There’s no doubt the overlanding scene has exploded in the last few years, with major auto manufacturers finally getting on the hype with special bespoke vehicles targeted squarely at off-road enthusiasts. And GMC is the latest to offer an overlanding special of a current model with the Canyon AT4 Ovrlandx concept truck, which was unveiled today at Overland Expo Mountain West 2021 in Loveland, Colorado.
The Canyon AT4 already had impressive 4×4 stats. The off-road-ready mid-size pickup boasted a 1” lift, skid plates, better break-over angles, an auto-locking rear diff, and hill-descent control. GMC just bumped them up with a bevy of upgrades and essential overlanding accessories. Off-road performance enhancements include sliders, cast-iron control arms, a heavy-duty front bumper with winch, integrated recovery points, front and rear auto-locking diffs, mud flares with an integrated light, a rear-mounted spare tire swivel on an AEV off-road bumper, and Multimatic dampers on the shocks for better on- and off-road control.
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Other off-road cred enhancements include a 27.7-degree approach angle and a ground clearance of 10 inches, which is gained by the addition of 33-inch BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires on 17-inch AEV Crestone wheels. A custom snorkel gives it better breathing by bringing cool, filtered air into the engine, while also allowing for the truck to challenge water crossings up to 32.1 inches deep.
“We wanted to showcase GMC Canyon with this concept and punctuate GMC’s commitment to premium, off-road capable vehicles. Consumer reaction to this concept’s design will help us further serve the growing market of buyers leading authentic outdoor lifestyles,” said Buick & GMC global vice president Duncan Aldred.
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It seems GMC is just getting started with this gamut of goodies by tapping some of the best overlanding gear brands to fully trick out the truck. A stainless steel truck bed cap opens up on each side to allow access to gear and a trick RSI SmartCap kitchen—not to mention the ability to mount a roof-top tent; solar panel; and a massive, 270-degree awning for wide-ranging protection from the elements.
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Inside the back of the truck GMC added a neat Decked drawer system to keep tools sorted, a Dometic electric cooler, and other overlanding essentials like jerry cans, traction boards, and a jack.
“The Canyon AT4 Ovrlandx concept truck was designed to balance functionality with aesthetics,” said John Owens, lead creative designer for the concept truck. “When you’re overlanding, capability is an important factor, but doing it with premium style and comfort elevates the experience even further for customers who truly want zero compromises.”
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We think GMC created an amazing, capable overlanding rig—based off of an already proven and popular base vehicle—the only pain point is this won’t be slated for production any time soon.
Though just a concept, it does give overlanders in the market for a new truck lots of ideas on how to make their own Canyon AT4 just that much more badass on the trail.
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For a layman chatting to a mechanic or gearhead, automotive jargon can seem like a foreign language. To the average person on the street, terms like torque vectoring, locking differentials, pinion gears, and half-shafts are meaningless. However, there’s a pair of terms that’s more confusing than they need to be: 4×4 vs AWD. Knowing the difference is a must for off-roading beginners (the same goes for differentiating ATVs vs side-by-sides).
Many off-road-capable vehicles these days are marketed as having one of these two systems, and the differences between them are often confusing to consumers. Both send power to all four of the car or truck’s wheels, but the way in which they do so is different. A true 4×4 system is also significantly more capable for extreme off-road use than an all-wheel-drive system, making the distinction even more important to understand.
What Is a 4×4?
The Toyota 4Runner is a classic off-road machine that uses 4×4 to power through off-road terrain and on-road hazards like snow.
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Four-by-four, also known as part-time four-wheel-drive or 4WD, is a system that can be set to transfer power to either two or four wheels. Generally this is accomplished through the use of a transfer case, which the driver of the vehicle can engage or disengage with a lever, knob, or button inside the vehicle.
Many 4×4 vehicles have a two-wheel-drive setting for everyday use, as well as high-range and low-range settings, labeled as 4-hi and 4-lo. These options effectively give the driver more power and control at low speeds. For example, selecting 4-lo would help crawl up a muddy slope at 5 mph. Vehicles with true 4×4 systems are ideal for heavy off-road use, such as climbing steep hills, crawling over boulders, and tackling rutted muddy trails.
The newer Subaru Outback’s are capable off-road machines that use AWD to traverse sketchy situations off the pavement.
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All-wheel-drive, also called full-time four-wheel-drive or AWD, typically powers all four wheels at all times. Many modern AWD vehicles have anti-slip systems to distribute power from front to back or side to side. So, if one wheel begins to spin, power is sent by a computerized or mechanical device to the other three in order to help the vehicle keep moving. Most AWD vehicles don’t have user-controlled settings to force the vehicle into two-wheel-drive mode, or high- or low-reduction gear transfer case settings.
AWD excels on loose surfaces, such as gravel, sand, or snow, and is often used in off-road rally cars for this reason. However, it isn’t ideal for low-speed crawling over extremely tough terrain.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing an AWD or 4WD Vehicle?
“Understand what you’re buying,” says off-road expert Dave Rees. “Familiarize yourself with what you want to do and what the capabilities of the vehicle are.”
Rees says AWD is great for daily use, and something like an AWD Subaru is great on gravel. But if you really want to go beyond gravel, you may need 4×4. There are variations that offer a little of both worlds, such as the new Lexus GX, which is AWD but has a locking center differential like a 4×4.
“Both systems [AWD and 4×4] are bound by physics in that you can only pass over an obstacle if you have enough clearance and enough traction,” says Rob Shydo, an off-road expert with Exploring NH. Shydo explains that clearance can differ between AWD and 4WD vehicles, even if they have the same or similar ground clearance on paper.
The 2024 Lexus GX 550 has all-wheel-drive but also features a locking center diff to better power through off-road obstacles.
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Case in point, modern AWD vehicles that most would consider a car, like an Outback or Crosstrek, now have ride heights that can challenge some of the newer SUVs and trucks—like the new Lexus GX and its sibling, the forthcoming 250 Series Land Cruiser. The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness model, which is optimized for playing in the dirt, boasts a 9.3-inch ground clearance. The new GX and Land Cruiser only give you 8.9 and 8.7 inches, respectively.
But, once you run out of ground clearance, or “talent,” as he calls it, you may have more options with a 4×4 vehicle such as a 4Runner than you would on an AWD, such as a Subaru. On the 4Runner, the lowest part most at risk of hitting an obstacle is likely part of the rear axle, so “if you run out of talent on a trail, a fairly strong piece of metal would hit the obstacle.”
But there are also other areas under the vehicle that may offer higher clearance, so with 4WD you might be able to maneuver around an obstacle on the trail. With AWD vehicles, however, the first part of the vehicle to touch the ground can be more delicate—like part of the suspension, the exhaust system, or even an oil pan or gas tank.
So not only is the first point of contact likely more vulnerable on an AWD vehicle, but there may also not be as many high points underneath to help you maneuver around an obstacle. In short, if you plan to use your vehicle to traverse highly technical terrain, you’ll have a bigger margin for error with a 4WD.
Do You Really Need 4WD?
If you’re choosing between a 4×4 and AWD, it’s important to know AWD can handle what most people throw at it in the most common off-road scenarios.
“People think they have to have a Bronco with 50 grand in mods, but actually, no, you don’t.” says Randy Nonnenberg, founder of the online used vehicle auction site Bring a Trailer.
It’s fun to add tons of mods your off-roader, but it can get pricey fast and isn’t usually even necessary for most excursions off the beaten path.
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Nonnenburg has changed his thinking about what you actually need for off-roading. “Stuff I thought was a cool off-roader as a kid—a Jeep CJ-7, a Land Cruiser, an early Bronco—you can do better off-road with a Subaru Outback. Vehicles are just so capable now.”
Pros and Cons of 4×4 VS AWD?
Pros of 4×4
Typical 4×4 vehicles have more ground clearance than AWD
More direct control for specific off-road situations
Better for people who seriously go beyond pavement and gravel
Can be flat towed in neutral
Low range gearing is better for towing in some situations
Cons of 4×4
Heavier systems than AWD
More driver engagement required
Less fuel efficient than AWD systems
Can require more maintenance, adding to cost of ownership
Pros of AWD
Less driver input needed
Better for most people in realistic driving scenarios
More fuel efficient than 4×4
Cons of AWD
Typically on crossovers or cars with lower ground clearance so skid plates needed for off-roading
