American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is adding its special sauce to every GMC truck in the lineup. First, it was the Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV in July 2022, then the Sierra HD AT4X AEV in May 2023, and now the 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV. Of course, this is a mirror of the entire Chevrolet lineup, which has also received the AEV treatment — Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison, Silverado HD ZR2 Bison, and Colorado ZR2 Bison.
Today, the big news is the 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV, which is the ultimate luxury mid-size off-road machine. AEV edition upgrades to the already impressive AT4X include highlights such as 35-inch mud-terrain tires, lots of stout armor, front and rear steel bumpers, upgraded wheels, and wider fender flares.
During testing, the Canyon AT4X AEV Edition even did the Rubicon trail, which included driving on the highway to and from Reno, Nev. GMC executives told us there were “no issues” on the trip. We have no doubt the truck had some more scratches than it started with, but any trip without major issues on the Rubicon is impressive, especially in a truck straight off the assembly line.
Let’s dive into what this new luxury off-road pickup has to offer.
Building Upon the AT4X, With Bigger Tires
The 2024 Canyon AT4X is already an impressive machine before it gets the AEV treatment. It has trick spool-valve Multi-Matic shocks, real rock sliders, front and rear e-lockers, and a whole lot more off-road goodness. Oh, and the high-end comfort and luxury you’d expect in a GMC product.
Canyon AT4X AEV Edition upgrades start with massive 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory M/T tires. These are wrapped around unique AEV Salta beadlock-capable wheels. That big rubber is wedged under the Canyon by adding another 1.5 inches of lift — over AT4X — and even wider fender flares.
The truck maintains the same wheel travel as the AT4X — which is on 33-inch tires — and now has a massive 12.2 inches of ground clearance.
AEV Armor Upgrades
Besides those big tires you’ll also quickly recognize the front and rear stamped steel bumpers that have been added to the truck. The front bumper offers two chassis-mounted recovery points and integrated fog lights, and it’s winch capable. An optional dealer-installed GM Accessory ComeUp winch can be optioned.
The rear bumper also has two chassis-mounted recovery points and features unique corner skid plates. The corners of the bumper have replaceable 10mm thick steel skid plates on them, which are covered by removable plastic caps. The idea is that you can pop the caps off before hitting the trail, scratch up the skid plate, and then pop the covers back on to look good on the way home.
The basic skid plates under the Canyon AT4X are swapped out for five hot-stamped boron steel ones from AEV. That equates to protection for the front approach, steering gear, transfer case, fuel tank, and rear differential. The boron steel specifically is used because it is more resistant to gouging, which helps when sliding over rocks and for longevity.
Electrical Accessory Switching
The Canyon AEV also gets a three-accessory switch plate and an under-hood power box. This electrical accessory switching system is an optional upgrade on other GMC Canyon trim levels.
2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition: Pricing & Availability
While we don’t have pricing yet on the 2024 Canyon AEV Edition, we expect it to be upward of $65,000. Production is slated to start late this year, with likely first deliveries in Q1 of 2024.
GMC expects about half of all Canyons sold in 2024 to be AT4 variants. It also expects about 40% of the AT4X versions to be AEV Editions.
It’s still to be determined if AEV will offer these Canyon AT4X AEV Edition parts directly or through GMC dealers to upfit other models of Canyon. Both AEV and GMC told us it was too early to talk about this possibility. So, if you want the AEV goodness for your Canyon, at least for now, you’ll have to go all in on an AT4X AEV Edition from the factory.
Canyon AT4X AEV vs. Colorado ZR2 Bison
Of course, the Canyon AT4X AEV Edition’s direct competitor will be its sibling, the Colorado ZR2 Bison. Both will feature AEV’s special sauce and 35-inch tires, and they will be available exclusively in crew-cab short-box with the 2.7L I-4 Turbo HO engine. There are a few differences, though.
The Canyon AEV doesn’t come standard with the Multi-Matic jounce shocks that come on the Colorado Bison. But, they can be optioned from the factory. The Canyon AEV does come standard with the three-accessory-switch system, which is optional on the Colorado Bison.
AEV says that most of the AEV parts on the two trucks are the same. But, it wouldn’t elaborate on any differences. The wheel and front bumper designs are the only difference we noticed right off. But, those differences just come down to style preference versus capability.
Of course, the 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV is going to have some stiff competition. Especially with the Ranger Raptor and Tacoma Trailhunter both hitting the market as well. Neither major competitor will be on 35-inch tires at launch, however. That helps give the Canyon AEV and Colorado Bison sizeable breakover and ground clearance advantages.
