2022 GMC Canyon

Within the competitive midsize truck segment, the GMC Canyon has the job of luring buyers away from rivals that all have a unique selling proposition. There's the Jeep Gladiator for hardcore outdoor enthusiasts, the Honda Ridgeline for those who prioritize on-road comfort, and the Ford Ranger, the all-rounder with the right badge on its nose. The Canyon is a more luxurious version of its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Silverado, with a number of upscale features on offer and a smoother ride than most others in the segment. For 2021, an off-road-focused AT4 variant was introduced, adding to the Canyon's capabilities with features like 31-inch tires. Although the base engine isn't particularly strong and GMC has been stingy with safety equipment, the Canyon has plenty to offer in its segment.

GMC loaned us a 2022 GMC Canyon 4WD AT4 Crew Cab for a week-long test drive and, despite its age, continues to impress with its sharp exterior styling, pleasant ride, and off-road suspension. Our tester came equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, good for 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The torquey turbo-diesel would be our first choice, especially with the AT4 model. Regardless of what's under the hood, the Canyon retains its status as a smaller, less expensive alternative to the larger Sierra 1500. Its smaller size makes it easier to maneuver, especially in parking lots and the like. The Canyon AT4, in particular, presents an affordable off-roader that's ready to go straight out of the box. We should point out that the Canyon AT4 is not the same as the more capable Colorado ZR2. However, the AT4 costs less, a potentially make or break deal for some buyers.

GMC subtly revised the Canyon's look last year, with the grille receiving a redesign that added a touch more presence than before. Depending on the version you go for, the look is either quite rugged (AT4) or flashier (Denali). Base models have 18-inch wheels, the AT4 is distinguished by its 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires on 17-inch alloy wheels, and the Denali gets 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels. All models have daytime running lamps, halogen projector-beam headlamps with LED signature lighting. The base trim has black door handles and manually-adjustable mirrors. The AT4 has dark chrome exterior finishes and red recovery hooks, while the range-topper comes with LED cargo box lighting. All trims except the base have an EZ-Lift tailgate design, making it simpler to raise and lower the tailgate. This year, the Denali gets access to a new Denali Black Edition package that blacks out the flagship's wheels and exterior trim, giving it a menacing, stealthy air.

Our AT4 Crew Cab included goodies like 17-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, red tow hooks, a mid skid plate, a spray-on beadliner, and a number of dealer-installed features such as AT4 badges, off-road rocker protection, and a black performance exhaust. We love the look and think it's more handsome compared to its Chevy Colorado corporate cousin. This example has the standard bed length, so 61.7 inches versus the extended bed's 74 inches. Based on our experience, the standard bed was big enough for most tasks.

Available as an Extended Cab or Crew Cab with two box sizes, the 2022 GMC Canyon has a length of 212.4 inches, a width of 74.3 inches (excluding the mirrors), a 128.3-inch wheelbase, and a height of at least 70.3 inches, going up to 70.7 inches on some derivatives. With the long box, the Crew Cab's wheelbase grows to 140.5 inches and the length increases to 224.6 inches.

Two box lengths are on offer, with the shorter one measuring 61.7 inches at the floor and the longer one stretching to 74 inches. The cargo box width at the floor is 57.8 inches and 44.4 inches at the wheel housings.

Depending on the trim, the Canyon truck has a ground clearance ranging between 8.1 and 8.4 inches. In terms of curb weight, the lightest Canyon starts at 3,845 pounds and the heaviest will tip the scales at over 4,500 lbs.

On all trims, Summit White is the only color that comes as standard. For an additional $495, Onyx Black and two metallics - Satin Steel and Dynamic Blue - become available on the cheapest Elevation Standard trim. Moving up to the Elevation avails Desert Sand Metallic at $495 and Cayenne Red Tintcoat at $645. Above this, the AT4 removes Dynamic Blue. Finally, the Denali adds the option of Hunter metallic at $495. This dark blue/grey hue does well to contrast with the Denali's extensive use of chrome.

Our Canyon AT4 came in the very attractive Cayenne Red Tintcoat. Is it worth the extra $645? That's entirely up to personal preference and, of course, budget.

Offered in both 2WD and 4WD configurations, the 2022 GMC Canyon is offered with a choice of three engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel, and a 3.6-liter V6. Our review of the GMC Canyon found that the base four-pot struggles to haul around the fairly large body, but it gets the job done if strong performance is less important. That's in stark contrast to the V6, which delivers a solid 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Independent tests have shown that equipped with this engine, the Canyon will get from 0 to 60 mph in well under seven seconds, which is properly rapid for a truck. The turbo-diesel engine won't get you off the mark quite as quickly, but its torque output of 369 lb-ft endows this version with the best towing capacity in the range of 7,700 lbs.

On lower trims, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine powers the 2022 Canyon and comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivers 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque. It's by no means a ball of fire and acceleration is distinctly leisurely, but as a more value-conscious choice, it does have its place in the range. The 3.6-liter V6 with 308 hp and 275 lb-ft is far more up to the job of moving the Canyon with some gusto, and its eight-speed automatic gearbox is an improvement on the base six-speeder. The engine gets the Canyon up to speed quickly and passing power is good, making this the powertrain of choice in the range. If you do need maximum towing capacity, then the 2.8-liter turbodiesel with 181 hp and a stout 369 lb-ft is the one to go for. However, it's not as enjoyable as the V6 in day-to-day driving.

The V6 does the job well enough in the AT4 but our first choice would be the diesel for two key reasons: fuel efficiency and towing capacity. The downside? The diesel is expensive, adding a few thousand dollars to the final price.

The GMC Canyon impresses with its driving dynamics, and although it doesn't ride quite as smoothly as the Honda Ridgeline, it's more comfortable than most trucks in this segment. Bumps are soaked up easily and the Canyon pickup feels refined, with some bumpiness only creeping in when the bed is completely empty, but this characteristic is typical of trucks. Good noise suppression makes long road trips less of a chore. The steering itself is direct and precise, too, making the Canyon quite fun to hustle, especially when it is equipped with the V6 engine. For off-roading, the Canyon is better than ever thanks to the AT4. With its beefy tires, two-speed transfer case, and automatic locking differential, it's confident getting its boots dirty and articulation is good. So, while some rivals are even more capable off-road and some are even more serene on smooth surfaces, the Canyon pickup strikes an admirable balance.

Driving the V6-powered AT4 around town was generally an enjoyable experience. The ride quality isn't amazing, but we didn't expect it to be. The upgraded suspension was especially great to have in the limited off-roading we did (essentially an unpaved road). Not only is it capable, but it absorbed most, if not all, bumps and other road blemishes. The standard 31-inch all-terrain and mud tires are ideal for off-roading, obviously, but the downside is increased cabin noise when on-pavement.

The Canyon's economy figures are on par with most of its competitors. The most fuel-efficient version is the turbodiesel in 2WD guise, which returns EPA-rated numbers of 20/30/23 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. That's pretty good, although not as good as the Jeep Gladiator diesel's 22/28/24 mpg, especially considering that the Gladiator only comes with a heavier 4x4 system. The base 2.5-liter engine in the Canyon manages a best of 19/25/22 mpg, and although the V6 is the least fuel-efficient, it barely suffers at the pumps relative to the 2.5L with figures of 18/25/21 mpg in 2WD guise. All versions are fitted with a 21-gallon gas tank, which will enable maximum gas mileage (with the diesel) of 483 miles.

While free of gimmicks and generally easy to use, the GMC Canyon's cabin doesn't quite nail the more luxurious truck brief. Some of the materials, such as the plastic toggle switches, don't feel as upscale as they should. While comfort is good for the driver, rear-seat legroom is lacking, especially on Extended Cab variants. Although the base variant is rather sparsely equipped, it does at least come with a four-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a user-friendly infotainment system with a color touchscreen, and single-zone climate control. Further up in the range, the Canyon gets more luxurious upholstery, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, remote start, and a heated steering wheel.

In general, the Canyon's interior layout is solid but it's showing its age. One example: a good old-fashioned starter with a key instead of a push-button start. This works just fine in the AT4 and lower trims but not so much in the top-end Denali. Despite costing quite a bit more, the Canyon Denali's cabin doesn't cut it in the luxury department.

In the Extended Cab models, the GMC Canyon pickup will seat four occupants, increasing to five for the GMC Canyon 4-door truck, known as the Crew Cab. The front seats are not the most supportive, although space isn't an issue. That's not the case at the back of Extended Cab variants, where headroom is fine but legroom is in short supply. Compared to the Extended Cab, the 4-door truck with its more conventional rear doors does a much better job of accommodating rear-seat passengers, even if the seats themselves are quite upright. Although the high ride height improves the driver's view out, it does mean that ingress and egress require some amount of effort, and older occupants may need help getting into the Canyon. An expansive windshield further aids the view out, although rear-quarter visibility isn't quite as stellar.

Basic cloth trim comes as standard on the entry-level Canyon, and it's only offered in a somber Jet Black/Dark Ash color combination. For no added cost, vinyl upholstery in the same color scheme can be equipped, which also adds rubberized vinyl floor coverings. Moving up to the Elevation restricts the color choice to only Jet Black, but the vinyl option is dropped and leather is optionally on offer at this level for the seats, but standard on the steering wheel. The AT4 is offered with either cloth or leather upholstery, but both use the same Jet Black/Kalahari color scheme. Moving up to the more luxurious Denali brings with it perforated leather seats in either Jet Black or a Cocoa/Dark Atmosphere. Chrome interior door handles give upper trim levels a bit of a lift. Further distinguishing the top-spec Denali is aluminum trim and decor, and bespoke stitching.

Our AT4's leather seats were sufficiently comfortable with six- and four-way driver and front passenger seats, respectively. They were also heated, a particularly nice winter feature to have, as was the heated steering wheel. Like other trims, the AT4's instrument panel mostly consists of soft-touch materials and we really like the added aluminum trim.

For Crew Cab models equipped with the shorter 61.7-inch box, total cargo volume amounts to 41.3 cubic feet, whereas the longer Crew Cab box or the Extended Cab box increases this figure to 49.9 cubes thanks to an increased bed length of 74 inches. Both the floor and the bed sides are rather high, so this makes loading and unloading cargo quite a strenuous affair, although the integrated bumper steps do help out in this regard. An optional EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate is available on the Elevation Standard - and standard equipment on the other trims. Cargo-box LED lighting is standard on the Denali and optional on the other trims. That said, some rivals offer more features to make the most of the available space. Depending on the trim and configuration, the Canyon's payload capacity varies between 1,380 and 1,578 lbs.

In terms of in-cabin storage, all models feature a large center console along with twin cupholders for the driver and front-seat passenger. All versions besides the base trim get an overhead console providing additional storage space, while Crew Cabs receive a rear folding bench seat. However, the uneven floor makes it challenging to lay items flat when the rear seat is folded up. On the entry-level Extended Cab, the rear seat can be optionally removed entirely, freeing up a lot more storage space, but limiting seating capacity to just two.

As usual, the base Canyon pickup truck is a far more spartan affair than the feature-packed Denali at the top of the range. If all you need is the basic Extended Cab, it comes with a 3.5-inch monochromatic driver information center, a four-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a tilt-adjustable steering column, and single-zone climate control, along with basic safety equipment like a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, and six airbags. Higher up in the lineup, the Canyon offers a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, a six-way power driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-trimmed, heated, and tilt/telescoping steering wheel, remote keyless entry, remote start, and wireless charging. On the safety front, an HD backup camera, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning are available.

Our well-equipped Canyon AT4 featured the $995 GMC infotainment system with navigation consisting of an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose Premium audio system.

The Canyon's infotainment system is simple to use thanks to large enough buttons, the responsiveness of the screen itself, and the logical menus. On the Elevation Standard trim, the screen is a seven-inch unit and can be used to control features like Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Further up in the range, the system comprises a larger eight-inch touchscreen, HD Radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Two front USB ports are standard, while select trims have an SD card reader, too. Navigation is equipped as standard on the top Denali trim, which also receives a seven-speaker Bose sound system. Lesser versions make do with a six-speaker sound system. From the Elevation trim and upwards, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is equipped.

Unfortunately, we experienced some difficulty with our tester's infotainment system. Not only did it suffer from a few hiccups when connecting it to our Android device, but the SiriusXM satellite radio experienced some annoying reception problems. We lost reception in several parking lots and, in some cases, it didn't come back until we began driving elsewhere. Reception also went out for several seconds when we hit a few highway bumps. We've never had these problems before in other makes and models.

According to J.D. Power, the Canyon midsize truck has an overall rating of 81 out of a maximum 100, ranking it just behind the Toyota Tacoma (82) but ahead of rivals like the Honda Ridgeline (80) and Jeep Gladiator. Promisingly, the Canyon has received zero recalls for 2019 and 2020, but two for the 2021 model year - for incorrect bolts used to secure the seatbelts and for an incorrect load-carrying capacity label. The 2022 model has so far been recall-free.

If anything does go wrong, all GMC Canyon models are covered by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain/drivetrain warranty. The latter increases to 100,000 miles for fleet purchases. GMC also includes one scheduled maintenance visit in the first year, corrosion protection for three months or 36,000 miles, and a six-year/100,000-mile rust-through warranty. Finally, roadside assistance runs for five years or 60,000 miles, increasing to 100,000 miles for qualified fleet purchases.

The NHTSA has provided an official safety rating for the 2022 GMC Canyon pickup truck and rates it four out of five stars for overall safety. This evaluation was made up of a four-star score for the frontal crash, five stars for the side crash, and three stars for the rollover test. The IIHS bestowed the 2021 Canyon with mostly Good ratings, although the small overlap front passenger-side test received only a Marginal score.

GMC has fallen short of its midsize truck competitors when it comes to standard driver-assist technologies. For instance, the base variant only comes with a rearview camera and essentials like six airbags, electronic traction control, electronic stability control, a teen-driver feature, and tire-pressure monitoring. Higher-spec trims have rear parking sensors and an HD rearview camera, but you need to go all the way up to the pricier Denali to get standard forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning. The Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline are both better equipped with safety gear, even on their base trims.

The GMC Canyon is a solid offering in its segment and, although it falls short of the class leaders, it ticks enough boxes to merit consideration. It's comfortable and pleasant to drive, especially if you skip the underpowered base engine, yet also performs well as a hard-working truck with its favorable towing capacity. The turbo-diesel engine option is a rarity in this segment, further setting apart the Canyon, while the AT4 trim enhances the Canyon's off-roading capability, too. On the downside, the cabin feels like it has aged and GMC could have done more to improve the Canyon's range of standard and available safety equipment. If you've committed to the GMC brand, then the Canyon is a more affordable alternative to the Sierra 1500 if you don't require the added capability of that truck. In its segment, though, the Canyon can't quite elevate above the likes of the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger.

If you're looking for a tough, diesel-sipping off-road midsize pickup truck, then the Canyon AT4 is calling you. It's not as capable as the Chevy Colorado ZR2, but it's cheaper (even more so with the V6 engine) and more comfortable to live with on a daily basis.

The cheapest GMC Canyon is the 2WD Elevation Standard with the 2.5-liter engine at an MSRP of $26,800. It's followed by the Elevation at $30,300, the AT4 with cloth and the V6 engine at $38,400, and the AT4 with leather at $40,200. Finally, the Denali carries the heftiest price in the 2022 GMC Canyon range at $42,395 in its cheapest short-box 2WD V6 configuration and $50,145 in Crew Cab long-box with 4WD and the diesel engine. These prices represent each trim in their least expensive form and exclude tax, licensing, registration, and a destination freight charge of $1,195.

On the entry-level Extended Cab, upgrading from the 2.5L four-cylinder to the 3.6L V6 will add $1,485 to the price, while 4WD (with the V6 added by default) adds $5,400. The cheapest Extended Cab's price will rise by $1,900 if upgrading to the Crew Cab with the short box. A fully loaded Denali can cost well in excess of $50,000 when equipped with all the available accessories.

The 2022 Canyon AT4 Crew Cab came to a grand total of $46,700, including destination. Bear in mind that figure bundles together $5,305 worth of options, like the $3,195 AT4 off-road package. A Chevy Colorado ZR2 Crew Cab, to compare, begins at $45,395 for the V6 and $49,115 for the turbo-diesel. If you're not willing to pay that, the Colorado AT4 is definitely the best alternative.

The 2022 GMC Canyon lineup is made up of five trims: Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4 - Cloth, AT4 - Leather, and Denali. All trims are 2WD by default with 4WD optional, except for the AT4 and the Crew Cab with the long box, which are 4WD only. Three engines are available, depending on the trim. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine has 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Next up is a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 hp and 275 lb-ft mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The third engine is a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Elevation Standard trim comes with gloss-black 18-inch alloy wheels, black manually folding rear-view mirrors, halogen-projector headlights with an LED signature, a body-color rear bumper, and a normal locking tailgate. On the inside, it offers a choice of cloth or vinyl upholstery and has as standard a four-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, 3.5-inch monochrome driver-information display, single-zone climate control, and a manually tilting steering column. The infotainment system has a seven-inch touchscreen and includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming for two active devices, two USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Standard safety tech includes six airbags, stability control, a backup camera, a teen-driver function, and tire-pressure monitoring.

The Elevation trim gets heated body-color exterior mirrors, a remote-locking EZ-Lift tailgate, LED front fog lights, a six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, cloth upholstery, chrome interior door handles, front sun visors incorporating illuminated mirrors, aluminum interior trim, remote start, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, cruise control, and a manually tilting/telescoping, leather-trimmed steering wheel. The infotainment system's screen goes up one inch in size to eight inches.

The AT4 trim is off-road focused and available only with 4WD. It comes in two variations - with cloth or with leather upholstery. The AT4 - Cloth has 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires on model-specific 17-inch alloy wheels, off-road suspension, and an automatically locking differential. Inside, it gets heated front seats and power lumbar support for the driver. The AT4 - Leather not only adds leather upholstery, but also a four-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat with lumbar control, a heated steering wheel, a high-resolution infotainment screen, HD Radio, an HD rear-view camera, and rear park assist.

The flagship Denali doesn't get the AT4-specific off-road hardware but does additionally add 20-inch alloy wheels, chrome assist steps, door handles, and mirrors, LED cargo-box lighting, and a spray-on bed liner. Inside, it gains ventilated front seats, navigation, an SD-card reader, a seven-speaker premium Bose audio system, forward-collision alert, and lane-departure warning.

A range of packages and standalone accessories is available across the Canyon lineup.

On the most affordable Extended Cab in Elevation Standard trim, the $630 Convenience Package adds a remote-locking EZ-Lift tailgate, remote keyless entry, a rear window defogger, and cruise control. The Sport Bar and Lighting Package goes for $2,295 and includes off-road lights and a sport bar with a Canyon logo. There's also a Power Package for $1,875 with a performance air intake system and a cat-back performance exhaust.

Moving up through the range of GMC Canyon midsize trucks, the Crew Cab in Elevation trim has access to the $1,400 Elevation Premium Package. This introduces power lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat, leather front seats with heating, and a heated steering wheel. Additional safety gear in the form of rear park assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning comes via the $690 Driver Alert Package.

The top-spec Denali has fewer upgrades owing to its higher standard specification, although it can be had with the Performance Skid Plate Package at $385 and the aforementioned Power Package, both of which are available to lower trims, too. The biggest news for 2022 is the arrival of the new Denali Black Edition Package that blacks out the wheels, assist steps, and exhaust tip and adds premium all-weather floor liners for $2,295.

As usual when it comes to trucks with their multiple configurations, your specific needs will determine whether you really need 4WD, a bigger box, or the added cabin space of the Crew Cab. The AT4 is the easy choice for off-road enthusiasts who want the peace of mind that their truck can handle the rough stuff, but if yours will be spending more time on asphalt, consider the Elevation with the upgraded V6 engine, which isn't much heavier on gas but is a far more spirited performer. The one box we would tick is for the Driver Alert Package, as the Canyon has precious few driver aids fitted as standard.

The GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado are corporate cousins, which explains why they share the same range of engines and, consequently, are similarly capable when it comes to hauling. Although the Canyon was the truck that looked more luxurious previously, the Colorado's latest facelift works well and, on the aggressive ZR2 off-road trim with its lift kit, it easily matches the Canyon AT4 for visual appeal. The ZR2 is perhaps the more extreme off-roader though, as Chevy specs it with both front/rear locking differentials, position-sensitive dampers, and a suspension lifted by two inches. However, as before, the Canyon Denali offers a superior alternative for buyers wanting a more luxurious midsize truck. With a starting MSRP of $25,200, the Colorado once again undercuts the Canyon. If capability and bed size rate highly, then the Colorado does exactly what the Canyon does, but at a more wallet-friendly price.

The Ford Ranger may live in the shadow, quite literally, of the all-conquering F-150, but it's a solid, if outdated, choice. Although the Ranger comes with just a single engine option in the form of its 2.3-liter turbo, it comprehensively outperforms the Canyon's base engine. Towing capacity comes within 200 pounds of the Canyon's maximum, and there is a similar amount of space in the beds of these two trucks. Although the Canyon feels a touch more luxurious inside, it's the Ranger that benefits from a superior suite of safety equipment such as forward-collision warning and available adaptive cruise control. There isn't much in it, but the Ranger's better safety spec, strong turbocharged engine, and similar capability see it edge the Canyon, if only just.