If It Drives Half as Good as It Looks GM Has a Winner

Gorgeous! OK that's not a word usually associated with pickup trucks, but GMC's new Canyon deserves the praise. I love its quad horizontal headlamp clusters, spliced at each corner by thick chrome strikethroughs that meld seamlessly into the classic GMC grille.

Both the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado look superb, and share a lot of original design elements. (Photo: General Motors)

The Chevy Colorado looks superb too, slightly different up front but almost identical in profile view and from the rear. The fenders swell boldly sweeping downward back to front, an original design. The Canyon's taillights are nicely done too, shaped differently than anything GMC has done before.

The truck comes just when GM needs it too, with Ford having recently introduced a new Ranger, Dodge just about to bring its completely redone Dakota to market and a variety of compact or midsize imports having either arrived or on the way.

The all-new Canyon gives consumers "more power, more space, greater functionality and a comprehensive range of choices." (Photo: General Motors)

GM does trucks very well, and in typical GMC fashion the new Canyon offers a full variety of powertrain and layout configurations, as well as loads of options. According to Craig Bierley, Canyon marketing director, "The all-new Canyon was designed 'from the ground up' to give consumers more in a mid-size pickup: more power, more space, greater functionality and a comprehensive range of choices."

What kinds of choices? As far as cab and bed variations go the lowest priced model is a Regular Cab, while Extended and Crew Cab upgrades are available. You can get it in 2WD and 4WD, regular height and tall off-road variations, as well as one of two engines.

The first is the Vortec 2800, a 175-hp 16-valve DOHC 2.8-L unit, massive for a 4-cylinder. Its 185 lb-ft of torque is robust for a base engine too. But those needing to pull heavy weights, with up to 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs) a possibility, will want to opt for the Vortec 3500, a 220-hp 20-valve DOHC 3.5-L inline 5-cylinder engine with 225 lb-ft of torque. Both are derived from GM's award winning Vortec 4200 I-6 that comes standard in GMC's Envoy. Like the larger engine both the I-4 and I-5 incorporate electronic throttle control, variable valve timing and coil-on-plug ignition.

The two new inline engines offered in the Canyon, with their powerful yet efficient performance, fit perfectly into GMC's promise of highly capable, professional-grade performance. (Photo: General Motors)

GMC offers an all-new 5-speed manual transmission mated to 4-cylinder Canyons, plus a new transfer case for 4WD models. Five-cylinder versions get GM's stalwart 4-speed Hydra-Matic 4L60-E automatic transmission.

On the subject of powertrains Jerome Thiebaud, Canyon product manager stated, "These two new inline engines in the Canyon, with their powerful yet efficient performance, fit perfectly into GMC's promise of highly capable, professional-grade performance." He continued, "Inline technology produces an engine with exceptional power, smoothness and fuel efficiency."

The Canyon features a completely revised chassis, starting with a ladder-type frame for maximizing towing and payload capacities. (Photo: General Motors)

Along with the power comes what is said to be a good ride and handling compromise. The Canyon features a completely revised chassis, starting with a ladder-type frame for maximizing towing and payload capacities. RWD models feature an independent suspension up front and a live semi-floating axle in the rear. Canyons with 4WD and the High-Stance off-road package offer independent torsion bars. All models get standard 28 mm front stabilizer bars. Rack-and-pinion steering is standard across the line too, better maneuvering the standard 15-inch alloy wheels and 225/70R15 all-season tires on pavement - 235/75R15 all-season are standard on 4WD models with 265/75R15 on/off-road radials as part of the Z71 Off Road package.

As far as safety concerns go, Canyon's front disc, rear drum setup is optimized with standard ABS, specially designed for a pickup truck's heavy duty needs with features such as tandem power brake boosters, dual-piston calipers up front featuring audible wear sensors for the pads. The rear drums are 295 mm in diameter, for improved braking performance.

The Canyon's 4WD system is easy to operate with dash-mounted electronic shift-on-the-fly capability. (Photo: General Motors)

What many will consider the Canyon's primary safety option is its 4WD system. It's easy to operate with dash-mounted electronic shift-on-the-fly capability making the shift from rear to four-wheel drive easy no matter what speed the truck is traveling. What GM calls "enhanced power/torque-management traction control" will give 2WD models greater grip in inclement weather conditions. What's more, an optional locking differential can be had with 2WD and 4WD models while a choice must be made with regard to the truck's three rear-end gear ratios, 3.42:1, 3.73:1 or 4.10:1. High-intensity composite headlamps are standard and halogen fog lamps optional.

The Canyon's interior is comfortable, with increased room over the outgoing Sonoma. (Photo: General Motors)

And what about passive safety features? No worries, GM hasn't forgotten that accidents are occasionally unavoidable; therefore dual front airbags are standard while head-curtain side airbags are optional. Three-point lap shoulder belts are fixed to all three rear seating positions and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system is also installed. OnStar can also be ordered.

A new driver information center with system readouts can help organize the drive upcountry, one that should be comfortable considering the Canyon's increased interior room over the outgoing Sonoma. If you want to recline the split 60/40 front bench seats in the Regular Cab, it'll be an option on every trim package except the SLE, not a problem though if ordering the 4-door Extended Cab. It features two forward-facing rear seats, plus storage underneath and a flat floor ideal for stacking cargo. The front buckets that come with the Crew Cab can be ordered in leather, which would also cover the 60/40 split flat-folding rear bench seat.

Other options include an electrochromic inside rearview mirror with an integrated compass and outside temperature gauge, plus heated leather front power bucket seats. Canyon also comes with an AM/FM audio system but the CD is optional.

The Canyon is one stunning pickup truck, and should be a strong player in its market segment. (Photo: General Motors)

And what about hauling? The Canyon offers the option of a 1,829 mm (72 inch) or a 1,524 mm (60 inch) cargo box, the latter being shorter due to the extra space taken up by the Crew Cab's longer passenger compartment. Also, a two-tier loading and a locking tailgate is standard.

As I said before, I think the Canyon is one stunning pickup truck. Most likely it drives well too, GM once again being good at building light trucks, making it a strong player in a market segment that is starting to show bigger signs of growth than it has experienced in recent years.

Specifications:

• Price Range (MSRP): $17,195 - $29,290 (not including all options)
• Body Type: 2-door pick-up, 4-door pick-up, ladder frame
• Layout: front engine, AWD
• Engine: 175 hp, 185 lb-ft, 2.8-L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
• Opt Engine: 220 hp, 225 lb-ft, 3.5-L, 20-valve DOHC I-5
• Transmission: 5-spd manual (4-spd auto)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum, ABS
• Curb Weight (min / max): 1,523 - 1,819 kg (3,351 4,002 lbs)
• Bed Length (crew cab/regular and extra): 1,549 - 1,854 mm (73.0 - 61.0 in)
• Ground Clearance: 160 - 236 mm (6.4 - 9.3 in)
• Towing Capacity: 590 - 1,814 kg (1,300 - 4,000 lbs)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 13.2 / 8.7 L/100 km (21 / 32 mpg)
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive
• Direct Competitors: Chevy Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger / Explorer Sport Trac, Mazda B-Series, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma
• Web Site: www.gmcanada.com