We’re living in the golden age of midsize pickup trucks. Not long ago, this segment was plagued by underpowered and underbuilt options. Those days are gone, and few trucks make that clearer than the 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition.
Powertrain
Under the hood, every Canyon AT4X AEV is powered by GMC’s 2.7-liter TurboMax inline-four, producing 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 430 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. Power is routed through an 8-speed automatic transmission with standard four-wheel drive. On paper, the numbers look stout—more torque than the old V6 ever offered. But behind the wheel, the engine often feels loud and strained, never quite delivering the punch its specs suggest.
Off-Road Hardware
This is where the AT4X AEV earns its stripes. From the factory, it rides on 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires, paired with Multimatic DSSV dampers and front and rear electronic locking differentials. Off-road geometry is impressive: 38.2° approach, 26.0° departure, and 26.9° breakover.
AEV adds serious hardware:
- Hot-stamped boron steel skid plates covering vital components
- Heavy-duty stamped steel bumpers, winch-capable up front with recovery points out back
- Bed-mounted full-size spare
- Rock rails protecting the rocker panels
In short, you can drive it straight from the dealership to the Rubicon Trail.
Design & Interior
The Canyon AT4X AEV is one of the most aggressive-looking midsize trucks on sale today—muscular stance, wide fender flares, and purposeful details. Inside, the cabin mixes rugged tech with upscale features like the 11.3-inch infotainment screen, digital gauge cluster, and premium trim.
That said, the interior design choices can be polarizing. The white-trimmed faux leather accents look fine in Summit White, but clash oddly with bolder exterior colors like Desert Sun (a burnt orange).
The Catch: Price
All this capability comes at a steep cost. A fully optioned 2025 Canyon AT4X AEV stickers at over $70,000. That puts it well above competitors like the Ford Ranger Raptor (high $50K range) or the Nissan Frontier Pro-4X (low $50Ks). For buyers chasing ultimate off-road capability, the AT4X AEV delivers. But for many, the price premium is hard to justify.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV is a showcase of what’s possible in a factory-built midsize truck: incredible off-road hardware, aggressive styling, and luxury-level tech. Unfortunately, its sluggish power delivery and sky-high price tag leave it feeling like an off-road dream with a real-world reality check.
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