American highway professional
GMC Canyon is a compact or mid-size pickup truck of the American brand GMC, produced from 2003 until now (as of 2021). It is a collaborative development of GM factories in North America and Brazil with the participation of Isuzu. Canyon is characterized by fairly modest equipment and a small number of modifications and updates. Although it is not produced outside of America, Canyon has fans in many countries around the world, including Israel.
First generation
Produced from 2003 to 2012, the first-generation canyon was available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with a standard two-door cab, an extended cab, and a four-door multi-passenger cab, with manual and automatic transmissions.
The Canyon’s basic engine is the 2.8L LK5 I4 with 175 hp - in the standard version. The more powerful 3.5 I5 with 220 hp is available as an option. But there are a total of 10 engines in the engine range for the Canyon.
The first generation Canyon has various modifications, such as the ‘sports’ version of the ZQ8 with 17-inch wheels and low-profile fenders or the even more advanced version of the Xtreme ZQ8 with redesigned bumpers, wider fenders, sport headlights, and 18-inch wheels.
In 2007, the first generation of the Canyon was restyled. The engines to equip the pick-up with are as follows: 2.9 L LLV I4 with 185 hp and 3.7 L LLR I5 with 242 hp. In terms of design, the Canyon is more reminiscent of the famous ‘twin’, Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
The next restyling was performed in 2009 and gave the car an even more powerful 5.3-L LH8 V8 engine with 300 hp. Other innovations include standard light-alloy wheels, with wheels, depending on the modification, 16, 17, or 18 inches in diameter. Progress brought a Bluetooth hands-free phone system to the Canyon show.
The canyon, like its Chevrolet and Isuzu counterparts, is based on the GMT355 technology platform, linked to the GMT 345 platform, where the Hummer H3 is built.
The safety of the canyon is not its advantage. GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado scored ‘good’ in the frontal displacement test, but the cockpit received a ‘poor’ score and in the side impact test, the cockpit received a ‘poor’ score. Side curtain airbags did not appear on the more expensive versions of the Canyon until 2010, and body side airbags didn’t appear either.
By the way, the Canyon, like a similar version of Chevrolet and Isuzu, is based on the GMT355 technology platform, associated with the GMT 345 platform, where the Hummer H3 is built.
Second generation
Produced from 2011 to today, after two restylings - in 2014/2015 and 2020 (as for 2021), the second-generation Canyon was introduced with Chevrolet Colorado at the 2011 Bangkok Motor Show. These are options with a 2- or 3-door cab, all-wheel drive, or rear-wheel drive.
The basic version of the canyon is equipped with a 2.5-L gasoline engine (203 hp), a 2.8-L turbo-diesel engine with 184 hp capacity, and a 3.6-L direct-injection V6 gasoline engine developing 313 hp. The canyon is equipped with automatic transmissions only, but depending on the modification - it may be 6- or 8-speed.
The restyled GMC Canyon was first presented at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2014, with volume sales beginning in 2015.
Trim levels of 2015
The basic configuration of the restyled Canyon, which was produced from 2015 to 2020, included:
- 175 hp EcoTec Inline (I4) four-cylinder petrol engine;
- 6-speed automatic transmission;
- 16-inch steel wheel discs.
WT (‘Work Truck’): Basic trim level with new equipment - 7-inch color touch screen, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheel discs, automatic transmission, and a 3.6L V6 gasoline engine.
LT (Medium Trim Level): the most popular trim level, including 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheel discs, 8-inch color touch screen, 4G Wi-Fi connectivity. This version also adds the ability to upgrade to the 2.8-liter Duramax Inline (I4) turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 2.8 L of progressive displacement, remote start options, rearview cameras, and more.
Z71 (Top Trim): differs from the basic version in that it has higher quality interior and exterior trim and is designed for off-road driving - suspension 4 cm higher than other Canyons, track width 6 cm wider, special tires and aluminum alloy wheel discs, aluminum protection radiator plates, oilpan, front differential, front and rear differential locks, and more.
Canyon had another restyling in 2020. Depending on the modification, the cars received a much richer interior trim, options for off-road driving, additional electronic systems such as hill descent assistance, an all-wheel drive system with a limited slip differential and engines - a 3.6-L (313 hp) gasoline V6 coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 2.8-L (184 hp) 4-cylinder Duramax turbo diesel coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The next restyling of the Canyon is planned for 2021, and the third generation may arrive in model years of 2023 or 2024.
