Used 2023 GMC Canyon

Although the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado are both midsize trucks made by General Motors and share many components, they’re meant to appeal to separate groups of buyers. Naturally, there’s a bit of overlap, but the GMC is more upmarket and off-road-oriented. The Canyon’s perks over the Colorado include a standard off-road suspension and high-output turbo engine on every trim, plus the rugged AT4 models and the luxurious Denali trim. As off-road capable as the AT4 versions are, an even more capable version, the AT4X AEV is on deck for the 2024 model year. The Canyon competes with the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Jeep Gladiator.

Every single Canyon has a strong 310-horsepower turbocharged engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and, in most cases, 4-wheel drive (4WD). This is among the strongest powertrains in the segment, and one of our favorite things about this truck. Every new Canyon we’ve driven — even the rugged AT4 models — has impressed us as being smooth and surprisingly quiet on the pavement. The comfortable seats and user-friendly tech features enhanced the experience, making us feel like we were in an upscale SUV. GMC has done an excellent job making the new Canyon a capable off-road pickup that’s still a comfortable and practical daily driver.

GMC has perfected the ethos of blending classy and rugged interior design. The new Canyon is no exception. The straight lines and straightforward controls remind us of the bigger and more expensive trucks in the GMC family but in a more affordable package. We’re impressed with the material quality of the surfaces the driver touches, and even the base Elevation trim is pretty premium inside. Another cool detail: The Canyon is available with a sunroof for the first time ever.

The centerpiece of this interior is the Android-based infotainment system with an 11.3-inch touchscreen. It has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but it also has Google built-in. That means you can use Google Maps and Google Assistant without connecting your phone. Google Assistant gives this system some of the best voice recognition we’ve ever used in a car.

Each trim of the Canyon has unique interior touches, and we were impressed with the level of luxury inside the Denali trim. Perforated leather seats and laser-etched open-pore wood trim make the Canyon Denali arguably the fanciest entry in the midsize truck segment.

We were very comfortable in the front seats with plenty of legroom and headroom. A fact plaguing the midsize pickup class, the Canyon crew cab’s backseat isn’t particularly roomy. It has 34.7 inches of rear legroom, which is about average for this segment. The Jeep Gladiator, though, beats it by 3.6 inches. GMC extended the wheelbase with the redesigned Canyon, but it didn’t translate to more rear-seat legroom in a noticeable way. That said, the rear seats are adequate for kids or adults for short trips.

The configuration of a 4-door Crew Cab and a short bed (62 inches in length) is the only game in the 2023 Canyon truck’s town. Saves agonizing over which variation to buy. Once again, it’s the AT4X that’s most remarkable, as its front and rear bumpers are shaped to enable the most advantageous approach and departure angles possible. This means nothing on the tarmac, but your neighbor with the mud-caked Jeep Wrangler will be suitably impressed.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Cable-free phone integration is standard across the 2023 Canyon lineup.

Google built-in
This means access to Google Maps and Google Assistant via voice commands to control navigation and turn speech into text messages, for example. It’s standard in the 2023 GMC Canyon.

CornerStep rear bumper
So simple, yet so useful. It helps gain access to the cargo bed and is standard across the range.

Waterproof tailgate compartment
Great for stashing sodden clothes or using as a cooler, this clever little compartment is optional in the lower trims, standard in the Denali and AT4X.

Digital driver information display
A configurable, high-definition 11-inch instrument cluster comes in at the Denali level.

Under-body cameras
A first for a Canyon, the AT4X offers cameras at both ends to see what tricky terrain is lurking beneath.

There’s just one engine for the 2023 Canyon midsize truck, a new turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder unit making a stout 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. That’s noticeably better output than the optional V6 of the Toyota Tacoma.

An 8-speed automatic is the sole transmission. The most affordable Elevation trim has rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard, with 4-wheel drive (4WD) available as an option. The rest of the lineup has 4WD as standard.

2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
310 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
430 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/23 mpg (RWD), 17/21 mpg (4WD), 17/20 (AT4X)

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The GMC bumper-to-bumper new-vehicle warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for the class. The first scheduled service is also free.