{"id":30881,"date":"2023-05-11T08:18:33","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T12:18:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=30881"},"modified":"2023-05-11T08:18:33","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T12:18:33","slug":"payne-gmc-canyon-is-good-dirty-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2023\/05\/payne-gmc-canyon-is-good-dirty-fun","title":{"rendered":"Payne: GMC Canyon is good, dirty fun"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Asheville, North Carolina<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 GMC just wants to have fun.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Like Hollywood beefcake, General Motors Co.\u2019s premium truck brand is handsome, chiseled and irresistible in a black-and-chrome suit. Look for the Denali label inside the lapel. But the big fella also wants to get dirty like the Chevrolet boys. You know the Chevy hell-raisers \u2014 ripped, tattooed, riding around in their awesome spool-valve shock-stuffed ZR2 performance trim slingin\u2019 mud and huntin\u2019 bear.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/ecaaf90e-681a-4940-889a-a606ae59ad59-GMCCanyon_AT4X-fr-3-4-mud.jpg?crop=2661,1562,x233,y582&amp;width=660&amp;height=388&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/ecaaf90e-681a-4940-889a-a606ae59ad59-GMCCanyon_AT4X-fr-3-4-mud.jpg?crop=2661,1562,x233,y582&amp;width=1320&amp;height=776&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X looks best in dirt color.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X looks best in dirt color.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">GMC wants a piece of that, so say hello to the 2023 Canyon AT4X pickup. Hot dang!<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Miles from anywhere in North Carolina (\u201cFind your nowhere!\u201d is the new team tag), I pounded up a steep, rutted slope like Kong flattening a forest. Menacing grille, fenders out to here and outboard MultiMatic spool-valve shocks enabling absurd wheel articulation over rain-ravaged trails.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-features_general_motors-2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The AT4X is Canyon\u2019s all-new off-road model, sharing performance tools with Chevy\u2019s ZR2 off-road bruiser. In addition to the Multimatic assault weapons that allow Canyon to play hard in everything from low-speed rock crawling to high-speed trail runs, the AT4X gains tough underbody skid plates, 10.5-inch suspension lift, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain knobbies and front flamethrower (just kidding about that last one).<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The grille is menacing enough without the flamethrower as the design team has warmed to the trend that pickups are replacing sports cars as the new hormone vehicles. Camaro is exiting the lineup, but not its design inspiration. Canyon\u2019s grille is properly upright \u2014 GMC stamped in the middle \u2014 but it then flares around the mid-mounted headlights in a cool X-wing design.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/5489ffae-e54b-4c12-818e-07c7ea641bd8-GMCCanyon_AT4X-fr.jpg?crop=2986,1633,x661,y353&amp;width=660&amp;height=361&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/5489ffae-e54b-4c12-818e-07c7ea641bd8-GMCCanyon_AT4X-fr.jpg?crop=2986,1633,x661,y353&amp;width=1320&amp;height=722&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The remade front end of the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X includes mid-mounted headlights, upper running lamps, and an &quot;X-wing&quot; grille design.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The remade front end of the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X includes mid-mounted headlights, upper running lamps, and an &quot;X-wing&quot; grille design.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Those mid-mounted headlights allow more center sculpting as the \u201ceyebrow\u201d LED running lights bend \u2018round the corner into big swollen fenders. Designer Rob Hunwick says the resulting \u201cCoke bottle\u201d shape was inspired by the Camaro. Told ya\u2019 these GMC guys are having fun.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I had so much fun off-road in the Blue Ridge Mountain that I painted my Canyon with mud \u2014 the universal color of truckers everywhere. Though most of our media testing was at low speed through narrow trails and trees (don\u2019t try this in a full-size Sierra pickup), I can attest to the Canyon\u2019s high-speed capabilities, having tested its twin Colorado ZR2 on a dirt race track a few years back.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/d8415def-37c8-4389-ab7b-5d3113a6bf71-GMCCanyon_AT4X-side.jpg?crop=2869,1549,x669,y636&amp;width=660&amp;height=357&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/d8415def-37c8-4389-ab7b-5d3113a6bf71-GMCCanyon_AT4X-side.jpg?crop=2869,1549,x669,y636&amp;width=1320&amp;height=714&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X comes standard with crew cab and 5.5-foot bed.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X comes standard with crew cab and 5.5-foot bed.