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Overview
After nearly a decade, the GMC Canyon and its twin, the Chevrolet Colorado, are getting new bones for 2023. The Canyon has always been nearly identical to its bow-tie bro, but only up to a point. Historically, both trucks have shared powertrains, a smooth ride, and an underwhelming interior. Besides being all-new inside and out for 2023, this year they’ll each have a dedicated off-road equivalent. The 2023 GMC Canyon receives a new AT4X trim similar to the Chevy ZR2, which will pump the Jimmy up with significantly more off-road capability. The AT4X should now be a serious challenger to the most off-road oriented versions of rivals such as the Toyota Tacoma, the Jeep Gladiator, and the Ford Ranger. The AT4X will use the ZR2’s Multimatic spool-valve dampers, locking front and rear differentials, and upgraded suspension with available 33-inch all-terrain tires. This special version of the Canyon is expected to put some mud on the tires later this summer.
What's New for 2023?
The new GMC Canyon is all-new for 2023 and its AT4X off-road trim—a new addition to the lineup—endows the Canyon with off-road chops previously reserved for the Chevy Colorado ZR2. The AT4X unlocks 10.7 inches of ground clearance thanks to a factory 3.0-inch lift and 33-inch mud-terrain tires. Every Colorado gets some form of added height, including a 2.0-inch lift for Elevation models. GMC is offering an Edition 1 package, which adds extra cameras, bumpers, light bars, a winch, and 17-inch beadlock capable wheels. If that sounds familiar, it’s because that’s pretty close to the equipment list for the Colorado ZR2 with the Desert Boss off-road equipment package. The AT4X will come standard with the Chevy Silverado’s 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine, which grunts out 430 pound-feet of torque. A completely revised interior is part of the Canyon’s newfound quality-of-life improvements.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
GMC hasn't yet released full pricing details for the new Canyon except for an estimated $64,000 price for the rugged AT4X Edition 1 model. We expect a similar range of trims and prices to the current production truck, but we'll hold off recommending which model to buy until we learn more about it.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
We're still waiting to hear official info from GMC on the full offering of 2023 Canyon powertrains, but as a twin to the Colorado, we expect the Canyon to use Chevy's turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engines with various outputs depending on trim level—all of them mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. GMC has confirmed the 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine with 430 pound-feet of torque as standard equipment for AT4X models. That’s on par with the Colorado ZR2. Other Colorado offerings we expect to see on the Canyon include the entry-level version of the engine that makes 237 horsepower and 259 pound-feet, and a 301-hp version that makes 290 pound-feet of torque. This would give both GM mid-size pickup siblings more power and torque than the V-6 powertrains found in the Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, and Toyota Tacoma. Chevy dropped the V-6 and Duramax Diesel engines available on the previous Colorado, so we expect the GMC Canyon will do the same.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The new GMC Canyon has a max towing capacity of 7700 pounds for Elevation, AT4, and Denali trim levels. That rating drops to 6000 pounds for Canyon AT4X, and down to 5500 for the AT4X when optioned with the Edition 1 package.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
GMC has brought some much-needed technology to the inside of the Canyon. Available equipment includes underbody cameras, a head-up display, and a full redesign of the Canyon’s cabin similar to how Chevy updated the new Colorado’s interior. A new digital gauge cluster sits behind a new steering wheel, and the gear shifter is now closer to the passenger side of the cab, which allows room for the drive-mode selection knob. GMC has even moved those precious cupholders into a deeper cubby, closer to the driver and passenger. The AT4X trim comes standard with a head-up display and a boomtastic seven-speaker Bose audio system. Elevation and AT4 trims get an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster, while Denali and AT4X get a larger 11.0-inch display.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Although GMC hasn’t detailed which trim levels get which technology, an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard on the 2023 Colorado, so we expect that same tech on the historically fancier Canyon along with standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
GMC’s list of driver-assistance features for the Canyon is part of its standard Pro Safety package. For more information about the Canyon’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
General Motors provides competitive coverage in the mid-size-pickup segment with the Canyon and the Colorado. The two have the best corrosion protection and the most impressive roadside-assistance coverage. While complimentary scheduled maintenance is included, Toyota provides better coverage.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance covers one visit for the first year
As more information becomes available, we'll update this story with more details about:
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
