Isn’t the GMC Canyon a mild-mannered corporate cousin to the Chevrolet Colorado? It was, but that’s not the case any longer. Sure, this midsize pickup truck is still the corporate cousin to the Colorado, but the 2023 GMC Canyon is anything but mild-mannered. This truck takes on a whole new persona and has gotten our attention; will it get yours?

What makes the 2023 GMC Canyon worthy of our attention?

GMC took a page out of a few other books and brought us a new version of its midsize truck. The third generation of the Canyon delivers off-road ruggedness at every trim. If you thought the Denali trim was the top dog, that’s changed. If you’re looking for a basic truck, forget it. When you want various powertrains, sorry, tough luck.

The new GMC Canyon only comes in one build and has one powertrain, but that’s just fine because this truck has evolved into an off-road masterpiece.

What trims and builds are offered for this GMC pickup truck?

There are four trims for the Canyon, Elevation, AT4, Denali, and AT4X. All four trims come in the short-bed crew cab build and nothing else. There will be a limited-edition AT4X Edition 1 model offered when this truck arrives, but it won’t be one of the four main trims for this truck.

How much power will you find in the new GMC Canyon?

All 2023 versions of this GMC truck use a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is the high-output version of what we find in the 2023 Chevy Colorado. The power numbers are 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, which is more than any of the previous three powertrains offered for this midsize truck.

What makes this truck better on the trails?

If you want an off-road truck, the 2023 GMC Canyon could be exactly what you want to drive. A new frame moves the front axle forward 2.9 inches increasing the wheelbase by 3.1 inches. Normally, this would decrease the off-road angles, but other changes more than make up for the front axle being moved forward.

The overall width of the new Canyon is 10 inches greater than the previous version, giving this truck a wider stance. The Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims all receive a two-inch factory lift, while the AT4X enjoys three inches of added lift compared to the outgoing truck. For the lower three trims, wheel travel is improved by 15% and 30% for the AT4X.

Most versions of the new Canyon pickup truck stand 9.6 inches above the ground, while the AT4X has 10.7 inches of ground clearance. The Elevation trim has 32-inch tires, and the AT4X receives 33-inch Mud Terrain tires for the drive.

Do you see where we’re going here? This new GMC midsize truck is made to handle the tough drive out on the trails.

What driving modes are part of this truck?

All 2023 GMC Canyon trucks receive Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, and Terrain drive modes. The AT4X adds one more called Baja, which is designed for high-speed off-road driving.

How much can the 2023 GMC Canyon tow and carry?

The base RWD Elevation model can carry up to 1,640 pounds of payload in the bed, while the AT4X is rated for 1,250 pounds. Towing reaches a maximum of 7,700 pounds for the three lower trims, with the AT4X towing up to 6,000 pounds in a trailer.

Does the Canyon have your attention?

No longer is the GMC Canyon satisfied with being the mild-mannered corporate cousin to the Chevy Colorado. This new GMC midsize pickup truck is made of the trails and ready to show off what it brings to the table. The Canyon is ready to take on all challengers; could it be the right midsize truck for you to drive?

Next, check out the durability of the Toyota 4Runner, or watch the TFL Trucks team talk about the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Edition 1 in the video below: