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2021 GMC Canyon AT4 Road Test | The everyday tool

Bold take: The GMC Canyon is the most well-rounded midsize truck. Admittedly, “well-rounded” is a lukewarm compliment, but the Canyon does nearly everything well. It is not the flashiest, which is undeniably the Jeep Gladiator. Or the most comfortable, which is the Honda Ridgeline. But for those seeking a midsize truck that looks like a truck, drives like a truck and has a solid interior, the Canyon is the right formula. We would test the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 for a week and find that itÂ’s pleasant, capable and sturdy off-road. We would haul a bookshelf in the bed, get dirty during a woodsy soft-road jaunt and pile up the miles running around town. In short, itÂ’s exactly what most need in a midsize truck.  The AT4 model is new for 2021, and it replaces the All-Terrain model, a move GMC is rolling out across its lineup. The AT4 adds an off-road-tuned suspension with hill-descent control, beefy 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires wrapped around 17-inch aluminum wheels, standard four-wheel drive with locking rear differential and a transfer case skid plate. The AT4 punches up the CanyonÂ’s appearance with red tow hooks, dark chrome elements and a bigger grille thatÂ’s similar to the SierraÂ’s. The Canyon Denali, which was also refreshed for ‘21, is showier, but the AT4 trim feels cooler with its understated off-road vibes. Considering this, we head out for an afternoon drive along a familiar route through DetroitÂ’s northern suburbs. The Canyon is a solid daily driver. The 3.6-liter V6 rated at 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque is widely used in General Motors vehicles. ItÂ’s powerful and actually sounds pretty good — even throaty — in GMCÂ’s midsize truck. Our passengers are surprised to be pulled back in their seats during hard acceleration, and the eight-speed automatic transmission is well-calibrated for the many jobs the Canyon is called upon to perform. This powertrain, standard in the AT4 and Denali trims, is a step up from the 2.5-liter inline-four and six-speed auto offered on the lower models. ItÂ’s worth it. The 2.8-liter Duramax diesel is an option on higher-spec Canyons, and its 369 lb-ft of torque is tantalizing. For everyday use, take the V6. Our tester with the gasoline V6 and four-wheel drive can tow as much as 7,000 pounds, has a maximum payload of 1,609 pounds and has respectable fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

2021 GMC Canyon trims overhauled, SL and SLT disappear

Until this year, the GMC Canyon has offered six trims in two drivetrains: SL, a base model simply called Canyon, SLE, All Terrain, SLT, and Denali, with all but the SL available in either 2WD or 4WD. GM Authority credits "dealer sources" for news that the 2021 Canyon has had its trim steps overhauled. According to the chart in the report, the SL and SLT are no more, the base Canyon gets replaced by a trim called Elevation Standard, and SLE turns into Elevation. We already know that All Terrain has given way to AT4, while Denali remains in the top spot. Trim content doesn't change with the names, but there's no equivalent for the SLT trim in terms of spec. The GMC site lists the 2020 SLE and SLT on the same page, and a shopper must burrow into the spec comparison page to figure out the differences. The SLT only comes with the 3.6-liter V6 and eight-speed transmission, and makes features like remote start, climate control, heated mirrors, heated seats, hitch guidance, and a spare tire standard equipment. It also chromes the exterior door handles, and offers a Cocoa/Dune leather interior that can't be had on the SLE. It's possible the SLT's $4,700 premium over the SLE led more buyers to start with the SLE and add the engine and options they wanted.   We have a number of questions that we'll need to wait for GMC's official announcement to answer. The 2020 Canyon offers an Elevation Edition package for $650 that adds a black grille with body-colored surround, and 18-inch Satin Graphite wheels in all-terrain rubber. There's also a California Elevation Special Edition for $1,195 with all-weather floor liners, assist steps, and mud flaps. They could be optioned on the SLE but not the SLT. With the addition of two Elevation trims, we'll find out if the packages get renamed or go away. Separately, CarBuzz spotted a 2021 GM Fleet Order Guide that mentions a leveling kit option, LPO Code SQS, for the Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado. We noted the inclusion of a leveling kit in the coming Canyon AT4 Off-Road Performance Package. According to the order guide, the option can be ordered only for the Canyon AT4 trim, but it's not clear if that's an a la carte choice or if buyers must order the Off-Road Performance Package. On the Chevy, the rake-removal equipment can be had with the Colorado 4x2 Z71 or the 4x4 Work Truck, LT, and Z71. Related Video:

GMC's electric Hummer could someday serve alongside the Humvee in the U.S. Army

Every civilian Hummer model traces its roots to AM General's Humvee, which made its combat debut when the United States invaded Panama in 1989. Fast forward to the 2020s, and the tables have turned. The born-again Hummer that will arrive with an electric powertrain and a GMC emblem could spawn a military-spec truck. "[The upcoming Hummer] is a full-size truck with 400 miles of range and 1,000 pound-feet of torque, it's a very highly capable vehicle. That could provide a great base platform for an electric vehicle to be used in the military context," said David Albritton, the president of General Motors Defense, in an interview with GM Authority. Although he didn't sketch out the Hummer's role in a battalion, its range, torque, and dimensions would theoretically make it well-suited to carrying soldiers, weapons, and/or gear like radio equipment. It wouldn't necessarily look like the production model (shown above in a preview image). General Motors Defense might use its basic platform and its powertrain technology to build a purpose-designed off-roader, like it did with the Colorado Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) it will soon begin manufacturing for the Army. The ISV shares 90% of its parts with the regular-production Chevrolet Colorado, but the two vehicles look nothing alike. Securing a contract with the American military is easier said than done, and Army officials haven't publicly expressed an interest in sending the upcoming Hummer into a war zone. We'll learn more about what a battle-ready electric truck could look like after the showroom-bound model makes its debut. In the meantime, Humvee production continues, and AM General introduced a comprehensively updated model named NXT 360 in 2018. Related Video:     Green GMC Hummer Truck Electric Military