2015 GMC Canyon two.5L Automatic 4×4 Tested: An Okay Truck in Search of Two Far more Cylinders

Six cylinders. That is what we’ve identified to be a requirement as we’ve made our way by means of the different offered configurations for the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon, Common Motors’ hugely anticipated, lately introduced mid-size pickup twins. The 2015 GMC Canyon tested right here has just 4 cylinders, and it isn’t precisely the full-size truck replacement for adventurous weekend warriors that GM thinks it is.

But Look at Its Fuel Economy!

GMC will inform you that the Canyon’s normal-problem 2.5-liter 4-cylinder will net you the ideal fuel economy of any mid-size pickup, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. That is wonderful, till you take into account the Canyon’s (and the identically rated Colorado’s) decade-old competitive set. (A new Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are on the way, however—as nicely as a second-generation Honda Ridgeline.) And issues decline from there: Add 4-wheel drive, like our test truck had, and the EPA figures drop to 19/25 mpg. Not only is that just 2- and 1-mpg much better than the far a lot more potent V-6 4×4’s numbers, but it’s also not far adequate above the thriftiest complete-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 4×4 trucks (17/22 with the base V-6) to look worth it.

In this test we saw 18 mpg, with the 2.5-liter 4 fighting a multi-pronged battle against the axis of weight (4158 pounds), a 6-speed automatic whose overriding goal was to grab the highest gear achievable, and torque and horsepower peaks (191 lb-ft and 200 horsepower) situated too close to redline to be valuable. For comparison, a V-6–powered Canyon 4×4 crew cab we not too long ago tested got 17 mpg, and a Chevrolet Silverado crew cab 4×4 V-6 managed 16 mpg. These trucks also occurred to be 1.7-and 1.5-seconds quicker to 60 mph than this Canyon, while also offering useful back seats.

Cruising at speed, the Canyon necessary a downshift (or 2) to keep 75 mph when encountering a slight grade, and even then, the engine sounded coarse and displeased with the request. Should you be hooking up a trailer, the V-6 Canyon can tow up to 7000 pounds, whilst the 6-cylinder Silverado/Sierra can lug as significantly as 7600 pounds. Provided that our 4-banger test truck can pull only 3500 pounds, the other trucks’ genuine capability appears worth the sacrifice of 1 or 2 mpg.

Six-y Dreams

In truth, we’re not even confident why GMC sees match to supply the 4, specially offered how the brand’s pricing structure virtually begs buyers to upgrade to the 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6 that is optional on every single Canyon save for the base SL. On the second-rung-up Canyon (curiously, GMC’s trim-level structure moves from SL to “Canyon” to SLE, then SLT), the V-6 commands $ 1235, plus the essential $ 650 6-speed automatic for a total of $ 1885 on the SLE, where the automatic is standard, the 6 also fees $ 1235 finally, on the prime-flight SLT, GMC charges just $ 950 for the exact same engine.

Getting 5.7 inches narrower, 17.1 inches shorter, and 3.6 inches reduced than an equivalent extended-cab Sierra, you’d feel the Canyon would be much more maneuverable, but your 1st 3-point encounter with a perpendicular parking spot quickly banishes that hopeful believed. GMC says the Canyon’s turning circle is 41.3 feet, which, although not as poor as a Sierra’s 46.9, is nonetheless much less than nimble.

Are there upsides? Confident, the Canyon rides nicely, even though the physique and chassis do not really feel as ingot-strong as do these of a Sierra, and the truck is prepared to round corners even when traveling at a quick pace. The interior appears pleasant, even if all the materials are generally bland and challenging to the touch, and—somehow—power mirrors aren’t incorporated on a truck with an as-tested value of $ 30,200.

All of this isn’t to totally shoot down the Canyon. Like the Colorado, trim-level-for-trim-level, it’s numerous thousand dollars less expensive than an equivalent Sierra or Silverado. And even though it does not redefine the segment, regardless of having a head start on the competition, it is newer and provides many a lot more contemporary conveniences. Just do yourself a favor and get the V-6.

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2015 GMC Canyon two.5L Automatic 4×4 Tested: An Okay Truck in Search of Two Far more Cylinders

Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Deliveries Halted for Airbag Problem, GM Issues Further Recalls

Will GM ever be capable to focus on merely creating cars and trucks? The beleaguered automotive juggernaut has identified but yet another safety concern it demands to repair. Automotive News reports that driver-side airbag connections in the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks had been wired incorrectly to right the dilemma, the airbag’s sensing and diagnostic module will be reprogrammed.

GM started delivering the trucks to dealerships just 2 weeks ago Chevrolet and GMC dealers have been instructed to maintain the automobiles until the repair is implemented, which will come about within the next handful of days.

At least the fix will not be a key inconvenience. Just 49 cars are in the hands of buyers, a GM spokesman told AN. The rest of them are nevertheless at the production plant, in transit, or sitting in dealer inventory. GM says the trucks are safe to drive loaners are obtainable for spooked owners.

GM also recalled far more than 520,000 crossover SUV models globally (380,000 in the U.S.) based on the Theta Premium platform, such as the 2010–15 Cadillac SRX and all 457 Saab 9-4X units ever constructed. The dealer will verify the impacted autos for improper torque on a rear toe-link adjuster. 3 crashes have occurred, according to GM. Moreover, practically 90,000 units of the 2013–15 Chevy Spark will be recalled to verify for corrosion of the secondary hood-latch striker if it sticks, the hood could open unexpectedly. No U.S. incidents have been reported, but 3 situations of the hood popping open occurred in Europe.

