A strong Wyoming headwind can make a fuel-economy test ugly in a hurry. On my drive in the 2026 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV, the trip computer showed 12.6 mpg over 102.2 miles. That is an attention-getting number, but the conditions matter as much as the result.
This was a road test of a heavily equipped off-road pickup in rough winter weather, not a controlled comparison. In my Canyon AT4X AEV video review, I looked at the mileage, the AEV hardware and the everyday compromises that come with this particular truck.
12.6 mpg needs the Wyoming wind context
Driving west on Interstate 80, I encountered strong headwinds and reported gusts in the 30 to 50 mph range. Conditions were severe enough that the highway had restrictions for lightweight semis. The wind was a constant part of the experience, both in the cabin noise and in how much it pushed the truck around.
The 12.6-mpg figure came from the trip computer. It was not a hand-calculated result from filling the tank twice. The window sticker I showed listed 16 mpg city, highway and combined, so this stretch came in well below that rating.
It would be a mistake to treat this as what every Canyon owner should expect. I did not repeat the route in calm weather or drive a standard Canyon alongside it. I also did not remove the snorkel or change tires. This test shows what happened with this truck on this drive; it cannot isolate how much of the result came from the wind or any individual piece of equipment.
AEV hardware brings a different set of priorities
The appeal of this Canyon is obvious when you walk around it. The Volcanic Red paint, AEV wheels, off-road tires and prominent snorkel give it a distinctive look. This was the kind of truck that drew questions from people who saw it parked at my house.
The equipment goes beyond appearance. My test truck had steel front and rear bumpers, protective skid plates, rock rails, Multimatic DSSV dampers and a bed-mounted spare. Under the hood was the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
That equipment makes sense for someone buying a truck around off-road use. It also means judging it solely as an efficient highway commuter misses the point of the configuration. I did not take it through an off-road course for this review, however, so the hardware walkaround should not be confused with a test of its trail limits.
Cabin comfort is good, but getting in takes effort
After roughly three hours behind the wheel, I found the seats fairly comfortable, although I would have liked a little more cushioning. The wireless phone charger worked during my time with the truck, and my phone stayed cool. Those are small details that matter when the drive gets long.
Getting in was less convenient. As a shorter driver, I had a substantial climb into the cabin. The rock rails are not the same thing as useful running boards, and I found myself using the steering wheel to help pull myself up. Anyone shopping this version should try entering and exiting it several times before deciding the height is no big deal.
Rear-seat space is another midsize-truck tradeoff. Small children have a more workable situation than larger adults. The cabin can handle everyday needs, but a buyer who regularly carries adult passengers should sit in the back rather than assume the four-door body guarantees generous room.
At $72,655, buy it for the mission
The truck I reviewed carried an as-tested price of $72,655. The AEV package and other equipment made this a very different purchase from a basic midsize pickup. That is the reviewed truck’s sticker price, not a claim about what a dealer will charge today.
I liked the appearance and the character of this Canyon. I also came away with a clear reminder that the most aggressive version is not automatically the best fit for every buyer. The high entry, limited rear space and fuel consumption on this drive are worth weighing against how often you will actually use the extra hardware.
If the AEV equipment matches the kind of driving you plan to do, there is a reason to want this truck. If most of your miles are on the highway, the 12.6-mpg result is a reason to ask more questions about your own route and needs. It is not proof that every Canyon is inefficient, and it is not enough evidence to blame the snorkel. It is one demanding drive that makes the compromises impossible to ignore.
