Zac Quinn 
We’ve seen the next generation of the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and GMC Canyon AT4X, and while there’s plenty to get excited about for these midsize trucks. We can’t help but wonder what might be the next stage to take these off-road legends even further. Well, sources can confirm a GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition is coming, while a next-generation Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison is also in the works.
GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition, Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison: Details
The GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition is expected to wear the same accessory off-road bumper as the Edition 1 model, while adding an integrated winch, and the noticeable addition of an American Expedition Vehicles-branded engine snorkel. The accessory is currently available to outgoing Chevrolet Colorado customers from the upfitting company, but it seems like GM is willing to offer the snorkel from the factory this time around. Notably, the configuration will be different than the previous model, as the last-gen snorkel was mounted on the passenger side of the truck. The new one appears to be going on the driver’s side. Considering that both the new Canyon and Colorado use a different engine than before, this is likely why. New geometry under the hood would have the cold-side plumbing routed differently.
Another example of brands offering factory-installed snorkel can be found in the hard-to-find Ford Bronco Everglades, which Chevrolet considers to be one of the competitors to the new Colorado ZR2. It’s likely that this new feature will make it onto both the new Colorado ZR2 Bison as well as the GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition. It’s likely that both Chevrolet and GMC will offer the snorkel in their respective accessories catalogs, as well.
Here’s where things get even more delicious. General Motors is finally giving its midsize off-road trucks a set of properly proportioned tires. While the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 will have 33-inch tires, as will the first-ever GMC Canyon AT4X, the upcoming Colorado ZR2 Bison and Canyon AT4X AEV Edition will come with 35-inch tires, mirroring what we see on the Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon and Ford Bronco Sasquatch. This is sure to be a delight for off-road goers, as will the potential of true beadlock wheels.
General Motors appears to be further leveraging its relationship with American Expedition Vehicles with the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. In doing so, the two companies are revisiting a vehicle segment where their relationship originally started. Except this time, everything looks to push levels of OEM off-road capability that have been previously unseen in the midsize truck market.
