If Chevrolet introduces a new truck or SUV, chances are a GMC variant isn’t far behind. The 2023 GMC Canyon, however, isn’t just a Chevy Colorado with the bowtie ripped off. Sporting unmistakably unique sheetmetal, carrying exclusive amenities and finally getting its own hardcore off-road model, the third-generation Canyon makes a strong statement in an increasingly competitive segment.
A major element of this class is now the all-terrain capability. Along with the Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, the upcoming Ford Ranger Raptor clearly shows the importance automakers place on rock crawling and desert racing. Enter the Canyon AT4X, which expands on the philosophy of the AT4 model with hardware similar to the Colorado ZR2. Like that truck, it wears 17-inch wheels on 33-inch all-terrain tires, a raised ride height with Multimatic DSSV shocks, and electronic front and rear lockers with a trim-specific Baja drive mode.
32 Pictures
The AT4X Edition 1 builds on this package, which will only exist for (you guessed it) the first model year. Packing a 9,500-pound ComeUp winch into an all-terrain bumper with a high-powered 30-inch LED lightbar, 17-inch beadlock compatible wheels, front and rear underbody cameras (part a 10-camera system), and reconfigurable bed rails, it’s the all-terrain Canyon par excellence. But even without the limited edition model, the AT4X will look great.
That’s also true for the regular Denali and AT4 variants, of course. Designers stretched the egg-crate grille horizontally rather than vertically, and this touch conspires perfectly with the slim running lights and split headlights to present a premium, yet unmistakably aggressive face. The upside-down L-shaped running lights appear to mimic the way the body curves over the muscular fenders, which feature wheel arches with integrated amber marker lights.
These aren’t federally mandated or anything, but GMC says the Signal received rave reviews from consumers when it was introduced on the Sierra HD – adding it to the Canyon was a no-brainer , as the small lights perfectly frame the standard four-door cabin. At the rear, LED taillights match the signature of the front units and flank a small tailgate that’s adorned with all the badging nonetheless.
In addition to common design cues, all 2023 Canyons feature the same powertrain as the Chevy Colorado: a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. GMC doesn’t share as many details about its powertrain as its corporate sibling Chevy, other than saying the AT4X would have a “high-output” engine with up to 430 lb-ft of torque, but it’s very likely that there will be an eight-speed automatic, and the final digits will mimic the Colorado. That should mean 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft on base and midrange trims, while the Denali, AT4 and AT4X will pack 310 hp with 390 lb-ft in the first two and 430 in the second.
GMC has dramatically elevated the cabin experience with the new Canyon. Both the AT4X and Denali feature a segment-exclusive head-up display, as well as an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.3-inch touchscreen that lives in what looks like to a single unified box. But it’s not a reworking of the panel design on a Mercedes, BMW or Kia – the cluster has a shroud and lives in its own binocular, but it seems connected to the floating touchscreen. The design is inspired by the Corvette, but without tilting the touch screen towards the driver.
The dash design is horizontally focused, with chunky layers and an abundance of material sandwiched in the tight space. There’s leather, real wood on the Denali, carbon fiber on the AT4X, and glossy or painted plastic to look anodized. GMC also deserves praise for its use of detail and color on Denali and AT4X.
Black and beige are a classic combo for the top model, but the black/red/white on the all-terrain model is bright, brave and refreshing, with pops of contrast stitching on the seat bolsters and pockets of door. If only it weren’t for the few shabby plastics – the top of the dash and the upper parts of the door are inexcusably hard and cheap, which just doesn’t suit the Denali or AT4X mission or price.
And my friends, that price will probably be high. GMC only shares pricing for the AT4X Edition 1—reservations open today and require a $100 deposit—but at $63,350 (not including destination, which GMC has yet to announce), this will probably be the most expensive truck in the class to begin with. A Jeep Gladiator Rubicon costs just under $50,000 to start, while the current Colorado ZR2 is asking for $46,000. For what it’s worth, GMC says the standard Canyon will start around $40,000, but that’s still an $8,000 increase over the most affordable 2022 Crew Cab model on sale today.
In addition to detailed pricing, GMC does not share the fuel economy of this new truck. We expect that to happen later this year, ahead of the base truck, Denali and AT4’s early 2023 on-sale date. Despite the pre-orderable Edition 1, the AT4X will actually arrive last, with a targeted on-sale date of spring 2023.
If Chevrolet introduces a new truck or SUV, chances are a GMC variant isn’t far behind. The 2023 GMC Canyon, however, isn’t just a Chevy Colorado with the bowtie ripped off. Sporting unmistakably unique sheetmetal, carrying exclusive amenities and finally getting its own hardcore off-road model, the third-generation Canyon makes a strong statement in an increasingly competitive segment.
A major element of this class is now the all-terrain capability. Along with the Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, the upcoming Ford Ranger Raptor clearly shows the importance automakers place on rock crawling and desert racing. Enter the Canyon AT4X, which expands on the philosophy of the AT4 model with hardware similar to the Colorado ZR2. Like that truck, it wears 17-inch wheels on 33-inch all-terrain tires, a raised ride height with Multimatic DSSV shocks, and electronic front and rear lockers with a trim-specific Baja drive mode.
32 Pictures
The AT4X Edition 1 builds on this package, which will only exist for (you guessed it) the first model year. Packing a 9,500-pound ComeUp winch into an all-terrain bumper with a high-powered 30-inch LED lightbar, 17-inch beadlock compatible wheels, front and rear underbody cameras (part a 10-camera system), and reconfigurable bed rails, it’s the all-terrain Canyon par excellence. But even without the limited edition model, the AT4X will look great.
That’s also true for the regular Denali and AT4 variants, of course. Designers stretched the egg-crate grille horizontally rather than vertically, and this touch conspires perfectly with the slim running lights and split headlights to present a premium, yet unmistakably aggressive face. The upside-down L-shaped running lights appear to mimic the way the body curves over the muscular fenders, which feature wheel arches with integrated amber marker lights.
These aren’t federally mandated or anything, but GMC says the Signal received rave reviews from consumers when it was introduced on the Sierra HD – adding it to the Canyon was a no-brainer , as the small lights perfectly frame the standard four-door cabin. At the rear, LED taillights match the signature of the front units and flank a small tailgate that’s adorned with all the badging nonetheless.
In addition to common design cues, all 2023 Canyons feature the same powertrain as the Chevy Colorado: a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. GMC doesn’t share as many details about its powertrain as its corporate sibling Chevy, other than saying the AT4X would have a “high-output” engine with up to 430 lb-ft of torque, but it’s very likely that there will be an eight-speed automatic, and the final digits will mimic the Colorado. That should mean 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft on base and midrange trims, while the Denali, AT4 and AT4X will pack 310 hp with 390 lb-ft in the first two and 430 in the second.
GMC has dramatically elevated the cabin experience with the new Canyon. Both the AT4X and Denali feature a segment-exclusive head-up display, as well as an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.3-inch touchscreen that lives in what looks like to a single unified box. But it’s not a reworking of the panel design on a Mercedes, BMW or Kia – the cluster has a shroud and lives in its own binocular, but it seems connected to the floating touchscreen. The design is inspired by the Corvette, but without tilting the touch screen towards the driver.
The dash design is horizontally focused, with chunky layers and an abundance of material sandwiched in the tight space. There’s leather, real wood on the Denali, carbon fiber on the AT4X, and glossy or painted plastic to look anodized. GMC also deserves praise for its use of detail and color on Denali and AT4X.
Black and beige are a classic combo for the top model, but the black/red/white on the all-terrain model is bright, brave and refreshing, with pops of contrast stitching on the seat bolsters and pockets of door. If only it weren’t for the few shabby plastics – the top of the dash and the upper parts of the door are inexcusably hard and cheap, which just doesn’t suit the Denali or AT4X mission or price.
And my friends, that price will probably be high. GMC only shares pricing for the AT4X Edition 1—reservations open today and require a $100 deposit—but at $63,350 (not including destination, which GMC has yet to announce), this will probably be the most expensive truck in the class to begin with. A Jeep Gladiator Rubicon costs just under $50,000 to start, while the current Colorado ZR2 is asking for $46,000. For what it’s worth, GMC says the standard Canyon will start around $40,000, but that’s still an $8,000 increase over the most affordable 2022 Crew Cab model on sale today.
In addition to detailed pricing, GMC does not share the fuel economy of this new truck. We expect that to happen later this year, ahead of the base truck, Denali and AT4’s early 2023 on-sale date. Despite the pre-orderable Edition 1, the AT4X will actually arrive last, with a targeted on-sale date of spring 2023.