2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition and AT4X First Drive: Bolder Boulder Hunters

We're slowly dodging, weaving, and otherwise picking our way up what you could charitably call a road in a brand-spanking-new GMC Canyon AT4X. Whoa, that rock looks huge. Should we go around it? Nope, not unless we want to flip over a cliff. We'll go over this one. A glance at the front-view underbody camera helps guide us to the right line over the mini boulder, and the Canyon AT4X's Multimatic DSSV dampers aid in the articulation we need to make short work of yet another substantial obstacle littering the treacherous trail.

Trudging your way through extra rugged Montana backcountry isn't exactly something most people who buy the Canyon AT4X will do every day, but if they want or need to, it's comforting to know that the GMC midsize truck has the firepower to get after it when the going gets rough. Firepower like the aforementioned Multimatic dampers, front and rear electronic locking differentials, a 3.0-inch factory lift (aiding 36.9-degree approach and 24.5-degree departure angles), 10.7 inches of ground clearance, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler MT tires, and multiple skidplates.

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AEV Edition Is AT4X to the Max

Just in case that isn't enough professional-grade off-road stuff for you, GMC also offers the even more extreme 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition, part of its AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) aftermarket equipment assault that it now offers across its truck lineup. AEV has been a standout provider of hardcore parts for close to three decades, and its work with General Motors (AEV has a similar setup with Chevy's ZR2 Bison-branded trucks) means you get top-quality kit installed at the factory with a factory-backed warranty.

For the Canyon AT4X AEV Edition, that means special, stamped steel AEV bumpers front (winch capable) and rear with recovery points, a 4.5-inch factory lift (enabling a best-in-class 12.2-inch ground clearance), even beefier 35-inch Goodyears (with a vertical spare setup in the bed) wrapped in AEV beadlock-capable Salta wheels, a total of five Boron steel skidplates (AEV told us the Boron process makes the plates on the order of two-plus times stronger than typical high-strength steel units), a prewired electrical setup for accessories, and AEV badging inside and out. The truck also has an even more aggressive 38.2-degree approach angle, a 26.9-degree breakover angle, and a 26.0-degree departure angle than the AT4X.

We had a chance to spend some time with AEV head man Dave Harriton, who founded the company almost 30 years ago now. He's been impressed with GMC's and GM's commitment in recent years to making its trucks supremely capable off-road, and when they came to him to form the partnership, he was game. AEV had a steep learning curve at the outset, integrating its parts into trucks being built on the factory line. But now both partners are in the zone and pumping out premium-looking and -performing products.

Like every GMC Canyon model, the AT4X and AEV Edition are powered by a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. While not quite class leading, we found it to be more than enough power to motivate the roughly 5,000-pound trucks. Set in four low with crawl mode on, we had zero issues trundling up and down the trail. While peak torque comes on a little late at 3,000 rpm, the power felt plentiful at all speeds, all the time.

On the way down, we had a chance to hop in an AEV Edition Canyon, and although most of the experience felt familiar, we were a little more at ease thanks in large part to the additional 1.5-inch lift over the Canyon AT4X we drove up the mountain. Obstacles we weren't sure about, we simply rolled over knowing we had the extra clearance and those Boron steel plates as a backup (Harriton said the Boron plates are arguably the best in the world at deflecting obstacles while staying in shape and not being severely damaged in the process).

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Not on the Trail? No Problem

We also had a chance to sample both Canyons (the specific AT4X we drove was a 2023 model, but it's effectively the same truck for 2024) where they will likely spend most of their time attacking the urban jungle, and the first thing you notice is how compliant the ride is, with the big tires helping to soak up and smooth out road imperfections. At freeway speeds (80 mph speed limits in Montana!), you'll hear some noise from those tires, but the cabin itself is well isolated as a whole, and it's a fine place to spend time eating up the miles.

Along the twistier bits of the route, the steering feel was a little on the lighter side (not a surprise given the off-road mission), but it was nothing we couldn't easily correct. Step on the throttle, and the big four-banger sounds beefy under hard acceleration and almost nonexistent at cruising speeds, with strong and easily modulated brakes on tap when you need to slow down.

The AT4X trucks come as loaded models with about every option you'd want from a higher end truck starting just below 60 grand, in effect what you'd expect from GMC. Inside, both wore white trim bits (not sure we'd go that route if the truck's primary mission is trail hunting), with comfortable seating and other luxury-leaning touches. Among those are an 11.3-inch infotainment screen with Google integration and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, in addition to a number of advanced driver assist, safety, and other upscale comfort and convenience features.

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Are the AT4X and AT4X AEV Edition Worth the Squeeze?

While GMC hasn't officially announced pricing for the 2024 Canyon AEV Edition, we expect it to be about a six-grand or so upcharge over the AT4X, which itself lists for $57,000 before options. That's a big bag for a midsize truck. But before you tut tut, the AEV team was clear that if you bought just the AEV accessories separately and bolted them on, you'd be looking at double the price. Then remember the AT4X's front and rear locking e-diffs, Multimatic dampers, tires, lift, etc., and suddenly it makes more sense. Sure, you could potentially buy a beater or build up a late-model truck and outfit it with some or all that gear, but then you'd almost certainly approach that price range all in, and you wouldn't have a factory setup, warranty, or quality control. (Of course, there's also the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2's existence—it's mechanically identical to the AT4X and lists for nearly $10,000 less while also offering a beefier upgrade like the AEV in the form of the ZR2 Bison.)

There's a case to be made for both, which offer unique looks from the Chevys and some nicer finishes, and taken as a whole, the out-of-the-box capability of the Canyon AT4X and AEV Edition models likely trumps the DIY approach. That said, although it was easy enough for us to bang on a couple for a day (thanks, GMC!), it's hard to see those shiny new machines getting the heck beat out of them on the regular. But if you're cool with driving your brand-new truck off the showroom floor and onto a wicked trail, bashing and scratching it as you do, these GMCs are built to withstand and thrive in those conditions and drive you home in comfort afterward.