zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Unpaved
/
The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula
The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula-September 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:11

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

The is trying to step out of the shadow cast by its . The is one of the most lauded , and with good reason, given its impressive . The first-ever Canyon AT4X combines the ZR2's off-road chops with the upscale build quality GMC is known for. But don’t let the truck’s refined appearance fool you, because the Canyon is just as competent on the trail as the .

: GMC invited me to Asheville, North Carolina to drive the 2023 Canyon. The company flew me out, put me in a cabin by the French Broad River and fed me. I even made smores over a campfire. So what if I burned the marshmallows? They were still delicious. I awoke early the following day to put the new Canyon AT4X through its paces on the trail.

2023 GMC Canyon: New Model Year Resolutions, New Model Redesign

Like the , the GMC Canyon is fresh off a big redesign for the 2023 model year. It would be easy to dismiss the as a carbon copy of the Colorado, but there are notable differences. Key among these are price and available engine configurations. Chevy is casting a wider net with the Colorado, offering three different options based on the same turbocharged inline-4: the cheapest and least powerful is the 2.7 Turbo, followed by the 2.7 Turbo Plus, then the 2.7 Turbo High-Output, which comes standard on the Colorado ZR2.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

GMC, on the other hand, will not offer a variety of engine configurations on the Canyon. The new truck will come with the 2.7 Turbo High-Output engine across all trims. So, whether buyers opt for the base Canyon Elevation, Canyon AT4, Canyon Denali or top-trim Canyon AT4X, they’ll get the same 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4, which makes 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The engine is exclusively paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

What does vary is towing capacity, but only on the one trim. The Elevation, Denali and AT4 all tow up to 7,700 pounds, but the AT4X can only tow 6,000 pounds. And the AT4X also has the lowest payload capacity of the lineup, at 1,250 pounds. The Canyon Elevation with two-wheel drive has the highest payload capacity at 1,640 pounds, but opting for 4WD drops that down to 1,590 pounds.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

It’s clear from the numbers that the AT4X is not as well-suited for cargo and towing as the other Canyons, but that’s kind of the point; the AT4X is less work, more play. It was only a matter of time before the Canyon borrowed the Colorado ZR2’s Multimatic DSSV shocks and off-road stance. Across all trims, the new Canyon sits higher and wider than the old model, but the AT4X has a 1-inch lift over other trims for a total of 10.7 inches of ground clearance.

The AT4X has a track width of 66.3 inches front and rear, approach angle of 36.9 degrees, departure angle of 25 degrees and break-over angle of 24.5 degrees. That’s the same as the Colorado ZR2 in every metric except approach angle, where the ZR2 comes in with 38.3 degrees.

2023 GMC Canyon: Upscale Intentions

These trucks’ different price points are pretty obvious when you climb aboard the Canyon. The Chevy Colorado is a fine truck, but even upper trims like the Z71 leave something to be desired as far as refinement is concerned. Ditto fit and finish.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Meanwhile, the base Canyon Elevation is is just better put together. The cabin’s quality is excellent: there’s no flex when you jostle the panels, every touch point feels opulent and the layout of the infotainment system is straightforward. The center screen is generously-sized, but not comically big like that of some new trucks. The Canyon is still well-equipped in this department, featuring an 11.3-inch center screen standard on all trims. The Denali and AT4X get an 11-inch driver display, as well, while Elevation and AT4 have a smaller 8-inch digital gauge cluster.

The road manners of the Canyon keep the luxe theme going; compared to the Colorado, the GMC is just quieter and more comfortable overall. The Chevy impressed me with its agility on twisty roads, and the Canyon is no different. The GMC is free of body roll and will easily trace its line through a tight turn.

The Canyon Denali really drives the luxury theme home, with its upscale interior. The Denali is one rung below the top-trim AT4X and priced relatively close, but it takes on a slightly more understated (or demure) appearance and the cabin rivals that of a luxury car. I’m not a fan of padded panels, which don’t usually age gracefully, but the Denali’s cabin is undeniably plush.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

My first foray into the woods with the Canyon wasn’t really off-roading so much as “soft-roading.” I drove through fire roads in Pisgah National Forest, sharing the winding dirt paths with runners, hikers and bicyclists. I was glad to be driving a midsizer, because I could easily give hikers and bikers a wide berth.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

The Canyon has several drive modes: Terrain, Off-Road, Normal and Tow/Haul. So I set it to Off-Road while turning onto Pisgah’s dirt roads. But this mode didn’t end up being necessary since the service roads don’t present many obstacles. The standard limited-slip differential in the Denali provided all the rear-end traction necessary, and the drive was uneventful in the sense that I didn’t have to worry at all about the road conditions. Even the luxury-focused Denali rolled through assuredly.

