Hot on the heels of the news that there will be a GMC Sierra Harley Davidson collaboration, the pickup, and SUV exclusive branch of GM has announced details on two versions of the forthcoming 2021 GMC Canyon. While images of the high-dollar Denali edition have yet to be released, GMC has revealed snaps of the all-new AT4, an off-road-oriented midsize pickup that GM says “brings capability and appeal to the updated Canyon range.”

Looking to appeal to off-road enthusiasts and luxury fans alike, GMC’s one-two, premium midsize pickup punch looks to take luxury and ruggedness to new levels, starting with the GMC Canyon AT4. As photos show, the exterior of the truck favors a bold yet classy approach, with its lifted ride height, dark chrome accents, redesigned, significantly larger grille, and red recovery hooks. While the interior of the pickup packs many of the premium luxuries we have come to expect from the GMC brand, unique notables like Kalahari stitching and AT4 emblazoned headrests add colorful splashes of exclusivity via the use of embroidery.

Appearances aside, the all-new 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 features a handful of standard 4×4 touches that go well beyond those shiny red recovery hooks and free-flowing, horizontal grille vents. The most noticeable of these off-road upgrades is the addition of rugged 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, all four of which come wrapped around high-strength, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Details of the boldly redesigned grille of the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4

Giving full clearance to these Kevlar-clad compounds is a uniquely tuned off-road suspension setup, which sits beside GM’s finely tuned Advanced Hill Descent Control System. This four-wheel-drive system includes an Eaton G80 auto-locking rear differential, and the AT4’s transfer case comes clad with a unique skid plate for even more peace of mind when meandering across rugged terrain.

“The new 2021 Canyon AT4 broadens the appeal to midsize truck customers who live an active lifestyle,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick and GMC. “Much like the Sierra AT4 has attracted new customers from outside GMC, the Canyon AT4 will attract outdoor enthusiasts looking for a premium midsize truck to GMC with the capability, technology, and refinement they’ve come to expect. This is a truck created with outdoor adventurers in mind,” Aldred explains. “The Canyon AT4 is a perfect complement to the driver’s other passions and appreciation of the details, whether that’s a mountain bike, a snowboard or their truck.”

As for the opulent GMC Canyon’s Denali edition, which for the time remains obfuscated from sight, the designers over at GM have taken the unique Denali grille and added sculpted, heavily layered patterns to the broadly drawn air induction system. Matched with 5-inch chrome assist steps, various chrome accents, and Denali-exclusive 20-inch “Diamond Cut” aluminum wheels, the all-new Canyon Denali has been teased as a truck that now resembles the latest Sierra pickup.

GMC’s design team apparently took further liberties with the Canyon’s cabin when crafting the Denali edition, adding interior accents like open-pore ash wood trim, aluminum overlays, and Denali-exclusive stitching. There’s also a new Cocoa/Dark Atmosphere color combo, which covers those standard heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel that Denali owners have come to love.

“Denali represents GMC’s bold design philosophy and these changes further elevate the Canyon from the mainstream competition, while delivering a modern look for the customer,” said Holt Ware, director of GMC exterior design. “It features a more distinctive and sophisticated design that has become synonymous with Denali.”

Regardless as to which version of the new 2021 GMC Canyon is chosen, Denali and AT4 buyers will have the option of either a best-in-class, 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, or an optional 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine with 369 lb-ft of torque on tap. Both versions of the new 2021 GMC Canyon, and every other model bearing the badge, will be built at GM’s Wentzville Assembly Center in Wentzville, Missouri. Buyers can get their hands on the 2021 Canyon later this year, and we have been told that we can expect to see pricing once production ramps-up.