Would You Drive This? 2023 GMC Canyon

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At first glance, some may notice the new Canyon's more hulking stance. That's because every 2023 Canyon comes with a factory lift and off-road suspension package. Base Elevation, AT4 and Denali trims get a 2-inch lift, while a 3-inch lift comes with the new AT4X (more on that later).

It wouldn't be a GMC if it didn't have a menacing grille to go along with the Canyon's more imposing stance. A big upright grille with X-wing sides pull eyes outward and help highlight the standard LED lights. There's also more drama in its hood and sides, with way more creases formed into the sheet metal.

The wider track across the entire Canyon lineup calls for wider fender flares made from steel for certain models instead of plastic add-ons. There is still some plastic for the wheel opening moldings that have an integrated light offering style and function to help drivers know where their fenders are at night when backing into tight spaces. Sometimes it's the little things.

In another nod to function, the Canyon's tailgate has a trick up its sleeve in the form of an integrated compartment that's watertight and comes with a drain so it can be used as a cooler when tailgating before the big game. The tailgate also features a midway-open function, allowing for the transportation of standard sheets of plywood and drywall laid flat, while the bed itself features eight standard tie-down points.

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With AT4 models accounting for more than a third of Canyon sales, it makes a whole lot of sense for GMC to give its customers something that's more off-road worthy to play in. Enter the AT4X, which borrows heavily from its Chevy Colorado ZR2 relative. In addition to benefiting from the wider track that all Canyons receive, the AT4X gets the 3-inch lift, Multimatic DSSV shock absorbers, cast-iron control arms, 33-inch mud terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch wheels, front and rear e-lockers, underbody skid plates and an exclusive Baja drive mode.

Together, all the AT4X's off-road improvements along with specific front bumper and elimination of the rear corner bumper steps give the 10.7-inches of ground clearance (standard Canyons have 9.6 inches) along with improved approach, departure and breakover angles.

If the Canyon AT4X sounds like your kind of truck, you'll be able to order a special Edition 1 package on it that adds the underbody cameras, off-road front bumper with safari bar, a front 30-inch grille light bar, a Comeup winch, beadlock-capable wheels, front skid plate, a reconfigurable bed rail system and a special Edition 1 tailgate badge. According to GMC, the Edition 1 will be an "extremely limited availability" vehicle. When the Edition 1 sells out, features such as the safari bar and winch will be available as dealer accessories, along with a host of other customization items they have cooked up for the new truck.

Like every 2023 Canyon, the AT4X will be powered by a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine churning out an estimated 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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