The GMC Canyon AT4X Is an Extreme Off-Roader

2023 is the year that we will see the GMC Canyon AT4X become the top trim for this midsize truck as the Canyon takes on an entirely new persona.

It’s no longer satisfying being the luxury arm of the midsize truck world; the Canyon is bigger, better, and bolder than ever. 2023 signifies a brand new generation for this truck and a brand new lineup of trim levels that will give us the driving qualities we desire. If you’ve been searching for a new off-road truck, your search is over, and the Canyon is what you’ll want to drive.

What Trim Should You Choose?

When you’re looking for the biggest, baddest, and boldest version of a truck to drive, you go to the top trim. With the new Canyon, you’ll want to back things down just a hair and select the AT4X model. When this new midsize truck arrives, the AT4X Edition 1 model will be the top trim, but it’s not the most off-road-capable version of this truck. Stick with the AT4X, and you’ll have some impressive equipment offered in a truck that can easily take you out on the trails for a dynamic drive into the wilderness.

Something is the Same Across All Trims

Every version of the GMC Canyon comes to you with the same body style and the same powertrain. It doesn’t matter if you stick with the base Elevation model or go for the GMC Canyon AT4X; you’ll have a short-bed crew cab truck to drive. The powertrain is a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine plus an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup provides you with 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. For GM, this is the high-output version of this powertrain. The Chevy Colorado offers a lower output version in its lower trims.

An Incredible Off-Road Package for the AT4X

The hardcore off-roader is ready to take you out on the trails for some serious fun. The AT4X version of this GMC truck offers you the widest track and the highest ground clearance in the lineup. This means you’ll have a track that’s 66.3 inches wide and 10.7 inches of ground clearance. This truck isn’t only the widest and tallest of the bunch; it also has a set of DSSV dampers, 33-inch tires, front and rear e-lockers, and underbody skid plates. If all of this sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve seen it in the Colorado ZR2.

Adding More Driving Modes for Your Time on the Trails

All versions of the new GMC Canyon have four driving modes, but the AT4X gives you one additional mode. This means your AT4X trim offers you the selection of Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, Terrain, and Baja to give you the driving selections you desire. The Baja mode is designed for high-speed off-roading, making it easy for you to run fast across the desert sand, on a relatively flat trail, or through a dry lake bed. This could be the mode you want to enjoy most of all when you’re out on the trails.

The AT4X Doesn’t Carry or Tow As Much as the Other Trims

It’s pretty common knowledge that hardcore off-road trucks don’t carry or tow as much as other models of the same truck. This is true and consistent with the GMC Canyon as well. The Elevation model in RWD can carry 1,640 pounds and tow up to 7,700 pounds. When you get to the AT4X trim, the payload drops to 1,250 pounds, and towing maxes out at 6,000 pounds. These numbers can still give you more than enough capacity to take everything you want to your wilderness adventures.

More Off-Road Stats for the AT4X

All models of the GMC Canyon receive a two-inch factory lift and have 15% better wheel travel than in the previous version of this truck. The AT4X is lifted three inches and has 30% better wheel travel to make it more capable on the trail. The lower three trims, Elevation, AT4, and Denali, all sit 9.6 inches above the ground and ride on 32-inch tires. The Denali trim even has stylish 20-inch wheels to give it the posh feeling you expect from the Denali trim.

How is the AT4X Different from the ZR2 Chevy Trims?

Chevy offers the ZR2 trim in the Colorado and Silverado trucks. Both of these trucks have a functional hood scoop. The GMC Canyon AT4X does not have a hood scoop. This gives you a bit of an advantage when you select the Canyon because it allows you to have better visibility from the driver’s seat. This could make a big difference when you’re heading up an incline or crossing over a peak at the top of your ascent.

Cargo Hauling Made Easier in the Canyon

The previous generation of this truck didn’t offer much consideration for the cargo you needed to carry. This new 2023 model has eight standard tie-downs with an option for nine more. There are four stake pockets and bed pockets to accommodate 2×6 and 2×8 boards to secure heavy loads in the bed. The tailgate can be positioned halfway up, and it has a water-tight storage cubby built in, which could be great for carrying a few drinks on ice. This storage cubby in the tailgate is optional in the Elevation but standard on all other models of this truck.

Why Should You Avoid the AT4X Edition 1 Model?

You might think the very top trim is the most capable version of the GMC Canyon, but you’d be wrong. The GMC Canyon AT4X Edition 1 is the least capable version of this truck. It has some cool features, including front and rear-facing cameras with self-wash functionality, a steel off-road bumper with a safari bar, a 30-inch Lumen LED light bar, and a Comeup winch that can pull up to 9,500 pounds integrated into the front bumper. These items sound great, but the added weight and equipment lower the approach angle to 32.8 degrees. Additionally, this equipment means you can only carry 1,010 pounds in the bed and tow 5,500 pounds.

Stick to the GMC Canyon AT4X, and you’ll have the hardcore off-road truck you want to drive. The only question you’ll need to answer is where you want to go this weekend.