward. The 17-inch wheels found on the AT4X are wrapped in 285/70R-17 Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires to provide optimal traction in suboptimal conditions. Elevation and AT4 trims will come with 18-inch wheels, with Denali trims riding high on 20s.
Dynamic suspension spool valve (DSSV) dampers move outboard to aid off-road performance through an improved 9.6-inches of ground clearance (10.7 for AT4X). Standard for the AT4X though available on lower trims, the Canyon features electronic locking front and rear differentials, and there are seven cameras placed around and under the truck, giving drivers access to 10 available camera angles, complete with underbody views to help in dicey off-roading situations.
Tough Mudder
After launching the AT4 in 2021 as an altogether capable but admittedly less rugged version of the ZR2 Colorado, the AT4X is here to play. Following after its more rugged big brother, the Sierra 1500 AT4X, the AT4X-ified Canyon is intended to be “the ultimate expression of GMC’s commitment to delivering serious off-road capability,” according to GMC. On top of the four standard drive modes offered for the Canyon, the AT4X receives an exclusive Baja mode intended for high-speed off-road driving situations. The AT4X will be the only Canyon available in the Edition 1 package, which includes a front bash bar, a 30-inch grille-mounted light bar, 17-inch beadlock wheels, a winch, and unique badging, among other goodies.
Much like the Colorado, the Canyon features an integrated 45-inch watertight storage compartment in the tailgate. Lending a hand to practicality, the tailgate also features a midgate height for longer items. Customers sweating over a lack of lashing points can breathe a sigh of relief. GMC was happy to tell us that in response to customer comments, they doubled the tie-down points in the bed of the truck to eight.
Luxury Interior . . . Sort Of
The new Canyon gets a lot right about the interior. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while physical climate controls are a welcome sight, huddled over a line of auxiliary switches. The AT4X and Denali both get a head-up display as standard, though it is not available on other trims. The dash features an 11.3-inch infotainment system. The higher trims get an 11-inch digital gauge cluster while the lower trims are stuck with a smaller 8.0-inch version. Opt for the Denali, and you get open-pore wood on the dash featuring a laser-etched design. Quilted leather covers the seats and rides across both the dash and door panels.
Initial production is expected to start early 2023, with the AT4X having to wait a bit longer until spring 2023.
Keyword: Third-Generation GMC Canyon Debuts with Beefed-Up Looks, Tough AT4X Model