You Could do Worse Than the 2021 GMC Canyon
The 2021 GMC Canyon continues to fly under the radar as other mid-size trucks such as the Jeep Gladiator and Ford Ranger take the spotlight. But we can’t allow this behavior to continue. The GMC Canyon is a great option to consider.
Is the 2021 GMC Canyon a good work truck?
Yes, the 2021 GMC Canyon is an excellent truck. It’s praised for having diverse power train options, tons of towing power, being easy to drive, and being comfortable over most surfaces. Plus, it won’t break the bank.
You can get started in a new GMC Canyon for about $26,800. Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline starts at about $36,490, and the Nissan Frontier begins at about $27,290. It serves as an affordable work truck.
According to U.S. News, it’s the second-best mid-size truck for towing. It barely came in second place, but its non-identical twin, the 2021 Chevy Colorado, took the number one spot. The Colorado does start a little cheaper, around $25,000 too.
How does the GMC Canyon perform?
The 2021 GMC Canyon has three powertrain options.
- The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque. This is the base engine.
- The 3.6-liter V6 pumps out 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
- The 2.8-liter four-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel engine offers 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
When properly equipped, the GMC Canyon can tow up to 7,700 lbs. This offers the best-in-class towing along with the Chevy Colorado. Also, the Canyon can carry a payload of up to 1,605 lbs, so it’s pretty strong.
The truck bed is high, making it difficult to load cargo, But the bumper steps can be helpful. It doesn’t come with many tie-downs, but the dealerships offer plenty of convenient accessories. The rear seats flip up, but obstacles don’t allow items to lay flat on the floor.
According to Edmunds, the Canyon is fun to drive. The base engine may be a little underpowered, but with the V6, you can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.9 seconds. This is faster than average for mid-size trucks.
It has sporty handling with responsive steering and confident brakes. The cabin is pretty quiet, and it absorbs impacts in the road well. Plus, this truck is great for off-roading thanks to the two-speed transfer case and decent articulation.
Is the GMC Canyon comfortable?
Yes, the GMC Canyon is pretty comfortable for road trips and daily driving. The front seats keep adults happy. The backseat is a little tight, but they provide more space than the Toyota Tacoma’s rear seats.
The 2021 GMC Canyon interior provides a logical layout. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is easy to figure out. Plus, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. The graphics look great, and the system is pretty fast. But the Denali trim comes with a 4G LTE mobile hotspot and wireless charging pad.
One major drawback compared to rivals includes a lack of standard safety features. But the Canyon scored four out of five stars for its safety rating from the NHTSA. Optional features include forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors.
