Tow Test: GMC Canyon 4WD Denali Crew CabBoating MagJohn L. SteinWed, September 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleOver two days of towing a 1,700 pound load, the Canyon Denali averaged 18.4 mpg. John L. SteinLed by the Ford F-Series, full-size pickups are the best-selling vehicles in America and have been for years. But not everyone needs a truck the size of an orca. Although top models can tow a 15-ton Wellcraft 44, they are (rather obviously) hard to park, thirsty, and expensive. Fortunately, savvy automakers also offer midsize versions such as this GMC Canyon, nowadays powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine. The Denali trim (pictured, right) includes an upscale leather-trimmed interior, wide 11-inch center touchscreen with navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for using your smartphone features while driving.We tested the Canyon on a 900-mile round-trip to pick up a disheveled 1964 Glasspar runabout powered by a vintage 80 hp Mercury two-stroke, purchased sight unseen (sketchy, we know) at an auction. Filled to the gunwales with fishing gear, a trolling motor, anchors and gas tanks, it weighed perhaps 1,700 pounds with the trailer-easy work for any truck. Indeed, the Canyon scarcely knew it was back there; its engine delivers strong torque low in the rev range for easy acceleration, and turbo lag is virtually nonexistent when you need to quickly merge or pass. The rig averaged 18.4 mpg over two days of towing this boat, so at $4.79 per gallon in California, fuel totaled $234.Read Next: Can a Unibody Truck Easily Tow a Boat?The Denali trim includes an upscale leather-trimmed interior. Courtesy General Motors/GMCWe found the Canyon drive experience nice overall, with comfy ventilated seats, favorable ergonomics, and solid quietness-74 decibels-cruising on smooth surfaces. Candidly though, the 2.7-liter engine has a somewhat gravelly noise and vibration signature and is a bit louder than ideal at full throttle. What's more, the midsize design results in limited rear-seat storage, and a short 5-foot-1-inch bed.AdvertisementAdvertisementSophisticated electronics, touchscreens and menus rule our world nowadays, and the GMC Canyon follows along. The instrument panel, head-up display, switchgear, center screen and HVAC system have seemingly endless layers of features, settings, readouts and preferences to learn. Fortunately, you can intuitively solve most of them as need arises-including selectable 4WD LO mode on slippery ramps. Otherwise, the GMC Canyon is happy to just start up and go. We'd gladly tackle another rescue tow trip in this one. For more information, visit gmc.com.Tow Capacity:7,700 lb.Horsepower/Torque:310/430 lb.-ft.EPA MPG Combined:19 (non-towing)EPA Range:407 miles (non-towing)Price:$38,900 (base); $56,890 (4WD Denali Crew Cab)The post Tow Test: GMC Canyon 4WD Denali Crew Cab appeared first on Boating Mag.