Canyon AT4 Versus AT4X Versus AT4X AEV Edition: What Are the Differences?

There was a time when 4X4 pickup trucks were quite rare. They didn’t exist until Dodge created the Power Wagon for World War II. An aftermarket company converted 4×4 trucks for Chevrolet in 1951, GMC launched its first 4×4 in 1956, and Ford followed in 1959. Even after that, 4×4 trucks remained uncommon until the 1980s, when they began to be regularly available. Today, about 60% of pickup truck sales are 4×4 models.  

GMC’s mid-size Canyon offers 4×4 drivetrains for all trim levels, but it also offers three off-road-focused models with increasing levels of intensity: the AT4, followed by the AT4X, and finally, the AT4X AEV Edition. If you guess that the longer the name, the more hardcore off-road the truck, you would be correct, but Valley GMC would like to give you a few more specifics. 

AT4 

A Canyon Elevation 4×4 looks like its 4×2 counterpart. Step up to the AT4 and you will immediately spot the 18-inch Dark Gray machined aluminum wheels wearing all-terrain tires and red recovery hooks. Sharper eyes will spot the standard LED fog lamps and Multi-stow tailgate with lock and a 120-volt bed-mounted power outlet—although these features are optionally available on the 4×4 Elevation. 

Mechanical upgrades to the AT4 include a two-inch lift, an Autotrac® two-speed transfer case with push button controls, and hill descent control. There are cabin upgrades that don’t necessarily enhance off-road ability but make for a more pleasant truck, including: 

• Eight-way power driver seat adjuster 
• Dual-zone automatic climate control 
• Remote Start 
• Heated front seats and CoreTec seating surfaces 
• Driver and front passenger visors with illuminated mirrors 
• Inside rearview auto-dimming mirror 
• Interior courtesy dual reading lights 
• Manual tilt and telescoping steering column 
• Rear USB ports 

AT4X 

More off-road capability comes with the AT4X. This technically isn’t a different trim but an extensive package available on the AT4. For the sake of convenience, Valley GMC displays the AT4X-packaged model as if it was a trim level in our inventory listing. The most visually noticeable part of this package is a three-inch lift. Because off-roading benefits from tires with larger sidewalls, the AT4X package drops to 17-inch wheels with black machined finish and Mud-Terrain (MT) tires. Behind the tires sit Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, which have an almost miraculous ability to take off-road abuse and then give you a smooth ride home. 

The drivetrain adds electronic, driver-selectable full-locking front and rear differentials. The trailering package comes standard, along with an in-vehicle trailering app. Additionally, you receive front- and rear-facing underbody cameras equipped with washers to see what’s not visible from the driver’s seat. Other functional enhancements feature a spray-on bed liner, off-road rocker protectors, all-weather floor mats for the cabin, and sport upper body window moldings. The Obsidian Rush interior includes perforated leather-appointed front seats and red seatbelts.  

The AT4X Package also requires the inclusion of the Technology Plus and AT4 Premium package key features: 

• Adaptive Cruise Control 
• Rear Pedestrian Alert 
• HD Surround Vision 
• Multicolor 6.3-inch Diagonal Head-Up Display 
• Sunroof 
• Bose® Sound System 
• Driver position memory 
• Six-way front passenger seat 
• Wireless charging 
• Heated steering wheel 
• Ventilated driver and front passenger seats 

While the AT4X Package costs $6,980 on its own, when combined with the two other required packages, the additional cost over the AT4 is $11,425. 

AT4X AEV® Edition 

The AT4X AEV® Edition is another package exclusively for the AT4. It builds on the AT4X Package, adding several off-road features designed and manufactured by off-road aftermarket specialist American Expedition Vehicles (AEV®).  

The most notable features include:  

• AEV® stamped-steel front bumper which increases the approach angle and is winch-mount ready 
• AEV® stamped-steel rear bumper which increases the departure angle and includes heavy-duty cast recovery points 
• AEV® skid plates for the front and rear differentials, transfer cases, and fuel tank 
• 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels with laser etching and AEV center caps 
• 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires 

To reach this level, you have added four robust option packages that total $19,735 over the AT4. In return, you get the most off-road capable mid-size truck ever produced by a factory. It’s also worth mentioning that as the tires get larger and the components become more heavy-duty, fuel efficiency will decrease. Therefore, you’ll want to clearly understand what type of off-roading you intend to do before opting for the AT4X or the AT4X AEV Edition packages.  

You can rest assured that whatever your off-roading needs, the Canyon has you covered—and Valley GMC has you covered as well. We maintain a stock of AT4 and AT4X models. The AT4X AEV Edition is more limited and may not always be in our inventory, but our sales professionals can locate one for you.