The Compact Pickup Is Not Dead . . . Yet
2011 GMC Canyon Crew Cab 4×4 SLE
By Greg Cavanaugh
I’ll admit, I came into this test drive with some preconceived notions. I always try my best to start test drives with as much of a clean slate as possible. I try to block out anything I may have read in the past, any advertising I may have seen, or opinions I’ve heard from family and friends.
So what was different this time? It’s not as if the GMC Canyon is some sort of controversial model like a Volt or Leaf. Oddly, it’s that so little IS said about the Canyon (and Chevy cousin the Colorado), because GM hasn’t really done much to it in the last several years. Left behind and in the shadow of its bigger brother, the Sierra, and overlooked because of the Terrain and other newer models, the Canyon is that person whose name everyone forgets. Add to this the fact that this pattern also seems to be occurring with the other compacts on the market – Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Dakota – and let’s just say that my expectations weren’t exactly high.
The Canyon is a compact, body-on-frame, traditional pickup with a four-speed transmission and a V8 engine. Yes, you read that correctly, a four-speed. Did you even know anyone was still making four-speed transmissions anymore? On top of that the Sierra has received updates like cylinder deactivation that allows the full-size model to get essentially the same mileage as the compact. Rated at 14 mpg city and 19 highway, on paper the Canyon just looks like a hard sell. Why give up the space of a full-size pickup when you get the same mileage?
Well, a couple of reasons actually. Mainly, price and size.
Price. Essentially, a similarly equipped Canyon compared to a Sierra is going to save you about $6,000. Not a small chunk of change by any means, enough said.
Size, you say? Didn’t I just say that’s a weak point?
Believe it or not, contrary to what you see all around Gallup and the U.S., not everyone wants to drive a 1-ton crew cab dually with a long box, and I’m one of those people. The Canyon is a great sized pickup for many, many types of drivers. It’s easier to get into and out of than a full-size pickup. You can actually get things in and out of the bed without needing a stepladder. You can get into parking spaces without parking on the lines. You can reach across to the other side of the cab and unlock the passenger door. Frankly, I think the four-door compact pickup is actually the size pickup that most full size pickup drivers actually need.
This particular Canyon was also equipped with an off-road package giving it more ground clearance, better rubber and a stiffer suspension than a non-off-road-equipped Canyon. But with its short wheelbase and a real four-wheel-drive system, including a low range center differential, any Canyon is a great off-roader. The wheelbase affords it great high-center clearance and makes it more maneuverable in the woods. It has short overhangs front and rear and a narrow body (compared to a full-size pickup), which means the Canyon can get into some pretty tight places.
Now this isn’t to say that this truck is perfect. It certainly could use some updating.
Firstly, while the 5.3 Vortec V8 is a great engine and really fun in this truck, it’s flat out overkill . . . especially since it’s mated to a 4:10 rear end. Let’s just say that traction control becomes your friend in the V8 Canyon. While the Canyon originally came with only a 5 cylinder, it wasn’t the smash success that GM had hoped it would be. But I think they had the right idea. GM’s corporate 3.6 liter would be an excellent candidate for an updated Canyon. Or if wishes could come true, how about a turbo-diesel in the 3-liter range?
And let’s just call a spade a spade. It’s likely that most buyers aren’t purchasing the Canyon to pull their fifth wheel with. So why not switch the Canyon over to a unibody platform, à la Honda Ridgeline? And with it would come improved packaging, decreased weight and an overall improved driving experience. The Canyon would lose some payload capabilities, but most likely would meet the needs of a large percentage of American drivers who mostly need the bed to haul home improvement supplies, move furniture, and bring their kids’ bikes to Grandma’s house.
This may be the last year for the Canyon, but the good news is that I have seen some press that it may return better than ever in a year or two. With a compact truck field that is so small, a new and improved Canyon with the right changes may be able to take the compact pickup truck market by storm and win over a whole new set of buyers for GM.
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, four-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door truck
PRICE AS TESTED: $31,905 (standard price: $27,700)
ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 325 cu in, 5328cc
Power (SAE net): 300 bhp @ 5200 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 320 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 4-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 126.0 in Length: 207.1 in Width: 67.6 in Height: 65.2 in
Curb weight: 4051 lb
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 14/19 mpg
