Acceleration

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
6	5	4.9

With either transmission, the 4-cylinder engine has adequate power for around-town driving but lacks reserve for passing or hauling heavy loads. Five-cylinder Colorados, Canyons, and i-370s are sprightly with 2WD, adequate with 4WD. That engine is particularly well-matched to the quick-shifting automatic transmission.

Fuel Economy

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
5	4	3.5

In Consumer Guide testing, a 2WD 4-cylinder Isuzu i-290 extended cab with automatic transmission averaged 21.1 mpg in mostly highway driving. We've not had an opportunity to measure a Canyon. All these trucks use regular-grade gas.

Ride Quality

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
5	4	4.6

Better than most compact pickups, provided you stick with the base suspension. Still evident, however, are abrupt vertical motions over bumps and dips, with some jittery feel on badly broken surfaces. The base suspension furnishes the best ride. Canyon's available off-road suspension grows tiresome on long trips.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
4	4	3.9

Canyons corner with reasonable poise, though some testers find these trucks slow to react to steering inputs. Good straightline stability. 4WD models have a noticeably larger turning radius than 2WD versions. The brakes provide quick, even stops with good pedal feel.

Quietness

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
4	4	4.5

Less wind and road noise than most competitors, though highway wind rush is prominent around the doors. Most of these trucks' rivals offer V6 engines that are smoother and more refined than the 5-cylinder engine.

Controls

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
6	6	5.9

Canyon shares the same basic dashboard design with Colorado and i-290/i-370. The audio and climate controls are simple to use and clearly marked. Gauges are easy to read, but some digital readouts wash out in direct sunlight.

Details

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
5	5	4.7

Interior materials and fit-and-finish are above average for the class. Still, some test models had a few squeaks and rattles from the dashboard area.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
5	5	5.6

Lots of headroom and legroom. The seats are adequately comfortable for long drives, though some testers complain of hard, flat seatbacks in entry-level versions. The middle position on the bench seat is for occasional use only.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
1	4	2.7

Extended cab's rear seat best suits preteens; adults lack legroom even if the front seats are pushed well forward. Crew Cabs are more spacious, but legroom is still no better than a subcompact sedan's. On both, the rear seats are hard and undersized, and entry and exit is difficult through the small door openings.

Cargo Room

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
3	4	3.6

Interior storage is limited on regular cabs but is good on extended and Crew Cabs with the rear seats folded. A unique dual-position support cable allows the tailgate to be secured partially open, permitting 4x8 sheets to be carried atop the wheelwells with support from the tailgate.

Value within Class

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
6	5	5.8

GMC's Canyon, like the similar Chevrolet Colorado, focuses on the light-duty noncommercial user--assuming heavy haulers will move up to the large Sierra. Given that mission, these are useful, well-balanced small trucks. Built from the same design, the Isuzu i-290 and i-370 share these attributes. We don't recommend them, however, since Isuzu is slated to stop selling light-duty vehicles in North America.

Total Score

2WD SLE ext cab, 5-cylinder	4WD SLE Crew Cab	Class Average
50	50	49.7

Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score		35
Average Score		49
High Score		61