2023 GMC Canyon pickup adds off-road features, breaks away from styling of Chevy Colorado
GMC’s popular Canyon midsize pickup makes a leap for 2023, adding a top-of-the-line off-road model and distinctive new interiors. Unique exterior styling also makes it the most distinctive GMC pickup in decades.
Unlike previous Canyons, which were distinguishable from the Chevrolet Colorado pickup chiefly by different grilles, lights and interior materials, GMC’s new midsize pickup adds exclusive sheet metal for all the key exterior panels, including hood, fenders and tailgate. The result is a rakish Coke-bottle shape and immediately recognizable front and rear appearances.
Along with dramatically different interiors, it's a major step for GMC, which sells at a premium compared to same-size pickups from Chevrolet.
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The 2023 Canyon goes on sale in the first quarter of 2023. Production will begin at GM’s Wentzville, Missouri, plant in January. Prices and fuel economy will be announced closer to sale.
2023 GMC Canyon trim levels
Elevation
AT4
AT4X
Denali
New AT4X off-roader
Every model of the new Canyon is lifted 1 inch from the previous model, and the new AT4X off-road model gets an extra 1.1 inch, to 10.7 inches of ground clearance. The AT4X also gets unique front fenders and control arms, rock sliders with removable bolt-on steps for easy entry and exit when not off-roading.
The AT4X is a step up in equipment and price up from the AT4 that was the previous Canyon’s off-road hero. It also adds front and rear locking electronic differentials. Multimatic shock absorbers have the rear shocks mounted outboard of the frame to improve ground clearance. A rear bumper exclusive to the AT4X also dispenses with the built-in step other Canyons offer for access to the bed, because the bigger bumper required for the step can drag or get hung up in some off-road conditions.
A limited production Edition 1 model adds a unique front bumper, safari bar and front winch rated for 9,500 pounds. Other Edition 1 features include configurable bed rails, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, performance front skid plate, and front bumper with safari bar.
Key new GMC Canyon features
One-pedal off-road mode
Seven cameras for 10 views, including front and rear underbody
Head-up display
Google assistant built in
Wireless charging
Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto
Fewer body styles, more stuff
All Canyons will come with a 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, crew cab and 5-foot 5-inch bed. Dropping features like the extended cab, long bed, V6 and diesel allowed GMC to increase the differentiation among its four trim levels and add other features customers asked for.
Each trim level gets a single interior package, with unique materials and colors. The Denali gets real open-pore wood, while the AT4X has a unique ceramic white and red color scheme.
The Canyon also gets a secured storage compartment in its tailgate.
An 11-inch touch screen and big, easy-to-use switches are standard, as is a charging pad big enough to hold the largest current smartphones.
Four-wheel drive is standard on all but the base Elevation model. The pricey AT4, AT4X and Denali models are expected to account for more than half of Canyon sales.
Improved maneuverability, safety
The Canyon’s new architecture moved the front wheels 3 inches forward compared with the previous model, a change that should improve maneuverability.
The Canyon will offer five drive modes:
Baja, exclusive to AT4X for high-speed off-roading
Terrain, for rock crawling and other challenges
Off-road, for easier conditions
Tow/haul
Normal driving
A “one-pedal” mode for slow off-roading locks the brakes automatically when the driver lifts off the accelerator, a feature that can be handy crawling over particularly daunting obstacles.
Available safety systems include:
Automatic emergency braking
Front pedestrian and bicyclist detection and braking
Automatic high beams
Adaptive cruise control
Lane departure alert and assist
Forward collision alert
Blind spot alert and steering assist
Rear cross traffic alert
Surround view
Safety alert driver’s seat
2023 GMC Canyon at a glance
Base price: TBA
Rear- or four-wheel drive crew cab midsize pickup
On sale first-quarter 2023
Engine: 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder
Estimated output: 310 hp @ 5.600 rpm; 430 pound-feet of torque @ 3,000
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy estimate: TBD. Regular gasoline.
EPA estimated annual fuel cost: TBD
Wheelbase: 131.4 inches
Length: 213.2-217 inches
Width: 84.4 inches (including mirrors)
Height: 79.8-81.7 inches
Towing capacity: 7,700 pounds
Max Payload: 1,640 pounds
Curb weight: 4,430-5,210 pounds
Assembled in Wentzville, Missouri
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: The 2023 GMC Canyon gets unique exterior, plus snazzy interiors
