GMC Canyon Focuses on Luxury, Off-Road Performance for 2023

• GMC updates the Canyon for 2023 with increased off-road performance and upgraded interior quality and safety technology across four trim levels: Elevation, AT4, Denali, and AT4X.

• Off-road features include a standard lift of two or three inches depending on trim, terrain, and off-road drive modes, 32 or 33-inch off-road specific tires, and a ground clearance range of 9.6 to 10.7 inches.

• Full pricing details aren't available yet, but GMC has confirmed a base price of around $40,000 for the 2WD Elevation and a high price of $63,350 for the limited Edition 1 AT4X model. Production will begin in 2023.

Following the launch of the revised Chevrolet Colorado, GMC has followed suit with details on its midsize Canyon pickup truck. A shared architecture makes up the basics of each truck—a body-on-frame chassis driven by a new 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four and fed through a standard Hydra-Matic 8-speed automatic transmission—but the GMC editions of this truck have some unique differences. From interior quality to off-road prowess and power, the new GMC Canyon is marketed as the comfortable adventurer.

Elevation, AT4, Denali, and AT4X make up the four trim levels available, ranging from around $40,000 for 2WD Elevation trim models to the full-size-rivaling $63,350 for the top-of-the-line AT4X Edition 1 model. GMC has yet to release detailed pricing for each trim. That said, the Elevation trim is specified as the base model while the off-road-aimed AT4X and luxury-focused Denali will make up the upper end of the range.

All GMC Canyon models will come equipped with the High Output tune of the 2.7-liter turbo four, making 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Across the four trim levels, GMC will only sell the short bed/crew cab configuration. Additionally, with the exception of the AT4X, all Canyon models will receive a two-inch lift above the previous generation's suspension setup. This is part of the off-road package that is standard on Elevation, AT4, and Denali trim Canyons, adding an ultra-wide track and the lift to create a ground clearance of 9.6 inches on the Elevation and AT4 and 10.5 inches on the Denali due to its 20-inch wheels.

This generation of the Canyon is off-road focused. With successful sales of the previous AT4 trim, GMC wanted to target this market with the new Canyon. All trucks come standard with 4WD except for the Elevation. Drive modes are standard across all trims, with the terrain and off-road modes included. The 2WD Elevation is the only model with an open differential, with the remainders having either limited slip or power locking differentials. The front axle has been moved forward two inches to improve stance, and 32-inch off-road tires are standard on three of four trims. Even the approach angle has been adjusted, with an angle of 33.3 to 36.9 degrees depending on the trim.