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">That truck attacked the Outback with a growling 3.6-liter, 308-horsepower 275-torque V-6, which has been replaced this generation with a 4-banger to meet government nanny emissions requirements. Fear not, however; despite losing nearly a liter of displacement, engineers have managed to squeeze even more grunt from the four-holer by cramming hot turbocharged air down its throat. The result is a gobsmacking 430 pound-feet of torque \u2014 more than 50% over the six-holer. Crazy, yes?<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-features_general_motors-3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I only ask that the turbo-4 would deliver a crazier bellow to match its formidable performance. To further encourage bad behavior, engineers have mounted the long-travel Multimatic shocks (crafted by the same Toronto-based Multimatic race shop that supplies Formula One, for goodness&#8217; sake) on the outboard side of the ladder frame, clearing out the underbody (save the differential pig) for more confident mud-slinging.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/b8a2a0aa-4c9c-41d0-b851-04ccc22e0cb5-GMCCanyon_AT4X-seats.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/b8a2a0aa-4c9c-41d0-b851-04ccc22e0cb5-GMCCanyon_AT4X-seats.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X cabin is a nice place to be with luxury materials and white leather trim.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X cabin is a nice place to be with luxury materials and white leather trim.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Open the cabin door and owners may have second thoughts about mud-slinging, though. While GMC has weaponized its exterior, it spared nothing to provide passengers with a typically premium GMC interior experience. The \u201823 Canyon is a major upgrade over the last-gen pickup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Interior designers call the dash the \u201chamburger,\u201d and this pickup has a lot of meat between the lower and upper plastic dash buns. My tester featured handsome, crafted red air ports at the corners that bookended white leather dash inserts with red stitching. What if, after a day of slinging mud at the AT4\u2019s exterior canvas, my muddy paws smeared these lovely materials? No problem, answered interior designer Brian Geiszler, running his own paw along the red stitching. Just wash it off.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/8c0a9d3c-cfc2-4ca5-93e1-4eb67d4fb4d4-GMCCanyon_AT4X-cockpit-trail.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/8c0a9d3c-cfc2-4ca5-93e1-4eb67d4fb4d4-GMCCanyon_AT4X-cockpit-trail.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X's upgraded eletronics offer multiple tools to monitor your off-road experience.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X's upgraded eletronics offer multiple tools to monitor your off-road experience.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Atop the hamburger is the garnish \u2014 a delicious state-of-the-art monoscreen that houses twin digital displays for driver instrumentation and infotainment. It is stuffed with off-road performance data and 10 cameras views to complement the rotary dial on the console (nicely packaged on the driver\u2019s side of the shifter) with which you can select multiple modes \u2014 including low-speed 4WD for when the going gets really soupy.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">COVID-19 Update<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Updates on how the coronavirus is affecting your community and the nation<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Varies<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\"><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The $56,995 AT4X\u2019s capability sets the standard for the Canyon lineup, which starts at $38,395 with the superb Elevation model.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Elevation isn\u2019t armed to the teeth with the AT4X&#8217;s off-road weaponry, but it has everything else, including the refined cabin, four-inch-wider stance for better handling and the whisper-quiet all-terrain tires.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Wait, what?<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-features_general_motors-4\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Yes, Canyon comes standard with the AT Wranglers, which would seem a recipe for noise, noise, noise. Hustling up the (paved) Blue Ridge highway, I had to jump out of the truck to remind myself these were all-terrains. The pickup is remarkably poised on its knobby 32-inch tires thanks to extensive sound-deadening around the wheel wells (in addition to its gym-toned chassis).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/0ebfe10d-b78f-4202-8983-416ed33368ab-GMCCanyon_Elevation-rr-tunnel.jpg?crop=3447,1878,x391,y299&amp;width=660&amp;height=360&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/0ebfe10d-b78f-4202-8983-416ed33368ab-GMCCanyon_Elevation-rr-tunnel.jpg?crop=3447,1878,x391,y299&amp;width=1320&amp;height=720&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Hustling along on paved road, the 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation is remarkably quiet thanks to sound-deadening touches in the chassis and fender wells.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Hustling along on paved road, the 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation is remarkably quiet thanks to sound-deadening touches in the chassis and fender wells.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The front cabin is a nice place to be, but I was disappointed GMC didn\u2019t do more with overall interior room \u2014 especially as the longitudinally-mounted V-6 engine is gone, which might have allowed for more space. Alas, rear-seat passengers will find legroom as tight as a subcompact SUV.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">GMC found its customers prefer crew cabs and 5.5-foot beds, so those are the only options for 2023. I would\u2019ve liked a truck at this price to offer more standard features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot assist (standard items on many $30K compact SUVs), but customers will have to add packages to find them. A must is a bed convenience package that brings a soft-drop tailgate and a clever in-tailgate storage cubby for those who use their gate as a workbench.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Standard is GMC\u2019s corner-step bumpers (why don\u2019t all brands have these?) for easy bed access. The exception is a special rear bumper for AT4X to enable a better departure angle.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/f279a9d9-0b8e-4e93-a740-ed15d7fa9a30-GMCCanyon_Elevation-bed-drop.jpg?crop=3318,1894,x225,y204&amp;width=660&amp;height=377&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/05\/10\/PDTN\/f279a9d9-0b8e-4e93-a740-ed15d7fa9a30-GMCCanyon_Elevation-bed-drop.jpg?crop=3318,1894,x225,y204&amp;width=1320&amp;height=754&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation comes nicely equipped with 32-inch all-terrain tires and powerful turbo-4 engine.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation comes nicely equipped with 32-inch all-terrain tires and powerful turbo-4 engine.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">AT4X is for hardcore off-roaders, but if you prefer your off-road fun aboard a dirt bike or ATV, you might be better served by the Elevation model. It boasts best-in-class 7,700-pounds towing so you can take lotsa\u2019 toys up north to your favorite hunting ground \u2014 or just up I-75 to Holly Oaks ORV Park.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-features_general_motors-5\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Canyon AT4X follows the insane crab-walking Hummer pickup in signaling a new era of GMC fun. But at half the price of Hummer, Canyon\u2019s capabilities are much more accessible. Why let the Chevy boys have all the fun?<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Next week: 2024 Alfa Tonale<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">2023 GMC Canyon<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Vehicle type: Front-engine, rear- or four-wheel-drive four-door pickup<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Price: $38,395, including $1,495 destination charge ($46,500 Elevation and $59,850 AT4X as tested)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Powerplant: 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Power: 310 horsepower, 430 pound-feet of torque<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Transmission: Eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Performance: 0-60 mph, 6.0 seconds (Car and Driver est.); towing, 7,700 pounds; 1,640-pound payload<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Weight: 4,630 pounds (Elevation)<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-features_general_motors-6\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Fuel economy: EPA est. 17 mpg city\/20 mpg highway\/18 mpg combined (4WD); 18 mpg city\/23 mpg highway\/20 mpg combined (2WD); range: 387 miles (4WD)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Report card<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Highs: Tough outside, high-tech inside; torque-tastic four<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Lows: GMC premium over similar Chevy specs; more standard safety features, please<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Overall: 4 stars<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Asheville, North Carolina\u00a0\u2014 GMC just wants to have fun. Like Hollywood beefcake, General Motors Co.\u2019s premium truck brand is handsome, chiseled and irresistible in a black-and-chrome suit. Look for the Denali label inside the lapel. But the big fella also wants to get dirty like the Chevrolet boys. You know the Chevy hell-raisers \u2014 ripped, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30881"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30881"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30881\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30882,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30881\/revisions\/30882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}