2026 GMC Canyon Elevation Crew Cab Short BoxGMCThe Canyon is that small pickup that you might use on the ranch to inspect cattle. For the rest of us, it's a tight, handsome little pickup you can park easily on any city street, haul the lumber and enjoy all the benefits of truckdom without parking a Brontosaurus in your driveway. It was a week of bopping around, on streets, highways and canyons, and it was a pleasure.2026 GMC Canyon Elevation Crew Cab Short BoxWhat is it?The Canyon is GMC's premium midsize pickup, sharing its basic platform and mechanicals with the Chevrolet Colorado but with more upscale styling and a more refined interior. Every 2026 Canyon comes as a four-door Crew Cab with a five-foot short bed.What's new for 2026?2026 GMC Canyon Elevation Crew Cab Short BoxVery little, which is good news because the truck was completely redesigned recently. For 2026 GMC mainly adds new wheel designs, new paint colors and a few package changes while leaving the drivetrain and major features alone.AdvertisementAdvertisementEvery Canyon uses GM's 2.7-liter TurboMax turbocharged four-cylinder producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing, if you need, is 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. EPA fuel economy for a 4WD Elevation is 17 mpg city, 21 highway, 19 combined.2026 GMC Canyon Elevation Crew Cab Short BoxPricing starts around $38,900 for a 2WD Elevation and $42,200 for a 4WD model before options and destination charges. So while it's not a "cheap" pickup truck, it's not one of those $80,000 jobs you see for sale out there.What does it look like?Unlike many midsize pickups that try to look cutesy-wootsy, the Canyon has the stance of a much larger truck. The broad grille, C-shaped LED lighting, squared-off wheel openings, two-inch factory lift and chunky all-terrain tires give it a planted, muscular appearance. It helped that my tester was black, making me a dinky-truck-gangsta for 7 days.2026 GMC Canyon Elevation Crew Cab Short BoxInside, the cabin is arguably one of the Canyon's strongest selling points. A 11.3-inch touchscreen and 11-inch digital instrument cluster dominate the dashboard. Materials are noticeably richer than many competitors, controls are easy to reach and the front seats are comfortable enough for long highway drives. Rear-seat space is adequate for adults, though it's still tighter than in a full-size pickup.2026 GMC Canyon Elevation Crew Cab Short BoxHow was the drive?The big surprise is the engine. Despite having only four cylinders, the TurboMax produces V8-like torque, making the Canyon feel eager pulling away from traffic lights or merging onto freeways. Steering is accurate, the ride is composed despite the off-road suspension and road noise is well controlled. The truck feels smaller and easier to maneuver than a Sierra, yet never flimsy or underpowered. Unless someone tells you there's a four-cylinder under the hood, you'd probably never guess.AdvertisementAdvertisementYou also sit high enough to enjoy the commanding view of a pickup, but the truck's smaller dimensions make it much less intimidating in everyday driving. Parking lots were easy to navigate, U-turns required less planning, and squeezing through city traffic was far less stressful.Room for improvementThe most common criticism is fuel economy- you expect better mileage from a turbocharged four-cylinder. As always, I detest a shift wheel, especially on a truck. It requires you to look down to see what gear you're in.Conclusion: The Canyon may not meet all your heavy duty truck needs, and it's not supposed to. What it does, it does quite well.This article was originally published on Forbes.com