On the highway, I could revel in the comfort of the Denali’s drive. The combination of the Canyon’s size and powerful engine makes elevation changes on North Carolina’s fast-paced highways and mountain passes imperceptible. No doubt about it, the Canyon provides a perfect platform for that 2.7-liter turbo inline-4.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

2023 GMC Canyon: AT4X Trail Test

When you combine the wonderful engine and chassis of the Canyon, then add the Colorado ZR2’s Multimatic DSSV dampers, you get an even more impressive drive. I understand the Canyon Denali is a posh, plush midsize truck, but the AT4X delivers a more satisfying experience both on- and off-road.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Those spool-valve dampers are constantly working, making the truck much more agile despite its higher stance and 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch tires. I often worry about highway comfort with lifted vehicles, but the Canyon AT4X is even more refined than its less expensive siblings.

Once you hit a technical trail, the Canyon AT4X show off how gnarly it really is. In fact, the AT4X almost makes light trail driving boring — almost. Deep ruts, deeper mud, narrow trails and water fording — the AT4X takes everything in stride without fuss.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Driving a new truck like the Canyon AT4X, with its torquey engine and incredible suspension, is like off-roading in easy mode, and that opens the door for a wider audience. All you have to do is turn the dial to the appropriate drive mode, press a button for high- or low-range four-wheel drive and then toggle the switch on the cluster to activate the front and rear differential lockers. The AT4X also has an exclusive Baja mode for high-speed off-road bombing, but I didn’t experience that during my test.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

2023 GMC Canyon: Conclusion

GMC is very much in on the off-roading fad with the Canyon. GMC expects the AT4 and AT4X to account for more than half of Canyon sales. That’s combined, mind you, but still ambitious considering the AT4X is a first for the model.

The 2023 Canyon will start at $38,390 (destination included) for the Elevation, reaching up to $58,490 for the new AT4X. That’s roughly $10,000 more than the Colorado ZR2, which is steep. Then again, it may be worth it for some buyers given the better build quality. I’d even wager the Colorado AT4X will be the most luxurious model in the segment, but I’ll wait until I drive the and TRD Pro to make the final call.

Additionally, the Canyon AT4X is now a worthy alternative to the larger, full-size . In terms of mass, midsizers have taken the place of their bigger siblings (to my eyes), and that puts the Canyon AT4X at the pinnacle of off-road performance from . Anything bigger would be a compromise.

The Canyon is narrow enough to squeeze through technical trails while avoiding coming home with pinstripes, and it’s light enough to handily blast across desert terrain. And yet, the Canyon is roomy enough to fit a family of four, with all the amenities you could ever want. I’ve called some trucks family cars derisively, but the Canyon AT4X really is a family car you can drive to the end of the world and back.

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Image for article titled The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Refines Chevy's ZR2 Off-Road Formula

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Unpaved
These Are The People Who Make The Rebelle Rally Happen
These Are The People Who Make The Rebelle Rally Happen
During the grueling 8-day Rebelle Rally, a non-GPS-based off-road map and compass navigation rally, the 65 teams competing aren’t the only ones faced with challenges. The 121 staff members run their own kind of rally. And it’s usually tougher than anything the competitors endure. The folks who set the...
Sep 21, 2024
I Went Overlanding Once And Now I Want To Spend All My Money On Rooftop Tents And Old 4x4s
I Went Overlanding Once And Now I Want To Spend All My Money On Rooftop Tents And Old 4x4s
If you’ve been into cars at any point in the last five to 10 years, it’s likely that you’ve been exposed to This is the off-road phenomenon that prizes longevity, reliability and comfort for long distance over the ability to do crazy rock crawling, etc. Seen a and desperately...
Sep 21, 2024
These Are The Winners Of The 2023 Rebelle Rally
These Are The Winners Of The 2023 Rebelle Rally
The eighth Rebelle Rally came to its conclusion in the Imperial Sand Dunes just north of the Mexico/California border. This year 65 teams vied for the podium over seven grueling days. They started in Mammoth Mountain, CA with temperatures dropping to 15-degrees some nights as competitors tried to sleep...
Sep 21, 2024
GMC Put A Six Month Ownership Requirement In The Warranty For The 2024 Canyon AT4X
GMC Put A Six Month Ownership Requirement In The Warranty For The 2024 Canyon AT4X
The act of buying a popular or desirable car just to resell it to someone else for more money, also known as flipping, is a pain in the ass for every automaker with a desirable model. Even with of of people placing the that they’ll be able to sell...
Sep 21, 2024
Not Every Rebelle Rally Competitor Goes It Alone
Not Every Rebelle Rally Competitor Goes It Alone
The Rebelle Rally, the longest off-road map and compass navigation rally in the United States, which just happens to only be for women, originated in 2016 to nominal fanfare. A few manufacturer sponsors instantly recognized the event’s worth and jumped on board, including Jeep and Nissan. Eight years in,...
Sep 21, 2024
Ineos Grenadier Reaches Past $100K With Options Like A Heavy Duty Winch And Safari Windows
Ineos Grenadier Reaches Past $100K With Options Like A Heavy Duty Winch And Safari Windows
The to the Land Rover Defender, the is now officially on sale in the U.S. Before you head to one of Ineos’ across the country, you can now build one using the company’s on its site. Prepare for a bit of sticker shock, though. The Grenadier starts at $71,500...
Sep 21, 2024
Copyright 2023-2024 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved