GMC’s Canyon AT4X pushes the boundary of off road luxury

2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition

By Isaac Bouchard

If the idea of a $71,395 price tag on a small pickup leaves you aghast, you’re either a) Not the target buyer or b) haven’t been following the pricing no hardcore off-road vehicles.

Included in the 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition are (most obviously) hot-stamped steel bumpers and 17-inch, beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in Wrangler A/T tires, and a bed-mounted, vertical spare tire carrier, along with different fender flares. Less easily seen are skid plates for the rear differential, transfer case, fuel tank, specific rubber floor mats, accessory switches and other aftermarket-like distinctions, like AEV-branded head rest stitching.

American Expedition Vehicles has spent decades developing and building parts for most domestic companies and selling them direct through the aftermarket. They are superbly well-made, durable and expensive compared to the entry-level stuff. Having them covered by a GMC factory warranty, for the same price or less than buying them separately, seems logical if this is your bag. And while some will claim you’re better adding upgrades like the bumpers yourself, in my three decades of experience reselling such modified vehicles, most aftermarket upgrades retain almost none of their initial cost when trade-in time comes.

Other packages that hike the price of the basic AT4 (about $45k) are the AT4X pack—more skid plates, underbody cameras for off-roading, sidestep/rock rails and locking front and rear diffs—and options like Trailering Equip, Technology Plus (head up display, a power roof and more). The things that underwhelm about a standard Canyon, such as hard plastics, are still there, but that’s no different than in a six-figure Jeep Wrangler 392 or Ford Raptor-R. But the AT4X/AEV textures and colors of trim are great, and the massive screens for instruments and infotainment distract the eye well enough.

The Canyon it is based on is GMC’s excellent midsizer; the short 5-foot, 2-inch bed and four-door cab are pretty much class standard these days—only Toyota offers options for these—and the cabin itself is roomy and well laid out. As mentioned, plastics are cheap, but its solidly assembled and very refined, with incredibly low levels of tire and wind noise making it inside. The AT4X also rides superbly thanks to its 35-inch tires’ massive sidewalls and sophisticated spool-valve dampers.

Motivation comes from a 2.7-liter, turbocharged four cylinder engine; it has minimal turbo lag, massive grunt and a growly exhaust note. Its 7.4-sec run to 60mph is decent, but slower than lower-end models, due to the added mass of all the off-road hardware; max trailer towing also drops from 7,700 pounds to 6,000. The 310 horses and stout 340lb-ft of torque are channeled through an adroit 8-speed automatic with manual shift functions. This combo is as good or better than that from the Japanese and Jeep, but the Ford Ranger Raptor V6 twin-turbo reigns supreme.

Otherwise, the AEV Canyon has it covered. Those bumpers mean this Canyon has better approach and departure angles than lesser models, and the ground clearance is as massive 12.2 inches. The amazing shocks take repeated hits in stride and there’s great traction from the locking diffs, along with benefits of the underbody cameras and electronically controlled Terrain modes for those who don’t get off sealed pavement much. And because the Canyon is smaller than rigs like the Ram RHO and Chevy Silverado ZR2 you can go many places half-ton trucks would get jammed up in.

Having the best version of any modern item, whether it be a mountain bike, espresso machine, TV or the like, costs. The value is always better on the ones below the top. But the satisfaction from owning the best of the best cant be computed, and in this respect the AEV Canyon makes total sense.

EPA Ratings: 16/16/16mpg

0-60mph: 7.4sec

Price as tested: $71,395

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Here is what GMC has to say.

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram