GMC Redesigns Canyon for 2023, Adds AT4X Trim

With the Chevrolet Colorado being revealed a couple of weeks ago, you knew it wouldn’t be long before the crew at GMC rolled out their variation on a similar theme. Re-upping for 2023 in the once-again competitive midsize truck segment, the Canyon will apparently be focusing on its high-level (and high profit) trims.

Why do we say that? Because the base Elevation trim is given but a passing mention in today’s announcement. Toss in the fact that Extended Cab – and longbox Crew Cab – configurations have gone the way of the dodo and we’re left with a truck with a single body style and one choice of engine. Taking center stage are the AT4 (off-road lite), Denali (lux), plus AT4X and AT4X Edition 1 (gonzo off-road).

Under the hood is a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four, a spec which will be familiar to anyone who read coverage about this new truck’s brother. However, unlike the Chevy which will offer this engine with a trio of power outputs, GMC is gracing all Canyon models with the same spec – and it’s the most robust one. This means they all get 310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Alert shoppers would be wise to find an entry-level Elevation and enjoy AT4X-like power for a fraction of the price.

Only the AT4X trucks get the brand’s trick Multimatic DSSV shocks, of course, along with power locking front and rear diffs plus a 3-inch factory lift which provides 10.7 inches of ground clearance. A couple of underbody cameras (yes, they can be spritzed by washer fluid) have been slung underneath, a winch is installed up front, and a so-called safari bar with an LED lamp are all part of the deal on spendy Edition 1 models.

As with the Colorado, this new Canyon will only be available as a Crew Cab with a short box, meaning all trucks have the same wheelbase and roughly the same length save for some off-road addenda on the AT4X Edition 1. The AT4X models have the widest stance, as you’d expect with their LT rubber, though it’s worth noting the Denali is only 0.2-inch lower off the ground than the off-road trims. The approach angle of the AT4X is 36.9 degrees if you’re wondering.

Canyon’s new interior is much improved over the Kozy Koupe plastics of yore, with the likes of an available 11-inch digital gauge cluster (op trucks only), jumbo 11.3-inch infotainment, and a variety of textures depending on trim level. One feature this author wants to sample is the water-tight tailgate storage system, a covered bin built into the tailgate which is accessible when the ‘gate is lowered.

None of this is cheap. The GMC Canyon AT4X Edition 1 will bear a sticker price of $63,350 while the base Elevation – presumably 2WD – will start “around $40,000” as per the company. The existing Canyon, in its least expensive comparable form of an Elevation rear-wheel drive Crew Cab, is priced about 8 grand less than this new truck.

[Images: GMC]

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