Overview & Reviews

The GMC Canyon receives numerous changes for 2009, the most welcome of which is the addition of a much-needed V8 engine option. Also, StabiliTrak, a bedliner and XM Satellite Radio are now standard fare, and the braking system has been upgraded. Finally, the base SL trim is no longer available, the sport suspension option returns after a brief absence, and there are a handful of exterior styling tweaks.

• Affordable price, composed handling on- and off-road, varied engine choices.

• Non-V8 engines lack power, mediocre seat comfort, subpar build quality.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 11.00

• 

  Great looking and performing Truck - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By rhawes - May 13 - 2:19 pm

  Bought a ’09 4x4 Quad Cab SLT fully loaded with Z71 suspension and the 5.3L V-8 engine new for vacation travel and to use when going skiing by our cabin in northern Arizona. This truck has been everything I thought it would be and more! I had looked and test drove other trucks in the mid-size class the Toyota was the only one that came close to it, but Iwould have had to settle for a basic 4x4 quad cab model for what I paid for this truck. Toyota offers a 4.0L engine which didn’t seem to have the pull of the 4.3L that was in my ’98 S10. If GMC hadn’t offered the 5.3L engine, I “might” have considered the Toyota a bit more, but after driving one then the choice was simple.

• 

  Canyon Conquers Mountain Commute - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By Wayne Dear - January 29 - 1:18 pm

  I drive 120 miles round trip uphill both ways. The 3.7L I5 4sp auto has lots of power even with a full load. Got 24.9 mpg on the first fill up. 17" tires, high clearance good for off road, truck tracks steady in 4wd on snow and ice. CPU broke down in mountains OnStar emergency towing and GMC warranty worked fine. Plenty of storage behind front seats but no room to sit there cept for babies. Middle seat belt a joke so I disconnected it. Friends commented on rugged good looks and awesome metalic blue paint job. Overall, a smart, affordable "small" 4wd truck.

• 

  Great truck - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By newowner - October 17 - 10:42 pm

  Got this truck during cash C4C and love it. The cons: Lucky to get 15 miles per gallon in the city. The engine doesnt have a lot of punch starting from zero. Low clearance and not meant for off road if not 4X4. The pros: Great power on the highway. Has real punch once you get over 50. Quiet at high speeds, compared to other trucks. Smooth suspension, great on washboard, bumpy roads. Very comfortable with a lot of room, at least in the front. Great interior I dont agree that it has too much plastic or seems cheap on the inside. Replaced tiny factory tires and it has a great, classic look now. Note:Toyota and Nissan are now copying big, boxy look of GMC trucks.

• 

  bought American-GMC Loyalty customer - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By 355nation believer - September 4 - 9:36 pm

  less than 2K mi. just got it, but I Cash for Clunkersed a GMC Sierra 1500 w. 156K mi. The improvements in this truck over my 90s era truck are amazing! Its NOT the 4x4 model I have, its the 4X2. The site doesnt allow the inline 5 cyl. engine 4X2 choice for the crew cab. The power of the 225 c.i. engine is great, much better than my old 4.3 liter V-6 could muster. It has passing power! I have had a Taco (Toyota Tacoma) left in the dust after a traffic merging. Mileage is about 17-18 mpg in mostly city driving, not really broken-in yet. Interior comfort is high. The truck drives like a car more-than a truck. The crew cab is spacious-enough for two adults in the rear.

• 

  Grandma Loves This Truck - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By GrandmaBooBoo - August 10 - 6:26 am

  Perfect vehicle for this disabled Grandma who loves to go camping with the kids.I neither have to plop down into nor hoist myself out of the seat. Lumbar support drivers seat is a godsend!Plenty of room in the crew cab for 3 children and leg room enough for taller adults too. Even the short bed has enough room for my mobility scooter AND all our camping gear.I dont know how others are driving to get ONLY 20MPG, because I consistently average slightly OVER 25 MPG on the highway and 18-19mpg in town. The OnStar is amazing!I can receive calls in remote areas where my cell phone does not work. This 5 cyl. truck has NO problem climbing mountains even fully loaded. I LOVE this truck!

• 

  Great Mileage - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By JohnS - June 12 - 11:58 am

  This 4 cyl Canyon replaces a Chevy S10 and after having looked at all the small pickups (Ford, Toyota, Nissan) I have been extremely pleased with it. I was expecting slightly less gas mileage since I went from a 2.2 engine to 2.9 and from standard to automatic, but its has matched the S10 with 23 / 24 around town and 27 / 28 on the highway. Just great fun to drive

• 

  Beter then my tacoma by far - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By John Atmallis - May 5 - 8:36 pm

  Performance was based on the fact that it is a truck and a 4cyl. It is not fast or a sports car but for what it is performed great. quicker and holds the rode better then my Tacoma that is newer and has a 6 cyl in it and hasnt ever left me stranded or not start like my Tacoma continues to do.