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The 2021 GMC Canyon is one of the most serious work trucks on the market today regardless of size and can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
What’s New for the 2021 GMC Canyon?
The GMC Canyon is now nearing the end of its second generation in 2021. It features rear or four-wheel-drive, three different engine options, and four trims. For 2021, GMC has renamed the trim levels on the Canyon, changed the grille for the Canyon Denali, and slightly readjusted standard equipment across the lineup. Every Canyon gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and above average driving dynamics. A new AT4 trim level focuses on off-road performance. In addition, the Canyon can tow up to 7,700-pounds when fitted with a V6 or diesel engine.
2021 GMC Canyon – gmc.com | Shop 2021 GMC Canyon on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Serious towing capability
Excellent V6 and diesel engines
Tough interior
Lackluster luxury on Denali trim
Smallish infotainment system
No advanced safety equipment
2021 Canyon Specs
- 200 horsepower from base engine
- 191 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- Available bed lengths of 61.2″ or 74.4″
- 7,700-pound max towing capacity
- Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Four-star crash test rating
- One complimentary maintenance visit
2021 GMC Canyon Powertrain
Pokey might be the only proper word to describe the 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s standard in the bottom two trims of the 2021 GMC Canyon. It makes 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. For a GMC, we’d like more power. It just feels incapable of shuttling you anywhere without having to work really hard. In the cheaper Chevy Colorado, it’s not so glaring. The available 3.6-liter V6 and the 2.8-liter turbodiesel both do a far better job though.
The diesel is fuel-efficient and incredibly torque-rich. With 369-lb-ft it’s got nearly 100 more torques than the gas-powered V6. So it’s happy to sip fuel as you trundle down the highway or to yank stumps out of the ground, your choice. Then there’s the V6 found in the AT4 and the Denali that’s making 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. It’s smooth and silky. Passing is particularly easy with this option, as it makes it one of the fastest mid-size pickups on the market.
Paired to the 2.5L gas and 2.8L diesel engines is a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L V6 is the only one that gets additional cogs from an 8-speed automatic transmission. Whichever setup you choose, the Canyon can be had with a rear-wheel-drive setup or an all-wheel-drive one optionally.
Nevertheless, this is still a truck, so don’t expect particularly athletic handling. Body roll isn’t too wild, but the nose will dive on hard braking. We like the balance that the suspension provides though. This truck isn’t too hard on you and at the same time, it doesn’t feel like it’s floating down the road.
Towing & Payload
The 7,700 pounds max towing capacity of the 2021 GMC Canyon is nothing to look down upon. That’s a great maximum towing capacity for its size and class. It also offers up to 1,605 pounds of payload capacity.
2021 GMC Canyon Fuel Economy & MPG
While the 2021 GMC Canyon with the 3.6L V6 gets 21 mpg combined with RWD or 18 mpg combined with 4WD. The other available engines both do alright here. The gas powered 2.5L four-cylinder gets up to 22 mpg combined when paired with either drivetrain, while the diesel is capable of getting 23 mpg combined with RWD and only drops to 22 mpg with 4WD.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
This is a work truck and the interior of the 2021 GMC Canyon doesn’t pretend otherwise. Even the swanky Denali model won’t be accused of following form over function. The cabin is straightforward and frankly, quite simple. Here’s just one example, if you get any trim aside from the Denali, you’ll get up with a 7-inch infotainment system and a manually reclining driver’s seat. That’s not a huge deal, but it’s telling.
Still, there are some benefits of that straightforward design. This is, after all, a truck. So when it’s at work, it’s easy to clean and hard to damage. No, the plastic switchgear won’t make you feel special, but it also is unlikely to let you down. The ride quality doesn’t let you down either.
Cabin noise is fairly light. It’s easy to see out of the Canyon too. The locking tailgate is a nice feature to have as well. Overall, comfort and cargo space in the 2021 GMC Canyon is more than adequate.
Entertainment & Technology
The mid-size truck segment is an interesting one. It doesn’t get the flashy interior treatment that the full-size pickups get. The 2021 GMC Canyon is another example of that. A new Sierra Denali will look like it’s as modern as possible. The Canyon is still good, it’s just not as loud about it. The 7 and 8-inch infotainment systems are solid performers with easy to learn user interfaces and good design. If anything, we’d like to see them larger and brighter. The optional Bose premium sound system is great, but might not get as loud as you’d like.
Safety Features
The biggest issue with the 2021 GMC Canyon is a lack of advanced safety equipment. The base Canyon comes with none. The only available options are lane-departure warning, rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. These missing features wouldn’t matter so much if the Canyon had a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA, which it does not, or was a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, which it is also not.
2021 GMC Canyon Trims & Pricing
Elevation Standard – $27,995
As the base of the 2021 GMC Canyon lineup, the Elevation Standard gets 18-inch wheels, a four-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a 7-inch infotainment system equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It comes with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. It uses a six-speed automatic to send power to the rear wheels. Four-wheel-drive is optional on all Canyon trims other than the AT4 where it’s standard. Two other engines, including a 3.6L V6 and a 2.8L diesel are available on both Elevation models.
Elevation – $31,495
The non-standard Elevation model adds on LED fog lights, a remote locking tailgate, a sliding rear window, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
AT4 – $39,595
Go for the off-road-focused AT4 and you’ll get a suspension that’s only found in this trim as well as hill-descent control, a shield for the transfer case, and unique 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. It also gets the 3.6L V6 as standard equipment.
Denali – $42,395
The Denali also gets the 3.6L V6 as standard equipment. It rides on 20-inch wheels and adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless charging pad, an 8-inch infotainment system, and a spray-in bed liner. It also includes lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and rear parking sensors.
Warranties
General Motors offers a single complimentary maintenance visit with every new 2021 GMC Canyon. It also provides a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
What we think
2021 GMC Canyon – gmc.com | Shop 2021 GMC Canyon on Carsforsale.com
The 2021 GMC Canyon is a workers’ truck. It’s not fancy, it’s not tech-heavy, and at the end of the day, that’s ok. It’s got a couple of great engines and can tow anything that weighs as much as the average male Orca whale (7,500-pounds) or less.
