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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  Canyon 2.8L Duramax SLE With All Terrain Package - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Grahamwoz - September 6 - 11:23 pm

  Needed something with more room and better carrying capability than the Jeep I was driving. Walked in to the dealer and saw they had 2 of the new Canyons with the 2.8L Duramax engine. Was an expensive up grade from the 3.6L gas BUT having owned it a month totally worth it: 1. Around town/highway getting 25 mpg avg 2. On a recent drive from Portland OR to San Francisco it did it on one tank of diesel (it must hold more than 21 gallons when topped off) and with it showing 30 mpg at highway speeds all the way (plus its 4WD) 3. Fully loaded with 5 adults and 5 sets of camping gear in the Mountains you would think it was hauling just me, the engine and gear box are fantasic. My wife did not like the ride or roughness of the Jeep so when I bought this I did not tell her it was a diesel, it was only a week later, having riden in it a number of times, she was stood next to it when I used the remote start that she said "your engine is making a funny noise" Over all car like ride on the open road, pick up truck for carrying loads (same length but slightly narrow than a full size truck) and an engine that as all the power I need and then more but makes me smile when I see the price of diesel is $0.50 lower than gas where I live.

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  Nice Ride - No Fatigue - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Primus - July 31 - 12:16 am

  I have previously owned 2 first gen Toyota Tundras. I was skeptical in going American but this was the only truck in the size range I wanted or that would fit between my narrow garage doors. I purchased the Canyon over the Colorado because some of its features cannot be had on the Colorado (look at the instrument cluster) and the dealership prices for each were basically the same. I have the All Terr edition which I highly recommend and also have 4 wd as I live in CO. I drive up and down a lot of hills and get combined driving MPG of about 23.7. My old Tundras got 16. The MPG drops significantly when motoring over 80 mph, but the truck feels fine at that speed. The fit and finish have been fine and I have had truck for 8 months and have not yet been to the dealership. The two issues I am changing on the truck are a. low front end which I have raised with an aftermarket kit and b. shift points of the transmission drive me nuts when going up small hills and again have gone with an aftermarket computer override. I know that GM in 2017 is changing the engine (adding 3 HP and a little torque) and transmission but I cant imagine an 8 spd transmission will be well programmed for this truck. I guess we will have to wait and see. I did not opt for the diesel because it was so much more expensive and I do not trust GM with such a new engine for this market.

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  Love the driveability. Quiet cabin. Great ride. - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Fred sanchez - March 30 - 12:58 pm

  So far so great. Driving this for the past month had exceeded my expectations for this truck Ive been getting so many compliments on the looks of this truck. Its a mid size truck but the front end looks so nice. Its just the right size for maneuvering and also hauls wel I really recommend test driving the canyon/Colorado before thinking about the Tacoma. I test drove the Tacoma vs the GMs several times. As far as driveability there was no doubt I had to go with the Canyon. Noise- for a mid size segment this is second to none in noise and quiet cabin. Everyone Ive driven this in has made comments about how nice it drives and comfortable it is for a truck (Note. I plan to update this review later )

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  First time GMC owner - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Tim Franzen - February 5 - 1:33 am

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  Last GMC Ill ever buy! - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Dan - August 22 - 12:24 pm

  TO; GMAC 8-2-2016 RE; 2015 Canyon Pick up Dear Sirs, Having previous good experience with GMC I returned to your brand for my new purchases. My last GMC was a 2003 and I put nearly a quarter of a million miles on it before it was destroyed by a reckless driver. I bought the new Canyon pick-up in the winter it was running and worm when I took it for the test-drive. Which turned out to be a huge mistake on my part. I also looked at important specifications, and window sticker nomenclature. (1) The ability to tow up to 7000 LBS This I do not believe can be done. I pull a small 8x10 trailer including cargo of just 350 lbs. I figure it was about 2500 lbs. it’s like pulling a house down the road at 7 MPG. Not just handling the power plant was over rot trying to keep the rig at highway speeds without even attempting to pass ( wouldn’t even consider it with the way the motor was behaving) A fifteen minute drive took nearly a quarter of a tank in gas I’ve never seen anything like that EVER. (2) Gas mileage is just bad! 7-8 MPG with trailer! I may as well be driving the bigger rig this is not saving me a dime. (3) The on board computer is very slow – very, very slow. In today’s computing world this is so frustrating having to wait long periods of time more than (30) seconds to boot - to have the tools and information to proceed on a trip. It’s not covered under warranty yet runs the entire truck so if it quits. Well that’s a problem. now the screen keeps blacking out even after being in for repair on this issue. (4) Acceleration letting off the gas on a freeway ramp or navigating traffic and re-pressing the gas to find the motor (missing) no power! This happens allot and it’s a terrible issue. The shop said (“they are aware of that, it’s within spec”) The motor behaves like it’s stalling when the gas is re-applied – so, frustrating and a little scary when trying to get on a highway. (5) Maps that are way out of date. I travel daily and find that the navigation does not include neighborhood’s that have been established for 5 or more years. (6) Under-powered Granted I’m used to a V8 but was told that “THIS HAS ALL THE POWER OF AN OLD V8” in your nomenclature and advertising. In short; I do not believe that you’re advertising, window sticker, sales team or nomenclature was truthful about what I could expect from this (Professional grade) truck. I’ve had it in the shop 4 times in 10,000 miles. I’m a self-employed and this was a major deal for me – Now being told the truck is running at specification. I’m really stuck. Tried to trade out of it only to be told I would get less than 3/4 its value so that’s a no go -- to be that upside-down. I do not know where to turn, this unit is not anything like what I was told it could do. There are other nuisances, what were you thinking - things that I could live with, but the power and towing is unacceptable! I have talked to other people what have the exact same experience- issues I’m having with this new truck!

