2025 GMC Canyon Crew Cab

Only two years into its most recent redesign, the 2025 GMC Canyon targets truck buyers looking for an alternative from the rest of the midsize truck crowd. Its upscale cabin, aggressive off-road models, and better-than-average engine performance create sunlight between it and the rest of the pack. Only the Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator equal the Canyon’s flair for individuality. Its road-less-traveled approach focuses on passenger pampering, upmarket furnishings, and robust off-roading, which is why its base model isn’t by any definition base. Moreover, its range-topping Denali grade flirts with luxury. However, don’t discount the Canyon’s capability on the worksite. It can sweat with the best of them. But if you are in the market for a basic work truck (or several of them) we direct you to the Canyon’s country cousin, the Chevrolet Colorado.

This year, the 2025 GMC Canyon is available with the new AT4 Nightfall Edition package. This includes 20-inch black wheels, all-terrain tires, rocker panel protectors, a bed-mounted Off-Road Sports Bar, and black badges. Another package, the Bed Pro Utility Package, adds utility walls for the front and sides of the truck bed, which come with straps and latches. These walls have square holes with plenty of spots to connect latches and straps as you see fit. Also, you can get a snorkel for the AT4X. New colors across the Canyon lineup are Glacier Metallic, Desert Sun, and Rapids Metallic.

Arrayed against the Canyon is a squad of capable rivals, including the Canyon’s cousin, the Chevy Colorado. Because the Canyon has jettisoned a true base model and moved a bit upmarket, its opening price is more than the Ford Ranger SuperCrew (redesigned for 2024), Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, or the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab. Only the Jeep Gladiator with its standard 4-wheel drive costs more than the entry-level Canyon.

Before buying a GMC Canyon, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. To date, the GMC Canyon is about average for retaining its value. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

Percolating under the hood of every GMC Canyon is a potent, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine generating 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. A V6-equipped Ford Ranger is the only rival matching the Canyon’s base horsepower but doesn’t come close to the torque. The only midsize truck with more under the hood is the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid.

All the new Canyon models we’ve driven — even the rugged AT4 models — have impressed us as smooth and surprisingly quiet on the pavement. The comfortable seats and user-friendly tech features enhance the experience to the degree of making us feel like we’re in an upscale SUV. GMC has done an excellent job of engineering the new Canyon to be a capable off-road pickup that’s still a comfortable and practical daily driver.

Standing atop the Canyon grade lineup for off-road capability is the AT4X with the $10,100 AEV Edition, which brings it on par with the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison. AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) partnered with General Motors to create both of these ultimate off-roaders. In addition to the AT4X AEV’s 12.2 inches of ground clearance, it comes with beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud-terrain tires, locking front and rear differentials, Multimatic spool-valve shocks, and more. Oh, a launch control system engineered for quick takeoffs in the mud is also included. We can’t say enough about the AT4X AEV Edition’s off-road prowess.

Fuel Economy

We are impressed that despite the high output and better-than-average torque of the Canyon’s turbo 4-cylinder, its estimated fuel economy is within 1-to-2 mpg of most midsize trucks. With rear-wheel drive in mixed city/highway driving, the Canyon gets 20 mpg. Most Canyon models come with 4-wheel drive, which drops the mileage to 19 mpg combined, or 18 mpg with mud-terrain tires. The AT4X AEV notches lower at 16 mpg. You can learn more about the fuel economy of the GMC Canyon and its competitors on the EPA’s website.

GMC has perfected the ethos of blending classy and rugged interior design. The Canyon is no exception. The straight lines and straightforward controls remind us of the bigger and more expensive trucks in the GMC family but in a more affordable package. Even in the entry-level Elevation grade, everywhere we touched, we were in contact with quality materials. Another cool detail: The Canyon is available with a sunroof.

The centerpiece of this interior is the Android-based infotainment system with an 11.3-inch touchscreen. It has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay but also has Google built-in. We were able to use Google Maps and Google Assistant without connecting our phone. Google Assistant gives this system some of the best voice recognition we’ve ever used in a vehicle.

Each Canyon trim has unique interior touches. We’re particularly impressed with the level of luxury inside the Denali trim. Perforated leather seats and laser-etched open-pore wood trim make the Canyon Denali arguably the fanciest entry in the midsize truck segment.

We were wowed by the comfortable front seats with plenty of legroom and headroom. A characteristic plaguing the midsize pickup class, the Canyon crew cab’s backseat isn’t particularly roomy. There are 34.7 inches of rear legroom, which is about average for this segment and adequate for kids or adults for short trips.

We like the ease of decision-making that a single cab and cargo box configuration brings to the buying experience. Sure, it reduces choice but most buyers go with the crew cab anyway, which is why the availability of regular and extended cabs is becoming so limited. In any event, it’s a great-looking package. Furthermore, the AT4X with its specially shaped bumpers not only looks menacing, but we discovered how much the shape contributes to climbing out of tight spots when off road. It doesn’t mean anything on the tarmac, but that neighbor with the mud-caked Jeep Wrangler will be seriously impressed.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
We appreciate not wrestling with cables every time we enter and leave a vehicle. Cable-free phone integration is standard across the Canyon lineup.

Google built-in
We were able to keep our hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with voice commands, controlling navigation through Google Maps and speaking to answer text messages. It’s standard in every GMC Canyon.

CornerStep rear bumper
So simple, yet so useful, it made accessing the cargo box so much easier.

Waterproof tailgate compartment
We were able to stash some soaked beachwear for the trek back home in this clever compartment, which can also transform into a cooler for keeping beverages cold. It’s optional in the lower trims and standard in the Denali and AT4X.

Digital driver information display
We were able to quickly master this configurable, high-definition 11-inch instrument cluster that comes in at the Denali level.

Underbody cameras
Removing some of our angst during a bit of gnarly off-roading, these cameras at each end of the AT4X models allowed us to see whatever tricky terrain lurked underneath.

A high-output turbocharged 4-cylinder engine powers every GMC Canyon. An 8-speed automatic transmission ushers engine torque to all four wheels, except in the base Elevation with standard rear-wheel drive. However, you can upgrade the Elevation to 4-wheel drive. Offering the best towing capability in the class, the GMC Canyon (and its Chevy Colorado cousin) can pull up to 7,700 pounds. This is 200 pounds more than the Ford Ranger. The Canyon’s payload limit is 1,640 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The GMC bumper-to-bumper new-vehicle limited warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for the class. The first scheduled service is also free.

Safety Ratings

Neither the GMC Canyon nor any of its current crop of direct competitors has been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In government testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Canyon received an overall score of four out of a possible five stars. The Nissan Frontier is the only other midsize rival with an overall government safety score and it is also four out of five stars. Every Canyon comes with forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist.