GMC Canyon is smaller but not small - Florida Weekly

Small is often a dirty word in industrial machines. Most automakers with two sizes of trucks won’t call the other one “smaller” for fear of making junior look inferior. Instead, they have full-sized and mid-sized designations.

The 2019 GMC Canyon is a true midsize machine. It’s not a small truck, but its dimensions make it a better fit for tight spaces than full-sized pickups, like its Sierra sibling. Still, not everyone is going to recognize this at first.

There were a few people who mistook this for a larger pickup. The headlights, grille and squared fender flairs of the Canyon are all quite similar to the previous generation Sierra. Also, it has ample size that helps with this mistaken identity. All Canyons fall between the length of a regular cab and crew cab 2018 Sierra short bed. Our top-trim Denali test vehicle blurred the full-sized line even further with large 20-inch wheels.

While it’s a tall and substantial truck, one feature to try to avoid are the side steps. They’re standard in the Denali and optional on just about all the other trims below it. Most trucks need these side rails to make getting in easier, but the low seat height of the Canyon is already engineered for a smooth ingress. The side rails just seem like they were added by a marketing department that felt all other trucks have them, so this should, too.

Our Canyon Denali came loaded, including automatic climate control, heated/ventilated front seats, lane departure warning and parking sensors. The interior amenities didn’t rise to the level of luxury that comes in some trucks today. But that’s OK.

There’s a little bit of an old-school feeling here, right down to the key that still goes into the ignition. It’s a reminder that people who need mid-size trucks are pulling real truck duty. After all, those who just want to look tough in the city buy a crossover, and those who are out to impress with mass will likely opt for a full-size truck. The mid-size pickup seems to occupy a place with people who have a working purpose. So, we’re more appreciative of the functional side, like the 4×4 transfer case that not only has an auto setting, but also it has a two-speed hi/lo locking differential.

The shorter option list also means there are less must-have features, and that can create value. A work truck-level SL starts at $23,790. It doesn’t come with back seats, but it has a decent list of features that include a power driver’s seat, power windows, power locks, and a touchscreen infotainment system. The standard Canyon starts at $27,290, and it has back seats, carpeting, cloth seats and other features that make it more hospitable for family life. Our leather-lined 4×4 Denali Crew Cab is a $45K machine.

One of the nicer options is the 308 hp 3.6-liter V6 motor. Available for $990 on most trims, it offers a 54 percent increase in horsepower and 45 percent more torque than the standard four-cylinder. This added muscle makes the truck quite peppy on the streets, and it helps add more hauling ability. There’s a torque-filled diesel option for those who need to tow the large toys. It’s nice that GMC offers this on a mid-level truck, but it’s cost prohibitive as a $3K-$5K add-on over the V6 on higher trim trucks.

While we have mentioned the substantial size of this pickup, it’s a true mid-size machine. The length might fall into Sierra territory, but the width is half a foot narrower. Plus, a comparable 4×4 four-door 2019 Sierra is about 400 pounds heavier than our test truck. Because of this svelteness, GMC is able to offer the Canyon a weightier power steering that has a sporty sensation. It’s not quite comparable to a sports car, but it does create a distinct feeling when stepping down from a full-sized truck.

The Canyon has confidence for driving in the city, and parking is as easy as a small crossover. It’s not that a full-size truck is like trying to fit a sumo wrestler into an office cubical, but when it comes time to commute in from the countryside, the mid-size pickups just seem to be more at home. Like the smaller wrench that can fit into a tight space, the GMC Canyon is a better tool for the urban jungle. ¦

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