2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition Gets the Big

Along with 35-inch tires and tougher underbody armor, the AEV variant is a taller, wider, and more hardcore Canyon AT4X.

Just when some people thought the GMC Canyon AT4X couldn't get any more extreme, here comes the new-for-2024 AEV Edition. With other off-road-oriented mid-size pickup trucks, such as the recently introduced Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, rolling on 33-inch-tall tires, GMC slaps a set of 35-inch tires on the Canyon. That combined with other exclusive hardware make the AEV Edition the most hardcore Canyon.

Much like how the Bison version of the 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 takes that truck to another level of off-road capability, the AEV Edition does the same for the Canyon AT4X. For those who don't already know, the regular AT4X boasts 33-inch mud-terrain tires, aluminum skid plates, electronic locking front and rear differentials, Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, wider front and rear tracks, and a 3.0-inch inch lift that helps provide 10.7 inches of ground clearance.

Enter the AEV Edition. With taller Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud-Terrain tires—GMC rounds those LT315/70R17 up to 35 inches—and a 4.5-inch lift, it stands 1.5 inches higher than the regular AT4X. That translates to 12.2 inches of ground clearance, and the truck's AEV-specific front and rear steel bumpers help enable a 38.2-degree approach angle and a 26.0-degree departure angle; its breakover angle is 26.9 degrees. For comparison, the regular AT4X's approach, breakover, and departure angles measure 36.9, 24.5, and 25 degrees, respectively.

One big difference between the Colorado ZR2 Bison and the Canyon AT4X AEV is that the Chevy comes standard with Mutlimatic front and rear hydraulic bumps stops that are designed to withstand the harsh impacts of high-speed off-roading or soften the landing after getting airborne. While these "Jounce Control Dampers" are available on the GMC truck, they cost extra, and the company hasn't yet revealed how much.

Along with improved clearances and easily accessible recovery points, the front bumper has a slot to accommodate a winch and the rear bumper has a cap on each corner that can be removed to reveal steel plates for sliding over rocks and other hard obstacles. To better protect vital components underneath the Canyon, the AEV Edition comes with additional skid plates, all of which are tougher than the aluminum ones on the regular AT4X. Made of hot-stamped boron steel, the five pieces of armor protect the AEV's radiator, steering gear, transmission and transfer case, fuel tank, and rear differential.

The Canyon AT4X AEV Edition also comes with exclusive 17-inch Salta wheels that are beadlock-capable, rock rails to protect the rocker panels, and a full-size spare tire mounted in the cargo bed. The truck's front fender openings have also been enlarged to prevent the larger tires from rubbing, and the fender flares are also wider because the AEV version has front and rear tracks that are expected to be almost an inch wider than the regular AT4X.

Under the hood, the AEV Edition has the same engine as every AT4X. The turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four makes 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are also standard. Both Canyon models have an exclusive Baja drive mode, but now it includes launch control. Just like on the 2024 Colorado ZR2, it's accessed using the rotary knob on the center console. Once activated, press the brake pedal, pin the throttle, and release the brake for take off. GMC says the launch mode also automatically adjusts to different surface conditions, so the system will detect if the truck is on dirt, gravel, or sand.

Inside, the top-spec Canyon looks similar to its AT4X counterpart, except it has AEV-branded floor mats and embroidered headrests. Every model also has a digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The latter includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as the new Ultifi software that allows over-the-air updates.

GMC says the 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition will be available to order sometime later this year. There's also no word on pricing, but we expect the most extreme off-road model to start around $70,000.

Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.

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