Last year, GMC debuted the first-ever Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition on the grounds of the first-ever Overland Expo Pacific Northwest — a match made in overland heaven.
This year, GMC follows up last year’s momentous debut with a smaller but nonetheless weighty unveiling, the first-ever Canyon AT4X AEV Edition here at Overland Expo Pacific Northwest 2023.
Before we discuss the importance of the truck and its significance in the overland space, let’s look at what steps designers took in turning the already uproarious Canyon AT4X into the AEV Edition:
- 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires with an additional AEV in-bed vertical spare tire mount
- Updated front fascia and larger fender flares to enable larger, wider tracks and ultra-high, best-in-class 12.2-inch ground clearance
- 4.5-inch (114mm) factory-installed lift — 1.5-inch (38mm) more than the Canyon AT4X
- Heavy-duty, AEV stamped-steel front and rear bumpers with heavy duty recovery points and winch capable front bumper
- Five ultra-high strength, hot-stamped boron steel skid plates (positioned along the radiator, steering gear, transmission and transfer case, fuel tank and rear differential) for optimized underbody protection
- The addition of three standard auxiliary control switches which enable the integration of off-road and overlanding accessories.
- Exclusive AEV beadlock-capable Salta wheels
- AEV branding across the vehicle, including on bumpers, embroidered head restraints and all-weather floor liners
What stands out immediately to me, in addition to the hardcore steel skid plates and Comeup winch, is the 4.5-inch factory lift, which is a 1.5-inch increase over the lifted AT4X. This gives the Canyon AEV Edition an incredible 12.2 inches of ground clearance from the factory.
This truck is just the latest in a run of midsize trucks that aim to be turnkey off-road dynamos, which includes the Tacoma Trailhunter that bowed at Overland Expo West 2023 just two months ago. For well-heeled overlanders, these kinds of trucks offer a no-brainer option. By that I mean if you have more money than time and want the best of the best tonight, these trucks are incredible factory options.
The only detraction I can see, however, is from having 35-inch tires from the factory is that they don’t fit in the factory provided spare-wheel well underneath the bed. It needs to be mounted in the bed, which kills much-needed cargo space for overland equipment. That and the white leather on the seats; it’s beautiful but not a great color for the woods.
What we don’t yet know is the Canyon AEV Edition’s payload or price tag — among other important figures. Nevertheless, it’s an incredibly impressive offering and one that we are not only glad to have in the market but exceedingly proud to have revealed at our show.
You can see the all-new Canyon AEV Edition at the GMC booth FG19 just in from the main entrance on the righthand side.
