The GMC Canyon mid-sized pickup truck distinguishes itself from its Chevy Colorado counterpart with body design that takes cues from the half-ton Sierra's look, and a number of upgraded features that either aren't available on Colorado or only come with higher-level Chevy trim packages.
The Canyon and Colorado are essentially the same truck under the skin, though. Both have a standard 2.5L four-cylinder is expected to make 193 hp, and ?an available 3.6L V6 should be rated 302 hp. (SAE certification of the power ratings is in the works.)
The 2.8L Duramax turbodiesel promised in the 2016 model year is expected to come to both the Sierra and Colorado.
Like Chevrolet, GMC claims the best payload capacity in the mid-sized truck segment (including Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier) of 1,450 lb. and best-in-class towing rating of at least 6,700 lb. Those capabilities are very close to numbers for the standard-level 2014 Sierra 1500.
Three body configurations are offered: An extended-cab model with a 6-ft. bed, a crew cab with a 5-ft. bed and a crew cab with a 6-ft. bed. With the tailgate down, the 6-ft. bed allows 8-ft.-long items to be hauled within the vehicle.
Canyon is offered in base, SLE and SLT models, in 2WD and 4WD models. An aggressively styled All-Terrain package offered on SLE models, including 17-in. painted aluminum wheels and all-terrain tires, body-color grille surround with horizontal chrome bars and specific suspension tuning.
A feature that Colorado doesn't offer is the segment-first Autotrac automatic transfer case standard with 4WD models. The electronically controlled transfer case allows the driver to select four modes, 2WD, Auto, 4WD HI, or 4WD Lo. In Auto mode, the transfer case will operate in 2WD and automatically apply traction to the front wheels when the vehicle senses wheel slippage.
- Technologies include options for both OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot (with purchase of a data plan) and driver alert features such as forward collision alert, lane departure warning and a standard rear-vision camera
- Central color-screen driver information center similar to Sierra
- RemoteLink Key Fob Services allow owners to lock and unlock their vehicle, flash the lights and honk the horn, and, on equipped models, even remotely start the engine using the RemoteLink smartphone app (a free service for five years)
- Standard GMC ProGrade scheduled maintenance program covers four oil changes, tire rotations and 27-point inspections over two years/24,000 miles
- Standard 16-in. aluminum wheels with available 17- and 18-in. aluminum wheels
- Aluminum hood
- Like the Chevy Colorado, Canyon has active aero grille shutters, which close at certain highway speeds to improve gas mileage by enhancing aerodynamics
- Segment-first CornerStep rear bumper design, pioneered on the 2014 Sierra, is standard
- Available EZ Lift-and-Lower locking tailgate uses an internal torsion bar to make raising the tailgate easier with one hand, and a damper for controlled lowering
