Review: The 2023 GMC Canyon Is The New King Of The Hill

GMC launched the all-new Canyon almost a 12 months in the past and since then we’ve been desirous to get behind the wheel. Final weekend, the automaker invited us out to North Carolina the place we had the prospect to drive each trim degree together with the off-road-focused AT4X. We took it throughout Asheville on pavement, and gravel, after which deep into the woods the place few automobiles can go.

What we discovered is that this new mid-size pickup options sufficient content material and functionality that we are able to see a future the place patrons fortunately choose it over the bigger Sierra. Right here’s a breakdown of every part we preferred, all the stuff we didn’t, and why we predict the Canyon is the brand new king of the mid-size truck mountain. 

The 2023 GMC Canyon begins at $38,095 however can get much more costly in a short time. The highest-of-the-line AT4X trim degree begins at $56,995 earlier than vacation spot. All trims apart from the bottom Elevation trim come commonplace with 4WD. No matter value, all Canyons include the identical eight-speed computerized transmission and a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 310 hp (231 kW) and 430 lb-ft (582 Nm) of torque. 

That’s tied for essentially the most energy within the section with the 2023 Nissan Frontier and it leads the category when it comes to torque by not less than 120 lb-ft (162 Nm). It may possibly additionally tow as much as 7,700 kilos (3,492 kg) which can also be class-leading even when solely simply above the Jeep Gladiator’s 7,650-pound (3,469 kg) towing capability. Right here’s a deeper dive into every trim degree and what’s on provide. 

A Design That Crops Its Personal Flag

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GMC burdened that it didn’t merely need to create a smaller model of the Sierra with the way in which it styled the Canyon. We’d say it achieved that objective fairly clearly. It’s completed so through the use of entrance grille design parts to level on the GMC badge whereas the LED daytime operating lights nod to the wide-set grille from the Sierra. In contrast to the Sierra with its high-set headlights, the Canyon options low-set headlights with high-set flip alerts.

Every one options angular wheel wells however the Canyon will get sharper physique traces with tougher creases. Designers put some effort so as to add these angles regardless of the engineering, packaging, and regulatory challenges surrounding them. 

Extra: GMC Teases New Excessive Canyon AT4X AEV Version Behind Cloak

There are nice little particulars baked into the design too. A stylized panorama sits atop the tailgate with nods to Moab, UT, and Ouray, CO. There’s a ruler engraved again there too and a small storage field is integrated as properly. The Canyon now stands out not simply from the remainder of the mid-size truck section however from the Sierra and Sierra HD in addition to its company cousin the Chevrolet Colorado fairly properly too now. 

Hits And Misses In The Canyon

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For essentially the most half, issues proceed on that constructive upward development within the cabin the place soft-touch supplies are flanked by enticing design parts. A brand new 11.3-inch infotainment display is commonplace throughout the lineup and appears unbelievable. It additionally options bodily buttons for local weather management, parking sensors, driver security aids, and extra. Each Canyon will get a fully-digital gauge cluster too. Decrease trim ranges make do with an 8-inch unit whereas higher trim ranges get an 11-inch display. A heads-up show can also be commonplace on the AT4X and the Denali. 

On the opposite aspect of the coin, the little particulars are a letdown for us. Positive, we just like the camo-esque wi-fi charging pad and a few of the uncovered stitching however these options solely go up to now. Quite a lot of the inside options very clearly low-cost plastic and it’s probably not hidden from view. On prime of that, lots of the surfaces already confirmed put on and tear regardless of their newness. 

The switchgear, for instance, the window switches, proceed to be very underwhelming on a automobile that may price north of $55,000. That’s much more irritating after the Chevy Trax, the opposite automotive we drove on this journey, actually impressed us on that degree regardless of being the entry-level mannequin for its model. 

Gasoline Financial system

Again in August of final 12 months, GMC unveiled nearly every part related to the Canyon however curiously disregarded gas effectivity figures. It stands to purpose that it might need completed that as a result of the all-new Canyon will get worse gas financial system than the one it replaces. At finest, it will get an EPA-estimated 20 mpg mixed. To realize that, you’ll want the bottom trim degree and rear-wheel drive.

Including 4WD drops that determine to 19 and going with the AT4X and its mud-terrain tires sees gas financial system fall to 18. That remaining determine is decrease than any inventory 2022 GMC Canyon no matter trim, engine, or tire alternative. Over the course of our testing, we acquired lower than 13 mpg mixed, albeit with a variety of off-roading blended in.

Good On Highway However Higher Off Highway

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In contrast to most automobiles that we check, the GMC Canyon provides two very completely different driving experiences. First, it’s surprisingly simple to drive on the street. The Sierra, for instance, is a little bit of a big brute. The Canyon feels appropriately sized for the street and for the path. The Multimatic dampers do a terrific job of smoothing out the bumps. Visibility is nice too and we actually like how adjustable the seats and the steering wheel are. 

Push on the cease pedal and there’s a bit extra journey and sponginess than we’d like however as soon as previous the 50 % enter mark it companies up and delivers good efficiency. It’s simple to see the Canyon getting used as an on a regular basis commuter too because it’s quiet, even with the out there 33-inch mud-terrain tires. 

When the street runs out, the Canyon, particularly the AT4X trim, can proceed on with little or no fanfare or concern about what lies forward. When GM introduced us out to the desert final 12 months to drive the Sierra A44X, the path it picked, Diablo Drop Off, ended up not being all that powerful. The one they picked for the Canyon AT4X, Wealthy Mountain Highway, would’ve nearly undoubtedly stranded the Sierra. However, the Canyon had precisely zero points getting up and down the path and not using a single snafu or slowdown amongst a gaggle of 10 or so pickups.

That included quite a lot of technical sections, tight turns, and undulating earth with mud, standing water, and rocks beneath. The path was so tight that it appears as if nearly each Canyon AT4X probably got here away with new pinstriping, courtesy of the branches beside the path, on the paintwork that’ll want correction after the very fact. Having a wide selection of drive modes and a few superior off-road tech made what would’ve been a difficult path for many SUVs or vans a literal drive within the park. 

For one factor, the AT4X comes with quite a lot of considerably oddly named terrain modes together with Regular, Off-Highway, Tow/Haul, Terrain, and Baja. Every one adjusts varied options to enhance grip and traction. For instance, Terrain mode introduces brake drag to boost stability off-road. We used every mode on our journey up via Wealthy Hill Mountain Highway together with the electronically locking entrance and rear differentials. What made issues even simpler although had been all the cameras. 

The AT4X has a minimum of 10 completely different digicam angles that one can use to see precisely easy methods to assault the path. That features an overhead view and two underbody cameras full with their very own washing system for when issues get soiled on the market. Every digicam provides one other layer of confidence whereas exploring the good outside. The skid plates, locking differentials, and 33-inch tires all make the AT4X really feel like overkill even when the path itself is technical and too powerful for many SUVs and vans. 

Climbing Larger Than The Competitors

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GMC very clearly in contrast each different mid-size truck throughout its improvement journey. When it comes to on-road consolation, none of its rivals actually come shut. The Jeep Gladiator provides higher off-road functionality and customizability however on the street, it’s a basket case in comparison with the Canyon. The Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Ford Ranger provide a cheaper price however clients targeted on value might nonetheless cross-shop the Chevy Colorado. GMC Canyon consumers probably aren’t as strapped for money so we anticipate it to stay the highest luxurious midsize pickup for a while. Who is aware of although, possibly the all-new Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma will leapfrog it. 

Pictures Stephen Rivers/Carscoops