For years, full-size pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado have dominated the American vehicle market. However, the midsize truck segment has experienced a surge in popularity recently. These trucks offer a compelling alternative by providing a balance of capability, maneuverability, and affordability. With recent redesigns of popular models like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado, competition in this segment is fiercer than ever.
These trucks now feature a combination of advanced technology, modern styling, and enhanced performance, making them an appealing choice compared to their full-size counterparts. For buyers looking for a versatile truck that mixes ruggedness with a touch of luxury, the GMC Canyon stands out as a particularly noteworthy option.
The 2024 GMC Canyon sits in the second model year of its current generation.
The 2025 GMC Canyon offers impressive off-road capability and strong towing performance—all wrapped in a luxurious interior, yet it remains somewhat hidden in the shadows of its more well-known competitors. This often-overlooked American pickup truck may be among the best on the market today, especially within the midsize segment.
The GMC Canyon is the luxurious midsize counterpart to the Chevrolet Colorado. Think of the Canyon as the Cadillac Escalade to the Chevy Tahoe. Like other new midsize pickups, the Canyon downsized its engine. It shares the same 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and chassis as the Colorado, but the Canyon positions itself as the more premium option. Even the base model Elevation trim has more standard features than the Colorado. Its cabin uses higher-end materials, more refined trim options, and available features like a head-up display, heated and ventilated seats, and a Bose premium audio system. Plus, it has more aggressive styling and a unique LED lighting signature. Both trucks share the same engine, chassis, and key performance specs, but the Canyon emphasizes luxury, comfort, and premium off-road capability more heavily than its Chevrolet counterpart.
2025 GMC Canyon vs. Chevrolet Colorado: Key Specs Comparison
While the Colorado offers better value, the Canyon justifies its higher price with premium features, refined styling, and added levels of comfort across all trim levels. The Colorado starts at around $31,000 for the base WT (Work Truck) trim for budget-conscious buyers, whereas the Canyon starts at nearly $40,000 for the more feature-rich Elevation trim, which includes a more premium interior. Both trucks’ top-of-the-line models are the most off-road-capable, equipped with 35-inch tires (the only midsize pickup to offer such large tires from the factory), Multimatic DSSV dampers, heavy-duty off-road armor, and starting prices close to $60,000. However, the Canyon prioritizes luxury and refinement with higher-quality interior materials and exclusive design elements, delivering robust performance and a more premium driving experience.
2025 GMC Canyon Pricing
- Elevation: $39,995
- AT4: $47,295
- Denali: $53,595
- AT4X: $58,720
- AT4X AEV Edition: $67,030
In 2024, the Chevrolet Colorado significantly outsold the GMC Canyon, with 98,012 units sold compared to the Canyon’s 38,215 units. Colorado sales rose by about 38 percent compared to the previous year, while the Canyon’s sales increased by 70 percent, as both models received a comprehensive redesign launched in 2024. Meanwhile, the longtime best-selling Toyota Tacoma and Ford’s midsize Ranger also got new models. Ford sold a little over 46,000 Rangers last year, while the Tacoma continued to dominate with nearly 200,000 sold.
The GMC Canyon’s Elevation, AT4, and Denali trim levels can tow up to 7,700 pounds, which provides enough capability for towing boats, trailers, or campers. All models use a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine that delivers 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque; however, trims like the AT4X have a reduced towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Regarding hauling in the bed, the Canyon has a maximum capacity of approximately 1,670 pounds, while the Colorado can manage slightly more at 1,685 pounds, depending on trim and configuration. Even more, the Canyon outperforms the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger in towing capacity, offering up to 7,700 pounds compared to the Tacoma’s 6,500 pounds and the Ranger’s 7,500 pounds, while all three trucks provide similar payload capacities in the 1,600 to 1,800-pound range, depending on configuration.
2025 GMC Canyon Towing and Payload Compared
Due to their overall size and shorter wheelbase, midsize pickup trucks are better suited for off-roading than full-size pickup trucks. Midsize pickups have become some of the most capable vehicles off-road, and every midsize truck available today offers some off-road equipment along with a top-tier halo model that showcases the best of the best. The Tacoma has its TRD and Trailhunter models, the Ranger has its high-performance Raptor, the Chevrolet has the ZR2 Bison, developed with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), and the Canyon has its AT4 and AT4X trims.
2025 GMC Canyon Off-Road Specs Compared
The GMC Canyon AT4 has all-terrain tires, off-road suspension tuning, and a two-speed transfer case to enhance traction on difficult terrain. It also comes with skid plates and a rear locking differential. When you step up to the AT4X AEV Edition, you gain an additional locker on the front axle, Multimatic DSSV dampers, AEV steel bumpers, 35-inch tires, and extra skid plates for maximum protection. Due to the massive mud-terrain tire, the Canyon AT4X AEV Edition has up to 12.2 inches of ground clearance, the most of any midsize pickup. Plus, it gets front and rear lockers for maximizing traction on rugged trails.
Overall, the 2025 GMC Canyon presents a strong case for itself in the highly competitive midsize truck market, offering a compelling blend of luxury, performance, and off-road capability that deserves consideration from truck buyers looking for a versatile and premium vehicle.
