How Does Modding Your Canyon Affect Your Fuel Economy

Some pickup truck owners cannot keep their rigs stock. They love to add more items to make them their own, especially a version made for off-road. They’ll add skid plates, beefier sway bars, bigger all-terrain tires, and off-road wheels. Above the frame, there are roll bars, heftier bumpers, winches, and so much more. While adding and personalizing your pickup truck will help you achieve that dream rig, there may be a few drawbacks in doing so.   

YouTube channel TFLTruck recently produced a video showing how additional modifications will affect the fuel consumption on a modified 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X compared to a stock model. They took on their 100-mile loop around their Denver base to calculate the costs.  

First, they fueled up with 91-octane fuel before setting off. They based their calculations on a 26 MPG average from a stock-issue pickup truck. The TFL hosts figured that the heavily modified Canyon would get 10 MPG less. Both pickup trucks have the same driveline: a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.  

The Canyon that the Overland Expo Foundation supplied was lifted for 35-inch tires, a snorkel, a bed cover that includes storage, and a shower. This pickup truck also has additional lighting, skid plates, a Magna exhaust system, a swing mount for the spare tire, an air tank, a front bumper insert with a bull bar, and additional cab roof-mounted items for overlanding purposes. The AT4X is not the AEV version, but some add-ons supplied by AEV were on the truck they used for this test.  

The stock pickup truck turned an average of 23.8 MPG. The modified Canyon AT4X averaged 16.9 MPG. The contrast between the two pickup trucks demonstrates the answer to a simple equation: The more you put on your pickup truck, the less economical it will be. These add-ons add weight to the pickup truck. With more weight to move, the vehicle becomes less efficient. Even larger tires can also reduce fuel consumption, you may want to keep that in mind before you accessorize your pickup truck. 

On the other hand, you may have a specific purpose in mind for your pickup truck that requires these add-ons. We’re not discouraging you from making your Canyon AT4X into an overlanding rig or an off-road rock star. In fact, our parts department could help you build your pickup truck into your dream ride. The advantage of having us supply and/or install parts supplied by us are the warranties provided by us and the supplier.  

If you want your Canyon AT4X to be the pickup truck of your dreams, contact us at Valley GMC. We have a selection available for you to outfit your truck for your next off road adventure.