2021 GMC Canyon AT4 Test Drive and Review

Today’s GMC Canyon mid-size pickup has been marketed nationwide since January 13, 2014, and is now in its seventh year of production. I was able to borrow one for testing recently from Weld County Garage in Greeley, Colorado; a Summit White unit that featured Jet Black leather interior seating. Ryan Green, the dealership’s marketing director, was on hand to provide a set of keys to the GMC. 

2021 GMC Canyon Size

Without researching the dimensions, it just appears to me that these “mid-size” pickups have gotten bigger and bigger, and now are sized about like the GMC full-size pickups I used to sell in 1976. Not only did I sell GMCs, I later owned one as well, a 1985 S-15, the predecessor to today’s Canyon. It (the S-15) was considerably smaller than this new Canyon, the new one coming in at 212.4” in length and resting on a wheelbase of 128.3”. The new truck had the short box, which was 61″ long at the floor, one foot less than the outside width of the Canyon. 

Payload capacity of the 2021 GMC Canyon as equipped was 1,559 pounds. I have no complaints about the Canyon’s size; I actually thought my 1985 S-15 was a little diminutive. The Canyon is a great looking truck, and driving it is a pleasure with great visibility and a commanding position at the wheel.

2021 GMC Canyon Performance

Installed in my test truck was a 3.6 liter (217 cubic inch) V6 with 308 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm. Torque was 275 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm. The transmission was an electronically-controlled Hydra-matic 8L45 eight-speed automatic and a two-speed electric transfer case was on hand. Fuel economy ratings for the Canyon were 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. The 5,900-pound GVW-rated pickup has a 21-gallon gas tank.

2021 GMC Canyon Pricing and Equipment

My test Canyon was the AT4 model, and as a short-box, crew-cab 4-wheel-drive model, it sits at the upper end of the lineup as far as equipment is concerned. Optional items included the AT4 off-road package (black wheels, bedliner, skid plates, suspension leveling kit, and badging), navigation, and a driver alert package. 

The base price–$40,000, the options–$4,595, and the freight charge–$1,195, all added up to an MSRP of $45,780. Standard equipment on the AT4 includes items such as the keyless entry, sliding back glass, remote start, six-way power driver seat, tilt/telescope wheel, cruise control, rear vision camera, heated, leather wrapped steering wheel, 8″ touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, and Stabilitrak stability control.

2021 GMC Canyon Design and Driving Experience

Inside the GMC cab are four USB ports, Sirius satellite radio, multi-colored driver display, automatic air conditioning, OnStar, and the 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot that can power up to seven devices inside the truck. 

The wheels were black finished cast aluminum 5-split spoke aluminum alloy wheels with new styling for 2021. Tires were 265/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler DuraTracs, and the Canyon featured a cornerstep rear bumper for easy entry/exit to the box. 

Handling, ride, interior noise, and guidance of the AT4 were all great, and acceleration is reportedly zero to 60 in 7.7 seconds for the 4,398-pound pickup. I’ve already gone on record approving GMC’s approach to sizing the Canyon—there is nothing to find fault with on this vehicle, and driving it for a few days was a treat.

– Reviewed by Stu Wright