Latest News
2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot2022 GMC Canyon Review
The 2022 GMC Canyon continues to offer many of the features and capabilities of larger trucks while maintaining a smaller footprint.
What’s new for the 2022 GMC Canyon?
GMC has only made two small changes to the Canyon for 2022. They include changing the name of the High Elevation package to the Elevation Premium package and offering a new trim called the Denali Black Edition. It includes chrome brightwork. Just kidding, of course, it comes with black trim, black wheels, and black exhaust tips.
2022 GMC Canyon – gmc.com | Shop 2022 GMC Canyon on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Outstanding towing capacity
Great V6 engine
AT4 can really go off-road
Cheapish interior
Outdated or absent tech
Desirable options are very pricey
Could we get some advanced safety features, please?
2022 Canyon Specs
- 200 horsepower from base engine
- 191 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 7,700-lb towing capacity
- 1,500-lb payload capacity
- Android and Apple connectivity
- Available parking sensors
- Industry standard warranty
2022 GMC Canyon Powertrain
The base 2.5L four-cylinder engine produces 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. It is a bit buzzy and disappointing in everyday use. The other two motors available with the 2022 GMC Canyon more than make up for it. You can pick the 3.6L V6 with 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, or the 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel with 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Neither of these options will disappoint. For those that prefer a more spirited driver, the V6 is properly quick (for a truck) and offers great responsiveness that improves engagement behind the wheel. The 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel is impressive too but for a different reason. On the highway, the diesel engine makes fantastic cruiser with good fuel economy and enough torque to easily overtake others. It can also tow a lot, which is one of the things we liked about last years model.
In the city, the Canyon offers good ride quality and decent handling. It’s not sharp but it’s easy to place and provides great visibility in all directions. We really appreciate the precision it offers both on and off-road. That might be the x-factor for this small truck as it can go almost anywhere without much strain or stress.
Towing & Payload
There’s no way to get around how good the Canyon is at doing big-truck stuff like towing up to 7,700-pounds when properly equipped. Its 1,500-pound payload capacity is great too but make sure you get the right equipment because if not, these figures dip quickly.
2022 GMC Canyon Fuel Economy & MPG
Overall, the Canyon offers solid fuel economy throughout the range of engines and lineups. The worst offender is the V6 which the EPA rates at just 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. Every other trim manages a combined rating of 21 mpg or better.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Inside the Canyon is a mixed bag of both good and disappointment. Frankly, it’s about as comfortable as any other mid-size truck on the market and perhaps the easiest of the bunch to understand and use in practice. The controls are clearly laid out and work well. The seats are comfortable and the cabin is spacious for the most part. Sure, the rear seats aren’t really suited to taller folks or those with long legs but no mid-size truck can claim that.
We also love the addition of multiple cargo spaces in the cabin. From the door pockets to the center console, to other miscellaneous storage spots, there’s room for all the things in this truck.
Where the Canyon lacks is in the refinement category. This is a GMC after all and even in the top-spec Denali trim, it’s full of cheap plastics and lackluster features. For example, the shifter and switchgear all look like they could’ve come out of any GM product from 2010. Then there’s the distinct lack of modern technology inside. Let’s dig into that next.
Entertainment & Technology
The Canyon is sorely lacking when it comes to modern technology. No matter how much you spend on this truck you’ll end up with a center infotainment system that to our eye looks too small, a primarily analog gauge cluster, and not much else to soothe you. The rear-seat passengers don’t get anything aside from a couple of charge points. There’s no top-down 360-degree camera system, no adaptive cruise control, and the base truck doesn’t even come with cruise control. Thankfully, GMC has provided Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity in the system so at least that’s on par with other rivals.
Safety Features
The NHTSA gave the Canyon four stars after crash testing it. The GMC didn’t score any awards from the IIHS either. No advanced safety features are standard on the Canyon either. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning are all extras you’ll have to spend more to get. Forward collision mitigation is not available.
2022 GMC Canyon Trims & Pricing
Elevation Standard – $27,995
The GMC Canyon starts out much better than it’s Chevy counterpart and comes with 18-inch wheels, a 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as six speakers. It also gets a tilt-only steering wheel and a four-way adjustable powered driver’s seat. Under the hood is a 2.5–liter four-cylinder engine that makes 200-horsepower. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic and rear wheel drive. Buyers can opt for a much more powerful V6 with 308-horsepower or a 2.8-liter diesel with 369 lb-ft of torque. They can also add four-wheel drive.
Elevation – $31,495
The Elevation gets a remote locking tailgate, LED fog lights, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, a sliding rear window, and a leather-wrapped tilt and *gasp* telescoping steering wheel.
AT4 – $39,545
For just shy of $40,000, the AT4 comes standard with both the V6 and four-wheel drive. It also gets 17-inch wheels with all-terrain rubber, a unique off-road suspension, heated front seats, a transfer-case shield, and hill descent control.
Denali – $42,295
As the luxury version of the Canyon, the Denali gets a wireless charging pad, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, a Bose premium audio system, a power-adjustable passenger seat, leather upholstery, and 20-inch wheels. It also gets lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning
Warranties
GMC offers a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty for the Canyon. That’s average for this segment. It also covers the first maintenance visit.
What we think
2022 GMC Canyon – media.gmc.com | Shop 2022 GMC Canyon on Carsforsale.com
For our money, the GMC Canyon is probably the best work truck of its size. It’s sincerely capable and good to drive. It’s not a truck we’d want to use as a daily driver though because it lacks the modern safety and technology that all of its rivals, save for the Ford Ranger, have.