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To the unsuspecting observer, the sheer number of recalls at GM is bewildering—there have been 71 in our industry so far this year. But CEO Mary Barra and the rest of GM’s leading brass seem to be taking no chances after the lax recall policy of preceding years and the subsequent political fallout have shaken the company to its core.

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Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Deliveries Halted for Airbag Problem, GM Issues Further Recalls

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Very first Drive Overview

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Mid-size utility with out the complete-size commitment.

• ANDREW WENDLER AND


• THE MANUFACTURER

Common Motors has completed a exceptional job of keeping its GMC and Chevrolet truck brands special, even although they share virtually identical DNA. Each brands maintain loyal consumers, and via careful analysis of buyer demographics, the carmaker continues to nurture the good results of each. As a result, it didn’t stray far from the path when it came time to launch its most current pair of close to-identical twins, the mid-size GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado pickups. (You can read our 1st drive of the Colorado proper here.)

Sierra Lite

No design and style barriers were broken with the Canyon, GMC wisely selecting to adhere to the very same styling cues that preserve purchasers lining up for its full-size trucks. According to Tyler Moffett, creative designer for the Chevrolet trucks, his group went for the “Camaro of trucks” vibe with the Colorado, whereas the GMC guys went straight for the “shrunken-down Sierra” appear. GMC made certain to bake in some tasty regular features along with the brand’s traditional squared-off profile to maintain the money train rolling for what is ostensibly the slightly a lot more posh version of the twins.

Projector-beam headlamps with LED accent lighting, 16-inch aluminum wheels, and a chrome rear bumper with a step come standard across the Canyon board, even on the rock-bottom SL trim with its utilitarian 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and 6-speed manual. In spite of the austerity implied by its name, the “Base” Canyon is really placed above the SL in the Canyon’s trim hierarchy each come equipped with a complement of regular features that would have been reserved for best-tier trucks just a decade ago: A/C, a tilt wheel, a power driver’s seat (recline is manual), power windows, a 4.2-inch center screen, a rearview camera, and 6-speaker audio. Moving up to the SLE will get you all of the characteristics in the base trim and add a tilt and telescopic wheel, an overhead console, cruise control, a rear defogger, keyless entry, some soft-touch plastics, an 8-inch touch screen with GMC IntelliLink, and a lot more. The SLT approaches content overload, adding automatic climate handle, remote commence, leather-appointed seating, heated front seats, and energy adjustment for the front passenger seat. But that is just for starters. GMC has often been fond of its substantial choices lists, and purchasers won’t be disappointed right here.

Size Matters

Not only smaller in stature than the Sierra, the Canyon is intended to feel much less daunting around town and in parking lots, important to bringing folks who defected to crossovers back into the truck fold and to producing newbies really feel less intimidated. Wheeling via the narrow, cottage-lined streets of ocean-side Del Mar, California, it felt infinitely much more wieldy than even the smallest complete-size truck. Critics who contend that the extended-bed Crew Cab Canyon is practically the size of a Sierra Double Cab (224.6 inches extended and 74.3 inches wide for the Canyon versus 229.5 and 80. for the Sierra) are advised to get behind the wheel and encounter how shaving a couple of inches right here and there can make a vehicle feel far smaller sized.

The same quiet cabin and smooth ride we experienced in the Colorado are present in the Canyon, 2 attributes missing from the existing Toyota Tacoma and the departed Ford Ranger. Due to the fact of the GMC’s well-sorted chassis, Canyon owners will have no complaints at the finish of high-mileage journeys. Distinctive to the Canyon is an automatic 4-wheel-drive setting. Dubbed AutoTrac, it makes it possible for users to set it and neglect it, letting the program engage 4-wheel drive when situations dictate. Particularly helpful when inclement weather looms or when traveling via varied terrain, it had no ill effects on drivability and displayed no binding when we employed it on dry pavement. Those significant about off-roading will want to remember that GMC calls its version of the off-road package the “All-Terrain Package” (Chevy’s is Z71). It brings an automatic-locking rear differential and tow hooks (each regular with 4-wheel drive), hill-ascent and -descent control, a transfer-case shield, 17-inch 255/65 all-terrain tires, a physique-colour rear bumper, and some minor interior tweaks created to maintain items comfortable inside whilst roughing on the outdoors.

With an EPA fuel-economy rating of 17 mpg city and 24 highway for a truck equipped with the V-6 and 4-wheel drive, the Canyon—and the Colorado, for that matter—may not have hit the efficiency home run some were hoping for, but it nonetheless handily beats the Tacoma, and a diesel model is scheduled to arrive next year. And like its Chevy sibling, a Canyon equipped with the 3.6-liter V-6 and the $ 250 trailering package can tow 7000 pounds—at that cost, we wouldn’t leave home, er, the dealership, without it.

GM says the Canyon is the “premium truck in the segment,” which, provided its distinct lack of competitors, is a bit like saying that Google is a common search engine. Nevertheless, the brand has come to the table with a convincing package that hits all the appropriate marks for a truck in an effortless-to-manage package. The question is whether or not buyers in the mid-size-truck segment will pony up the premium basically for the privilege of associating with the a lot more prestigious twin.

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