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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  Great Truck! - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By Jonny See - November 15 - 2:35 am

  Ive owned this truck for 6 months and I am very happy with my purchase. I use it as my daily driver because its comfortable, quiet, has decent gas mileage (21mpg), and also has power when I need it. The exterior looks great and the inside has more than enough room for my wife and 2 kids. Ive had no major issues with the truck. So far SO good!

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  "Mid-size truck" with big power - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By Philip Poemoceah - October 19 - 4:58 pm

  Lots to like about this truck. Comfortable and quiet overall. It has got a lot of towing power and payload capacity with great gas mileage. More city driving than highway but overall 20.7 mpg on regular gas. Good acceleration. Really like the backup camera. The interior does have a lot of hard plastic so change tends to rattle. The seats feel good and firm on long trips and the road and wind noise level is very good (quiet). The problem is that the steering wheel rattles and the dealer has been instructed not to fix it. This is a problem with both the Canyon and Colorado models and is noted in the GMC technical Document ID: 4089969 dated in February 2015 . Very annoying with the quiet interior. Other small interior problems were fixed by the dealer but this one instructs them to wait until GMC defines a fix. A bad mark on an otherwise nice truck.

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  Love it - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By Tony - October 16 - 1:47 pm

  I had been waiting for 6 months to see this truck. I had a 2007 Chevy Colorado and I hated it. But with all the hype I needed to see the new Canyon before I committed to any other truck and I am so glad I did. It is the most comfortable truck that I have ever driven. It is easy to maneuver and it does everything that I would expect out of a luxury truck ( and I do not even have all the bells and whistles. ) I took it on a long trip and there was never a time that I was uncomfortable. I love this truck and hope they only get better although I do not how it could.

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  Impressive New Addition... - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By B L - July 14 - 12:32 am

  ... to the mid size truck market. Have had my 2015 Canyon 4 x 4 SLT about 2 months now. Have used it mostly for city driving other than a 1500 mile trip to Northern CA and Northern NV. Averaged 23.9 during the trip and averaging 20.2 overall. Very comfortable for long trips, smooth ride for a 4 x 4. Controls user friendly, and thank you GM for making a nav system that can be used by a passenger while driving. My RAM 3500 and Jeep GC had nav systems that were unable to use during vehicle movement. Great looking truck and no issues thus far.

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  New Canyon Road Trip - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By azjimc - May 24 - 11:50 pm

  I just completed a 5K mile road trip with new Canyon. Exceeded expectations! Moderate heavy load still averaged 22MPG. Have all the electronic bells and whistles. Amazing Nav screen automatically notes coming traffic problems. Voice tells about road issues ahead. Weather map shows accurate NWS maps with storms clearly shown ahead. Drivers Info Center on dash supports LED screen plus added features. Never used On-Star and did not need it with on board Navigation features. Nav-GPS very accurate. Slightly slower to use than Garmin. Auto-trac a must for bad weather. Very secure feel to driving the truck. Light years away from older F 150 I used.

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  What a GREAT truck!!!!! - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By numberguy - January 29 - 8:46 pm

  This truck exceeded my expectations. I was unsure about going from a full-size to a mid-size truck and after driving this truck for a few days I will never go back! The V-6 gives you plenty of power and the transmission has crisp shifts. I have the All-Terrain off-road package which has a surprisingly smooth composed ride. The steering is precise and and handling is top notch! Best of all parking is a breeze!!! The interior materials give a sense of quality and the cabin is well insulated from road noise. GM did their homework when they designed this truck! Lets face it size does matter and the 2015 Canyon is the right size at the right time!

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  Good value overall, happy with switch from full size - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By zeniac - January 26 - 1:52 pm

  Switched from a full sized Silverado with no regrets. Although I have only driven it 400 miles, I know it was the right choice. It is comfortable, quiet, and reasonably appointed.The box is a bit narrower (about 6in), but with the 6.2 ft box, you can still haul quite a bit of stuff. The V-6 is strong, but a bit loud when pushed. I got just over 25mpg on the my first extended highway trip driving at speeds of 70-78mph which was quite impressive for me. The pricing is also quite competitive, and you can get a very well equipped truck around 30K, my sweet spot. I will update once I get more miles on the truck if my opinion changes as I get more miles on it.

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  Midsize Truck Worth the Money - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By skylandry - January 21 - 4:29 pm

  I have owned multiple Tacomas, Frontiers and Ridgelines. I like the midsize truck. I decided on the Canyon mainly for improved driving comfort on long trips as well as gas mileage. I have 2,628 miles and my lifetime MPG is 22. That is impressive. The best highway mileage on any of the above trucks was 22. I am getting 22 in mixed driving and have gotten over 25 on the highway. The build quality is solid and I love the 6 2" bed. The truck is as long as a full size pickup but 6" narrower which makes all the difference in the world when parking. If you compare it to the 80s and 90s trucks it is just as big but 100% better. It does everything I need and nothing I dont.

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  A Well Built Midsize Pickup - 2015 GMC Canyon
  By 47bblack - December 24 - 3:59 pm

  After much research, I decided on the GMC Canyon over a full size pickup. With 1500+ miles on the Canyon, this is my take on the truck. RIDE, a truck like ride that is smooth, firm and quite. HANDLING, confident and comfortable but a bit heavy at times. ENGINE, strong V6, fuel efficient. TRANSMISSION, shifts smoothly and for the most part predicable. On strong acceleration or downshifting the transmission can have a hard shift at times. FUEL ECONOMY, first two tanks over 22.5 MPG (70% Highway) This is a little better than I expected. BUILD QUALITY, very good fit and finish and build quality over all. VALUE, good, the Chevy Colorado would be a better choice for some concerning value.

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  Sweet 5 Cylinder-GMC Pickup Truck - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By angelballs - February 9 - 10:55 am

  Bought my truck new in October 2004, This sweet 5 cylinder pickup has served me well on long 1100 mile runs from Florida to Maryland and back as well as 5 and 6 mile trips to buy heavy materials such as sod and mulch, as well as lumber from big box stores. The paint quality is exceptional and day after day in Florida sunshine it is still beautiful after all these years. A dream to drive, it still stirs my soul when I see it sitting in solemn eloquence.