Little trucks still aren’t a huge thing, at least when compared to sales of their full-size cousins, but they can be tough little workhorses or leisure vehicles for those who don’t need the bulk of a big truck. GMC’s entry is my ride, the 2022 Canyon.
I had the AT4 version, an off-road trim that GMC offers across all its trucks and SUVs. On the Canyon, it gets its ability thanks to its tougher-stuff-tuned suspension, automatic electronic locking rear differential, hill descent control, and knobbly 31-inch tires. Still to come, GMC is promising an all-new Canyon with a gnarlier AT4X trim that’ll include a levelling suspension and more rocker and underbody protection, but for now, the AT4 is the one for tackling anything that isn’t paved.
A mechanical twin to the Chevrolet Colorado — but better-looking — the Canyon lineup is available in Extended Cab with 6-foot-2 bed, or Crew Cab with 5-foot-2 or 6-foot-2 bed, and in 4×2 or 4×4. The AT4 comes only in Crew and obviously in four-wheel only, in both bed lengths, and with leather or cloth upholstery. I had the short-bed with cowhide, which starts at $44,448 (choosing cloth saves you $2,200). There’s also the Elevation trim level below the AT4, and the Denali above it. The coming AT4X seems it’ll likely be the equivalent of the current Colorado’s ZR2 off-roader.
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
My tester was further optioned with a number of features, including its spray-in bedliner, premium audio system, navigation, wireless charger (which isn’t big enough for many phones to fit into it, so check before you order), and accessories including its assist steps and extra skid plates that brought it to $48,573 before freight and taxes.
The default engine, which I had, is a 3.6L V6 that makes 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic. The optional powerplant is a 2.8L four-cylinder diesel that churns out 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with six-speed automatic. The diesel gives the Canyon a towing capacity of between 7,550 and 7,700 lbs, depending on the truck’s configuration, while the gas engine goes as high as 7,000 lbs. But the diesel would have added $4,835 to my truck, as well as pricier oil changes and the need to add diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), so factor in the extra dollars versus the benefits if you’re considering it.
This version of the Canyon’s been around since 2015, and while it still gets the job done, it’s showing its age. Even though my truck was brand-new, it felt old, and primarily because of its cabin. Some dash stitching and leather upholstery aren’t enough to make this dated, hard-plastic-heavy interior look its price. And while it’s a minor complaint overall, when a vehicle starts at more than $40,000, and further edges close to $50,000 as in my tester, I want my automatic climate control to be dual-zone, not single. Perceived value is very important, and the Canyon’s cabin doesn’t quite deliver on that. There’s even a turn-the-key ignition, with a separate fob for the power locks.
To its credit, that simple-looking cabin includes simple controls, always a bonus because they help reduce distraction. There are buttons and dials for most functions, and a hard button to bring up the home screen on the eight-inch centre touchscreen. That said, further accessing the phone, audio, navigation and other menus requires tapping the bottom of the screen. It’s set deep into the dash and the icons are small. I have no problem with my spaghetti-style digits, but those with fat fingers may find it tougher to hit the right spot.
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
2022 GMC Canyon 4WD Crew Cab AT4 Leather Photo by Jil McIntosh
The Canyon’s also shy on most of the driver-assist features that are becoming commonplace as standard or optional equipment on many vehicles. You get a tire pressure monitoring system, Teen Driver that lets you set limits on the vehicle, and the rearview camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles. But among higher-tech items, the only ones available are forward collision alert (but not emergency front braking) and lane-departure warning (but not assist that helps guide you back), and they’re bundled together for an extra $415 on the AT4.
The truck may look dated, but its powertrain is just fine. The 3.6L is a stout little engine with strong acceleration, and the eight-speed automatic is a great fit to it. Four-wheel drive is activated by a dial, and in addition to 4High and 4Low, which should only be used on loose off-road surfaces, there’s also a 4Auto setting that can be activated on pavement. I always like to see that setting on a truck — not all have it — because it’s handy for situations where four-wheel can be helpful, such as alternating patches of bare asphalt and snow, or a road that’s slippery with rain. The steering is responsive, the brakes stop the truck confidently, and the ride is firm but not unpleasantly so.
My hope for the Canyon is that GM updates it, but selectively. Keep that engine and transmission, but update the interior so it looks closer to the price being charged for it. Keep those wonderfully-simple controls, but add more small-item storage space – the door pockets are so tiny, it wasn’t worth the trouble to mould them into the panel.
As big trucks keep getting bigger, smaller trucks are making more sense for more people. The Canyon faces some pretty stiff competition, both from midsize rivals Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, and the redesigned Nissan Frontier; and now from the newbie compacts of Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, which do enough “trucky stuff” that they’re viable contenders against the midsize models for many consumers. The Canyon is a good truck in many ways, but if it’s going to really make its mark, it needs to shout “Look at me!” with a bit more to back it up than it’s doing right now.
Keyword: Pickup Review: 2022 GMC Canyon AT4