Home Comparisons Trim Comparisons 2023 GMC Canyon: Choosing the Right Trim

2023 GMC Canyon: Choosing the Right Trim

The GMC Canyon is all-new for 2023. GMC has fully redesigned this midsize truck alongside its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Colorado. This major update keeps the Canyon competitive with the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Ford Ranger. The Denali trim continues to be a luxurious choice in this segment. Meanwhile, the new AT4X model is a serious off-roader.

The new Canyon is available in four distinct trims. They all have a turbocharged engine and a 4-door crew cab body. Let’s look at these four trims and find the right GMC Canyon for you.

2023 GMC Canyon Elevation: $36,600 (RWD), $39,900 (4WD)

Every GMC Canyon, including the Elevation trim, is powered by a strong turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine. It’s rated at 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. GMC boasts a best-in-class max towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. The Canyon doesn’t have an EPA fuel economy rating as of this writing.

The base Elevation model is the only trim in the Canyon lineup that comes standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD). Four-wheel drive (4WD) is optional. When equipped with 4WD, this midsize pickup truck has Normal, Off-Road, Terrain, and Tow/Haul drive modes.

Don’t let the fact that this is the base trim fool you: The Canyon Elevation is well-equipped. Standard features include 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, an Off-Road Performance Display, an 11.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-inch digital driver information center, an HD backup camera with Hitch View, Teen Driver mode, push-button start, and LED headlights and taillights.

The standard Canyon Pro Safety suite of driver assistance features includes a forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection.

There are a couple of desirable option packages available for the Elevation. The Canyon Safety Plus Package adds rear park assist and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Technology Package further adds rear pedestrian alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera.

A Convenience Package adds vanity mirrors, an electric rear window defogger, LED fog lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, 120-volt outlets (one in the bed, one in the cabin), remote start, an auto-dimming mirror, a rear sliding window, a tilt/telescoping steering column, extra USB ports, and an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate.

When you add the $1,495 destination fee, the starting price of the GMC Canyon comes to $38,095. Assuming a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no trade-in or money down, the Canyon has a starting monthly payment of around $685. See 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation models for sale near you

2023 GMC Canyon Elevation includes:

Turbocharged engine — The standard turbocharged engine in the Canyon gives this truck ample power for on-road performance and off-road capability.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay — Every Canyon has an 11.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for effortless smartphone connectivity.

Off-road suspension — An off-road-ready suspension with a factory 2-inch lift and a wide track make the Canyon a capable off-roader when equipped with 4WD.

2023 GMC Canyon AT4: $43,900

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

2023 GMC Canyon AT4

The AT4 trim adds extra off-road capability and more convenience features to the Canyon.

The key to the Canyon AT4’s off-road capabilities is standard 4WD. Additionally, it has a 2-speed AutoTrac transfer case and an automatic locking rear differential. This well-equipped GMC truck also has advanced hill descent control, skid plates, red recovery hooks, and an integrated tailgate storage system.

The Canyon AT4 has some of the same options as the Elevation, plus some you can’t get on the base model. The most desirable is the AT4 Premium Package. It makes this truck a bit more luxurious with perforated leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a memory driver’s seat, a rear center armrest, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, and the contents of the Canyon Safety Plus Package.

A Technology Plus Package adds the contents of the Technology Package available on the Elevation trim, plus a multicolor head-up display. Other tempting features include a Bose audio system and underbody cameras that are handy in technical off-road driving.

Getting a 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 with a 60-month loan at 3% interest with zero down will start at about $816 per month. See 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 models for sale near you

2023 GMC Canyon AT4 includes:

Rugged appearance package — The robust and stylish Canyon AT4 has skid plates, unique wheels, and red front tow hooks hinting at its off-road capabilities.

Standard 4WD — Four-wheel drive comes standard on the AT4, along with a 2-speed AutoTrac transfer case, Off-Road and Terrain drive modes, and an automatic locking rear differential.

Hill descent control — This feature adds safety and convenience to off-road driving. It holds the AT4 to a certain slow speed while going downhill, significantly improving safety.

2023 GMC Canyon Denali: $51,000

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

2023 GMC Canyon Denali

The Canyon Denali trim justifies its price tag with luxurious features inside and out. It starts with a handsome appearance package highlighted by tasteful chrome trim and 20-inch wheels.

The interior of the Canyon Denali impresses more than ever. It has perforated leather seating, laser-etched open-pore wood trim, an 11-inch digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, and a Bose 7-speaker audio system.

The Denali also comes with additional standard safety tech features. You get a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, and rear parking sensors.

A stylish Denali Black Edition adds black badging, 20-inch black aluminum wheels, black running boards, and a black chrome exhaust tip.

The premium Canyon Denali starts at about $943 a month if you bring one home with a 60-month loan at 3% interest and zero down. See 2023 GMC Canyon Denali models for sale near you

2023 GMC Canyon Denali includes:

Perforated leather seats — The luxurious Canyon Denali model comes with an upscale interior, perforated leather seating, and laser-etched open-pore wood trim reminiscent of the larger and more expensive Sierra Denali.

Head-up display — A high-tech 6.3-inch color head-up display helps you keep your eyes on the road.

Bose audio system — Enjoy your music how it was meant to be heard with this 7-speaker premium sound system.

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X: $55,500

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X

The AT4X represents the peak of off-road performance for the GMC Canyon. On top of its standard 4WD system, the AT4X gets a 3-inch lift (giving it more ground clearance) and off-road suspension with Multimatic DSSV spool-valve shock absorbers. This raised Canyon also gets a wider track, electronically locking front and rear differentials, and a special Baja drive mode unique to the AT4X.

The aggressive appearance package on the AT4X doesn’t just look cool; it yields optimal approach, departure, and breakover angles. Other exterior features include additional underbody protection and 17-inch machined-finish alloy wheels in gloss black. On the inside, the AT4X gets a stylish Obsidian Rush interior with Ceramic White accents and red stitching.

The AT4X trim has many of the same luxury and technology features as the Denali model. GMC has loaded it with safety and driver assistance features, plus a Bose 7-speaker audio system, a head-up display, leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, and more.

An Edition 1 package is available exclusively for the AT4X. It includes 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, an off-road front bumper with a safari bar, a ComeUp winch, a 30-inch light bar, front and rear underbody cameras, and reconfigurable bed rails.

Additional available features include a power sunroof, red seatbelts, and removable off-road running boards.

If you get the range-topping Canyon AT4X with a 60-month loan at 3% interest and zero down, it will have a starting monthly payment of about $1,024. See 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X models for sale near you

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X includes:

3-inch lift — The AT4X comes with a taller lift kit, more ground clearance, and better approach and departure angles, making it ready for serious off-roading.

Locking front and rear differential — Electronic locking front and rear differentials make both wheels on either axle spin together — regardless of resistance — for maximum traction in rough terrain.

Multimatic DSSV dampers — These spool-valve dampers are unique to the AT4X. They provide on-road comfort and off-road capability without compromise.

FAQ

  • What is the best 2023 GMC Canyon trim?

    The base 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation is the best value for most shoppers.

    But if you’re looking for additional luxury or improved off-road capabilities in a midsize pickup, the upper trims will meet those needs beautifully.

  • How many miles per gallon does the 2023 GMC Canyon get?

    In 2WD form, the 2023 GMC Canyon is rated by the EPA at 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined.  With 4WD, that drops slightly, to 17 mpg city/21 mpg highway/19 mpg combined. With mud-terrain tires and 4WD, the 2023 GMC Canyon comes in at 17 mpg city/20 mpg highway/18 mpg combined.

  • Which 2023 GMC Canyon offers the most safety?

    The GMC Canyon is safest in the Denali and AT4X trims, or when equipped with the Canyon Safety Plus package available on lower trims.

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