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2025 GMC Canyon AT4 vs. AT4X vs. AT4X AEV Edition: What Are The Differences?

If you’re looking for an off-road-oriented midsize pickup, then GMC has you covered with the 2025 GMC Canyon, offering up model variants like the GMC Canyon AT4, AT4X, and AT4X AEV Edition. Each of these rough-and-ready rigs offers its own selection of features and unique characteristics. Now, GM Authority is taking a closer look at the differences between the GMC Canyon AT4, AT4X, and AT4X AEV Edition, covering the exterior, interior, safety, mechanical, and specs.

The front end of the GMC Canyon AT4.

Exterior

Starting outside, the GMC Canyon AT4 boasts a more rugged styling treatment than the standard Canyon, running a set of with 18-inch Dark Gray machined aluminum wheels (RPO code RQL) and 265/65R18 all-terrain tires, as well as a traditional rear bumper design. By contrast, the AT4X runs 17-inch Black High Gloss machined aluminum wheels (RPO code R34), LT285/70R17C mud-terrain tires, plus underbody cameras and Off-Road Rocker Protection for enhanced trail-readiness. The AT4X AEV Edition takes the off-road durability even further, featuring AEV-specific stamped steel bumpers and beadlock-capable wheels paired with meatier LT315/70R17 mud-terrain tires. Unique AEV branding and additional skid plates complete the rugged aesthetic​​.

RPO AT4 AT4X AT4X AEV Edition
LED signature Daytime Running Lamps T7E S S S
Body-color door handles D75 S S -
Front LED fog lamps T40 S S S
LED headlamp projectors with Fade-on/Fade-off animation and LED turn signals T4L S S S
Automatic headlamp control T83 S S S
Rear combination LED taillamps T93 S S S
Deep-tinted glass AKO S S S
Cargo area lamps UF2 S S S
Power-adjustable and heated outside mirrors DLF S S S
Black painted mirror caps DP6 S S S
Front Red recovery hooks UGA S S S
Ultrasonic rear park assist UD7 S S S
EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate PPA S S S
Remote tailgate locking A91 S S S
Tailgate keyed cylinder lock BDR S S S
MultiStow Tailgate storage compartment BPC S S S
265/65R18SL all-terrain tires Q2P S - -
P265/70R17SL all-season spare tire XCQ S -
18-inch Dark Gray Machined Finish aluminum wheel RQL S - -
CornerStep rear bumper BWN S - -
Nightfall Edition XNF A - -
Off-road front bumper with safari bar VH6 A1 A1 -
Off-road bumper pod lights 5BO A1 A1 -
30-inch grille-mounted off-road light bar S3W A1 A1 -
Performance front skid plate PZZ A1 A1 -
Wiring harness for off-road bumper lights WRT A1 A1 -
Accessory switch kit UJA A1 A1 -
Accessory power distribution box SAB A1 A1 -
Off Road Lighting Package, LPO PCL A A A
Recovery Package, LPO PCN A2 A A
Utility Wall Package, LPO PDO A - -
Sports Bar Package, LPO PCK - A -
Black Assist Steps, LPO VQO A - -
Removable Off-Road Assist Steps, LPO RVP A3 A A
Black badges, LPO RIK A4 A A
Black GMC emblems, LPO SFZ A3 - -
Bedliner with integral storage compartments, LPO 5VQ A - -
Off-Road Assist Steps, LPO VZT A5 - -
Front skid plate, LPO SIQ A6 - -
Mid skid plate, LPO SIR A6 - -
Off-Road Rocker Protection BZT - S S
Spray-on bedliner CGN A S S
Sport upper-body window moldings MFI - S S
LT285/70R17C mud-terrain tires QAF - S -
17-inch Black High Gloss machined finish aluminum wheels R34 - S -
LT285/70R17C mud-terrain spare tire RMR - S -
Underbody cameras UXA - S S
Solar glazing front side glass AGG - S S
AEV front chassis skid plate PZG - - S
AEV transfer case skid plate PZN - - S
AEV rear differential skid plate PZL - - S
AEV fuel tank skid plate PZ9 - - S
AEV stamped-steel rear bumper with heavy-duty cast recovery points VQH - - S
AEV stamped-steel front bumper VQD - - S
Wheel flares VKV - - S
Bed-mounted vertical spare tire carrier P1D - - S
17-inch beadlock-capable wheels with laser etching and AEV center cap RPM - - S
LT315/70R17 mud-terrain tires QTE - - S
17-inch beadlock-capable spare wheel with laser etching SKN - - S
LT315/70R17 mud-terrain spare tire RD8 - - S
Gloss Black painted door handles - - S
  1. Included and only available with Off Road Front Bumper Package (X31)
  2. Requires Off-Road Front Bumper Package (LPO, X31)
  3. Requires Nightfall Edition package (XNF)
  4. Included with Nightfall Edition package (XNF)
  5. Included and only available with Off Road Lift Package (LPO, PDE)
  6. Included and only available with Skid Plate Package (LPO, PCQ)

