Once the new generation of the mid-size Canyon comes out in 2023, GMC will mostly stick with its present lineup. It does, however, add a top-of-the-line AEV Edition model to its off-road AT4X trim. The AEV line of products includes unique 17-inch AEV wheels with huge 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler MT tires, stronger skid plates, and AEV steel fenders. Thanks to a 1.5-inch difference in height, the AEV Edition has 12.2 inches more ground clearance than the regular AT4X.

Pros

• Very good body control while riding.
• The boxy shape and tough stance.
• Easy, up-to-date entertainment.

Cons

• Setup with one cab and one bed.
• A cozy inside.
• Some plastics that need to be put up to par.

The Canyon has a 2.7-liter inline-four turbocharged engine that makes 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes with rear-wheel drive as normal. However, we suggest you add four-wheel drive as an option. With a V-6 engine, the Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, and Toyota Tacoma all have power, but the Canyon has more speed and power. A bad thing is that Duramax diesel has a problem that affects Chevrolet Colorado. The Canyon’s strong frame is made better by its well-weighted handling and strong brake pedal. The old generation of GM mid-size pickups, which we called “the best-driving body-on-frame vehicle on sale today” in 2019, isn’t as good as these new ones. We thought that trail riding in the AT4X AEV was a real treat. One that doesn’t have loud tires or bumpy roads that connect your favorite trailheads. We haven’t tried it yet, but the new Canyon will go from 0 to 60 mph in a little over six seconds.

Several GMC driver-assistance systems are part of the Canyon’s basic Pro Safety package. More information about Canyon’s crash test scores can be found on the websites of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some important safety features could be:

• Emergency brakes that work on their own and regular forward crash warnings.
• Regular lane guidance and warnings as you exit.
• You can get adaptive speed control.

GMC has made some much-needed technology improvements to the Canyon’s cabin. Underbody cams, a head-up display, and a newly redesigned cabin for the Canyon are all options. This is similar to how Chevy redesigned the cabin of the 2017 Colorado. Behind a new digital instrument panel is a redesigned steering wheel. The gear shifter has been moved closer to the passenger side of the cab to make room for the knob that lets you choose the drive mode. GMC has even moved the cupholders to a lower spot closer to the driver and passenger. There is a head-up display and a strong seven-speaker Bose music system that comes with the AT4X model. The Denali and AT4X models have a bigger 11.0-inch screen, while the Elevation and AT4 models have an 8.0-inch digital gauge panel.

Based on the EPA, the GMC Canyon Elevation with rear-wheel drive gets 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, making it the most fuel-efficient model. The EPA says that four-wheel drive cars get 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, so they only use a little more gas. The EPA also says that Canyon trucks with rough terrain will get 17 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. This section will be updated as soon as the Canyon is done with our thorough testing program, which includes a fuel-economy route at 75 mph.

Every Canyon has a smart 11.3-inch touchscreen for entertainment and information, as well as Wi-Fi hotspot features and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Denali and AT4X come with wireless phone charging as standard, and the AT4 trim can also get it. GM’s helpful Hitch View and Hitch Guidance technology is built into even the base Elevation trim level. This makes it much easier to find a trailer tongue that will fit. The two base trim levels don’t come with the 360-degree camera, but the Denali and AT4X do.

The 2018 GMC Canyon can pull up to 7,700 pounds in the Elevation, AT4, and Denali trim levels. When the Edition 1 package is added, the AT4X’s rating drops to 5500 pounds, and the Canyon AT4X’s rating drops to 6000 pounds.

The Canyon is a lot more expensive than the Chevy it shares most of its parts with, but it’s worth it for people who want something different from what the bowtie brand has to offer. Even so, $50,000 is still a lot of money for a mid-size truck. We’d rather have the Canyon AT4, which costs a lot less and comes with a lot of great features, like four-wheel drive, an 11.3-inch tablet, and a 2-inch lift. The AT4 comes with both the extra remote start and heated front seats that can be adjusted by hand.