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  Almost purchased, but decided to wai - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Parker - June 25 - 11:58 am

  I drove this car once and was so excited about buying it. Then drove it again, and decided to wait and maybe buy it in the future. I was looking at the crew cab, short box, sle with all-terrain. First-off, lets talk $36-39k for a mid-size truck. For nearly 40k, I expect some level of awesomeness. The front power seats dont have a tilt adjustment, and in the SLE (leather trimmed, cloth middle) they are just a tad on the firm side. Rear sliding window is manual. No manual locker on the All-terrain pkg (though it does have a type of locking differential). Short bed is very short: cannot put a bicycle length-wise standing up with both wheels on without the gate down. Stereo was great, interior styling excellent. No push button start (personally I prefer a key). The V6 is good, but noisy when stepping on the gas hard and really the 265 lb-ft of torque isnt enough for something that weighs 4000+ pounds. If this truck was $28k, Id buy it now. But I think the prices will drop. For $38k you can get a very nice full-size truck (though dont many of us want something smaller?) that probably weighs about the same and has a much more powerful engine. If they could have tuned the gasoline v6 to a bit more torque and improved the seats to the level of the Sierra, I would think this truck could be a $38k vehicle. I plan on waiting a year and buying one when the prices drop or buying one used. Just not a good value as priced. The engine noise/torque were the main detractors. I did test the vehicle off-road and it performed well and the hill-descent feature was nice.

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  OK truck that misses the mark - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Kevin - April 27 - 4:02 am

  Overall this truck gets kudos for good ride quality and low noise levels. However, the 2.5L 4Cyl. doesnt belong in this vehicle. The gas mileage is horrible. I have averages just a tick over 19MPG in 18K miles of driving. Ive owned full size trucks with V-8 motors that deliver almost the same economy. In the city, this truck barely delivers 17. There is a persistent sound of rushing water near the heater core when the truck is cold, a problem GM cannot fix. The transmission hunts for gears at the slightest incline on the highway. The transmission will slip from 3rd to 4th gear on occasion and it gets confused when driving in traffic and will make abrupt downshifts. The steering wanders and the truck veers at the slightest inputs on the highway. The light switch and 4wd drive switch are located out of view and are blocked by the steering wheel. The cruise control light is in the area between 65-75 MPH on the speedometer and gets blocked by the needle. The radio display goes dark sometimes for no reason and other times shows a distracted driving warning at random. The On Star system randomly tells me the car is equipped with On Star. The engine stumbles at idle like it has a misfire. The rear seats are utterly useless, they should have at least put a bench seat in the rear so you can sit sideways. The truck is equipped with a power seat, auto headlights, bluetooth, power window/locks, rear defrost, cruise, back up camera, etc. but GM in their brilliancy doesnt offer power mirrors with this package and they continually wiggle out of adjustment. Yes, thats a lot of complaining. I will say, it offers a much better ride than a Tacoma but there are too many bugs in this car to consider it again, especially with a $32,000 sticker price.

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  Base Model Canyon 4X4 Extended Cab 6cyl 300+HP - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Chuck - March 20 - 7:51 pm

  What a great little truck! The interior is excellent and the exterior is stylish! I ordered the Base Model with vinyl seats (no extra charge) V-6 and 4WD. I also have the basic radio and no carpeting. Its a truck! It hauls, pulls and handles great on or off road. Great value if you stick to the basics! No on star, no computer screen, no crappy cloth seats and no carpet. If you are looking for a TRUCK, build your own using the GMC build your own tool. Youll be surprised what the base model has to offer! 2 YRS free maintenance + 5 YR / 100,000 MI extended warranty. All of this for UNDER $30,000! Compare with Tacoma, Frontier and Colorado, the Canyon has way more options and is not over priced.

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  Good small truck - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Marcin Filip - October 9 - 12:27 pm

  Great small truck. 2.8 diesel is something to consider. 3.6 v6 is a bit sluggish, v6 is designed for a car not a truck.

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  Great mid sized pickup with a more formal design - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Bob - July 2 - 4:40 am

  Ive had my GMC Canyon almost 2 months and so far I am very happy with it. I start out with the Cons; at higher road speeds wind noise develops around the front windshield. However below 60mph the cab remains very quiet. Speech recognition for the navigation addresses runs about 60%, manual entry is needed more often then it should be. Otherwise this thing is great. Im getting older and the backup camera / assistance really helps me not have to crank my neck around constantly when I backup. The truck maintains its stable feel when pulling my pontoon boat. The interior is great and innovative; the rear seats fold down forming additional storage in the rear; we actually use it for a nice space for our dog when we go anywhere. If youre an older guy like me youll like the more refined, formal look of the interior. Overall I am very satisfied with this truck; my wife enjoys driving it also.