2009 GMC Canyon
The 2008 GMC Canyon ranks 8 out of 8 Compact Pickup Trucks. This ranking is based on our analysis of 26 published reviews and test drives of the GMC Canyon, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Canyon delivers good handling and a ruggedly attractive exterior, but places in the middle of its class because it can't match the power or interior accommodations of top competitors.
The 2008 GMC Canyon is an acceptable but not outstanding performer with rugged good looks, and falls mid-pack of the six ranked compact pickup trucks. On the whole, the automotive press likes the Canyon for work or play. New Car Test Drive says, "The Crew Cab can haul home a load of horse manure for the garden, then take the family out for dinner and a movie (after hosing out the bed, that is)."
But despite the overall praise, the Canyon is also seen as an underpowered truck with poor-quality interior materials that are not in line with its price. In fact, at higher trim levels, the Canyon costs about as much as larger GMC trucks. The Detroit News notes the base GMC Sierra and the Canyon are virtually the same price. "Against that backdrop, the two-wheel-drive Canyon Crew Cab SLE doesn't look like a great value." Adding to this sentiment, Car and Driver calls the sticker price "a shocker," saying, "I'd be more forgiving if there were some neat touches," but "I'd need something more than just increased agility to keep me out of a full-size truck." Adding to the disappointment is the fact that the Canyon's fuel economy is only average for the class.
The Canyon is available as a regular cab model, an extended cab, or as a crew cab. Regular and extended cab models are available with base, SL, and SLE trim packages, while crew cab models are available only with the SLE package. If you're shopping for a compact pickup, also check out the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma.
* Speaking of the Chevy Colorado, Isuzu i-Series and GMC Canyon, Car and Driver writes, "These three compacts…are essentially identical and come in a broad variety of body styles, wheelbase and cargo-bed lengths, and load ratings." -- Car and Driver
* "The Canyon was fun to drive and it felt zippier than a large pickup. … It also manages to look rugged -- though not quite ready for the lumberyard parking lot." -- Wall Street Journal
* "The GMC Canyon is ideal for people who need a real pickup but don't need or want the size and cost of a full-size truck." -- New Car Test Drive
Canyon Performance - 6.8 (Mediocre)
The 2008 GMC Canyon is a good but not great performer, and is specifically highlighted for its smooth ride. As U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman reports, "The Canyon, it turns out, has a rather gentlemanly ride for a truck." Read our full Performance Review for more on the Canyon's ride quality, or to learn about the truck's hauling and towing specifications.
Canyon Exterior - 7.3 (Good)
The 2008 Canyon has a rugged look that most appreciate, but it doesn't fare well when compared to the menacing stances of the class leaders. Still Car and Driver calls the Canyon "brawny but lovable," and says, "If you want a modern pickup that isn't scaled like the dump trucks of yesteryear, here's one that's worth a serious look." Check out the GMC Canyon Photo Gallery to see the truck's front grille and headlights, described as bold by the auto press, or continue with our full Exterior Review for more details on the Canyon's appearance.
Canyon Interior - 6.7 (Mediocre)
Substandard materials detract from the GMC Canyon's interior, which, even for a pickup truck, isn't very accommodating. Check out our GMC Canyon Photo Gallery to judge the seats' comfort and cabin materials for yourself, or go to our full Interior Review to read how the rear seats are best when folded down to make room for more cargo.
Canyon Safety - 9.0 (Excellent)
The GMC Canyon performs well in government crash tests and is equipped with safety features commensurate to those of its competitors. Check out our full Safety Review for details on the Canyon's crash test ratings.
Canyon Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)
The 2008 GMC Canyon reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The GMC Canyon comes with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Our full Reliability Review provides more information on the Canyon's predicted reliability.
The Canyon delivers good handling and a ruggedly attractive exterior, but places in the middle of its class because it can't match the power or interior accommodations of top competitors.
The 2008 GMC Canyon is an acceptable but not outstanding performer with rugged good looks, and falls mid-pack of the six ranked compact pickup trucks. On the whole, the automotive press likes the Canyon for work or play. New Car Test Drive says, "The Crew Cab can haul home a load of horse manure for the garden, then take the family out for dinner and a movie (after hosing out the bed, that is)."
But despite the overall praise, the Canyon is also seen as an underpowered truck with poor-quality interior materials that are not in line with its price. In fact, at higher trim levels, the Canyon costs about as much as larger GMC trucks. The Detroit News notes the base GMC Sierra and the Canyon are virtually the same price. "Against that backdrop, the two-wheel-drive Canyon Crew Cab SLE doesn't look like a great value." Adding to this sentiment, Car and Driver calls the sticker price "a shocker," saying, "I'd be more forgiving if there were some neat touches," but "I'd need something more than just increased agility to keep me out of a full-size truck." Adding to the disappointment is the fact that the Canyon's fuel economy is only average for the class.
The Canyon is available as a regular cab model, an extended cab, or as a crew cab. Regular and extended cab models are available with base, SL, and SLE trim packages, while crew cab models are available only with the SLE package. If you're shopping for a compact pickup, also check out the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma.
* Speaking of the Chevy Colorado, Isuzu i-Series and GMC Canyon, Car and Driver writes, "These three compacts…are essentially identical and come in a broad variety of body styles, wheelbase and cargo-bed lengths, and load ratings." -- Car and Driver
* "The Canyon was fun to drive and it felt zippier than a large pickup. … It also manages to look rugged -- though not quite ready for the lumberyard parking lot." -- Wall Street Journal
* "The GMC Canyon is ideal for people who need a real pickup but don't need or want the size and cost of a full-size truck." -- New Car Test Drive
Canyon Performance - 6.8 (Mediocre)
The 2008 GMC Canyon is a good but not great performer, and is specifically highlighted for its smooth ride. As U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman reports, "The Canyon, it turns out, has a rather gentlemanly ride for a truck." Read our full Performance Review for more on the Canyon's ride quality, or to learn about the truck's hauling and towing specifications.
Canyon Exterior - 7.3 (Good)
The 2008 Canyon has a rugged look that most appreciate, but it doesn't fare well when compared to the menacing stances of the class leaders. Still Car and Driver calls the Canyon "brawny but lovable," and says, "If you want a modern pickup that isn't scaled like the dump trucks of yesteryear, here's one that's worth a serious look." Check out the GMC Canyon Photo Gallery to see the truck's front grille and headlights, described as bold by the auto press, or continue with our full Exterior Review for more details on the Canyon's appearance.
Canyon Interior - 6.7 (Mediocre)
Substandard materials detract from the GMC Canyon's interior, which, even for a pickup truck, isn't very accommodating. Check out our GMC Canyon Photo Gallery to judge the seats' comfort and cabin materials for yourself, or go to our full Interior Review to read how the rear seats are best when folded down to make room for more cargo.
Canyon Safety - 9.0 (Excellent)
The GMC Canyon performs well in government crash tests and is equipped with safety features commensurate to those of its competitors. Check out our full Safety Review for details on the Canyon's crash test ratings.
Canyon Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)
The 2008 GMC Canyon reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The GMC Canyon comes with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Our full Reliability Review provides more information on the Canyon's predicted reliability.
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