It wasn’t too long ago that we traveled out to Arizona to check out the 2022 Hummer EV Edition 1. But amid all the festivities, we were also given a glimpse into the future, with GMC reps providing an early glimpse of the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X. The AT4X will be breaking new ground for GMC in the mid-size segment, but what can buyers expect when this rugged Canyon makes its way to showrooms?
Rugged Styling But Turned Up A Notch
GMC has so far only released one teaser image of the Canyon AT4X for now, but it does reveal that the Canyon AT4X will have 17-inch beadlock wheels which will be shod in meaty Goodyear Wrangler Territory off-road tires. Rock rails also make their presence known, but look for the AT4X to potentially follow the Colorado ZR2’s playbook when it comes to some of the core aspects of its styling. The front bumper for example could receive a similar treatment to the ZR2’s in an attempt to improve ground clearance while the bigger fenders and the increased amount of black plastic cladding could point to a more muscular motif.
The AT4X will have a formidable set of challengers to overcome including the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, the soon to be launched, Ford Ranger Raptor, as well as the Nissan Frontier PRO4X and it will certainly need a design that will not only help the truck mesh with its stablemates but also stand out in a crowded market where performance and flair reign supreme.
A Sign Of Things To Come
While we have to wait until the truck is revealed to get the full performance picture, The 2023 AT4X could use the opportunity to venture into new performance hardware territory. GM will most likely retain the 2.8-liter turbodiesel, but maybe they’ll find a way to include mild-hybrid technology to the gasoline-burning engine. This would follow up on prior statements from both GMC and GM corporate in their goal to promote greener motoring and boost the mileage of their offerings. As a bonus, it would be a potent selling point in the off-road pickup segment and lure in buyers that want to experience new cutting-edge technology.
Pricing here could come in higher than the ZR2’s $49,065 base MSRP but that’s because GMC has always been seen as a premium focused brand versus mainstream like Chevrolet, and as a result, the Canyon AT4X will most likely come with more standard equipment to help drive home the point.
We look forward to seeing the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X when it appears especially if it can be the perfect alternative to not only the long-running benchmark models in the segment but also the perfect complement to the Sierra AT4X which is already available.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.