The 2023 GMC Canyon offers several notable enhancements over the outgoing second-generation model, from wider front and rear tracks to revised exterior and interior styling, new technology and more. This long list of improvements also includes an updated version of the GM eight-speed automatic that addresses many of the transmission’s shortcomings.
Just like the closely related 2023 Chevy Colorado, the 2023 GMC Canyon will feature the new-generation Hydra-Matic 8L80 eight-speed automatic transmission. This is a brand new version of the GM eight-speed unit with an improved torque band and other enhancements intended to make the GMC Canyon, as well as the Chevy Colorado, feel more refined from behind the wheel.
During a recent media Q&A session, GM was asked why it did not equip its new mid-size trucks with its much-lauded GM 10-speed automatic transmission as opposed to updating the eight-speed, given the problems that some GM vehicle owners had reported with the eight-speed. The automaker responded with the following statement:
“To be very honest, the eight-speed is all about the torque band on the engine, so its got a super raw torque band,” a GM spokesperson said. “And with that, we don’t need as many gear ratios, so the eight-speed matches perfectly with the engine and in this application. It’s an all-new transmission and it’s going to shift fast, smooth, precise, and we’re really proud of this, and I think our customers will be as well.”
The 2023 GMC Canyon is available with only one engine option, the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine. This motor is only available in the High Output tune in the Canyon, which produces 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque.
The new 2023 GMC Canyon will be available in the first half of the 2023 calendar year. Production is scheduled to start on January 25th, 2023 at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri.
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Comments
That’s a non-answer from GM.
I wouldn’t touch GM’s 8 speed transmission. They are horrifically bad and GM has no idea how to fix them. They will remain so even if they stick it in a new case and claim that it’s reworked.
These trucks are handicapped and flawed from the start by not having the 10 speed.
Because gm is cheap.
I think this new 8 speed transmission will be good as GM engineers have analysed what were the problems with the old 8 speed transmission and have taken significant measures to correct them. The old 2.7L turbo 4 also had issues which the new 2.7L turbo have rectified and even improved in terms of performance. That said I still think GMC should offer the 10 speed transmission as a premium option along with the turbo diesel to distance the brand more from Chevrolet.
New GM seems to think that just having different skins and interiors while sharing the same platform is enough, it’s actually not. They need to expand brand differentiation so as to garner customer interest and rebuild Sloane’s brand hierarchy within GM’s family of vehicles.
The Sloan place is no longer viable. Most brands make do with a volume brand and Luxury brand. GM only varies a bit due to Buicks need in China and GMC ability to prove very profitable.
The truth is economics killed Sloan long ago but GM failed to kill the extra models and brands and it cost them a tone of mone going to bankruptcy.
I would argue differently about the Sloan ladder. There were two added benefits to GM. One was the nameplate premium — especially for Olds/Buick. Yeah, they had lower volumes than Chevrolet — but they also had reduced build combinations as more equipment was standard. At various times, the levels of differentiation was not enough — the A cars were a perfect example of that. Different enough to make production complex — not different enough for the customer to perceive a lot of difference (although certain models like the 6000STE made an impact)
member 12-
Did you read the part about they refined the transmission? OR-are you calling them liars? They are going up against the Tacoma-there is a lot at stake.
So all the complaints on the 8 speed has been fixed even before this 2nd. Generation. The issue was the fluid was not working correctly with it. If you have 8 speed and still having issues then you need to see the dealer. GM does a lot of silent warranty repairs for know issues.
There really is no need for the 10 speed if the 8 speed works fine with the engine. The 8th gear is probably the same as the 10th gear in the 10 speeds. More gears does not alway translate into better driving dynamics or fuel economy.
Seems GM put a lot of work into this truck and i doubt they are going to give a cheap transmission.
GM is a little different now and Jay Leno even states that on many of his videos, he is a certify car nut. The people running GM are all engineers and gear heads. New product is completely different than it was just 5 years ago. It takes time to make changes from the old way but from what i’m seeing its working.
All cars have troubles. Toyota’s new Tundra is a good example, its turning out to be a dud and having a lot of issues.
“They are horrifically bad and GM has no idea how to fix them”
That statement there just lost all credibility for what you were spouting off.
The 8 speed is completely opposite of (horrifically bad), it was well reviewed and developed in conjunction with the corvette with their PDK in the sights. They had some bad fluid which determined to be the fix for 90% of those with issues, the other 8% were torque converters after if was let to run too long and finally a few needed transmission replacement (plenty of ZF transmissions have been replaced too for failures). When working well they had generally positive reviews. There was the occasional rough shift but with so many gears, sensors to read and algorithms to read there can be gaps where it might find a rough spot or a hole in that confuses it. On top of that when cold most transmissions are a little rough until they heat up.
Just do some homework next time before stating something you have zero clue about because you read a few disgruntled things on the internet…
This transmission is a second generation, been thoroughly revamped (hence the second generation), they will take what they learned and address it. I have zero doubts this won’t be anything but a good transmission from GM, they have a history of doing that well.
We can agree to disagree on what you, vs what I, consider to be a horrifically bad transmission. Just what you list above, I consider to be horrifically bad. I do not expect to have to take my brand new truck in to have the transmission fixed. Fluid changed, torque converter, excuses for the gears and sensors. BS – I expect it to work!
The 10 speed has been virtually flawless (which you get 100% with the 2.7L in the Silverado) . Saying that it “matches perfectly with the 8 speed” but the same engine only comes with the 10 speed in the Silverado makes no sense. Stop making excuses for GM where they get it wrong.
I thought the Silverado 2.7T has an 8-speed as well? (not sure on which “gen” it is though) The CT4-V 2.7T has the 10-speed though.
Numerous transmissions from various manufacturers have had problems during their first few years and were sorted out later. Time will tell if GM has worked out the bugs.
With any luck, this will be a drop in replacement for the old unit, meaning that owners will receive an improved unit if theirs fails and GM won’t have to stock two different units. (but that might be hoping for too much)
Time will tell if the new 8 speed transmission is good or not and nobody knows otherwise.
I hope that the 2.7T HO is a good engine for this truck. It has good torque, but I’m surprised there’s no turbo diesel option.
The old transmission generally has been resolved. The fluid was the primary issue.
The new transmission is new and has been re-engineered so it should not be an issue.
The engine has prove good to this point and that should continue.
……”This is a brand new version of the GM eight-speed unit with an improved torque band and other enhancements…..”
What is new about it versus the last one? What are the enhancements? If it’s all-new then share with the public what has been done to improve the design, if you don’t, then all of this verbiage is just a load of nothing.
GM can’t provided this info. GM slapped the problematic full-size 8-speed into the redesigned mid-size trucks and is using PR, non-answer speak to call it “new and improved”, which without any other details GM can get away with because to the mid-size line it is “new”, and being heavier duty than what the mid-size was in the previous generation, “improved”.
GM, prove me wrong. I’m waiting, but won’t hold my breath.
If they put a slightly de-tuned version of the latest 3L diesel in these trucks they’d be almost perfect…and it would give them the edge over the upcoming Tacoma and all the rest. But will they? Doubt it—that would make too much sense.
Killing off the diesel, the EXT cab, the V6 and the two beg lengths will not help sales. GM just isn’t interested in ICE anymore and you can be sure if this was an EV it would be offered in 20 different configurations
I agree—but it seems that the lawyers and beancounters have taken over.
They are focussing on what is trendy—EV’s, where the “woke” cancel-culture know-it-alls ignore the fact that 80% of the batteries are from China and have less than a 5% recycle rate.
Exactly if it was an ev. In my opinion they aren’t offering those things u think they should cus the ev version is coming in 3 years an they prob figure the ones we sell great an if we don’t good we can push ppl to the ev which is also obvious in the big price increase of this truck almost 10,000$ difference
Roll the dice if you wish
When will we be able to order the 2023 Canyon?
I have a 2018 Colorado v6 . I changed the trans fluid at prox 5 K to AMSOIL . I now have 60K and have never had any issues. The trans has been flawless and I do haul heavy loads occasionally.
Ok, tell me what has been update!!! “New” means changes. New torque converter??? New clutch layout? New material in the clutch plates???? Just saying it’s new isn’t enough. Are they claiming it’s new so people get off their back about it????
That said, I was a fan of the 1Gen 8 speed. With a proper fluid flush all the issues were resolved. It’s just as fast shifting as the 10 and less complicated and less fragile at that.
GM has got it right this time with the 2nd Gen 8spd Tranny trust GM folks there quality is getting better and will be better than Toyota/Lexus oh yes indeed it will . 😎👍🏽👍🏽
Weather the 8 speed is now refined and wonderful now is not the real issue.
The issue is that so called smart people made a bad decision to reuse a transmission with a bad reputation.
People were expecting the 10 speed
The Ranger has the 10 speed
And anyone with 1/2 a clue would realize that.
I would say this is more about profit than brains.
Typical GM or should I say gm- small letters for small brains.
My 2020 Silverado LTZ has the 8- speed transmission, and so far, no issues to report.
The fact that GM knew they had issues with their older 8 speed transmission in identified vehicles, built from 2017 to 2019, but refused to resolve those issues and cover them for their customers is to me the real issue here. Do you think GM will step up and help their customers if they have problems with the new and improved 8 speed transmission has similar problems? The class action lawsuit brought against GM by owners of those earlier vehicles tells me no. It’s not about the 8 speed transmissions reputation but more about GM’s customer support and service or lack of.
I AM VERY INTERESTED IN THE 2023 CANYON AT4 BUT VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT THIS 8 SPEED TRANSMISSIN. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS IN THE PAST ,BUT TOYOTA IS NOT THE SAME TRUCK IT USED TO BE. IN MY OPINION TOYOTA IS BEHIND THE TIMES, THEY R JUST NOW COMING OUT WITH 4 CYCL TURBO WITH ABOUT 270 HP. TO ME THIS GMC CANYON IS THE BEST LOOKING MID SIZE TRUCK OUT THERE, BUT NOW I DO NOT THINK I WILL BUY BECAUSE OF TRANY ISSUES. HELP