’21 GMC Canyon pickup
Entry price: $26,400 Price as tested: $43,230
his week, we’re driving the 2021 GMC Canyon pickup, delivered in 4WD Crew Cab dress and featuring the AT4 off-road suspension package. There are new model designations for 2021, with Elevation, AT4 and Denali trims available in numerous wheelbase and bed length formats.
The 2021 Canyon pickup trucks come with either the two-door extended cab version with rear jump seats ala a swing open rear door setup or the popular crew cab with its full bench seat four-door design. There are two cargo box lengths available in long box (6 feet, 2 inches) or short box (5 feet, 2 inches), the latter our tester’s configuration in the AT4 high end trim.
Since Canyon’s debut in 2004 along with Chevy Colorado as replacements for the compact GMC S15 and similar Chevy S10, both have grown in size and popularity through the years, especially in the wheelbase department. Gone is the small truck designation, replaced by both midsize and near full-size dimensions.
From relying on its initial 116-horsepower power Inline4-cylinder for power back in 2004, both GMC and Chevrolet have evolved through several engine applications the last 17 years, including the two different Inline-5
cylinders, several V6 designs and even the LS style 5.3-liter V8s available from 2009 through 2012. Through tweaking and re-tweaking, it is clear the designers at GMC/ Chevrolet are very determined about their midsize trucks as both brands are almost as popular as their full size counterparts, GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado.
The modern day GMC Canyon offers three distinct power options, including the Ecotec Inline-4, GM’S new Duramax Turbo Diesel Inline-4, or the double overhead cam (DOHC), LFX High Feature series 3.6-liter V-6 that is the most popular of the three and standard on XT4 and Denali trims.
Yet it’s the above mentioned size and wheelbase where we’ve seen the biggest changes. Specifically, Canyon’s wheelbase has grown from 2004’s 111.2 inches to its current “midsize” platform of 128 to 140.5 inches depending on trim and bed size. Further, these new Canyon models are most impressive when comparing pickup trucks from the 1970s and early 1980s when a full-size pickup with a 6.5-foot box usually rode on a wheelbase of 115 inches, more than a foot shorter than today’s 128.3-inch midsize GMC Canyon. This wheelbase growth coupled with roomy four-door designs and cargo room galore are clear indicators that the current pickup evolution is in “full-steam ahead” mode.
Every Canyon built in 2021 offers good to great payload numbers, impressive fuel mileage, more passenger amenities than ever and those great, muscular GMC looks.
Pricing starts at $26,400 for a base Elevation Extended Cab with the Inline-4, six speed automatic and rear-drive traction. Pricing escalates to our tester’s AT4 4WD Crew Cab V6 that starts at $38,200 and ends with the top line Denali at an entry of $40,900. In between these three trims there’s surely a Canyon in there for every consumer’s need and your GMC dealer will gladly explain all Canyon styles and trims that are right for you, your business and/or your family. The
Extended Cab Elevation 4x4 starts at $32,995 and features the V6 engine as all Elevation inline-4’s are rear drive only. If you want a Duramax diesel 4x4, add approximately $4,700 more to the V6 versions.
Our Canyon AT4 is powered by the peppy DOHC 3.6-liter V6 that delivers a stout 308 horsepower and 275 lb. ft. of torque. The V6 Canyon models mate to a standard eight-speed automatic and are a solid choice for towing thanks to a 7,000-pound tow rating and impressive 17 city and 24 highway EPA numbers. The 181 horse, 369 torque Duramax diesel adds 700 more pounds tow capacity to 7,700.
Greg Zyla writes weekly for More Content Now and Gannett Co. Inc. Contact him at greg@gregzyla.com or at 303 Roosevelt St., Sayre, PA 18840.