When visiting your local GMC dealer, you’ll have no shortage of choice as the lot will be filled with vans, trucks, SUVs, and more, all with that distinctive GMC quality. What differentiates GMC from other manufacturers is the dedication and knowledge that they retain from over a century of producing vehicles for many generations. What was once a small manufacturer in Detroit, Michigan, has now become an international powerhouse that has produced over forty lineups over the past one hundred years.
Today, GMC produces a wide range of vehicles that boast impressive power and are equally as reliable. With a history as extensive as GMC’s, it’s no wonder so many drivers continue to trust the manufacturer as their primary choice of vehicle. Trucks have become a significant part of the industry over time, and their popularity only continues to grow. Anyone looking for a new truck should consider purchasing a GMC vehicle such as the 2021 GMC Canyon for its stellar price to performance ratio. The Canyon is a prime example of the quality that GMC puts into each one of their lineups, and it has become a fan-favorite over the past decade.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
The 2021 GMC Canyon is offered in four trims this time around, which differs from last year’s offering of six. Drivers of the Canyon will also have the choice of either an extended cab or a crew cab. The crew cab is offered with either a short box or long box. With the 2021 Canyon, the arrangement of trims has gone through a refresh and is different from previous years as a result.
Elevation Standard now serves as the base trim for the lineup, which replaces last year’s SL trim and starts at an MSRP of $26,400. GMC has ensured that this base model Canyon will impress those who invest in one with 18-inch aluminum wheels and a plethora of available upgrades. These upgrades range from a Bose audio system to LED fog lamps and a Driver Alert Package.
The next available trim for the Canyon is Elevation, which furthers the included feature set with additions such as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for an on-the-road internet connection. But those looking to take their Canyon experience to the next level will likely be drawn to the AT4, which is the next available trim. This trim adds 31-inch wheels and is well-suited for off-road adventures.
The last available trim for the Canyon is Denali, and with this trim, you’ll be getting an interior with authentic wood trim and leather seats in the front row that are both heated and ventilated. Denali also comes standard with a wireless smartphone charging pad and comes standard with the aforementioned Bose audio system. These trims all have a lot to offer, and with the perfected levels creating four choices, drivers can get exactly what they need, without needing to sift through a million and one options.
A Trio of Engines
As far as performance is concerned, the arrangement of engines remains identical to last year’s Canyon. It all starts with the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that comes standard on both Elevation and Elevation Standard. This engine produces an ample 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque and comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, this engine allows for EPA-estimated ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, which rivals many other trucks on the market. Some shoppers may prefer even more performance out of their Canyon, and GMC fully understands this and has them fully covered.
GMC also offers a 3.6L V6 engine that produces 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque that comes paired with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. You’ll find this engine comes standard on the two higher-tier Canyon trims while it remains an available upgrade for owners of the Elevation Standard and Elevation. Towing with this engine equipped in your Canyon is enhanced much further by this engine’s capability of towing upwards of 7,000 lbs when properly equipped.
One more engine makes up the trio on offer for the Canyon, and this one is for the diesel fans. The last engine available for the Canyon is a turbodiesel powered 2.8L 4-cylinder that produces 181 hp and an impressive 369 lb-ft of torque. While its horsepower stat isn’t as substantial as the other two engines, its torque output outshines the V6 by 34% and the gasoline-powered 4-cylinder engine by a whopping 93%.
With this engine equipped, the Canyon can tow upwards of 7,700 lbs, plenty for towing all kinds of cargo from boats, to trailers, and more. Not only is this the engine to get for the utmost towing power, but it’s also the most fuel-efficient with ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. This engine will not only please the diesel enthusiasts out there, but it will also create new fans for diesel-powered engines.
Interior & Cargo Space
As previously mentioned, the 2021 GMC Canyon can be outfitted with either a crew cab or an extended cab. Not only does this choice affect the amount of total cargo space the Canyon offers but also the maximum seating capacity of the vehicle itself. This means that those who purchase the crew cab can seat five passengers inside their Canyon while extended cab owners are limited to four seats.
Regardless of which one you opt for, sitting inside the Canyon is a comfortable experience for both the driver and passengers. If you’re looking for the most cargo space, you’ll want to opt for an extended cab as it comes equipped with a 74-inch bed and a total cargo volume of 49.9 cu.ft. The Crew Cab comes with a shorter bed measuring in at 61.7-inches with a cargo volume of 41.3 cu.ft.
The rest of the interior includes a host of tech-centric features, and even for the base Elevation Standard, the array of features is certainly impressive. Every Canyon comes standard with an infotainment center that has a 7-inch touchscreen along with Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio playback from your wireless device.
Drivers looking to increase the size of their infotainment center screen have the option of doing so as an 8-inch variant is available. In addition to this, the Canyon comes standard with a couple of USB ports for charging and syncing, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as well. With CarPlay and Auto, you can connect your smartphone directly to the infotainment center and access a wealth of exciting and easy-to-use features.
Moving Forward With GMC
Trucks such as the 2021 GMC Canyon serve as an example of how performance coupled with value can have some incredible results. While a majority of the differences between the 2021 Canyon and its predecessors mainly comes down to the trim selection, the Canyon still exceeds expectations. GMC has hit another home run with the 2021 Canyon, and we are excited to see how the Canyon’s formula evolves down the line.
If you’re interested in purchasing a 2021 Canyon or even taking one for a test drive, the best way to go about this is by visiting your local GMC dealer. At your local dealer, you’ll have everything you need to get first-hand experience with the 2021 Canyon, and you’ll instantly be enamored with its quality. GMC has been around for over a century now, and with vehicles such as the 2021 Canyon, it’s no wonder why they’re still around today.
