What Is the 2016 GMC Canyon?
The 2016 GMC Canyon is a mid-size pickup truck that seats two, four or five depending on cab style. Competitors include the Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline, Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma. Trim levels include SL, Base, SLE and SLT. The SL is available only as a 4×2, while all other trims are available with rear- or four-wheel drive.
What's New on the 2016 GMC Canyon?
For 2016, the GMC Canyon added an optional 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine. Additionally, a sliding rear window became standard on SLT models and available in the SLE Convenience Package.
How Does the 2016 GMC Canyon Compare to Other Pickup Trucks?
The 2016 GMC Canyon is available with some amenities that are unusual for a mid-size truck – such as an upgraded Bose audio system and a 4G LTE wireless hotspot (subscription required) – and its price reflects that. While its optional features come at a premium, they also propel the Canyon ahead of many of its rivals in terms of high-tech features.
More importantly, the Canyon offers a level of driving refinement that's rare for a mid-size pickup. This, combined with its high-end tech options, makes it no surprise that it beat out competitors like the Colorado, Tacoma, Frontier and Ridgeline in Pickuptruck.com's 2016 Midsize Pickup Challenge.
What Features in the 2016 GMC Canyon Are Most Important?
The 2016 GMC Canyon comes standard with a 200-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Notable standard features include an Extended Cab body, 6-foot bed, fully boxed frame, four-wheel disc brakes, backup camera and four-way power-adjustable driver's seat with manual recline. As is required in every new vehicle, the Canyon also comes equipped with antilock brakes, front airbags and an electronic stability system.
The 2016 Canyon is available with a 305-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 or a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that offers 181 hp and 369 pounds-feet of torque; both engines pair with a six-speed automatic transmission. Notable available features include a Crew Cab, 5-foot bed, factory-installed spray-in bedliner, 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth connectivity, IntelliLink multimedia system with 8-inch touchscreen, forward collision warning and lane departure warning.
When properly equipped, the 2016 Canyon can tow up to 3,500 pounds with the four-cylinder gas engine, up to 7,000 pounds with the V-6 and up to 7,700 pounds with the four-cylinder diesel engine.
Should I Buy the 2016 GMC Canyon?
The 2016 GMC Canyon is head and shoulders above many of its competitors in terms of ride quality and available tech features, but its price is higher, as well. It offers a surprisingly refined ride and a quiet interior, too. That refinement comes with certain sacrifices: The Canyon's off-road capability is standard at best, and gearing options are limited.
Taken as a whole, the GMC Canyon can be had with a level of opulence far ahead of other models in its class, and it's quite capable, too, making it a fine choice for those who want a mid-size pickup truck that's as capable as it is feature-rich.
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