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2008 GMC Canyon Full Review
Date Published: 4/09/08
Also in the 2008 GMC Canyon Review:
5.
6.
GMC Canyon Full Review
7.
8.
9.
2008 GMC Canyon Review
The 2008 GMC Canyon is little changed this year. This compact pickup truck shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Colorado and Isuzu i-290/i-370. Canyon offers regular and extended cab body styles with a 6-foot bed. They come in Work, SL, and SLE trims. Four-door Crew Cab models with a 5-foot bed are offered in SLE guise. All are available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes a low-range gear for off-roading. Off-road suspension is optional. Most Canyons come with a 185-hp 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine. Standard on 4WD Crew Cabs and optional on others is a 242-hp 3.7-liter 5-cylinder. Manual or automatic transmission is available with the 4-cylinder, while 5-cylinder versions only get an automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 4000 lb. Regular cabs seat up to three. Extendeds have rear-hinged back doors and seat up to five with two rear jump seats. Crew Cabs have four conventional doors and seat up to six with a folding rear bench. Available safety features include ABS, traction control (2WD only), and curtain side airbags.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.
Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier.
Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier.
News
Canyon, like cousin Chevy Colorado, was set to get a fairly major 2009 makeover, but that's been downgraded to a freshening for 2008. No word on what changes will be made, but we hope cleaner styling and a 6-cyl engine option are among them.
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2008 GMC Canyon Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Instruments/controls | Rear-seat comfort (extended cab) |
| Cargo room (crew cab) | Acceleration (4-cyl/auto) |
| Ride (ZQ8 suspension) | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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)
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.
| 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)
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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 |
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2008 GMC Canyon Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 04/04/2008
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
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| 2WD Work regular cab | $15,085 | $14,255 | $685 |
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| 4WD Work regular cab | $18,540 | $17,520 | $685 |
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| 2WD Work extended cab | $17,195 | $16,249 | $685 |
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| 4WD Work extended cab | $20,445 | $19,321 | $685 |
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| 2WD SL regular cab | $15,620 | $14,761 | $685 |
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| 4WD SL regular cab | $19,080 | $18,031 | $685 |
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| 2WD SL extended cab | $17,875 | $16,892 | $685 |
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| 4WD SL extended cab | $21,205 | $20,039 | $685 |
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| 2WD SLE regular cab | $16,155 | $15,105 | $685 |
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| 4WD SLE regular cab | $19,660 | $18,382 | $685 |
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| 2WD SLE extended cab | $18,620 | $17,410 | $685 |
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| 4WD SLE extended cab | $21,720 | $20,308 | $685 |
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| 2WD SLE Crew Cab | $21,465 | $20,070 | $685 |
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| 4WD SLE Crew Cab | $25,070 | $23,440 | $685 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Work
Powertrain
2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, vinyl upholstery, front split bench seat, rear-hinged rear doors (extended cab), AM/FM radio, tachometer, intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, vinyl floor covering.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, chrome bumpers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
205/75R15 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, skid plates, 235/75R15 tires.
SL adds to Work:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, rear jump seats (extended cab), carpeting, vinyl floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
225/75R15 tires, alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, skid plates 235/75R15 tires.
SLE regular/extended cab adds to SL:
Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar assistance system w/one year service, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, skid plates, 235/75R15 tires.
SLE Crew Cab adds to SLE regular/extended cab:
Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, front-hinged rear doors.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine, skid plates, 235/75R15 tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
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SLE2 Preferred Equipment Group 3SB
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2WD Crew Cab
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$1,630
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$1,353
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4WD Crew Cab
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$630
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$523
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3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine (2WD), front bucket seats, center console, rear privacy glass, sliding rear window.
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SLT Preferred Equipment Group 4SA
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2WD SLE extended cab
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$5,485
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$4,553
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4WD SLE extended cab
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$5,535
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$4,594
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2WD SLE Crew Cab
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$4,090
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$3,395
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4WD SLE Crew Cab
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$3,140
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$2,606
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SLE2 Preferred Equipment 3SB Group plus limited-slip differential, leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, 8-way power driver seat, 6-way power passenger seat, center console, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, front tow hooks (4WD), chrome alloy wheels.
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Z71 Off-Road Suspension Pkg.
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4WD SLE regular cab, SLE extended cab, Crew Cab
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$1,375
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$1,141
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4WD SLE extended cab/Crew Cab w/SLT Preferred Equipment Group
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$1,080
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$896
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2WD SLE extended cab/Crew Cab w/SLT Preferred Equipment Group
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$1,130
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$938
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Limited-slip differential, wheel flares, front tow hooks, off-road suspension, full-size spare tire, 265/75R15 on/off-road tires. Regular cab, extended cab, 2WD Crew Cab require SLE2/SLT Preferred Equipment Group or 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine.
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Power Convenience Pkg.
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SLE regular/extended cab
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$500
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$415
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Power mirrors and windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry. Std. Crew Cab.
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Sun and Sound Pkg.
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SLE
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$795
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$660
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Power sunroof, satellite radio. Requires SLE2 Preferred Equipment Group 3SB or SLT Preferred Equipment Group 4SA.
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Glass Pkg.
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SL/SLE regular cab
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$250
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$208
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SL/SLE extended cab, Crew Cab
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$290
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$241
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Rear privacy glass, sliding rear window.
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Powertrain |
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3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine
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SL, SLE Crew Cab, SLE regular/extended cab, Work
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$1,000
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$830
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Regular cab, extended cab require 4-speed automatic transmission. Std. 4WD Crew Cab.
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4-speed automatic transmission
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SL, SLE regular/extended cab, Work
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$1,095
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$909
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Std. Crew Cab.
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Traction control
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2WD
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$395
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$328
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2WD w/Z71 Off-Road Suspension Pkg.
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$100
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$83
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Includes limited-slip differential. Regular cab, extended cab require 4-speed automatic transmission.
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Limited-slip differential
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SL, SLE Crew Cab, SLE regular/extended cab, Work
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$295
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$245
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Special axle ratio
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SL, SLE Crew Cab, SLE regular/extended cab, Work
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$0
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$0
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Safety |
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Curtain side airbags
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SL, SLE Crew Cab, SLE regular/extended cab, Work
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$395
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$328
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
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AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
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SL
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$450
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$374
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Includes OnStar assistance system w/one year service.
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AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
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SLE
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$395
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$328
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Satellite radio
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SLE
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$200
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$166
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Automatic day/night rearview mirror
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SLE
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$175
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$145
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Includes compass.
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Cloth upholstery
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Work
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$0
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$0
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Appearance and Miscellaneous |
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Bodyside molding
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SL, SLE
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$100
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$83
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Special paint
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SL, SLE
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$95
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$79
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Premium paint
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SL, SLE
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$295
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$245
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Engine-block heater
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SL, SLE Crew Cab, SLE regular/extended cab, Work
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$75
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$62
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Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires |
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Trailer hitch
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SL, SLE Crew Cab, SLE regular/extended cab, Work
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$270
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$224
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Includes 7-wire harness.
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Front tow hooks
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4WD
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$50
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$42
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Full-size spare tire
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SL, SLE
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$115
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$95
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Work
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$95
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$79
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Chrome alloy wheels
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SLE
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$495
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$411
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 GMC Canyon Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | GMC Canyon regular cab | GMC Canyon extended cab | GMC Canyon crew cab |
| Wheelbase, in. | 111.3 | 126.0 | 126.0 |
| Overall Length, in. | 192.4 | 207.1 | 207.1 |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.6 | 67.6 | 67.6 |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.8 | 64.8 | 64.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3375 | 3461 | 3677 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | -- | -- | -- |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | 1539 | 1539 | 1343 |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.6 | 19.6 | 19.6 |
| Seating Capacity | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.6 | 39.6 | 39.3 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 44.0 | 44.0 | 44.0 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | 37.9 | 38.3 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | 23.1 | 34.8 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I4 | dohc I5 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.9 /178 | 3.7 /223 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 185 @ 5600 | 242 @ 5600 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 190 @ 2800 | 242 @ 2800 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
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EPA City / highway mpg
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| 5-speed manual | 18/24 | --/-- |
| 4-speed automatic | 18/24 | 16/22 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | GMC Canyon regular cab | GMC Canyon extended cab | GMC Canyon crew cab |
| 4WD Rollover | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | NA | NA | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 5/100,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 6/100,000 | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 5/100,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
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Also in the 2008 GMC Canyon Review:
5.
6.
GMC Canyon Full Review
7.
8.
9.
Car Buying Resources
Vehicle History Report
Acura