10 Best Features of the 2023 GMC Canyon

2023 GMC Canyon ・ Photo by GMC

The 2023 GMC Canyon is a mid-size truck that was fully redesigned for this model year with something for everyone. It’s available in a range of trims that includes everything from the rugged, off-road ready AT4X to the luxurious Denali.

It’s a well-equipped truck with a large infotainment touchscreen, a powerful turbocharged engine, and wireless smartphone connectivity. There’s also good standard safety and the capability to tow a trailer and haul a payload. Here are the 10 best features of the 2023 GMC Canyon.

New AT4X Trim

The 2023 model year marks the debut of the new AT4X trim. This is the first time GMC has offered the Canyon in this trim, building on the existing AT4 with even more off-road capability. It has a 3-inch factory lift that gives it 10.7-inches of ground clearance and a 36.9-degree approach angle for challenging terrain.

There are standard Multimatic DSSV dampers that improve comfort and control off road, along with front and rear electronic locking differentials enhanced to provide better traction. There are also standard 33-inch mud terrain tires, a performance front skid plate, MultiStow Tailgate, and a special Baja Mode for high-speed off-road driving. The AT4X has all the features you need for off-road fun.

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The Luxurious Denali

The Denali badge is reserved for only the most luxurious trims in the GMC lineup. It still has plenty of capability to tow and haul, and it can still go off road, but it does so with a premium interior that creates a truly luxurious atmosphere. Outside there are 20-inch diamond-cut dark grey aluminum wheels, 5-inch Denali chrome assist steps, black exterior accents, a MultiStow Tailgate, and heated power side mirrors.

Inside, there’s a new available Jet Black interior with Teak accents that’s exclusive to the Denali. There are heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, as well as a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system standard. An 11-inch customizable digital instrument cluster, 6.3-inch head-up display, and 8-way power driver’s seat are also standard. Inside and out, the Canyon Denali delivers a premium experience.

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New Drive Modes

The 2023 GMC Canyon offers five drive modes. This lets you tailor the driving characteristics of the Canyon to current conditions, so you always get the best performance and handling possible for the situation. Normal mode is the everyday mode that provides a balanced, responsive ride on-road. Tow/Haul mode makes it easier to manage a heavy load or a trailer.

There’s an Off-Road mode for anytime you leave the pavement behind and need better handling when the surface is challenging. In especially tricky off-road scenarios, there’s a Terrain mode. This mode is designed for use in low-speed off-road driving when the landscape is more technical, including rock crawling. Lastly is Baja Mode — exclusive to the AT4X — which makes the Canyon ideal for high-speed off-road adventures. No matter the terrain, the Canyon is up to the challenge.

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Ten Different Camera Views

While rearview cameras are commonplace, additional cameras come in handy when you’re towing or tackling challenging off-road terrain. They let you better see around a trailer and better judge where exactly your wheels are and what’s directly under your truck. The GMC Canyon offers an incredible 10 different camera views so you can see exactly what’s around your truck. For trailering, there’s a hitch view that shows a closeup of the hitch to make hooking it up easier.

Off-roaders will appreciate the underbody cameras that make for more precise wheel placement. There’s a forward and rear facing camera, so you get a complete picture. The split-screen view combines the underbody camera views with the surround view to create a full picture of the area around your truck. And since the underbody cameras are right down in the mud and muck, there’s also a wash function so you can clear the dirt away and still have a clear view no matter the road conditions.

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A Responsive Turbocharged Engine

Whether you’re managing a payload, towing a trailer, adventuring off road, or even just cruising the highway, having enough power is important. Especially when towing, the engine needs to be strong enough to manage the extra weight without complaint, even when driving up steep hills. GMC gave the Canyon a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine to do the job.

It has 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque with all that torque proving especially helpful off-road and when towing. The engine is paired to a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission that manages power well. There’s no harshness, even under hard acceleration. This is the standard engine for the whole lineup, too, so there’s no need to move up the trim range to get this powertrain. Even in the base trim, the GMC Canyon has power to spare.

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It Can Handle Cargo

This is a mid-size truck, so it doesn’t have the same huge payload and towing numbers found in full-size trucks. If that’s your priority, then there’s always the GMC Sierra. If, however, you want the versatility of a truck with lighter cargo needs, then the GMC Canyon is up to the task. Exact figures vary depending on the trim you choose and whether it’s equipped with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.

The base Elevation trim with rear-wheel drive comes in with the highest payload rating of up to 1,640 pounds while the AT4X Edition 1 sees that number drop to 1,010 pounds. When it comes to towing a trailer, the tables turn with the AT4X Edition 1 coming in at 5,500 pounds and the Elevation, AT4, and Denali all rated highest at 7,700 pounds.

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A Large Infotainment Screen

Instead of offering a smaller infotainment touchscreen on base trims and reserving a large screen only for the top of the lineup, the GMC Canyon has an 11.3-inch touchscreen as a standard feature on every trim. This large screen makes the system easier to use, particularly when you’re trying to stay on track following a complicated drive route through a city.

Standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker audio, Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, two front USB ports, and one rear USB port to keep you connected. Also available is a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system and dual rear USB ports. There’s no shortage of features, and the large infotainment screen on even the base trim of the Canyon helps create a more premium experience the moment you open the door.

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Standard Off-Road Performance Display Screen

Even experienced off-roaders can benefit from having additional information at the ready. Whether the cameras help you get wheel placement just right or more detailed vehicle information, they help you conquer more challenging terrain and improve safety. The GMC Canyon has standard off-road performance pages that you can view right on the infotainment screen.

These pages provide real-time information on 8 different off-road elements. It shows pitch and roll, G-force, tire pressure, steering angle, wheel slip, transfer case status, compass, and even an altimeter to monitor your altitude. This information can help you better understand how your truck is performing, and it can help you make better decisions about which direction to take when you’re off road.

Lot of Standard Safety Features

The 2023 GMC Canyon includes numerous standard safety features. There’s automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian and bicyclist detection, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision alert all standard on the Canyon. The Denali and AT4X also have a standard safety alert seat that vibrates as a part of its warning notification process. Additional safety features are available through several packages.

The Safety Plus Package adds rear cross-traffic braking and blind spot steering assist. The Technology Package adds rear pedestrian alert, adaptive cruise control, and HD Surround Vision. While not every safety feature is standard on every trim, key features are standard, making it a strong safety proposition. Those who want a bit more can pick and choose with the options packages to get whatever level of safety makes them most comfortable.

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The MultiStow Tailgate

Tailgates were once an afterthought. They opened and closed, but that was about it. Today, tailgates are becoming important components in truck design with all sorts of nifty features. Some can either drop down or swing open while others also split in the middle There are deployable steps to help you get into some trucks and even built-in audio systems for when you’re having a party.

The GMC Canyon has a unique built-in Multistow tailgate. Simply flip the tailgate down and there’s a door that opens to reveal an extra compartment. It runs the full length of the tailgate and about half the height, so it’s a great spot for stowing smaller items, especially if you’re worried they’ll be rolling around in the bed of the truck otherwise.

Photo by GMC