Interior

All three trims share a premium cabin with an 11.3-inch infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and heated front seats. The AT4X and AT4X AEV Edition also include exclusive Obsidian Rush interior trims and ventilated front seats, both of which are standard. The AEV Edition adds subtle branding elements like embroidered headrests for a bespoke feel​.

RPO AT4 AT4X AT4X AEV Edition
Dual-zone automatic climate control CJ2 S S S
11-inch fully digital Driver Information Center display UV6 S S S
Tilt and telescoping steering column N37 S S S
Sliding front visors with illuminated vanity mirrors DEG S S S
Power driver window with Express-up and Down AXG S S S
Power front passenger window with Express-Down AED S S S
Power rear windows with Express-Down AEQ S S S
Power windows with remote Express-Down WLD S S S
Sliding rear window A28 S S S
11.3-inch Premium GMC Infotainment System with Google built-in URL S S S
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto PPW S S S
Off-Road Performance Display S S S
6-speaker audio system UQ3 S - -
2 front console USB charge/data ports UBD S S S
2 rear center console USB charge ports UBI S S S
SiriusXM with 360L, trial subscription U2K S S S
3 Years SiriusXM R6P A A A
Teen Driver TDM S S S
OnStar Basics with 8-year service plan S S S
3 Years of OnStar Digital Services R9M S S S
Front floor console compartment with cupholders and cell phone storage D07 S S S
Cruise control K34 S - -
Keyless Open and Start AVJ S S S
Push Button Start BTM S S S
Color-keyed carpeted floor covering B30 S S S
Carpeted front floor mats B34 S S S
Carpeted rear floor mats B35 S S S
120-volt power outlet on rear of console KI6 S S S
120-volt bed-mounted power outlet KC9 S S S
12-volt center console bin power outlet KPA S S S
HD Rear Vision Camera UVB S S S
Remote vehicle starter system BTV S S S
4-way manual front passenger seat A7E S - -
8-way power driver seat A2X S S S
Power lumbar driver seat AL9 S S S
Heated front seats KA1 S S S
Rear 60/40 split-folding bench with storage AUW S S S
Front seatback map pocket E91 S S S
Tire Pressure Monitoring System UJN S S S
Tire Fill Alert UUT S S S
Theft-deterrent system UTJ S S S
Vehicle health management VHM S S S
Jet Black/Timber perforated leather seating HX6 A1 S S
Driver memory recall A45 A1 S S
6-way power front passenger seat A7J A1 S S
Power lumbar front passenger seat AT9 A1 S S
Rear seat center armrest DA5 A1 S S
Driver seatback pocket E90 A1 S S
Wireless charging K7A A1 S S
Heated steering wheel KI3 A1 S S
Ventilated driver and front passenger seats KU9 A1 S S
Adaptive Cruise Control KSG A2 S S
Rear Pedestrian Alert UKK A2 S S
HD Surround Vision UV2 A2 S S
Power sunroof CAC A2 S S
Bose sound system UQA A2 S S
Laminated acoustic windshield glass AKK A2 S S
Multicolor 6.3-inch diagonal head-up display UV6 A2 S S
Trailering Package Z82 - S S
Red seat belts 3F9 - S S
All-weather floor mats, LPO AAK - S S
Safety Alert Seat HS1 - S S
Obsidian Rush interior trim HV1 - S S
In-vehicle trailering app U1D - S S
Driver selector with Baja mode - S S
All-weather floor liner, LPO RIA - - S
Power distribution box, LPO VBP - - S
Switch plate, LPO VZJ - - S
AEV branded front head restraints - - S
  1. Included and only available with AT4 Premium Package (PCU)
  2. Included and only available with Technology Plus Package (PDG)

Safety

Safety features remain consistent across all trims, including Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking. All of these features are included as standard for all three trims.

