2024 GMC Canyon

The 2024 GMC Canyon is geared toward midsize truck buyers who want something a cut above segment rivals in terms of standard capability, cabin furnishings, and engine performance. It walks a fine line between utility, passenger convenience, and comfort. The new Canyon AT4X AEV grade takes off-roading to new heights, while the Denali trim homes in on downright luxury. There isn’t a Canyon edition directly appealing to the fleet or work-truck crowd; however, don’t confuse that with not being work-ready. If you want to lay out $38,000 for a midsize truck to take to worksites, the Canyon Elevation won’t disappoint.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this collection of midsize trucks, including the GMC Canyon.

The big news for the 2024 GMC Canyon is the addition of the wildly off-road-proficient AT4X AEV trim. This is GMC’s take on the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison grade, also new for 2024. AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) partnered with General Motors to create both midsize ultimate off-roaders. In addition to the AT4X AEV’s 12.2 inches of ground clearance, it comes with beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud-terrain tires, locking front and rear differentials, Multimatic spool-valve shocks, and more. Oh, a launch control system engineered for quick takeoffs in the mud is also included.

Unless your taste and wallet run toward luxury (Denali) or extreme off-road capability (AT4X or AT4X AEV), we recommend sticking with the well-equipped Elevation. It and the AT4 are the best-selling trim levels.

The Canyon Elevation is more than the entry-level price of any of its segment rivals except the Jeep Gladiator. That’s because, unlike the rest of its competitors, it isn’t really entry-level. It comes right out of the box with a 4-door Crew Cab, a high-output turbocharged engine, and an off-road suspension (despite its standard rear-wheel drive).

Before buying a GMC Canyon, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. To date, the GMC Canyon is about average for retaining its value. The class residual-value leader is the Toyota Tacoma.

Percolating under the hood of every 2024 GMC Canyon model is a 310-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder high-output engine that also generates 430 lb-ft of torque. The V6-equipped Ford Ranger is the only rival matching the Canyon’s horsepower but doesn’t come close to the torque. The only model with more under the hood is the new-for-2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid.

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 enhance the experience, making us feel like we’re in an upscale SUV. GMC has done an excellent job of engineering the new Canyon to be a capable off-road pickup that’s still a comfortable and practical daily driver. We also like that the Canyon is much easier to navigate around urban streets and parking lots than its full-size sibling, the GMC Sierra. Much, much easier.

Fuel Economy

Despite the high output of the Canyon’s turbo 4-cylinder, its estimated fuel economy is within 1-to-2 mpg of most midsize trucks. With rear-wheel drive in mixed city/highway driving, the Canyon gets 20 mpg. Most Canyon models come with 4-wheel drive, which drops the mileage to 19 mpg. The exception is the AT4X AEV, which delivers 18 mpg on the mud-terrain tires. You can learn more about the fuel economy of the GMC Canyon and its competitors on the EPA’s website.

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 appreciate the material quality of the surfaces the driver touches, and even the base Elevation trim is surprisingly premium inside. Another cool detail: The Canyon is available with a sunroof.

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 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 vehicle.

Each Canyon trim has unique interior touches. We’re particularly 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 wowed by the comfortable front seats with plenty of legroom and headroom. A characteristic plaguing the midsize pickup class, the Canyon crew cab’s backseat isn’t particularly roomy. GMC extended the wheelbase with the redesigned Canyon, but it didn’t translate to more rear-seat legroom in any noticeable way. There are 34.7 inches of rear legroom, which is about average for this segment. The Jeep Gladiator, though, beats it by 3.6 inches. 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 cargo box (62 inches in length) is the only game in the GMC Canyon’s town. However, it does save agonizing over which variation to buy. Once again, it’s the AT4X models that are most remarkable because the 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 2024 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 every 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 it 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.

Underbody cameras
The AT4X models offer cameras at each end to see whatever tricky terrain lurks underneath.

A single 4-cylinder turbo high-output engine powers the GMC Canyon. An 8-speed automatic transmission ushers engine torque to all the wheels, except in the base Elevation with standard rear-wheel drive. However, you can upgrade the Elevation to 4-wheel drive.

Offering the best towing capability in the class, the GMC Canyon (and its Chevy Colorado cousin) can pull up to 7,700 pounds. This is 200 pounds more than the Ford Ranger. The Canyon’s payload limit is 1,684 pounds.

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.

Safety Ratings

Neither the 2024 GMC Canyon nor any of its direct competitors have been crash-tested by the government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Every Canyon comes with forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist.