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- Highs Strong V-6, stately styling, multiple configurations.
- Lows Anemic gas four-cylinder, prices can crest $50,000, few driver-assistance features.
- Verdict The best mid-size truck for a true truck experience.
Overview
With flexible cab and bed configurations and four-cylinder and V-6 engines, the 2020 Canyon provides the best versatility in the midsize-truck market. As with its corporate stablemate, the Chevrolet Colorado, the Canyon is available in extended- and crew-cab configurations and with a 5.2- or 6.2-foot bed. It also features two compelling powertrains: a spry 308-hp V-6 and an efficient diesel four-cylinder; a gas four-cylinder is also offered, but we don’t recommend it. The top version is the Denali, which features a stylish interior and exterior. However, even when fully equipped at more than $50,000, the Canyon is missing increasingly common driver-assistance features. Still, if you’re looking for a smaller alternative to a full-size truck, the Canyon should be a top consideration.
What’s New for 2020?
Most changes for the 2020 Canyon involve reshuffling optional features between packages. A new color, Carbon Black Metallic, is available, as is a remote-locking tailgate. GMC is also paring down the Canyon’s offerings: the rear-wheel-drive long-box model, all-wheel-drive extended-cab All Terrain trim, and leather All Terrain trim are all no longer available. The six-speed-manual transmission and auxiliary audio input are also discontinued for 2020. An off-road AT4 model will join the lineup in 2021 and the other Canyon models will also receive refreshed styling.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We would start our build with the V-6 engine; the gas four-cylinder is underwhelming and the diesel is efficient but too slow to justify the $4995 premium versus the V-6. The short bed is only 5.2 feet long, so we would choose the longer option, 6.2 feet, for the extra versatility (try putting a mattress in a 5-foot bed). The All Terrain trim provides an attractive black-painted grille rather than the chrome grille found on most trims. It also includes heated and powered front seats, remote start, a high-definition backup camera, automatic climate control, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The only no-cost exterior color is white; for $195, you get your pick of black or red and then more colors are available for $495 and $595. If you’d like to keep your Canyon at less than $40,000, stop here. But we would check one more box for the seven-speaker Bose audio system and navigation, putting our total at $40,785.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Of the Canyon's trio of engines, we'd steer you away from the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Higher models feature a standard 308-hp 3.6-liter V-6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Not only does the V-6 have cylinder deactivation in an attempt to preserve fuel, it's also one of the quickest mid-size pickups we've tested. The diesel 2.8-liter four-cylinder sacrifices speed in favor of fuel efficiency and towing proficiency. Indeed, the Canyon's diesel engine is surprisingly polished; however, it'll cost buyers a chunk of change. The Canyon's ride quality doesn't transcend its class, but it manages to successfully strike a balance between soft and firm damping. On bumpy and unpaved roads, it's very capable and will soak up most imperfections while muting harshness. The All Terrain model elevates off-road capability even more with an upgraded suspension. At highway speeds, the Canyon is stable and relaxed. Around town, its smaller dimensions and agility require less driver attention in traffic and in tight confines. A firm brake pedal provided responsive feedback in the Canyon we tested.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The base Canyon with the four-cylinder can tow 3500 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1599 pounds; with the diesel, it can tow up to 7700 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1605 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The base four-cylinder with all-wheel drive has EPA estimates of 19 mpg city and 24 highway. The more muscular V-6 will set you back only 2 mpg in the city. The diesel version is EPA-rated at 19 city and 28 highway. In our 200-mile fuel-economy test, the diesel matched its highway rating, but the gasoline-powered version fell short of its highway rating by 2 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Canyon's interior design is high on function and low on flash. It features an upright instrument panel layout and controls that are easy to reach and read. Unfortunately, the center console is burdened by a jumbo shifter. Plastic toggle switches for accessory equipment on the center stack are handy and accessible, but they look cheap in pricier trim levels as with the Denali we tested. Therein lies our biggest complaint about the Canyon's interior: even in Denali trim, it never feels like a premium environment. Its front seat is wonderfully spacious. However, the back seat has limited legroom. The elevated rear-seating position improves comfort, but three adults will be squished on long trips. The Canyon may not have as much room for carrying suitcases inside the cab, but it has the most cargo-bed volume and significantly more space for smaller items than its rivals. Its deep center-console bin, multiple door pockets, and other miscellaneous storage spots throughout the cabin provide refuge for an assortment of loose items. For items that take up a lot of space, there's a giant plastic bin under the rear seat (only on the crew cab).
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Canyon's touchscreen infotainment system is attractive and intuitive, with standard features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen is easy to use, with rubberized knobs for volume and tuning and redundant hard buttons for quick operation. The SLE model and up have an 8.0-inch touchscreen with a 4G LTE mobile hotspot. The Denali has an exclusive wireless charging pad, and the Bose premium audio system is also standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The Canyon did not perform well in its crash-testing tests. It earned a four-star rating (out of a possible five) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it was not named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It also offers little in the way of driver-assistance equipment, leaving it far behind the Ridgeline and the Toyota Tacoma. If you're a customer who wants every piece of safety tech there is, you'll have to look elsewhere. Key safety features include:
- Available forward-collision warning
- Available lane-departure alert
- Available rear parking sensors
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
GM provides competitive coverage in the mid-size-pickup segment with the Canyon and the Colorado. The two have the best corrosion protection and the most impressive roadside-assistance coverage. While complimentary scheduled maintenance is included, Toyota provides better coverage.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance covers one visit for the first year
