GMC Canyon Diesel named top mid-sized Canadian pickup
Long perceived as a sporty “toy” vehicle, the mid-size truck had languished in neglect and most of the remaining vehicles were woefully outdated. Buyers had gradually been lured away by the better-equipped and more practical crossover segment.
Then General Motors introduced the new GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado. GM believed that a small truck featuring the capability of a full-sized light-duty pickup, combined with the practicality and comfort of a crossover, would bring those buyers back.
Other manufacturers have taken notice. Toyota introduced a new Tacoma this year and there are rumours other nameplates will return. The segment has become highly competitive once again and the excellent choices below made for tough evaluations.
Driven over the same 17-kilometre drive loop used for the full-sized trucks, the vehicles were tested empty, then with a 1,000-pound payload (453 kilograms), followed by a 2,000-lb. trailer (907 kg).
“The truck market is a very competitive one and when it comes to truck customers — who use their vehicles (to work) and not just as passenger vehicles — the type of testing done here at Truck King Challenge is unlike anything done in Canada,” said George Saratlic, GM Canada’s product communications manager.
With the real-world testing, “winning an award here is very important,” he said.
It’s a very tough category to judge, because each of these vehicles have a lot of appeal for specific buyers.
WINNER: 2016 GMC CANYON DIESEL
The initial $4,400 jump for GM’s new 2.8-L Duramax Diesel seems a bit steep, but it’s an impressive performer. Not only quiet and refined, the engine’s impressive amount of easily accessible torque gives this compact GMC Canyon the pulling power of many fullsized trucks.
More upscale than the Chevrolet Colorado, the Canyon has leather upholstery and plenty of technology, including a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot and Apple CarPlay. Even when towing, the Canyon impressed with its “big truck” ability in a small package.
For serious working credentials, the diesel Canyon comes with exhaust brake, tow-haul mode and integrated trailer-brake controller. Saving wear on brake components, the exhaust brake is a “smart” system that evaluates load and grade and applies the amount of braking required.
While not nearly as fun as the nimble Tacoma on the off-road course, the Canyon got through with no issues. Base price: $40,245 As tested: $45,705 Engine: Duramax 2.8-L fourcylinder diesel
Power: 181 hp at 3,400 rpm, 369 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Max tow rating: 7,600 lb.
(3447 kg) Fuel economy: N/A Rear-axle ratio: 3.42:1
2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO
The V6-equipped Chevrolet Colorado was a nice truck, but as one judge noted, was “outshone by its diesel-powered ... cousin.” Like the Canyon, the Colorado boasts GM’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay and a suite of safety systems.
While the 3.6-L V6 is a solid engine, it doesn’t come close to the 2.8-L Duramax when it comes to towing. It made it through the course without any issues, but offroading isn’t the Colorado’s forte.
With its comfortable and quiet interior, the Colorado is probably the ideal truck for the former SUV or crossover owner who needs just a bit more towing or hauling capability. Base price: $25,845 (2015
model) Engine: 3.6-L V6 Power: 305 hp at 6,800 rpm, 269 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
automatic
Max tow rating: 7,000 lb.
(3,175 kg)
Fuel economy (L/100 km):
13 city, 9.2 highway
Rear-axle ratio: 3.42:1
2016 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 TRD
This truck is an absolute blast to drive, but it’s more of a purpose-built, dedicated rock crawler than all-around utility vehicle. Noisy on the road, the Toyota Tacoma protests with moaning and groaning while towing a load, and is less refined than the competitors.
While the towing capacity has been raised to 6,500 lb., the Tacoma isn’t meant to be a hauler. Equipped with the TRD Off Road package, our tester was a bona fide bushwhacker with Bilstein shocks, a lock-up torque converter, a locking rear differential, crawl control and skid plates.
Its power output is scant by comparison, but the lightweight Tacoma is nimble and athletic and scampered over the off-road course with ease. Base price: $36,895 As tested: same Engine: 3.5-L V6 Power: 278 hp at 3,800 rpm, 265 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,600 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
automatic
Max tow rating: 6,500 lb.
(2,948 kg)
Fuel economy (L/100 km): 12 city, 10 highway
Rear-axle ratio: 3.91:1