2020 GMC Canyon Review

　　

2020 GMC Canyon Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Five years ago, your choices in midsize trucks came down to the Nissan Frontier — an old design even then — and the institutional favorite Toyota Tacoma. Then came the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins, followed shortly by reimagined Honda Ridgeline and Ford Ranger models and a refreshed Tacoma. What was once a stale segment is vibrant again, and the 2020 GMC Canyon remains a key player in this company.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 GMC Canyon SL 4dr Extended Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$167/mo  for Canyon SL

　　Canyon SL

　　SL 4dr Extended Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $22,200 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,700 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $27,600 MSRP4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $31,100 MSRPSLE 4dr Extended Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $29,100 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $31,000 MSRPSLE 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $34,500 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $36,100 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $36,700 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $35,900 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $39,400 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $40,000 MSRPAll Terrain 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB w/Cloth (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $36,600 MSRPAll Terrain 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB w/Cloth (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $37,900 MSRPAll Terrain 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB w/Cloth (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $38,500 MSRPAll Terrain 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB w/Leather (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $39,300 MSRPAll Terrain 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB w/Leather (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $39,900 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $40,500 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $44,000 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $44,300 MSRP

　　vs

　　$218/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　The Canyon offers some of the best towing capability in the class, along with a cushy, quiet cabin and road manners that feel more car-like than truckish. Seat comfort is impressive, and there's enough room — and enough tech — to make long road trips a pleasure.

　　But don't think the Canyon can't do the business. Properly equipped, it can tow between 7,000 and 7,700 pounds depending on the engine. The standard four-cylinder is capable, if unremarkable, but the V6 upgrade or torque-rich turbodiesel engine are really where you'll see the Canyon shine. The Canyon can even hold its own off-road, although you'll need to remove its lower front airdam for best performance. (It's a hassle, but worth it.)

　　Ultimately, though, the Canyon is a spiffed-up Chevrolet Colorado. It offers a few more optional upscale features, a nicer-looking grille and fancier wheels, but no more capability than its Chevy counterpart. This fact makes the Canyon's extra cost, especially in Denali trim, a dubious proposition. If you simply prefer nicer trim, softer touch points or the Canyon's bold design, then it may be worth it. But if you simply need power and punch for towing or blasting dirt trails, the Colorado will save you money in the end.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Canyon drive? We tested the Denali trim level, which comes with the 3.6-liter V6. It delivers solid thrust and pulls with authority. Our test truck reached 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, which is quick for a midsize truck. It also steers and brakes with commendable precision and composure, and car-like handling is one of the Canyon's strengths.

　　The Canyon can also mix it up off-road, with decent articulation and a two-speed transfer case standard on 4WD models, but you'll need to remove its unnecessary, low-hanging chin spoiler first.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Canyon? While the Canyon is unmistakably a pickup from the outside, the cabin comfort and features are far from basic pickup fare. The Denali trim's seats offer good comfort on long drives despite the firm backrests and not much lateral support. The rear seats, though, are fairly flat and upright. Adults won't want to stay back there too long.

　　Fundamentally, the Canyon is refined and road trip-ready, unusual traits for a midsize pickup. It offers good noise isolation and effective climate control. And the ride, while slightly bouncy if there's no cargo in the back, settles down nicely once you drop a few hundred pounds in the bed.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Canyon's interior is laid out logically, with simple and effective knob interfaces, plenty of space up front, and a wide range of seating adjustments. This alone sets the Canyon apart from its Tacoma rival, which has a fairly narrow range of comfortable driving positions. The rear seats offer an abundance of headroom, but taller passengers may come up short on legroom.

　　The tall windows and large windshield give drivers a commanding view of the road ahead, although rear-quarter visibility is limited. The rearview camera helps while backing up. The Canyon's tall seats make getting in and out nearly as much work as entering and exiting a full-size truck. The side step bars help here.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? For 2020, the Canyon delivers even more refined infotainment, with a larger revised display and a tile-based home screen that feels similar to an Android device. (Don't worry, iPhone users, the Canyon also offers Apple CarPlay in addition to Android Auto.) Two USB ports are included up front, while two rear-seat charge-only ports come on upper trim levels.

　　Voice controls were a mixed bag on our test model, and we haven't tested the Canyon's new system yet. Based on our experience with recent GM models, however, there's bound to be a vast improvement in accuracy and response.

　　

Towing and Storage

7.5/10

　　How are the towing and storage? The Canyon V6's maximum tow rating of 7,000 pounds is among the best you'll find for a midsize pickup. The bed is somewhat basic and lacks some of the extra features (such as additional tie-downs) of its rivals, though you can add a variety of dealer-sourced accessories to spruce it up. The tailgate lip and bed sides are high and can make loading difficult, although handy bumper steps address this issue somewhat.

　　When it's time to haul things inside instead of people, the backseat-folding design is inferior to the competition. The rear seats flip up, but the floor is marred by obstructions and you can't lay items flat. There are enough storage nooks for small items, but some competitors offer more. Child seats can be accommodated, but the Canyon doesn't make it easy to install them.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the V6-powered two-wheel-drive Canyon at 20 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway). Our driving experience suggests you'll be able to match these numbers in real-world driving without too much difficulty.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Canyon a good value? The Denali trim makes the Canyon one of the pricier midsize pickups on the market. For all but the most creature-comfort-obsessed buyers, it isn't worth the extra cost over a well-equipped and mechanically identical Chevrolet Colorado. You're buying a little extra cush, a badge and an image, not a more capable Canyon.

　　But five years (or 60,000 miles) of roadside assistance and a complimentary service visit are useful, while the five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty is typical for the class. The V6 Canyon trails its Honda and Toyota rivals in fuel economy but beats the Nissan.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　Having fun with trucks generally involves some off-roading, but the Canyon makes a compromise in terms of front ground clearance versus competitors such as the Tacoma or Frontier. The Canyon Z71 off-road option should give some added ability, but the low front fascia still limits the approach angle. Fortunately it's removable, but it's a hassle.

　　On the road, the Canyon is quite competent. It's not quite as refined as the Honda Ridgeline perhaps, but the Canyon is more capable than the Honda in towing, payload and off-road ability. The Canyon tries to mimic the look of GMC's larger Sierra and largely succeeds, but in the trade, it's harder to reach the bed and cabin.

　　

Which Canyon does zzdcar recommend?

Moving high up the Canyon's trim ladder delivers questionable value, so we recommend the SLE trim level. It's available with any of the Canyon's three powertrain choices, and it comes with a significant amount of standard equipment.

　　

2020 GMC Canyon models

The 2020 GMC Canyon is a midsize pickup offered in two- and four-seat extended-cab and five-seat crew-cab body styles. There are two bed lengths and six trim levels to choose from: SL, base Canyon, SLE, All-Terrain, SLT and the top-of-the-line Denali.

　　The SL is the most basic of the bunch, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque) and a six-speed automatic transmission. But it lacks rear seats and comes in the extended cab only. It does, however, offer air conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen, two USB ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, so it's still a pretty civilized workhorse truck.

　　Moving up to the base Canyon model unlocks both extended- and crew-cab body styles, with rear jump seats offered on extended-cab models. A 3.6-liter V6 engine (308 hp and 275 lb-ft) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission is optional or standard, depending on the configuration. Notably, the base Canyon is also eligible for options not available on the SL, such as remote keyless entry, cruise control and the new remote locking tailgate.

　　Upgrading to the SLE is a better choice than slapping options on a base model. The SLE comes with most of the base trim's options as well as upgraded interior materials, an 8-inch touchscreen and a Wi-Fi hotspot. It's also the first trim available with the 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine (181 hp, 369 lb-ft) and optional driver safety aids (forward collision warning, lane departure warning).

　　Those off-road inclined may prefer the All Terrain since it bundles the V6 engine, off-road tires, reinforced suspension, and a rear locking differential, as well as a selection of other upgraded features.

　　The SLT moves more upmarket with features such as leather upholstery and wireless phone charging. But for maximum creature comforts, look to the Denali. It comes with an upgraded sound system, navigation, standard driver safety aids, heated and ventilated front seats, and a spray-in bedliner among other items.

　　

2020 Canyon Highlights

Type: Crew CabExtended CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: BaseSLESLTAll TerrainDenaliBase

　　

Base MSRP	$27,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$167/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	7,000 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles