CanadianDriver's New Car Buyer's Guide 2007:
GMC Canyon
For 2007, the GMC Canyon receives two new engines: the 2.8-litre four-cylinder of 2006 becomes a 2.9-litre with variable valve timing (VVT) and an increase of 10 hp, while the 3.5-litre inline five-cylinder is upgraded to a 3.7-litre with VVT, for an increase of 22 hp. A 125-amp alternator replaces the previous 110-amp unit; the transmission shift quality is improved; a tire pressure monitoring system becomes standard; there are new 15-inch chrome finish wheels and, on the ZQ8, there are new 18-inch bright-finish aluminum wheels. Interior trim is revised, with chrome accents and available Ebony colour; on the outside, there’s new Sport Blue, Midnight Blue Metallic and Sonoma Red Metallic, edging out retiring Superior Blue Metallic and Dark Cherry Metallic.
Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: GMC
Like its twin Chevrolet Colorado, the Canyon is available in Regular Cab, Extended Cab with two rear-hinged rear doors, and Crew Cab with four independently-opening doors; two bed lengths; and two- and four-wheel drive. Regular and Extended Cab models come in SL or SLE trim, while the Crew Cab is SLE only. There’s also a ZQ8 sport model and Z71 Off-Road Package.
All models base with the four-cylinder and can be optioned to the five-cylinder, except for the 4WD Crew Cab, which uses the 3.7-litre exclusively. The base transmission in Regular and Extended Cab models is a five-speed standard, which can be optioned to the four-speed automatic that’s used on all Crew Cab models. All come with rack-and-pinion steering, anti-lock brakes, intermittent wipers, air conditioning, tilt wheel, cruise control and folding outside mirrors; other standard or available features include traction control, keyless remote entry, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar, fog lights, auto-dimming inside mirror, running boards, heated seats, curtain airbags, leather interior, power mirrors and rear sliding window.
Crew Cab models use a three-passenger 60/40 folding rear seat, while Extended Cab models have two folding rear seats. Regular and Extended Cab models have a 6-foot-1 (1.85 metre) pickup bed, while the Crew Cab bed is 5-foot-1 (1.55 metre). Both offer two-tier cargo loading and lockable, removable tailgates that can be opened up to almost 90 degrees, but can also be set at a 55-degree opening. This puts it at the height of the top of the rear wheel wells, to carry cargo up to the traditional 4-by-8 sheet of plywood.
The Canyon covers a wide range, starting as a work truck and finishing as a heavily optioned-out boulevard cruiser. It’s still one of the smallest pickup trucks on the market, making it popular with buyers who don’t necessarily want or need a bigger rig. The new engines and improved performance make this a good, solid value in the small truck field.
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