2012 GMC Canyon
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| 2012 GMC Canyon |
The GMC Canyon is almost identical to the Chevrolet Colorado, sharing the same platform but adding some style and trim differences that appeal to those who want a little more flash in their midsize pickup truck.
The 2012 GMC Canyon adds front bucket seats to midlevel trims and makes an automatic locking rear differential standard on 4WD and Crew Cab models
The 2012 GMC Canyon ranks 5 out of 6 Compact Pickup Trucks. This ranking is based on our analysis of 45 published reviews and test drives of the GMC Canyon, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Reviewers say that while the 2012 GMC Canyon is a decent compact pickup truck, it’s outdone by rivals in nearly every way. It##Q##s starting MSRP is $17,490–$31,790
Though the GMC Canyon is practical and useful for shoppers who want a basic, utilitarian pickup, its engines and interior are subpar. Its smaller engines lack power, and its powerful V8 comes with the trade-off of especially poor fuel economy. Plus, its interior quality and materials are seriously lacking when compared with rivals like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.
The 2012 GMC Canyon comes in a variety of trim levels: Work Truck (WT), SLE-1, SLE-2 and SLT. Little has changed for this model year except the addition of a standard automatic locking rear differential on four-wheel drive and crew cab models.
If you’re shopping for a 2012 GMC Canyon, you should also consider the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado because the two trucks are nearly identical.
The 2012 GMC Canyon is a compact/midsize pickup offered in three body styles — regular cab, extended cab (with small rear access doors) and crew cab (with four regular doors) — and in three different trim levels: Work Truck, SLE and SLT. Canyon crew cab models come equipped with 5-foot cargo boxes, while other models feature a 6-foot box. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is available on all models. The SLT is available only with 4WD.
Standard features on Work Trucks include 16-inch wheels, a bedliner, skid plates on 4WD models, a 60/40-split front bench seat, air-conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, six months complimentary OnStar Directions and Connections service, and an AM/FM stereo.
SLE models add foglights, tinted rear glass, chrome interior accents, power accessories, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front bucket seats and an AM/FM/CD player with satellite radio and three months complimentary service.
The top-line SLT includes all of the above and adds 17-inch chrome wheels, skid plates, a heavy-duty suspension and heated leather front bucket seats with eight-way adjustment for the driver.
An off-road suspension package, standard on SLE extended cab and SLT models and optional on all but regular cab SLE models, includes 17-inch wheels, beefier components and a locking rear differential.
Muscle and efficiency come standard on every 2012 Canyon. The VortecTM 2.9L powerplant puts out the most power and torque of any 4-cylinder pickup engine in Canada**, yet consumes just 7.8L of gas per 100 highway kilometres.^^ The 242 hp VortecTM 3.7L engine combines the performance of a V6 with the efficiency of a 4-cylinder. And when performance is the top priority, there##Q##s no substitute for Canyon##Q##s available VortecTM 5.3L V8 with its 300 hp and 320 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2012 GMC Canyon##Q##s cabin is quiet enough around town, but leaks significant wind noise at highway speeds. The four- and five-cylinder engines operate smoothly, but are several lengths behind the V6s offered by competitors. The four-speed automatic offers easy, well-timed shifts.
The 5.3-liter V8 unsurprisingly offers the best power and towing ability, putting the Canyon on par with the brawny V8 Dodge Dakota, but it packs a commensurate thirst as well.
