The 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 is here, dropping in as the direct replacement for the outgoing GMC Canyon All Terrain. Both trim levels outfit the pickup with a variety of off-road-oriented gear, but what makes the new AT4 different from the preceding All Terrain model? To find out, we’re placing the two trucks side by side to find out how they compare with regard to features.
On the whole, the GMC Canyon AT4 is a carry-over in terms of features when compared to the All Terrain. Both offer the same mechanical specs, as well as important rough-stuff-ready components like an Eaton G80 Automatic Locking Rear Differential, off-road suspension, and transfer case skid plate.
2015 GMC Canyon All Terrain
That said, the AT4 does stand apart from the All Terrain thanks to a number of aesthetic differences, the most obvious of which is a new grille that’s larger than the one on pre-facelift 2015-2020 models.
The new GMC Canyon AT4 also sports Dark Chrome trim, as opposed to the All Terrain’s Chrome trim, plus red recovery hooks, as opposed to the All Terrain’s black recovery hooks. Inside, the AT4 sports unique Kalahari stitching in the cabin, plus the AT4 logo embroidered into the headrests.
The GMC Canyon AT4 is the latest addition to the automaker’s expanding AT4 lineup. Looking ahead, the automaker will expand its AT4 lineup to include off-road-oriented variants for its entire lineup by the 2021 model year, with the exception of the GMC Savana van, as we covered previously.
| Feature | GMC Canyon All Terrain | GMC Canyon AT4 |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Chrome trim | No | Yes |
| Restyled front grille | No | Yes |
| Recovery hooks | Yes (black) | Yes (red) |
| Kalahari stitching | No | Yes |
| AT4 emrboidered headrests | No | Yes |
| Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires | Yes | Yes |
| 17-inch aluminum wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Off-road suspension | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Hill Descent Control System | Yes | Yes |
| Four-wheel drive | Yes | Yes |
| Eaton G80 Rear Automatic Locking Differential | Yes | Yes |
| Transfer case skid plate | Yes | Yes |
| Naturally aspirated 3.6L LGZ V6 engine (308 hp, 275 lb-ft) | Yes | Yes |
| GM eight-speed automatic transmission | Yes | Yes |
| 2.8L inline four-cylinder LWN turbodiesel (181 hp, 369 lb-ft) | Yes | Yes |
| GM six-speed automatic transmission | Yes | Yes |
With the new GMC Canyon AT4, GMC Yukon AT4 and the GMC Terrain AT4 now revealed, GMC’s AT4 offroad-oriented family is now complete. That said, we think it’s high time for GM to apply the same kind of rugged treatment to Chevrolet crossovers, potentially by adding an ACTIV trim level to the Equinox, Blazer and Traverse.
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Comments
“important rough-stuff-ready components like an Eaton G80 Automatic Locking Rear Differential,”
I have a G80 and while I think it is the best differential option available in trucks for ON ROAD driving and soft-roading like wet grass or snowy asphalt, it is far from “rough-stuff-ready”. The G80 is not a good off road differential.
And the Rancho shocks are garbage. GM should offer Bilstien on the AT4 and TrailBosee models. Leave Rancho on the Z71 and X31 packages.
Otherwise I really like the Canyon update. The front end looks great, especially the relieved lower bumper corners.
Your table breaking down the feature differences has the tow hook colors backwards. The red hooks are on the new version, not old.
Nice catch, Jim. Thanks for calling that out that typo. Should be fixed now.
That 8 speed is garbage, I’d pay extra money for a Sierra AT4 with a duramax because it comes with the Awesome 10 speed. My buddy’s Colorado Z71 4×4 broke down due to the defective 8 Speed on a Frigid Ohio winter day.
Goodyear Duratrac tires are not standard on the 2020 All Terrain. They are part of the All Terrain X package. Also is the Canyon AT4 leather only? If so that would be a difference as the cheaper cloth option would not be available.
I far prefer the old one…the new design looks like they forgot to bolt the front bumper on. Not a fan at all….
So the only difference is the badging and the front grill. . . Let’s be honest here, this is a complete disappointment! ! ! When GM announced they were making a Canyon AT4 it was to align w/ the ZR2. But they dropped the ball and put new badging on the All Terrain and acted like they did something great, when they didn’t. Why keep it in hiding and not give any detail since last Oct when it’s the All Terrain. The Yukon, Acadia, and Terrain all have better headlights and newer features than the so-called upgraded Canyon All-Terrain. Why isn’t anyone else speaking up!?! Maybe I’m the only one just truly disappointed.
No HID HEADLIGHTS OR LED SIDE MARKERS THAT ALL OTHERATKETS OFFER..THINK THAT WILD OF REALLY COMPLETED THIS UPDATE