Just this past weekend, my buddies and I were sitting around camp, as the sun set behind the hills. We were wishing aloud to one another that an automaker offered a 4×4, off-road capable truck with underbody cameras, including front- and rear-facing views underneath the vehicle.
“Wouldn’t that be sweet,” we grumbled.
Imagine my surprise when I opened GMC’s press release for the all-new Canyon midsize truck this week to find that exact feature description in the Canyon’s long list of impressive specs. Something must have been in the air that warm Central Oregon night, because we were obviously prophesying good things to come.
Delightfully, that’s not the only standout feature of the new Canyon. Let’s dig in.
Edition 1
While there are many trim levels to the new Canyon, including the luxury-rich Denali, the trim we’ll be focusing on here is the all-new AT4X. Like it’s big bro, the Sierra AT4X, on which we based our Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2022, the Canyon AT4X offers some serious off-road prowess right from the factory.
Canyon AT4X comes standard with 33-inch mud-terrain tires, Multimatic DSSV shocks, front and rear e-lockers, underbody skid plates as well as Baja drive mode, which is an AT4X-exclusive. Canyon AT4X’s factory lift (more on that to come) enables 10.7 inches of ground clearance standard and a 36.9-degree approach angle.
Within its interior, the Canyon AT4X features exclusive Obsidian Rush interior with Ceramic White accents, customizable 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen infotainment system, and an 11-inch diagonal fully digital instrument cluster. In addition, the AT4X includes a GMC-exclusive Head-Up Display and Bose seven-speaker audio entertainment system. And the AT4X looks bad-ass to boot.
Building on the AT4X is the Edition 1 package, which will only be available on the AT4X trim. Edition 1 adds Front- and rear-facing underbody cameras with wash function; off-road front bumper with safari bar; front 30-inch off-road grille light bar; a winch by COMEUP; 17-inch beadlock capable wheels; reconfigurable bed rail system; performance front skid plate; and, of course, unique Edition 1 tailgate badge.
Factory lift
Like the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, which we just saw for the first time a few weeks ago, the Canyon will be powered by a sole 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. GMC hasn’t said the power output of the 2.7 in the Canyon. We can safely assume it’ll be comparable to Colorado.
READ MORE: Why We Chose the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X
Distinguishing Canyon from the Colorado is its suspension offerings. Canyon will be offered with a factory lift and ultra-wide track, which is neat. For the 2023 model year, Canyon comes standard with an off-road suspension package featuring an ultra-wide track and 2.0-inch factory lift. This will be available for Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims.
What’s more, a standard 3-inch factory lift on AT4X. The lifted, high and wide chassis offers a standard 9.6 inches of ground clearance (10.7-inch ground clearance available on AT4X trim) for improved approach, departure, and breakover angles.
More than lifted, Canyon AT4X offers electronically locking front and rear differentials,a transfer case shield and rocker protectors to tackle the most rugged terrains. 2023 Canyon also introduces a water-tight tailgate storage system for increased bed functionality. That means you don’t have to worry about getting your gear all wet during those deeper water crossings.
In the flesh
With new looks, a sharp new interior, and incredible standard features, there isn’t much to dislike about the new Canyon — whether you’re looking for the base model at $40,000 or the exclusive Edition 1 model, which will carry a MSRP starting at $63,350.
Although we’ve been told a lot about the Canyon, there’s still much to find out — like how it drives on- and off-road. Moreover, though, we’ll be keen to get a sense of its gravitas, the impression it makes in the flesh.
Luckily, we won’t have to wait long. That’s because the all-new Canyon will be appearing at Overland Expo Mountain West 2022 in Loveland, Colorado later this month, August 26-28. If you weren’t planning on attending Mountain West, you might want to consider it now. Luckily, as this is written, tickets are still available online.
