Pros: Refined road manners for a pickup truck; good selection of modern comfort, safety, and technology features; available full-time 4WD system
Cons: Rear seat space is tight, especially in extended-cab models; prices rise quickly as options are added
CG Says: The 2021 GMC Canyon adds a new off-road-oriented AT4 model with off-road tires and suspension, hill descent control, automatic locking rear differential, and unique trim. There is also a revised grille and upgraded interior trim for the topline Denali. Denali gains standard heated/ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Canyon and its slightly less-ritzy cousin, the Chevrolet Colorado, are GM’s “compact” pickups–though they are really more midsize. They share a basic extended-cab or crew-cab platform. Both are available with 4-cylinder, V6, and diesel engines, but the GMC offers a more sophisticated full-time 4-wheel-system that is only available on Chevy’s off-road-oriented ZR2 (other 4×4 Chevys have part-time 4WD). Available features include forward collision alert, lane-departure warning, locking rear differential, hill-descent control, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, heated steering wheel, and heated/ventilated front seats. These GM pickups offer technology and all-around refinement. The smaller, more-tractable dimensions should make Canyon a practical alternative for many big-truck intenders.
| Class | Compact Pickup Truck |
| Body Style(s) | extended cab, crew cab |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | rear-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | GMC |
| Nation of Manufacture | USA |
| Base Prices | (only select models listed) Elevation Standard ext. cab: $27,595 4WD Elevation ext. cab: $32,680 Elevation Standard crew cab, 5-ft bed: $29,495 4WD Elevation crew cab, 6-ft bed: $38,795 4WD AT4 crew cab, 5-ft bed: $39,395 4WD Denali crew cab, 6-ft bed: $45,895 |
| Base Engine 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower 200 |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 19 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 24-25 |
| Optional Engine 3.6-liter V6 |
| Horsepower 308 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 17-18 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 24-25 |
| Optional Engine 2.8-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower 181 |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 19 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 28 |
