2021 GMC Canyon Review

　　

2021 GMC Canyon Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Mechanically similar to the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon has struggled to establish its own identity in the midsize pickup truck segment. For 2021, GMC looks to change that, and it gives the top of the line Denali enhanced cabin materials and a new grille reminiscent of the one on the full-size Sierra 1500 pickup.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 GMC Canyon Elevation Standard 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

　　$175/mo  for Canyon Elevation Standard

　　Canyon Elevation Standard

　　Elevation Standard 4dr Extended Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $26,800 MSRPElevation Standard 4dr Crew Cab 5.1 ft. SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $28,700 MSRPElevation Standard 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $32,200 MSRPElevation 4dr Extended Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $30,300 MSRPElevation 4dr Crew Cab 5.1 ft. SB (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $32,200 MSRPElevation 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.1 ft. SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $37,300 MSRPElevation 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.2 ft. SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $37,900 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.1 ft. SB w/Cloth (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $38,400 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.2 ft. SB w/Cloth (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $39,000 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.1 ft. SB w/Leather (3.6L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $40,200 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.2 ft. SB w/Leather (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $40,800 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 5.1 ft. SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $41,200 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.1 ft. SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $44,700 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.2 ft. SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $45,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$218/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　There's also a new AT4 trim level. It's mostly just a replacement for the previous All Terrain trim level, but it does come with all-terrain tires and a special suspension to improve the truck's off-road capability. Both speak to the truck's versatility, provided you're looking to buy a Canyon in one of its more expensive trims.

　　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? The Canyon infotainment system is easy to use and feature-rich. It has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration as standard. The optional Bose system is a nice upgrade, but volume doesn't get as high as we'd like. For device charging, there are two USB ports up front and two in back. GMC's Wi-Fi hotspot setup is also one of the easier systems to use as it offers a 4G LTE connection and can handle up to seven devices.

　　Forward collision alert and lane departure warning are optional and a bit sensitive, but they work as advertised. Otherwise, we'd like to see the inclusion of blind-spot monitoring on the options list.

　　

Towing and Storage

7.5/10

　　How are the towing and storage? The Canyon V6's maximum tow rating of 7,700 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 rear-wheel-drive Canyon at 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving. 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, which we tested, 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.

　　

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 AT4, with its extra off-road hardware, should give some added ability, but the low front fascia still limits the approach angle. 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?

We usually wouldn't go for the most luxurious trim level on a pickup truck, but we think the Canyon is best in its newly enhanced Denali trim. We like the long list of standard equipment included for the price as well as the simplicity it brings by allowing you to bypass ordering multiple equipment packages. We like its standard V6 engine too. The optional diesel engine is likable, but we don't think its substantial price is worth the gain in fuel economy.

　　

2021 GMC Canyon models

The 2021 Canyon is offered in extended-cab and crew-cab body styles. The crew cab comes with either a short cargo bed or a long bed. There are four trim levels: the Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4 and Denali. You also have your choice of one of three engines.

　　The standard engine on the rear-wheel-drive Elevation Standard and Elevation is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (200 horsepower, 191 lb-ft of torque). It's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Next up is a 3.6-liter V6 (308 hp, 275 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic. It's standard on the AT4 and Denali trims levels and optional on the Elevation Standard and Elevation trims.

　　Finally, there's an optional turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel four-cylinder (181 hp, 369 lb-ft) that's coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. All Canyon trim levels are available with four-wheel drive (standard on the AT4).

　　Elevation Standard

　　Starts you off with:

　　18-inch wheels Tilt-only steering wheel 7-inch infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Four-way adjustable power driver's seat (manual recline) Elevation

　　Adds more features with:

　　Sliding rear window Leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Body-colored exterior door handles LED foglights Remote-locking tailgate AT4

　　Includes added off-road capability with:

　　Special 17-inch wheels with off-road tires Hill descent control Unique off-road suspension Transfer case shield Denali

　　Adds significantly more features such as:

　　20-inch wheels 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation Six-way power driver's seat and four-way power passenger seat Wireless charging pad Leather upholstery Bose audio system Special interior and exterior trim Heated and ventilated front seats Spray-in bedliner The Denali also comes standard with:

　　Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Rear parking sensors Many of the standard features on the Denali trim level are available on lower trim levels.

　　

2021 Canyon Highlights

Type: Crew CabExtended CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: Elevation StandardElevationAT4DenaliElevation Standard

　　

Base MSRP	$28,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$175/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	7,000 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles