Making its big debut last August, the all-new 2023 GMC Canyon brings a long list of changes and upgrades to the table, including new styling, the new AT4X trim level, a new cabin, and new tech. Not only that, but the 2023 GMC Canyon is also equipped with a new turbocharged engine as standard across the line. The question is – how quick is it to 60 mph in the real world?
To answer that question, GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft got behind the wheel of the new 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 4×4 to put the pedal down and see exactly how long the benchmark would take.
Under the hood, the third-gen Canyon, regardless of trim, is equipped as standard with the new turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine. Branded as TurboMax in the Silverado 1500 as well as in the Sierra 1500 and known internally at GM as the “torque monster,” this four-banger lives up to its nickname with 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 430 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm.
All that output is harnesses by the much-improved GM eight-speed automatic transmission and is distributed through a four-wheel drive system, although for these runs, Luft kept the truck in rear-wheel drive. Only two shifts were needed to hit 60 mph. In the corners, this truck is riding on a set of Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires measuring in at 265/65R18.
At 4,630 pounds, the 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 4×4 is no lightweight. However, 430 pound-feet of twist can solve a lot of problems. It’s also worth noting that the test was done on an un-prepped surface at roughly 2,000 feet above sea level.
A total of two runs were made back-to-back, with acceleration data captured using a GPS-based system with accelerometers. Luft launched the truck using a “brake boost” or “brake stand” method to get the engine cooking on launch, slipping off the brake pedal around the 2,000 rpm.
How does it all add up? Hit to play to find out:
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Canyon news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I sure hope it can reach 60mph
I wonder how long if he didn’t brake torq.
Seems slow. 7.1? I was expecting 6.1. not sure if it was pulling boost or timing due to brake torquing it but the takeoff seemed very sluggish. My Ecoboost responds well to brake torquing but maybe GM set it up to not.
offroad tires, over 4,600 lbs, 2k ft elevation, unprepped surface. granted an unprepped surface is basically every street unless you go to a track which is unlikely. all of those account for slower times.
Thanks Alex, you’ll have to get the 0-60 on a full dressed Denali or AT4X when or If you can get your hands on one.
Why? Both are heavier trucks and will be slower.
So this isn’t any better than the V6 in a 2nd gen Colorado? Was expecting better with the higher torque. Must be the turbo lag?
Majority of reviewers got 6.1 second 0-60 times with the previous gen V6 4WD crewcab. Torque monster seems meh plus with worse fuel mileage. Nice truck otherwise.
Don’t brake torque the engine. It’s does a much better run. I have the 2.0L turbo and the lag that comes from brake torquing the engine is horrible. I wouldn’t even call it a turbo lag. The rpm’s don’t even fly up as soon as you let off the brakes
I’m just waiting for all the premature engine failures from the mini torgue monster.
It would have been nice if he had camera aimed at the dashboard to actually see if the truck hit 60 mph like he said it did otherwise where just taking his word for it.
You’re taking his word for it anyway. He could aim the camera at the dashboard and drive up a hill too.
Hey GMC, could you next time knock off the long wheelbase extra cab with 4 wheel drive and then take this lighter GMC truck down to sea level, not torque brake the dog snot out of this drivetrain and lets see what it’ll actually do for us truck lovers who honestly don’t need a full four door pick up with 4 wheel drive and are just looking for a nice 2 wheel drive (say with a limited slip rear end) to purchase. Seems to me we’re talking a few factors here that could easily bring the 0-60 times into the mid 6 second range instead of loading a dog crap full of options to the point where we are talking a very expensive and heavier GMC Canyon Truck and why at such an altitude, some of us will never see such altitudes and we all know vehicles run better at sea level. Anyway, I think this new 4 banger has some potential, but throwing AWD and at 2000 ft altitude into a loaded GMC Canton isn’t going to give you any better times than you’re now able to get but you could easily drop half a second or more to the 0-60 times…what do ‘ya think GM, are you willing to see what this drivetrain can do “in the real world”? Then again, to many, this trick means nothing, it is what it is on that day with that truck at 2000ft altitude and they’ll simply go with whatever you show them, and that’s fine too, I’m just curious if this new (for this truck) engine properly set up can run with the big V6’s out there from Toyota or anyone else for that matter.
Well 7.1 is not AWFUL, and we’re not sure how the test was calculated, it seems impromptu based on the video, and most of us are still hungry for info on these new trucks, and for that, we appreciate the work being done by GMA. Just wanted to clarify my position, if the truck performs worse than the last gen, that is not GMA’s fault.
These new trucks have a weight problem it would seem. Previous gen V6 was not only quicker but more efficient by 3 MPG on the highway. I’m seeing weight as much as 5000 LBS on certain models with 4X4 and around 4860 for Denali’s.
Knowing GM I bet $$$ that they limit full throttle launches. The nannies win out in the end.
It said that he was in 2 wheel drive.
What it find strange is there was no wheel spin.
If these 0-60 runs are done with traction control on it will be slower as any wheel slip at all and the computer will pull the timing.
My Colorado diesel will spin both back tires if I was to put it to the floor from a dead stop. It runs out of steam fast as the RPM comes up but from a stop it’s very torquey ….
I didn’t notice him getting pushed back in the seat. It seemed very soft from a stop.