The latest Colorado ZR2/Canyon AT4X is better in all regards than the last generation. They have far fewer faults and now offer the option of 35-inch tires and American Expedition Vehicle’s (AEV) special sauce. However, they do have some quirks and faults.
I spent a week at my home in Portland, Ore., with the 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition. During my time with it, I used it for normal everyday things around town.
I’ve already driven this truck’s identical twin, the Chevy ZR2 Bison, on some serious off-road terrain (terrain like the top of Chocolate Thunder in Johnson Valley), so I already know how capable these trucks are off-road.
Here are the basics on what the GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition has to offer, how it’s different from its Chevrolet counterpart, what’s good about it, what’s not great about it, and what’s truly bad about it.
2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition
This mid-size American truck comes in one configuration; Crew Cab, short bed, with a turbo 2.7L I4 backed by an eight-speed transmission. The engine is the high-output version and puts out 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque.
It gets an EPA-rated 16 mpg and has a 21.4-gallon fuel tank. That equates to a maximum range of about 337 miles — much less off-road and/or if you have a heavy foot like mine.
The Canyon AT4X AEV Edition gets a total of about a 4.5-inch lift, which is needed to fit the 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires wrapped around 17-inch beadlock-capable AEV Salta wheels. Wider fender flares help cover the big tires and wider track width. All that combines to provide an impressive 12.2-inches of ground clearance.
Multimatic DSSV dampers all around are standard, as are standard front and rear selectable e-lockers. In the bed of the truck is a full-size, bed-mounted spare, as the big 35 doesn’t fit between the frame rails under the truck in the standard location.
Really cleanly and capability-forward-designed AEV front and rear bumpers offer proper recovery points. The front bumper is also winch-capable.
Under the truck, you get five AEV high-strength, hot-stamped Boron steel skid plates. They protect the radiator, steering rack, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, and rear differential. The rock rails from the standard AT4X carry over on the AEV Edition truck.
Inside, you get one interior option, which includes white inserts, AEV branding on the headrests, and AEV logoed rubber floor mats. You also get an accessory switch kit, so you can add lights, a winch, and other electronic accessories with ease.
Differences: Colorado ZR2 Bison & Canyon AT4X AEV
Besides the grille, some sheet metal, and the interior material coverings, the Colorado ZR2 Bison and Canyon AT4X AEV are the same in nearly every regard.
The ZR2 Bison comes equipped with the Multimatic jounce shocks as standard. You can easily option the AT4X AEV with these as well, for $2,595.
The AT4X AEV gets an accessory switch kit as standard. The ZR2 Bison can be optioned with it.
So, you can essentially build either truck to have the exact same options/content/hardware minus the looks. I personally prefer the exterior looks of the GMC, but the interior of the Chevy — as the GMC white inserts don’t seem wise for a truck that’s meant to play in the dirt.
2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition Review
Now, let’s get into what I found from living with this truck for a week. I’ll start by saying I had a difficult time handing over the keys, as it is truly a vehicle I could see adding to my stable.
Good
- Muscular good looks: Looks like an adult Tonka Truck with its muscular proportions. Driving around the city, this truck turned heads of all ages.
- Magic suspension: The Multimatic dampers on this truck are next-level for on- and off-road adventures. They are very good at allowing you to both carve corners on your favorite paved back road and allowing you to go huck this thing at speed down your favorite off-road track.
- Burly off-road hardware: This truck is loaded with off-road goodies; 35s, full HD skids, selectable lockers, and burly bumpers.
- All-conditions driving fun: The low-end grunt (torque) from the little turbo I4 kicks in at just 3,000 rpm, almost like a diesel. Brakes are firm, progressive, and confidence-inspiring. The steering is relatively heavy but feels right for this truck, and the turning radius is impressive.
- All the feels: GMC has done a great job of making all the touch points in this truck feel good, and has kept cost-cutting cheaper-feeling materials to low-touch surfaces.
- Comfy bum: What’s not to love about heated and ventilated seats? Great for ski trips and desert romps alike.
- Tech that makes it easy: The heads-up display (HUD) is bright, configurable, and of high quality. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto just work. An 11-inch gauge cluster and 11.3-inch center display are just the right sizes for this truck and are easy to use.
- Clean floors: On this top edition of the Canyon, you get burly rubber AEV-branded floor mats that match the interior style of the truck.
Not Great
- Can’t carry much: With all the burly hardware on this truck, it has lost its capabilities to do some truck stuff, like haul and tow. A large chunk of the tiny bed is taken up by the 35-inch spare, and towing is reduced to just 5,500 pounds, while max payload is down to only 1,050 pounds.
- More knee room, please: Knee room in the driver’s seat is snug, but the sides are padded nicely and you can still splay both legs a bit.
- Ladder, please: I’m 6’3″ tall and have to climb into this truck awkwardly, using the steering wheel, as there is no grab handle. Also, the top of the slider “step” is rounded, small, and slippery.
- Not white, please: A white interior on a professional-grade, off-road-oriented truck is not OK. It looks great when showroom-new, though.
- Passenger comfort: Acceptable rear passenger head and legroom, but it feels very tight.
- Lower gearing, please: The truck doesn’t offer much engine braking, especially when going slow, as it has unchanged 3.42 gearing (the same as every Canyon). It could maybe use 4.10s in order to work better with the big 35-inch tires.
- More analog controls, please: Yes, there is no physical headlight button or switch; it is in the infotainment screen, but quite easy to use and always in the upper left corner. I turned the headlights on for photos. I then forgot to turn them off, or to auto, when I parked. They stayed on, and the only way to turn them off was to turn the power back on in the vehicle and change it in the infotainment screen. Also, the turn signal stalk is on the left and has a rotating dial on it that is your wiper control, which takes some getting used to.
- Higher exhaust, please: I can’t figure out why, but the exhaust exit hangs really low, which makes it vulnerable when in technical off-road terrain.
Bad
- Poor rear visibility: The visibility in the rearview mirror is very poor due to the large spare tire in the truck bed.
- 4-cylinder wheeze: The engine noise is just not pleasant, at least to me. And, at higher rpms, it’s actually “enhanced” by making it louder through the speakers.
- No proximity locks: For a nearly $70K new vehicle to not have an auto-unlock feature when you get close with the key on you is unacceptable in 2024. On the Canyon, you must push the button on one of the front door handles to unlock the truck.
- Abrasive console: While the accent stitching on the center console looks good, it will rub your elbow raw if you don’t have a long-sleeved shirt on, especially when bouncing around off-road.
How I’d Spec My GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition
My test vehicle was finished in Sterling Metallic paint, a worthy $495 option. It also has an optional $1,000 sunroof, which I’d skip. You also add $10,100 to the price tag when you check off the AT4X AEV Edition option, which is an impressive bargain for what you get.
All in, the 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition you see here has a window sticker price of $67,990. Not insignificant for a mid-size pickup, but it’s also the current big dog in this category, especially when talking about off-road prowess.
If I were to build a 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition for myself, something only the price tag has been holding me back from doing, I’d add front and rear bump stops ($2,595), an AEV raised air intake ($649), and get it in either Sterling Metallic or Dynamic Blue Metallic ($495). That combo would produce a window sticker of $69,085.
Then I’d add a Warn winch, AT Habitat pop-top camper topper, and GooseGear living systems truck bed buildout. This truck spec and these few choice aftermarket additions would allow me to use it as a great daily, weekend off-roader, and a long-distance overlander for my family of three.
