Don't take this the wrong way, but I enjoy hearing you get frustrated. Not because I want you mad, but because you're being so completely honest that I trust your judgement. I guess that's a complement isn't it!
Figured it out Stephen and his dad are running shine, them barrels, always in a different rig, fancy Canadian shine operation is what we got here! Great review!
GMC is now offering a off road performance package for the Canyon AT4 which removes the air dam, adds a one inch lift / leveling kit , different wheels, different exhaust tip, spray in Bedliner , rocker protection and extra skid plates. 2000.00 option
The first thing I thought when I saw it was, "Why didn't they make it the same as the Colorado Trail Runner package?" Add a 2-inch lift, add rock rails, and most of all, get rid of that spoiler, then you would have a decent AT4.
Here is the reason why I love your reviews the most!.... You never set off my "BS" alarm. You always seem to know what you are talking about and I can tell you put some thought into what you are saying... and that it is based on your own personal Real World experiences. Thank You EDIT: Also, I have a 18' Colorado Z71 Crew Cab Short Bed that I bought new for $32.5k. I removed the air dam, installed ZR2 skids, and OEM ZR2 style skids (but the ones for non-ZR2 trucks) for less than $700 total. I now have a 4x4 with a rear locker and decent protection for just over $33k. It has been nothing short of AMAZING so far for the first 45k miles. I just wired in an aftermarket trailer brake controller. Turns out that GM pre-installed the 7pin trailer brake harness for trucks with the factory tow package. So it was an easy upgrade.
A lot of newer vehicles I think kind of have a shared wiring harness, get a lower trim level and you can add all the upper trim stuff by simply buying the accessory and plugging it in...Toyota was that way, at least my 08 Tundra was. It was the Base model but the wiring harness was the same across all the trucks so simply buying the accessory and plugging it in was easy to upgrade stuff...I never did outside of adding the brake controller, but I'm sure people have done a few upgrades to their base model trucks and probably other makes and models do similar sharing of wiring.
Gentlemen, This is another very comprehensive test video with the strengths and weaknesses on display. You are correct that the trailer brake #controller ought to come from the factory with any vehicle rated for such a high tow capacity.
I agree with you completely. Earlier this year I bought a Colorado Z71 and a specified trailer brake controller as a requirement as soon as I walked into the dealer. I looked at a Canyon Elevation and a Canyon All Terrain. Neither had the integrated brake controller. Although I like the look of the Canyon more than the Colorado, the lack of integrated brake controller was a deal breaker for me.
@@garym81 It seems like the GMC brand is more plain when it comes to offroad and towing whereas they excel at luxury with their Denali trim (compared to what Chevy has to offer).
Great review! I've already bought one and took off the air dam right away. I also added combo rock guards/side steps. I don't do trail driving but I hunt a lot and go down some sketchy roads. I traded in a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk that I loved, but needed a truck bed. That Trailhawk was stuck only once in about 18" of watery mud. Otherwise it was a beast. I am hoping this will be the same with some modifications
woow im very impressed with your great review.!!!! even my wife who does not enjoy my off road enthusiasm she was very much enjoying your video kudos!!!👌👌
All good points and good review. That being said, I own an '18 Canyon and have removed the air dam and installed a 2" leveling kit which fixes the clearance issue on the front. And with the G80, that trail would be fairly simple to navigate.
Agreed. I have one too. Removed the Nascar air dam. The truck is a pretty good little scratcher. Leveling kit would be nice but as it sets it's just the right height to get in\out without side steps. Wish the manufacturers would go back to grease zerks on vehicles. That cartridge oil filter is really nice.
I own a 2021 Canyon and am considering removing air dam. Could you give more detail on the leveling kit as to what it does and how much it cost? Thanks, Robert
Great vid👍 I like the front end more on Can then the Col - but yes, 'GM should have that off road design team should give their collective head a shack for this one. Thank you from Richmond hill Ont Cheers
My wife and I ordered a brand new Canyon last year and got a bit of a unicorn spec: Elevation Crew Cab 2WD with the Duramax. We don't need to do anything more off-road than rough gravel or dirt roads and even living in the Perth County snowbelt we find our Michelin X-Ice winter tire package is more than enough to get us through anything Lake Huron dumps on us. I think the Duramax package addresses all of the shortcomings of this test truck: standard trailer brake controller, diesel exhaust brake and we can easily get 10L/100km while towing. When we aren't towing, we can easily get 6-7L/100km on the highway which rivals our 2014 Civic 5-speed.
This canyon and I believe most trailbosses and at4 sierras are fitted with Rancho monotube shocks . They are top notch . Ive had them on my jeep jk for the last two years and theyre great both on and off road .
I’m not even in the market for a truck, but I watched this because I enjoy your reviews. I love that you pointed out the features that limit this truck. Yes, people can remove and alter those features, but as you noted, if it’s being sold as an “Offroad truck” a buyer shouldn’t have to immediately alter the truck to make it capable of driving the most basic trails.
Seems I am in the minority here. At 65 I wanted a vehicle that could full fill mission specific travel plans. We have an all wheel drive Highlander, but, its lacks a spare, low range, heavier duty suspension, paper thin sidewalls making exploring forest service/BLM off-grid roads very iffy at best. For mostly on pavement travel, Highlander is great. Very smooth, comfy. Handles snow and ice great during the winter pavement travels. We bought the GMC AT4 because its basically a exploration vehicle, my version of maybe a Subaru, only with limited slip, low-range, downhill decent control, select-tronic manual shift automatic that, once I became familiar how it functioned, what its capable of, I fell in love with it. Works really great. Power: Merging or having to get on the gas at a train crossing had me smiling. Bitchin’! Gasoline. Note: Shell gas pump nozzles tend to stick inside the gas fill pipe. Very tight fitting. Last week I wasn’t a happy camper when I discovered this. No gas cap. Just a door. I suppose its some California Air Quality improvement thing. There is a wider mouth emergency fuel funnel in the glove box. However, I plan to put a emergency essentials bag together when it cools down to keep in my truck at all times. Towing: We plan to tow a Teardrop 2000lbs trailer behind our truck. With a trifold ARE Tonneau cover, we now have a bit of security for our camping gear secured in the pickup bed. There is NO A.C. Inverter plug in in the pickup at all. FYI. Electronics: Basic as basic can be. Sirius/XM is a pain in the butt calling them up and signing up for the free trial. Same same for the AT&T hot spot, its spendy spendy spendy. Like the Internet, everythings easily deducted from your credit card making it so frilling easy... Once they get your email address, LOOK forward to tons of spam! Even text messages on your phone. IMPORTANT: This trucks computers/Serius/XM can track every garsh damned button dial, brake, accelerator, button you push, even traces tracks phone usage in the event you, the driver, are involved in some-kind of nefarious activity as folks like me, an investigator by trade, can and will obtain by means of a warrant to use either for you defense, or against you as evidence. When I mean tracking, I mean driving reckless, speeding, etc etc. Numerous apps come on the computerized radio system. The owners manual tells you all this tracking shit is so that GM service techs can better assist you... My dark side speaks volumes of, yeah(?) like denying you engine warranty by stating on this day and date Over-Revving occurred at this location and time. Blah blah blah. Its getting spooky for this consumer. Believe me folks. Seating. Its darned nice. Fully electric adjustable both front, only no lumbar for the passenger. Drivers seat can be raised almost three inches making for excellent over the hood trail driving easy-peasy. Moving the seat forward toward the steering wheel is advised. If needed. The air damn is problematic. I have scraped it numerous times. It will be going bye bye soon. Now. Lets discuss suspension. In serious big-assed holes to pot-marked holes that look like an A-10 Warthog did two or more gun-runs on moving at speeds under 10 to 15 MPH are fine. Its called patience. Being old, slow, its just not so bad. GM indicates the suspension is enhanced, but exactly what that is I have yet to determine. But, for me, its ok for now. I’m not going to take any pickup on a gnarly trail period. I don’t wanna work- at all period. Under body protection is there. It just wasn’t mentioned. AirDam prevents ever needing skid protection I suppose. Value: Our dealer made us a great deal on our truck. We intended on buying a Toy TRD PRO, but, as you all know, thats like asking for a discounted bar of Pure Virgin Gold bars for cheap. Ain’t gonna happen, and, during this pandemic, having issues getting them... Blah Blah Blah- Heard it all before. I’m out kids
I'm back after getting my new 2022 GMC Canyon Elevation the air dam had to go you guys was right, I put a 2'' leveling kit in the front and tires and wheels and Line X bed liner it mad such a difference and I painted my hooks red it looks like a AT4 but I was not going for that look tho I love my truck the only thing I hate is the key it needs push button start I dont know why but my payload is 1434 lbs and its a long bed the short beds dont have that payload.
It seems a retractable chin spoiler would be fairly easy to create (raise it for the off-road, lower it for the highway); it could even be automatic, raised when stopped and going less than 20/30/whatever, self lowering when the speed increases (when it would matter for mpg).
So pull air dam off, and its the same as the Colorado trail? I would prefer this suspension over the zr2, ashamed you can't get front locker in this trim though. Duratracs are quiet on my tacoma.
My brother had the canyon with the diesel 2017 I think and it had the brake controller included. It pulled my old 27 foot trailer like nothing. Ps great job on your videos 👍
Awesome review as always but I do question one thing that I wish more reviewers would do. Test it with the air dam, then take the air dam off and test it again. I think it would be a fully capable off road truck. I'm buying one and I'll leave it on for fuel economy. If I ever off road it, which would be rare if ever, I'll just remove the dam temporily.
Impressed it squats less then the full sized trucks you guys tested. Would need to know more what the AT4 comes with cause honestly doesn't seem much off an offroad package. The approach angle is terrible, does it even have a limited slip at minimum? Steel skid plates?
The air dam is flexible, it just bends out of the way. I scrape mine all the time and it's fine. But yeah, you should have put the tire on that rock and you would have rolled over it fine. It's also removable if you go offroad a lot. I leave mine on for the tiny bit of fuel economy it gives, and then just scratch it up a bunch offroad.
Keep up the great work 👍! Rumor had it for 21’ the air dam was supposed to be easier to remove then prior years (can you confirm)? My opinion only but I like the all black interior on the GMC AT4 vs the greenish turquoise with black in the Chevy Colorado Z71 (I know you can get black seats on the Colorado Z71 but the center console and dash are still that greenish color, looks after thought’ish to me).
Removing the air dam, which I did will decrease your mileage by 2 mpg. In order to represent their listed MPG they add the air dam. Though they did smarten up this year by screwing the screws up rather than down so removing it is really easy to do
No one is commenting about this. 2 mpg is important to me. If the ultimate rock crawler is what your into, then take a look at a used log skidder. Unless your rock crawling everywhere, every day, chances are 2 mpg gas saving might be a good thing, but if your going to spend $45K to thrash the hell out if it for shits n giggles then take it off and throw the thing in the recycling bin. Ever try trail walking? Just you against the elements, crawl all over rocks till yer heart’s content.
With the older style with the screws coming in from above, its also very easy to remove, just go find a 8-10 inch high rock and drive over the rock, then backup, removes those air dams very nicely....useless as they are in the first place. If someone is that worried about fuel economy they shouldn't be looking at a truck, maybe a Prius, a bicycle, or walking LOL.
I bought a canyon at4 and the manual says if going off road take off air damn. I took it off the second I brought it home and I take it to many off road parks this things better than what u said
Even though I am a Toyota guy, I think that the Canyon and Colorado have some good features/qualities, but GM seems to almost always go only part way when they jump into something. This truck would definitely be better with a slight lift,no front air dam (or at least one that is super easy to remove) and have the rear locker, but they just go halfway and have something that is milquetoast instead.
The air dam either needs to have an easy flip up or easy take off feature. As a compromise vehicle, they need to make it easy to switch between its jobs.
There's another GM a package I've seen on city trucks - X31 ?? My GMB had a spoiler that caught on parking stops because it was a short distance between the front wheels and lip. It was metal and easy to remove to dedent. Ford had electric shutters on some not very expensive vehicles. Doesn't seem too costly to fight drag these days.
I bought the GMC Canyon ..and I love it. And yes you can go off road easily but you have to make some adjustments. GMC off road package is weak....but dont underestimate this mid size, she's solid. Not your old clunky raddling GM crap...it's meant to be abused.
Maybe it's only in Canada that the AT4 has the air dem because the one that Roman & Tommy saw it did not had that plastic air dem. AT4 stands for (all terrain 4x4). It's the same as the older Canyon all terrain.
I like you and your videos, so please don't get me wrong... but if you read the manual, it says to remove the air dam when you're off roading, they even redesigned it specifically for 2021 placing the bolt heads down to make it easier to remove, an estimated 15 minutes. This would change the approach angles you spoke of as well as complaints regarding it off-roading :(
In all honesty GM really half baked the updates for the Canyon/Colorado. I bought a 2016 Canyon All Terrain w/ the diesel when it was brand new. At that time the generation was new and IMO a definite leap forward. Overall the platform is still competitive but in usual GM fashion they are sitting on their a** now. That air dam has been an issue for 6 years now and GM can't get it in their head to fix it. Granted I took mine off in about 20 mins but still shouldn't be there on an off road model. Trailer brake should be standard at this point (I honestly thought it was now). Mine came with it on the diesel. They could of done more than just change up the front end a bit. Some new headlights and taillights would of been appreciated.
When I bought my 2008 Toyota Tundra, it was $2k less than the Tacoma....and the Tacoma still has an anemic V6 in it and cramped interior it seems. Wasn't impressed with the Tacoma at all. I got stuck with a 4Runner for a week while my Tundra was in the shop waiting on parts, I have to say the 4Runner has completely outgrown the V6, they offered it with a 4.7L V8 for a while they were stupid by dropping the V8 option, and now the 4Runner is even larger and more bloated....same goes for that Tacoma. I haven't been in a Colorado or Canyon so I don't know how the interiors are in them for room, but the Colorado/Canyon look better than the Tacoma. There's really no reason to even offer a "mid-size" anymore they're just as bloated as a full size truck but with HD truck prices.
Can you do 0 to 60mph runs in these trucks unloaded as well (just you and your dad). That’s how we drive them 90% of the time. I bet that Canyon isn’t much slower then the 5.3L in the half ton empty.
Sweet looking truck. Remove air dam if it's a big deal. Is quick, quiet, tows alot. Needs a sunroof. If it opened up like a chevy avalanche then perfect truck. ..for me.
Steve, can you do Ranger vs Canyon or Colorado? TFL ranked Ranger ahead of Canyon, but I doubt they have ever driven Ranger in a foot of snow or for a long distance, and so many youtube videos complain that long rides on Ranger FX4 make them dizzy. Would be nice to get an opinion other than TFL. In general would be nice to have a series of reviews for the mid-size trucks, which one is best offroad (not in the desert but in the East Coast or Canada mud and snow), which one does best as a work truck with hauling, which one is best overall. I liked how when you driven Ridgeline with the same barrel moonshine test you said that it feels like the truck is at its limit, but here with the same load you say that it feels like Canyon can take even more , which is great to know because we all often are forced to overload our trucks to avoid doing another hour back and forth trip, so little things like that are very helpful when deciding on a new truck for me. Thank you.
We will test every truck we can get our hands on. However, so you and others know, our source is the media fleets from each manufacturer. They decide what to put on the fleets and in which trims. Obviously they want to push whatever is new/hot for them. Typically these trucks are available for around six months - then they are retired and the new ones come in. They don't always have every model on the fleet. Priority goes to whatever is new for the year. For instance Ranger was on last year but not this year.
@@TruckKing Thank you! Something else I would be interested to see is how well some of the regular trucks perform real-world off-road. I mean for somebody like myself who doesn't do hardcore desert rock climbing, but sometimes travels some sketchy muddy hunting trails, do I really need ZR2 (which I have), or a regular Colorado version would have been enough? Maybe set up some real-life light-muddy/snowy version of an off-road trail and drive all your trucks through it?
@@craigquann Did they change the orientation of the screws mounting the airdam in place? I removed the air dam on my '17 SLT, but the bolt heads were in the top. Took a bit of time to finangle them out of there. If they were on the bottom I could see 10-15 minutes, but on the top...a bit longer.
Good review. I do hate the dissing of the air dam, it is how they pass regulations and don’t get fined. Doing things like that that will save .1 mpg probably lol same idea as the angled wrangler grill that I don’t like but every bit counts for mpg requirements. If you’re planning on offroading any modern truck you have to remove the air dam in this case I felt it should have been removed instead of complaining it takes 2 minutes to take it off practically. No one will offroad these trucks anyway, if you want to do serious offroading on a bone stock vehicle a wrangler/gladiator truck is the only way to go.
