The AT4 trim o the GMC Canyon has only been part of the lineup for a short time. Does the new generation make this trim obsolete? For the 2023 GMC Canyon, the AT4 trim falls to the second from the bottom rung on the trim ladder. Does this mean you shouldn’t drive this midsize truck? Let’s find out.

What build does the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 offer?

Car and Driver highlights the changes in the Canyon lineup. One of the most significant changes is that this truck is only offered in the short-bed Crew Cab build. Every trim has this same body style, which means your options at the various trim levels comes down to the equipment included.

In addition to offering the same build for all trims, the AT4 version has the same powertrain as the rest of the lineup. This truck uses a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is sourced from the larger Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra pair.

With this powertrain and body style, the GMC Canyon AT4 offers 310 horsepower, 430 lb-ft of torque, and 7,700 pounds of towing capacity.

What makes the AT4 trim an off-roader in this midsize truck?

Compared to the previous model, the new Canyon AT4 has a two-inch factory lift. The front axle is moved 2.9 inches forward to increase the wheelbase by 3.1 inches. This change helps accommodate the new engine used in all GMC Canyon models.

The AT4 trim offers 15% greater wheel travel than the outgoing model, a track that’s 10 inches wider than before, and 9.6 inches of ground clearance. This truck rides on 32-inch all-terrain tires, and it comes with four driving modes, which are:

• Normal
• Tow/Haul
• Off-Road
• Terrain

Doesn’t the Elevation trim have everything we’ve covered for the AT4 model?

Yes, the new base trim of the 2023 GMC Canyon, which is the Elevation trim, has everything we’ve mentioned. This makes us wonder if the AT4 model is getting lost in the shuffle and could become obsolete with the top-trim AT4X taking over.

Are there any items the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 offers that aren’t found in the Elevation trim?

Yes, thankfully, we know of four items that are part of the AT4 trim that aren’t standard for the base model. These items are:

• 4WD
• Integrated tailgate storage compartment
• Limited-slip differential
• Brown interior trim

Do these added features make the AT4 model worth the added cost?

Currently, we don’t have pricing for the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4. We know the base; Elevation model should start at $40,000, with the special edition AT4X Edition 1 model reaching more than $63,000. Where the AT4 falls in that range is unknown.

Can the Canyon AT4 be the right 2023 GMC midsize truck for you?

We’re hopeful this trim will appear with more differentiating factors as we come closer to the Spring 2023 release date. Unfortunately, with the information we have now, you might want to skip over the AT4 and choose the AT4X with its hardcore off-road features or stick to the Elevation model, which should save you some money. It’s entirely possible the AT4 trim got lost on the sauce.

Next, check out the most economical off-road SUVs, or watch the 2023 GMC Canyon video below: