2010 GMC Canyon
- 2009 GMC Canyon
- Used GMC Canyon
Based on analysis of 36 Canyon reviews and test drives.
GMC Canyon - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 GMC Canyon ranks 6 out of 8 Compact Pickup Trucks. This ranking is based on our analysis of 36 published reviews and test drives of the GMC Canyon, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Canyon is a decent truck overall, but others in the class are simply better.
While most reviewers acknowledge that the GMC Canyon is a decent truck, they also point out the Canyon doesn't shine when compared to the class as a whole. This is due in large part to its underwhelming interior and base engines. And though reviewers like the GMC's V8, its thirst for fuel defeats the reason -- fuel economy -- that many buyers opt for a compact truck over a full size one. Lastly, the Canyon's high price will turn off a lot of buyers. In fact, at higher trim levels, the Canyon costs about as much as larger GMC trucks. The Detroit News notes the base GMC Sierra and the Canyon are virtually the same price and "Against that backdrop, the two-wheel-drive Canyon Crew Cab SLE doesn't look like a great value."
If you're shopping for a compact pickup, also check out the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma. While the Canyon is an adequate all-around compact, the Frontier and the Tacoma are simply better across all measures. Both the Frontier and Tacoma have better around-town rides and more refined and car-like interiors. The Frontier's base price is a little higher than the Canyon's, but the Tacoma starts almost $2,000 lower than the base Canyon, and tends to hold its value better over time. If you like the Frontier, but want to bring its price more in line with the Canyon's, check out the Suzuki Equator. The Equator is a rebadged Frontier, sourced directly from Nissan (the two trucks are built side-by-side at the same factory), but the Equator starts at only about $200 more than the Canyon's base price, plus the Equator has a longer warranty than the Frontier.
The Canyon is available as a regular cab model, an extended cab, or as a crew cab. Buyers can chose between four- five- or eight-cylinder engines. The Canyon got a new V8 engine in 2009, and changes for 2010 include standard side-curtain airbags and the wider availability of the ZQ8 sport suspension, which is a reviewer favorite. Because the Canyon hasn't changed markedly since 2007, this review uses data from earlier model years.
- "The 2010 GMC Canyon is a handsome light-duty pickup that looks good on paper. But out on the road or trail, where passenger comfort and refinement really count, it doesn't quite measure up." -- Edmunds
- "The Canyon was fun to drive and it felt zippier than a large pickup. ... It also manages to look rugged -- though not quite ready for the lumberyard parking lot." -- Wall Street Journal
- "The GMC Canyon is ideal for people who need a real pickup but don't need or want the size and cost of a full-size truck." -- New Car Test Drive
Canyon Performance - 7.4 (Good)
The 2010 GMC Canyon has pretty good performance, especially since GMC added a V8 engine to the lineup for 2009. The ride and handling get a fair amount of praise from reviewers, though a few complain about the smaller engines. Read More
Canyon Exterior - 7.5 (Good)
The Canyon has a rugged look that most appreciate, but it doesn't fare well when compared to the more menacing stances of the class leaders. Still, Car and Driver calls the Canyon "brawny but lovable," and says, "If you want a modern pickup that isn't scaled like the dump trucks of yesteryear, here's one that's worth a serious look." Read More
Canyon Interior - 7.0 (Good)
Substandard materials detract from the GMC Canyon's interior, as do the cramped rear seats. Cars.com says, "The Canyon has a hint of cosmopolitan features inside, but the overall ambience suffers from a plastic hangover." Read More
Canyon Safety - NA
The GMC Canyon performs well in government crash tests and is equipped with safety features in line with those of its competitors. Read More
Canyon Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)
The 2010 GMC Canyon reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The GMC Canyon comes with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Read More