RPO AT4 AT4X AT4X AEV Edition
Forward Collision Alert UEU S S S
Following Distance Indicator UE4 S S S
IntelliBeam TQ5 S S S
Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning UHX S S S
Automatic Emergency Braking UHY S S S
Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking UKT S S S
Rear Park Assist UD7 S S S
Rear Cross Traffic Braking UFB S S S
Blind Zone Steering Assist with Trailering UKW S S S
Rear Seat Reminder RSR S S S
Rear Seat Belt Indicator UH5 S S S

Mechanical

Mechanically, the AT4 includes off-road suspension with a two-inch lift and standard Autotrac two-speed transfer case. The AT4X and AT4X AEV Edition upgrade with a three-inch lift with Multimatic jounce control dampers and front and rear electronic locking differentials, significantly enhancing their capability over challenging terrain.

RPO AT4 AT4X AT4X AEV Edition
Turbocharged 2.7L four-cylinder engine L3B S S S
Engine block heater K05 A A A
Automatic Stop/Start KL9 S S S
8L80 8-eight speed automatic transmission MFC S S S
3.42 rear axle ratio GU6 S S S
Autotrac electronic two-speed transfer case NQH S S S
Automatic locking rear differential G80 S - -
Electronic, driver-selectable full-locking front differential G93 - S S
Electronic, driver-selectable full-locking rear differential G94 - S S
Driver Mode Selector with Normal, Off-Road, Terrain and Tow/Haul modes URC S S S
Hill Descent Control JHE S S S
Automatic radiator grille shutters WMI S S S
Off-road suspension with 2-inch lift Z2I S - -
Off-road suspension with 3-inch lift - S S
Suspension Lift Kit, LPO SQI A1 - -
Multimatic Jounce Control Dampers, LPO RWF - A A
Trailering Package with hitch and 7-pin connector Z82 S S S
ProGrade Trailering System ZL6 S - -
Hitch Guidance CTT S S S
Hitch View PZ8 S S S
Integrated trailer brake controller JL1 S S S
Trailering App system U1D S - -
  1. Included and only available with Off Road Lift Package (LPO, PDE)

Specifications

All three models share the same dimensions, but the AT4X and AT4X AEV Edition weigh slightly more due to their additional off-road components. This also results in reduced towing and payload capacities for the AT4X and AEV Edition at 6,000 pounds and 1,260 pounds, respectively, compared to the AT4’s 7,700 pounds towing capacity and 1,570 pounds payload. Fuel economy varies as well​.

AT4 AT4X AT4X AEV Edition
Wheelbase (in. / mm) 131.4 / 3,338 131.4 / 3,338 131.4 / 3,338
Length (in. / mm) 213.2 / 5,415 213.2 / 5,415 213.2 / 5,415
Width with mirrors folded (in. / mm) 72.4 / 1,839 72.4 / 1,839 72.4 / 1,839
Height at hardware (in. / mm) 79.8 / 2,027 81.6 / 2,073 81.6 / 2,073
Front tread width (in. / mm) 66.1 / 1,679 66.3 / 1,684 66.3 / 1,684
Rear tread width (in. / mm) 66.1 / 1,679 66.3 / 1,684 66.3 / 1,684
Front headroom (in. / mm) 40.3 / 1,024 40.3 / 1,024 40.3 / 1,024
Front headroom with sunroof (in. / mm) 39.2 / 996 39.2 / 996 39.2 / 996
Rear headroom (in. / mm) 38.3 / 973 38.3 / 973 38.3 / 973
Front shoulder room (in. / mm) 57.4 / 1,458 57.4 / 1,458 57.4 / 1,458
Rear shoulder room (in. / mm) 56.1 / 1,425 56.1 / 1,425 56.1 / 1,425
Curb weight (lbs. / kg) 4,650 / 2,109 4,960 / 2,250 4,960 / 2,250
Payload (lbs. / kg) 1,570 / 712 1,260 / 572 1,260 / 572
Towing capacity (lbs. / kg) 7,700 / 3,493 6,000 / 2,722 6,000 / 2,722
City/Highway/Combined fuel economy (mpg) 18 / 22 / 19 17 / 17 / 17 16 / 16 / 16

For those who want more off-road features for their AT4, but without stepping up to the AT4X, GMC also offers a few different packages, including the Off-Road Front Bumper Package (RPO code X31), Off-Road Lift Package (RPO code PDE), Off-Road Lighting Package (RPO code PCL), Skid Plate Package (RPO code PCQ), and Recovery Package (RPO code PCN), enabling customers to enhance the AT4’s capability to rival its more specialized siblings​.

Each trim is powered by the same turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, paired with the GM eight-speed automatic transmission. As a reminder, the GMC Canyon rides on the updated GMT 31XX platform, with production taking place at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri.

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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