GMC Canyon Buyer's Guide: One Engine, No Apologies

The premium Colorado

The third-generation Canyon is GM's midsize truck in its dress uniform: crew cab only, one powertrain, and a trim ladder — Elevation, AT4, AT4X — that starts around $38,900–$40,995 and crests about $57,300 for the AT4X, with the expedition-grade AT4X AEV Edition above that. Underneath sits the same architecture as the Chevrolet Colorado, which is both the Canyon's engineering strength and its value problem.

The single-engine strategy

Every Canyon runs the 2.7-liter TurboMax four: 310 hp and a stout 430 lb-ft, through an eight-speed automatic in rear- or four-wheel drive. No V6, no diesel, no hybrid — GM's bet is that one strong turbo four simplifies the range and covers 95% of buyers. Torque is the payoff: the TurboMax out-pulls old V6s everywhere it matters. Economy is not: expect around 17–20 mpg combined depending on trim, with the heavy AT4X at the thirsty end.

The AT4X is the reason enthusiasts talk about this truck: Multimatic spool-valve dampers, front and rear lockers, and genuine desert-running credibility straight off the showroom floor.

The honest assessment

The Canyon's cabin tech and materials read a step above the segment's workhorses, and market data suggests buyers routinely transact 4–5% below sticker — worth knowing at the desk. The catch is family arithmetic: a comparably equipped Colorado is cheaper for near-identical hardware, so the Canyon premium buys styling and trim, not capability. Buyers wanting engine choice or a hybrid must look at Toyota; buyers wanting maximum truck-per-dollar should walk across the GM showroom.

The questions buyers actually ask

Canyon or Colorado? Same bones. The Canyon's AT4X justifies itself with the Multimatic kit; lower trims are a badge tax — price both.

Is one engine enough? For towing and daily muscle, yes — 430 lb-ft covers boats, campers and job sites. If you wanted a diesel's range or a hybrid's economy, the segment has moved on without GM here.

AT4 or AT4X? The AT4 handles trails and snow; the AT4X is for people who will genuinely use lockers and jumps. The $10k+ gap is real capability, but only if you use it.

• ~$38,900–$57,300; crew cab only, Elevation/AT4/AT4X
• One engine: 310-hp, 430-lb-ft 2.7 TurboMax — no V6, diesel or hybrid
• AT4X's Multimatic dampers and twin lockers are segment-special
• Thirsty (~17–20 mpg); Colorado twin undercuts it for identical hardware
• Deals run 4–5% under MSRP — negotiate accordingly

Key takeaways

• ~$38,900–$57,300; crew cab only, Elevation/AT4/AT4X
• One engine: 310-hp, 430-lb-ft 2.7 TurboMax — no V6, diesel or hybrid
• AT4X's Multimatic dampers and twin lockers are segment-special
• Thirsty (~17–20 mpg); Colorado twin undercuts it for identical hardware
• Deals run 4–5% under MSRP — negotiate accordingly