Overview & Reviews

Though not as popular as full-size pickups, compact and midsize pickups fulfill an important role. For the many truck buyers whose towing and hauling needs don't require the capabilities of a full-size, these more nimble and fuel-efficient trucks are the perfect choice. GMC's entrant in this segment is the Canyon.

The GMC Canyon is handsome-looking, thanks to its square jaw and broad-shouldered stance, and its impressive crash test scores offer peace of mind to owners. It also offers available V8 power, a rare treat in this segment. When it comes to negatives, however, the Canyon is plagued with more than its fair share. For much of this truck's life, its standard four- and five-cylinder engines have been lacking in the power department, which has limited the truck's ability to comfortably haul cargo or tow heavy loads. Build quality is average at best, and many items within the truck's cabin feel flimsy and cheap.

Though the snazzy, affordably priced GMC Canyon will no doubt hold a certain charm for budget-conscious shoppers with an eye for style, we think most compact or midsize pickup truck buyers will be better served by more capable rivals like the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma.

Current GMC Canyon

Three configurations are available for the GMC Canyon: standard cab, extended cab and crew cab. Extended-cab and crew-cab models feature four doors; crew-cab Canyons have four standard-sized doors and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat that can seat three adults, while extended-cab versions offer two small reverse-opening doors and rear jump seats. Canyon crew cabs haul loads with a 5-foot bed, while the other two configurations get the job done with a bed that measures 6 feet.

Three trim levels are available: Work Truck (WT), SLE and SLT. WT models offer features like air-conditioning, cruise control and an AM/FM stereo. The Canyon SLE model adds an improved stereo and a more extensive options list, though power accessories are an extra-cost option on regular-cab SLEs (standard on extended-cab SLEs). The SLT steps it up with leather upholstery and power seats. There are also two optional suspension packages. The Z71 suspension improves the off-road performance of 4WD trucks, while the ZQ8 package for 2WD trucks enhances on-road handling and grip.

GMC Canyon buyers have a choice of three engines. A 2.9-liter inline four-cylinder produces 185 horsepower, and is standard on WT and SLE models. It comes with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder is more robust, offering 242 hp. Both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission are available. The available 5.3-liter V8 cranks out 300 hp. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are offered; the 4WD system has a dual-range transfer case and push-button controls.

The GMC Canyon has met with middling reviews from our editors. Its interior has been criticized for being below average in build and material quality. Its engines, too, have been panned as lackluster, though the optional V8 is possibly the most enjoyable engine in the compact truck segment. In consumer reviews, owners have praised the truck for its stylish exterior and quiet ride, but have expressed reservations about its build quality. In sum, unless you can't live without V8 power in your midsize truck, there are better choices.

Used GMC Canyon Models

The GMC Canyon was launched for the 2004 model year. It debuted with less powerful engines: a 175-hp, 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder and a 220-hp 3.5-liter inline-5. The ZQ8 package didn't become available until 2006, and the five-cylinder engine received a power boost to current levels in 2007, along with a revised four-speed automatic transmission with better shift quality. The V8 engine option didn't debut until 2009; this was also the first year for stability control and satellite radio.

Consumers shopping for a used GMC Canyon would probably be wise to expand their search to include its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Colorado, which offers basically the same attributes.

User Reviews:

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  exellent - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By djjimmyray - November 5 - 2:00 am

  its fast, fun, and furious

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  Best truck ever next to Silverado - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By Codacious - November 5 - 2:00 am

  It is truly an amazing vehicle, like the old Silverados

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  better than a dakota or an f-100 - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By drvendo - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I love this truck so much I have a had a dakota it has the worst crash rate and the f-100 what a joke if you like bumper cars buy it. The canyon is one of the best trucks I have owned and I dont care what you write

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  Love My Canyon! - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Robert Dowens - September 24 - 11:43 am

  Very comfortable ride, just like being in a car. Not "trucky" at all. Great visibility a joy to own!

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  Canyon lover - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Richard Kirkley - August 30 - 4:34 pm

  Pay the extra for the Canyon over the Chevy Colorado, you wont be sorry.

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  Torquey little gem - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By jim - July 20 - 5:52 pm

  Most surprising for this 2.8L diesel was just how fun the trans/engine combo is to drive! Really. In town driving requires little more then a feather touch on the gas pedal. The engine just pulls you along strong and the trans gets the gears right without any busy shifting. The interior is very quiet and a smooth ride. Fuel economy is a real world 27 in the city driving and 31 on the highway (I drive 77mph.... at 70 I get 33). I do get a little "wind flutter" from the factory toneau covered bed above 55mph but you only notice it if your listening for it, which I was. I like the style of this truck. Just the right size for my retirement lifestyle. Glad I put up the extra bucks for the diesel option. PS your review form does not offer the Longbox crew cab trim option with a diesel engine.

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  The best of the rest - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By The Truth. - May 31 - 2:46 am

  The 2016 GMC Cannon crew cab SLE V6 is without doubt, in my experience,the best value in a truck purchase . I have driven and owned many trucks of different makes and class sizes but this model holds it own to them. It is a little Pricey for that size of vehicle but the bottom line is worth it.

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  Nice truck - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Love the style - February 8 - 10:36 am

  test driving the Canyon Denali this week. I like the truck very much, but couldnt find a comfortable driving position. The power seat is lack of adjustment and the front of the seat is too tall. I decided not to purchase it. Besides that, its a nice truck. This is a Denali, but the seat is suck.

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  Mine is a Duramax Diesel that wasnt on the list - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Mike L. - December 14 - 5:09 pm

  I have a Loaded SLT long bed 4X4 with the new Duramax Diesel engine. I love this truck!! It has great power once the turbo spools up. It takes a second for this to happen so there is a slight hesitation upon sudden acceleration but for the size of this motor it pulls really well. I paid $42,100 before tax and license which is a bit much but better than 60 grand for a full size diesel truck. The canyon is no small truck. It has a 62" bed (long bed) that is large enough for most loads and it still fits in my garage. I get 23mpg around town and 28 highway witch isnt bad at all. The technology is amazing. You can send or receive text messages without ever taking you hands off the wheel or eyes off the road and the bose stereo sounds great! The exhaust brake (jake brake) is a nice little feature that will extend brake life too! I highly recommend this truck to anyone looking for a midsize truck they can fit in their garage and still handle all the tasks the average light duty truck owner has. Its not cheap but far better than the toyota tacoma or nissan frontier. I am sold on this little diesel engine. Update: after owning this truck for a year and half I am still very pleased with it. I recently towed a 6000 pound trailer 50 miles trough some mountains and it did great! It was sluggish on steep grades but did the job. On flat surfaces and slight upgrades it pulls well. I still got well over 20 Miles per gallon while towing this trailer. I normally get close to 30 without towing. It’s a great little truck and I would replace it with another one in a second.

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  First Pickup and Its Great! - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Brett McIndoe - December 12 - 8:31 pm

  Im a little over 1,000 miles in on my 2016 SLE w/ All Terrain and am really enjoying the truck. Remote start is awesome, although I am overusing it a bit so it did ding the gas mileage. Overall Im in the 19s, on highway only trips it gets around 21/22. All Terrain tires probably does not help. I had experience with a Ford Ranger in the 90s and as expected this is light years beyond. In some ways it exceeds the interior of the Mercedes I traded in, although the Mercedes did have some bells and whistles this does not, such as dual zone climate control. While some reviewers do not like the infotainment, I think it works quite well and like it better than the Mercedes, and the voice activation is really easy to use. I did notice on some hilly highway driving it had to downshift to keep up at 65/70 mph, but otherwise have had no problem with power or acceleration. Im coming from Xenon headlights versus the Halogen that comes standard here and I will probably look into brighter lights at some point. Overall, I love the look, comfort and capability of this truck, very happy with the purchase.