The GMC Canyon comes out of the shadows for the 2023 model year to be one heck of a badass off-road truck. If you thought of this GMC midsize pickup as the more luxurious cousin to the Chevy Colorado, but without the off-road prowess of the ZR2, think again. Every trim of the new Canyon delivers a full package of off-road qualities, with the hardcore AT4X sitting at the top of the ladder. Let’s dig in and see what makes this GMC truck bigger, better, and stronger than before.

It’s easy to see how the new 2023 GMC Canyon is bigger than the outgoing model

GMC gives us a bigger midsize truck for 2023. While a simple statement of fact, you might want to know specifically what’s bigger and how those changes benefit you. The front axle moves forward 2.9 inches, which adds 3.1 inches to the wheelbase. This doesn’t offer drivers any additional space, but it allows the truck to accommodate the new engine.

Every model of the Canyon receives a two-inch factory lift, with the AT4X adding one inch to that number. These lifted trucks allow for better off-road capabilities, making it easier to travel over obstacles in your path.

The most noticeable difference in the size of the 2023 GMC Canyon vs. the 2022 model is in width. The new version is 10 inches wider than the outgoing version. This means more room in the cabin, more space in the bed for your gear, and a wider track for better off-road stability.

How is the new GMC Canyon better than the outgoing 2022 model?

While better is a relative term, and some might not agree, there are features and qualities present in the new 2023 GMC Canyon midsize truck that weren’t available for the previous generation model.

If we look at the new Canyon truck bed, we see some significant changes. The redesigned bed has eight standard tie-downs with an option for up to nine more. This bed also features:

• Four stake pockets
• Six 2×6-inch bed pockets
• Four 2×8-inch bed pockets
• A new specialized tailgate

What makes the new tailgate of the 2023 GMC Canyon special?

This new tailgate offers a halfway-up position to balance longer loads of up to 500 pounds. The bed is only 5-feet 2-inches long, which makes it difficult to carry longer items without the bed. There’s also a water-tight cubby built into the tailgate, which is suitable for items you want to keep dry, or as a cooler when taking this truck to a tailgate party. This tailgate is optional on the Elevation model but standard for the other trims.

Are there other ways the Canyon is a better midsize truck than before?

Yes, the new GMC Canyon features a host of upgrades, including:

• Greater wheel travel on all trims
• All-terrain tires for every trim
• Larger screens for instrumentation and infotainment
• Four driving modes for the lower three trims (five modes for the AT4X)
• A long list of off-road features that grows as you move up to the top AT4X trim

How is the new Canyon stronger than before?

The outgoing version of the GMC Canyon had three powertrains to choose from, while the new 2023 model only has one. This new single powertrain is more powerful than the outgoing models. With this new truck, you’ll enjoy a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The engine attaches to an 8-speed automatic transmission to send power to the wheels.

The maximum tow rating for the new Canyon is 7,700 pounds, and the max payload is 1,640 pounds.

Should you drive this new GMC midsize truck?

The 2023 GMC Canyon is hard to pass up if you want a truck with off-road equipment at every trim level. This new midsize truck starts at $40,000, with the AT4X Edition 1 model reaching more than $63,000. This new truck is bigger, better, and stronger than before, giving you desired capabilities for adventures into the wilderness.

Of course, if you have no desire to take your midsize truck out on the trails, you might find what you want in the Honda Ridgeline, which is an entirely different type of midsize truck from the new Canyon.

Next, check out the new 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition, or watch the 2023 GMC Canyon video below:

This article was updated on 12/8/2022.