Test-Driving The GMC Canyon AT4X AEV

Forbes

2 days ago

Front 3/4 view of the 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition in a field.
A few years after the latest GMC Canyon hit dealership lots, I recently had the chance to thoroughly test-out the 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV. There's good reasoning behind this dressed-up Chevy's long name: The AT4X is appointed from the factory with increased clearances and choice components to up its capability. The AEV part is actually an aftermarket supplier brought into the tier 1 parts chain; American Expedition Vehicles provides a variety of added equipment to bolster this top-spec Canyon's off-road-ability even further. In spite of sporting a powertrain that at first sounds like it'd be lacking, the end product is one of the most fun 4X4s that I've ever taken off the beaten path. Here's what $65,995 worth of an American-made, adventure-ready truck has to offer.
Focused through and through.
The highest-riding Canyon's appearance ensures nobody would ever assume it talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. Big tires, big steel bumpers, big fender gaps, and a lifted ride height, as well as big dimensions compared to the previous-generation—there's more big about it than an '80s Peter Gabriel song. Additionally, its massive grille and sharp headlights fit into GMC's design language well and definitely add to its muscle-bound prowess.
Inside, the interior is well-appointed, featuring a chic stitched contrasting leather, comfortable leather seating sporting embroidered AEV branding, and an aesthetically pleasing center console, dash, and touchscreen layout. From there, the amount of gloss black plastic trim throughout is par for the course on the new car market, and only a few surfaces are of a thin, cheap-feeling plastic. The gear selector, drivetrain dial, and buttons that lock and unlock the differences possess a substantial feel, too, which were a pleasant surprise. GMC's definitely stepped up its game in this area.
Interior view of the 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition.
Buttons are logically placed, too—including those that actuate its various drivetrain settings, more on that later—and the touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are of a reasonable size and run easy-to-use, lag-free software.
However, I still have two criticisms. Firstly: the interior is a tad too nice. The jury is out on how many buyers will consistently put the AT4X AEV through its paces, but for those who do, and are even keen to outfit something for substantial overlanding duty, they might want to avoid dirtying it up with mud, dirt, and sand. But I can personally attest to it being surprisingly easy to clean: the massive rubber floor mats helped here, but otherwise it was easy to wash off the leather seats and blow out the sand after a long afternoon in the field. Secondly: its interior dimensions are weirdly cramped for this truck's size. With the seat set as low as possible, I just barely fit at six-foot-three, and couldn't imagine being comfortable in the backseat for very long.
Small engine, large moxie.
Being such a visual and dimensional bruiser, you'd think a thirsty GM V8 lived under the hood of the 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV. But what's actually in there is far from it: power comes from a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four, hooked up to an eight-speed transmission with high and low range, plus power locking front and rear differentials. That may sound like not enough, but it's actually right at home.
The previous, off-road-focused Canyon and its dressed-down Chevy Colorado sibling sported a turbo diesel inline-four of similar displacement, and it was a riot to rip around with. I was sad to find out that this powerplant is no longer available, but the gasoline 2.7 is still good fun. Despite sounding a bit strained and uninspiring at times, its 310 horsepower and impressive 430 pound-feet of torque suits the 4,970-pound AT4X well, and with a massive 21.4-gallon fuel tank to sip from, guarantees excellent range. This counts on lengthy off-road expeditions where gas stations may be few and far between, plus, fuel consumption becomes a real thing with the revs high in the low gear set while scrambling up steep climbs, and at high elevation. The little four-banger feels like it reaches peak torque just off idle, and its little turbo keeps the power on full blast all the way to redline, maximizing the lockers' effect. To sum it up: this lump of aluminum is very good at cosplaying as its sturdy diesel predecessor.
With independent suspension up front and a conventional straight axle out back, there's no mistaking the way it rolls down the road as anything other than a pickup truck, but it does so quite comfortably due to the secret sauce that ties the suspension all together: Its Multimatic DSSV dampers. These are—hyperbole incoming—the most beautifully riding passive shock absorbers that I've ever experienced in any 4X4. Due to their intuitive way of routing shock fluid around inside, they give the AT4X such a good ride quality, yet the AT4X stays respectably planted under hard cornering. Then, they shrug off the stresses of ripping up and down trails with ease, and ensure that weight is always shifting across the axles as effectively and smoothly as possible.
The 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV
American Expedition Vehicles is an authority in all-things capability in the off-roading/overlanding realm. With the AEV package, customers get front and rear steel bumpers with added tow provisions, as well as a substantial amount of underbody armoring to protect the body, frame, and various drivetrain components from the roughest terrain. Additionally, a host of interior auxiliary switches for connecting added lighting and other accessories are wired up and handsome 17-inch beadlock-ready wheels wrapped in meaty 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT rubber fill out its massive wheel wells. Additionally, a full-size fifth wheel is secured to the bed for easy changes in case a sidewall gets cut—it inhibits rear visibility, but I was glad to have it while far, far away from any wheel and tire shop.
This equipment, combined with the AT4X AEV's moxie-filled turbo-four and versatile drivetrain makes for one impressive spec. But it doesn't end there: Approach, breakover, and departure angles reach 38.2, 26.9, and 26 degrees, respectively, and ground clearance underneath its 131-inch wheelbase is a massive 12.2 inches, thanks to a 1.5-inch higher ride height over the standard AT4X.
The 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV
I had the pleasure of feeling all of this out at one of Southern California's most beloved off-road areas, Rowher Flats, just north of Los Angeles. With a whole midweek afternoon in front of me, I decided to venture further into this stretch of the Castaic Mountains than I ever had before climbing up and over an entire mountain.
The GMC Canyon AT4X AEV's whole package was simply brilliant. Jumping in and out of high and low range, enabling and disabling the lockers, and configuring GMC's intuitive hill descent control was all easy to figure out and took no time at all. This accommodates snap decisions based on quickly changing terrain features and conditions rather well.
In terms of doing a lock-off—which is my new term for a race to see how long trucks take to lock and unlock their front or rear differentials—the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G550 G-Wagen has the Canyon beat, but not by much (for the record: this is a fun comparison and not an actual reason to spend double the money on the Benz).
The 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV
And boy did the terrain change while crawling up, along, and down steep unpaved terra firma. The only moments of mild terror were some mildly cocky, overly-confident inputs while crawling down incredibly steep terrain—I definitely danced on the edge of this thing's maximum pitch angle. Otherwise, its chunky Goodyear rubber, locking differentials, and awesome chassis helped this beast push forward with so much ease. Its long wheelbase required making multi-point turns to properly line up for particularly steep moments on the trails' more narrow sections. But its massive array of front and rear camera angles accompanied sticking my head out the window and provided great resolution. My only gripe was a lack of visibility while cresting the top of steep climbs, as I wish I had more of a view of what laid ahead—I was surprised this was an oversight.
Otherwise, the AEV went about the rest of my journey exhibiting nothing but assured confidence. The brakes were strong and enabled precision modulation, the chassis' ability to articulate and maximize its footing was solid, and it scoffed at any menacing trail I pointed it at. Rather than stressed and feeling worn out, I ascended towards the trail's end relaxed and happy to take in all of the scenery. For under $70,000 fully loaded, the 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV is a top-shelf piece of comfortable machinery for those looking for a turn-key way of taking on tough terrain.
The 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV