The GMC Canyon AT4 is an off-road-oriented variant of the GMC Canyon that first entered the market for the 2021 model year as a replacement for the All Terrain trim level. During this time, the nameplate underwent a refresh of sorts, which included a new front fascia and other notable changes.
First Generation
The 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 marks the first model year for the all-new AT4 trim level, and replaces the All Terrain trim level. GMC says the Canyon AT4 has the authentic off-road capability rooted in the AT4 brand, and “possesses a high level of craftsmanship and purposeful engineering” in order to do so.
“The new 2021 Canyon AT4 broadens the appeal to midsize truck customers who live an active lifestyle,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick and GMC. “Much like the [2019] Sierra AT4 has attracted new customers from outside GMC, the Canyon AT4 will attract outdoor enthusiasts looking for a premium midsize truck to GMC with the capability, technology and refinement they’ve come to expect.”
Some of the performance-enhancing standard features include:
- Greater capability from 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires fitted to 17-inch aluminum wheels
- Off-road tuned suspension with Advanced Hill Descent Control System
- Four-wheel drive system with Eaton G80 Rear Automatic Locking Differential
- Transfer case skid plate providing additional protection when traveling off the beaten path
Like all AT4 models, the Canyon AT4 is equipped with a Jet Black and Kalahari interior color combination, available with either cloth or leather seats.
GM Authority was the first to report that the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 would offer a new special edition model, which has since been revealed as the new Off-Road Performance Edition, offering even more rugged capability to the already capable Canyon AT4 to provide customers with the confidence to “venture into rugged off-road environments, all while maintaining the premium comforts they have come to expect from GMC.”
One notable improvement that the Off-Road Performance Edition has over the regular Canyon AT4 is a factory-installed front suspension leveling kit that raises the front of the pickup truck by 1 inch for additional ground clearance. And because the front air dam has been removed, the kit gives you a 29.5-degree front approach angle, a 35.8 percent increase. This will help when climbing up obstacles.
Second Generation
With the introduction of the third-generation GMC Canyon, the Canyon AT4 trim level returned and was positioned a little differently. More specifically, the AT4 served as more of the entry-level all-terrain model, while the AT4X was now the pinnacle of the Canyon lineup. Despite this, the Canyon AT4 still includes some go-anywhere goodies, including:
- Two-inch factory lift (9.6-inches of total ground clearance)
- Ultra-wide front-and-rear track
- 18-inch off-road wheels and tires
- Faux front skid plate
- Red-painted tow hooks
- Gloss black exterior trim
- Red-accented AT4 exterior badging
- Red-accented AT4 interior badging
In regard to powertrain, the Canyon AT4 is powered by the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, calibrated with the High-Output tune and rated at 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. 4WD and the updated GM eight-speed automatic transmission are both equipped as standard.
More GMC Canyon Resources
Follow these links for more GMC Canyon information:
