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The mid-size pickup truck is completely redesigned for the 2023 model year and is possibly the best version yet.

General Motors has religiously updated its smallest body-on-frame pickup, the GMC Canyon since its debut in 2004. However, for the year 2023, it shines in a brand new avatar as this next-gen 2023 GMC Canyon has been completely redesigned inside out. GMC broke the news of an all-new 2023 Canyon and the addition of AT4X trim to the Canyon lineup earlier this year. With this makeover, it now separates itself from its twin, the Chevy Colorado as a way more premium offering than before.

As GMC’s version of the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon started its journey as a compact pickup truck in 2004. It was a replacement for the aging quarter-ton pickup GMC Sonoma. Into its second generation in 2014, the compact GMC Canyon matured into a premium mid-size pickup truck sporting an aggressive front fascia that resembled its full-size sibling, the GMC Sierra.

Within the second generation, the GMC Canyon received two key facelifts before GM started teasing the arrival of its third generation. Now, this third-gen 2023 GMC Canyon is out with a bang and has pickup truck lovers thunderstruck as it transforms into an intimidating pickup truck. Let’s dig into its scary, impressive bones.

GMC Canyon has always attracted premium truck buyers but with the 2023 version GM is all geared up to raise the bar. It now looks beefier and boasts more luxury trappings than ever before. After mastering the art for almost two decades, the all-new 2023 GMC Canyon is now robustly armed with superior off-roading muscle.

Engineered to offer a bulletproof off-roading experience, it comes standard with an off-road suspension package. This setup features an ultra-wide track and a 2-inch factory lift for Elevation, AT4 and Denali trim while its big brother, the AT4X gets a 3-inch factory lift as a standard feature.

It comes in four trims starting with the Elevation and then moving on to the higher AT4, Denali, and finally the demonic AT4X. There was a limited-production $63,350, 2023 GMC Canyon ATX4 with Edition 1 Package on offer at the time of its launch but it sold out in no time. It came with a bunch of extra goodies like Front and rear underbody cameras, an off-road front bumper with Safari bar, and 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels.

Under the hood, all the 2023 GMC Canyon models will have an off-road optimized 2.7-liter turbocharged gas engine as the heart, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. GM claims this high-torque powerplant will crank out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.

According to GMC, each Canyon trim comes bearing a unique identity so there’s something to suit every palette. Inside the cabin, the spiced-up 2023 GMC Canyon’s Elevation and AT4 trims get an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster, while Denali and AT4X get a larger 11.0-inch diagonal fully digital instrument cluster.

For the Elevation, AT4, and Denali trim levels, the 2023 GMC Canyon boasts a max towing capacity of 7700 pounds while the top-of-the-line Canyon AT4X trim can carry a maximum of 6000 pounds. However, the limited-production sold-out Edition 1 Package Canyon AT4X can lug 5500 pounds.

RELATED: Here’s Why The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Will Cause Serious Trouble For The Ford Ranger Raptor

Flexing its muscles, the 2023 GMC Canyon adds a first-ever AT4X trim to its family. GM’s AT4X sub-brand was first introduced on the 2022 GMC Sierra and is synonymous with unmatched off-roading credibility.

For impeccable strength, the 2023 Canyon AT4X gets a higher 3-inch factory lift as standard, higher than its other Canyon siblings, and massive 33-inch mud-terrain tires. It now stands tall with 10.7 inches of ground clearance standard and a 36.9-degree approach angle so that it can conquer the roughest of terrains. It also gets an ultra-wide 3.5-inch track for superior off-road performance and capability.

Within a completely-revised interior, the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X sports an exclusive Obsidian Rush cabin with Ceramic White accents. It also gets a customizable 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen infotainment system to light up the mood in the cockpit. Apart from these amenities, the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X also features a GMC-exclusive Head-Up Display and Bose seven-speaker audio entertainment system for a surreal driving experience.

This beastly pickup truck comes armed with GM’s latest Multimatic DSSV dampers, an exclusive Baja drive mode, and enhanced front and rear electronic locking differentials for optimum traction. Basically, it has all the chops for robust performance during long off-road expeditions.

RELATED: Why The 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Exactly Meets Our Expectations

According to GMC, the new Canyon will start at around $40,000. It’s the highest starting price in the mid-size pickup truck bazaar by far. GMC Canyon is likely to reach the showroom floors in early 2023 while the AT4X model will arrive in spring 2023.

As the most-advanced off-road mid-size truck, the hulk-like 2023 GMC Canyon is ready to take the truck bazaar by storm, especially with the first GMC Canyon AT4X.

Arun Singh Pundir has been a longtime media crackerjack and worked most of his life in sales and marketing. In 2018, he officially flipped and switched sides to the editorial. He lives with his wife, two rascally sons and is a car and motorcycle nut in his free time. Not that he has too much free time. He currently writes news, features, and listicles for HotCars on anything that has any number or kind of wheels. He is also penning pop culture, lifestyle and all things rich for TheRichest. For now, he considers his Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, Suzuki Ciaz, and Royal Enfield Classic 500, the three current flames of his life. His dream is to drive around the world; even if it takes more than eighty days.