GMC Canyon Regular Cab Truck Review
Truck Reviewer
Workhorse is a word frequently used when describing trucks of all sizes and abilities, but never more appropriately than with the GMC Canyon Regular Cab. It’s not the most basic compact pickup on the market, but it’s not far off. Is that a bad thing? Well, as the saying goes, you pays your money and you takes your choice. If you want clever gadgets, a mobile office or something to show off down the mall, you won’t want a GMC Canyon Regular Cab. Not that it’s ugly – we quite like the somewhat traditional styling – it’s just, well, built to perform on the building site, or out in the field, not on the boulevard. Of course if what you want is a hard working truck with not too many frills to get dirty or knocked off, this could be your ideal vehicle. With capacities at 4,000 lbs towing and 1,484 lbs in the bed, it’s not going to shy away from rough duty. The bed actually has a liner as standard – which is an option on most pickups, even larger and far more expensive ones – so you can see where its priorities lie. It might not be the most glamorous vehicle in the yard but it does what it does very well, and could well still be doing it long after some rivals are broken and rusting.
The GMC Canyon Regular Cab is actually quite a decent truck to drive with good, predictable road manners. It’s not going to win any traffic light grand prix with the standard 2.9 liter inline four, but it is an economical lump. The optional 3.7 liter five-cylinder unit is a much better motor and, we suspect, most people’s choice. Sadly the 5.3 liter V8 of the extended and crew cab versions is not available. Transmission is via 5-speed manual, with a 4-speed auto available. Safety is well considered with air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control plus tire pressure monitors on all models. If the rugged GMC Canyon Regular Cab has a weak point it’s the cabin equipment, which is beginning to look a bit dated. There’s nothing actually wrong with it, it all works and the layout is ergonomically faultless, it’s just a bit plastic and a bit spare parts bin ends. As for life’s little luxuries, you are unlikely to get over excited. The base level Work Truck gets AM/FM radio and manual air conditioning. The mid-range SLE ups that to CD/MP3 player but even the range topping SLT is no palace on wheels, with little more than bucket seats, compass and outdoor temperature gauge.
All of which sounds rather like we’re beating up on the GMC Canyon Regular Cab, which wouldn’t be fair. It is what it is. It’s not trying to be an upmarket sedan or SUV. It has strong construction, durable components and it’s built to be a tough and dependable partner. If that’s what you need then the GMC Canyon Regular Cab will fulfill its duties admirably.
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