Used 2019 GMC Canyon

Although it shares much in common with the Chevy Colorado, the 2019 GMC Canyon midsize pickup boasts a big dose of style and comfort unique to the GMC brand. Unlike the new Ford Ranger, the Canyon offers a choice of engine options including a 3.6-liter V6 and 2.8-liter turbodiesel, the former offering more horsepower than the Ford, while the latter has more torque. The Canyon is newer than the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, and as such offers more high-tech features and a more modern interior. Offered in Extended Cab or Crew Cab configurations with 5- or 6-foot beds, the Canyon can be anything from simple work truck (SL) to luxurious workhorse (Denali).

You sit up high in the 2019 GMC Canyon, and not just because it’s a truck. The seating position gives good visibility in all directions, and the seats themselves are both wide and supportive. Despite being classified as a truck, the Canyon rides and drives like a modern SUV, with direct steering, good brakes and a suspension capable of delivering a smooth ride on paved surfaces and careful controlled body motion when off-roading. Most will find the base 4-cylinder good only for the lightest jobs. The engine of choice is the 3.6-liter V6, although the torque-happy 2.8-liter turbodiesel is also quite nice, but expensive. Stick with the V6 and its 8-speed automatic transmission and you’ll get decent mileage, excellent acceleration and instantaneous passing power. You’ll also be able to tow up to 7,000 pounds vs. the diesel’s 7,700 pounds. For off-roading, the Canyon offers 4-wheel drive (4WD) with a low-range transfer case and an automatically locking rear differential for maximum traction over dirt, boulders or snow.

The 2019 GMC Canyon’s interior is a fine blend of modern style with truck practicality. The wide seats are big-body friendly and most of the functions are in a big center stack, with large knobs that should be easily operated by gloved hands. There’s ample center-console storage, and the Crew Cab handles four adults comfortably and five in a pinch. Upholstery materials include vinyl, cloth and leather, and the available infotainment upgrade with the larger 8-inch touch screen is worth the additional cost. The system is simple to operate, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible and it offers on-board Wi-Fi.

GMC calls the Canyon the only premium-midsize pickup. Marking mumbo jumbo maybe, but the Canyon certainly looks the part. Up front is a large, squared-off, big-rig-style grille that looks just right and makes an unmistakable linkage to the full-size GMC Sierra trucks. LED running lights and projector-beam headlights give a look of class and its flared fenders add purpose and muscle tone. Each end of the rear bumper includes what GMC calls the CornerStep, providing an easy way to step up and reach into the cargo bed. The SLT and Denali models get chrome door handles and mirrors.

FIRST-IN-SEGMENT SAFETY
Along with the available driver assists such as forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning, the 2019 GMC Canyon includes an electronic chaperone called Teen Driver. The system allows parents to monitor the driving habits of their offspring, as well as set speed alerts and limits on the radio volume.

DURAMAX TURBODIESEL ENGINE
You won’t find a diesel- engine option in the Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma or Honda Ridgeline, but you will with the 2019 GMC Canyon. The 2.8-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel makes 181 horsepower and an impressive 369 lb-ft of torque, giving it a 7,700-pound tow rating and 30-mpg highway rating.

Even the base 2019 GMC Canyon is surprisingly well-equipped, with standard features including a 7-inch touch screen with 6-speaker audio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power windows and door locks, 4-way-power driver seat and rearview camera, plus the CornerStep rear bumper, cargo-box lighting and a locking tailgate. The SLE trim level adds an 8-inch touch screen for the infotainment system, cruise control, rear defogger, remote keyless entry, steering-wheel audio controls, 6-way-power driver’s seat, fog lights, 17-inch tires and wheels and additional trim and convenience items. The SLT and Denali add even more, including automatic climate control, remote start, heated front seats (ventilated on Denali), rear-sliding window and 18-inch wheels.

The GMC Canyon’s options list is a long one. In addition to the various upgrades associated with the trim levels, GMC’s Canyon midsize pickup for 2019 is available with numerous packages, among them the Convenience Package and the SLE Convenience Package, and one we strongly recommend for its safety benefits, the Driver Alert Package. The Autotrac automatic 4-wheel drive simplifies 2-wheel (2WD) or 4-wheel (4WD) operation. Other options include a Bose premium 7-speaker audio system, choices of wheels and tires, and several items geared to off-roading adventures and/or extra storage racks for canoes or surfboards and the like.

If you opt for the most basic GMC Canyon, it will be powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 200 horsepower and paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Most buyers will want the more powerful 3.6-liter V6 for its 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. This engine is hooked to an 8-speed automatic transmission and has a maximum tow rating of 7,000 pounds. Finally, for those with big towing needs and deep pockets, there’s an available 2.8-liter turbodiesel with 369 lb-ft of torque and a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. At a nearly $4,000 premium over the V6, it’s tough to justify the diesel’s 30-mpg highway fuel economy over the V6’s 25 mpg as a reason for the added cost.

2.5-liter inline-4
200 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
191 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg (2WD), 19/24 mpg (4WD)

3.6-liter V6
308 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
275 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (2WD), 17/24 mpg (4WD)

2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-4
181 horsepower @ 3,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (2WD), 19/28 mpg (4WD)