GMC Canyon Goes Diesel

It’s a convincing façade – the GMC Canyon with its big chrome grille, beefy fenders, luxurious interior, and…Duramax diesel badges on the hood.  Perhaps it is for the little boys and girls who want to play out their super duty, hard-working fantasies in “Hipster Ville.”  Or, they just need something smaller.  Or, they know the Canyon diesel is no cloak.

Big Style

Canyon dresses more like a smaller Sierra than just another small pickup.  You see the family resemblance from its bold chrome grille to the chiseled fenders, 18-inch alloy wheels, and bulging DURAMAX-branded hood.  Projector beam headlamps and signature LED running lamps connect it to the GMC clan.  Check details like the CornerStep rear bumper that eases bed entry, doors inset to the body to reduce wind noise, and EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate.

Passengers always compete with cargo in pickup trucks, but our crew cab with short box is a good balance.  Up front, the scene is all big boy truck with a beefy leather-wrapped steering wheel, red-stitched dash coverings, red-lit gauges, and leather seats that look like they came out of a Camaro.  Rear seats are tighter than fronts, but two fit for cross-‘hood hops.  There’s a heap of hard plastic on the doors, but it is a truck. 

It's a high-tech truck. GMC’s Intellilink infotainment system uses voice and touchscreen to control audio, navigation, and apps like TuneIn global radio and Pandora.  4G LTE Wi-Fi and Apple CarPlay connect iThings easily.  Bose audio let Haggard sing.  Automatic climate control and heated front seats add comfort while forward collision alert and lane departure warning systems enhance safety. 

Big Power

Canyons come standard with a 200 horsepower four-cylinder engine, and you can get a 305 horsepower 3.6-liter V6, but our truck sported a diesel.  The 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine generates just 181 horsepower, but stomps forth with 369 lb.-ft. of torque – able to pull trailers up to 7,700 lbs.  It’s paired with a Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission and is B20-capable.  Fuel economy ratings of 20/29-MPG city/hwy put nearly 650 miles between fill-ups.  I’d lay off the lattes and canteens if you wish to put nearly 650 miles between empties. 

That’s not the end of this parade.  Like the big super duty pickups, Canyon diesel models feature a diesel exhaust brake that helps slow down the vehicle without applying brakes – a big help when hauling through mountains.  There’s also an integrated trailer brake controller on the dashboard, working with the anti-lock braking system, to keep boats, campers, and classic cars from pushing and swaying.  All diesel-powered Canyons come with a hitch receiver, seven-pin connector, and auto-locking rear differential.

Bottom Line

It’s not all happy hauling.  The Canyon diesel’s fuel economy is impressive, up to 31-MPG, but that’s not significantly better than the full-size Ram EcoDiesel’s 29-MPG.  The Ram can also tow another 1,500 lbs. with more power and torque.  While you can buy a Canyon for just $20,955, our 4x4 Crew Cab with the $3,730 diesel option came to, well, um, $44,375.  That will knock you back on your heels!

So, why should anybody buy a GMC Canyon Diesel?  Have you ever tried owning a full-size pickup in a city, where they barely fit in driveways, are difficult to weave up tight streets, and won’t fit in any natural parking spot?  For most truck buyers, a vehicle the size of our Canyon fits their needs much more efficiently than a bigger pickup.  Our very loaded GMC Canyon is a better choice for diesel-loving trucksters who either do not want, or do not need, big bruisers to make their appointed rounds.

“GMC Canyon is designed for those who want a smart-sized premium pickup that is quiet, capable and efficient and the new Duramax diesel engine give customers another choice for handling heavier work and recreational needs – while doing it efficiently,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing.  “It’s the very definition of GMC’s professional grade ethos.”

Storm Forward!

View Casey’s video review of the GMC Canyon Diesel; follow him on YouTube and Twitter:  @AutoCasey.

2016 GMC Canyon Diesel

• Five-passenger, 4WD pickup
• Powertrain: 181hp 2.8-liter I4 Turbo-Diesel, 6-spd auto trans
• Suspension f/r: Ind/Solid axle
• Wheels f/r: 18”/18” alloy
• Brakes f/r: disc/disc
• Must-have features: Style, capability
• Towing max:  7,700 lbs.
• Fuel economy: 20/29 mpg city/hwy
• Assembly: Wentzville, MO
• Base/as-tested price: $20,955/44,375