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2008 GMC Canyon Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com’s team of car enthusiasts and writers researched stories about the GMC Canyon online to bring you this comprehensive review. TheCarConnection.com’s editors also drove the 2008 GMC Canyon to be able to deliver more driving impressions where needed, to compare it with other cars in the class and to help you decide which review to trust when they have differing opinions.

Likes:

  • For better or worse, it’s smaller
  • Choice of body styles
  • Gas-sipping four-cylinder/manual drivetrain

Dislikes:

  • No V-6 or V-8 option
  • Midgrade plastics in the cabin
  • No bed longer than six feet
  • Flat rear bench that doesn’t stow in the floor

Buying Tips:


The 2008 GMC Canyon comes in a work-truck version and it’s the best value for this smaller pickup. Compare prices and features with the Ford Ranger before buying -- and take it easy on the order sheet or you could end up spending more for a Canyon than you would for a full-size pickup with a reasonably powerful V-6 engine.

Small pickup trucks have their place in the world. Pickups like the 2008 GMC Canyon are the main vehicles of choice for some plumbers, electricians, and some drivers looking for off-road capability without the punishing fuel bills of a full-sizer.

While it’s compact and reasonably easy on gas, the 2008 GMC Canyon isn’t much fun to drive. A near-twin of the Chevrolet Colorado, the Canyon’s four- and five-cylinder engines and its six-foot-long-at-best pickup bed draw a tight circle around its capabilities and its fun.

Two engines are offered on the 2008 GMC Canyon. Base versions use a 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine offering 185 horsepower, while the optional in-line five-cylinder engine measures in at 3.9 liters and delivers 242 horsepower. The four-cylinder gets as much as 18/24 mpg, while the five-cylinder musters 15/20 mpg with the automatic transmission. With either engine, the Canyon is disappointing. The engines are noisy and unrefined, even compared to the four-cylinder Nissan Frontier. A smooth V-6 would be a good option but none is available.

The 2008 GMC Canyon does come in a wide range of styles. It’s available in either rear- or four-wheel drive, in short-wheelbase regular-cab and long-wheelbase extended- and four-door crew-cab versions, and can seat up to six passengers in crew-cab mode. The back seat stands uncomfortably upright on four-door versions, though, and there’s no option to fold the seats under the floor, which would make the rear area much more useful. The six-foot “long” bed won’t carry the 4x8 sheet of plywood, and four-door Canyons have only a 5-foot, 1-inch bed anyway.

The GMC Canyon’s styling is somewhat better than the Chevrolet Colorado, but it’s still a little too much for a small truck. The Canyon’s interior wears a lot of plastic and clicky switches.

Three different suspension packages are offered, along with a long list of options that allows for maximum customization. In most versions the 2008 GMC Canyon has better-than-average ride and handling.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and folding exterior mirrors. Options include traction control, XM, fog lamps; leather seats; a sunroof; a six-CD changer and a sliding rear window. OnStar is offered but there is no navigation system, a real need in work trucks.

The four-door GMC Canyon gets five-star crash scores, while other versions get four stars. Side curtain airbags are optional but inexpensive.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 GMC Canyon, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Canyon shares its running gear with the Chevrolet Colorado, which you may find more attractive -- otherwise, the two are near-twins. The true competitor for the Canyon/Colorado is the Ford Ranger, an aging truck that still scores well in crash tests, gets decent fuel economy and comes in all sorts of flavors. Larger trucks like the Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma are a distinct size larger, and have four-cylinder engines that aren’t quite as frugal as that in the 2008 GMC Canyon.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 GMC Canyon is right-sized for today’s gas prices -- if only its engines were quieter and its rear seats more comfortable.

TheCarConnection.com’s team of car enthusiasts and writers researched stories about the GMC Canyon online to bring you this comprehensive review. TheCarConnection.com’s editors also drove the 2008 GMC Canyon to be able to deliver more driving impressions where needed, to compare it with other cars in the class and to help you decide which review to trust when they have differing opinions. Likes:For better or worse, it’s smallerChoice of body stylesGas-sipping four-cylinder/manual drivetrainDislikes:No V-6 or V-8 optionMidgrade plastics in the cabinNo bed longer than six feetFlat rear bench that doesn’t stow in the floorBuying Tips: The 2008 GMC Canyon comes in a work-truck version and it’s the best value for this smaller pickup. Compare prices and features with the Ford Ranger before buying -- and take it easy on the order sheet or you could end up spending more for a Canyon than you would for a full-size pickup with a reasonably powerful V-6 engine. Small pickup trucks have their place in the world. Pickups like the 2008 GMC Canyon are the main vehicles of choice for some plumbers, electricians, and some drivers looking for off-road capability without the punishing fuel bills of a full-sizer. While it’s compact and reasonably easy on gas, the 2008 GMC Canyon isn’t much fun to drive. A near-twin of the Chevrolet Colorado, the Canyon’s four- and five-cylinder engines and its six-foot-long-at-best pickup bed draw a tight circle around its capabilities and its fun. Two engines are offered on the 2008 GMC Canyon. Base versions use a 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine offering 185 horsepower, while the optional in-line five-cylinder engine measures in at 3.9 liters and delivers 242 horsepower. The four-cylinder gets as much as 18/24 mpg, while the five-cylinder musters 15/20 mpg with the automatic transmission. With either engine, the Canyon is disappointing. The engines are noisy and unrefined, even compared to the four-cylinder Nissan Frontier. A smooth V-6 would be a good option but none is available. The 2008 GMC Canyon does come in a wide range of styles. It’s available in either rear- or four-wheel drive, in short-wheelbase regular-cab and long-wheelbase extended- and four-door crew-cab versions, and can seat up to six passengers in crew-cab mode. The back seat stands uncomfortably upright on four-door versions, though, and there’s no option to fold the seats under the floor, which would make the rear area much more useful. The six-foot “long” bed won’t carry the 4x8 sheet of plywood, and four-door Canyons have only a 5-foot, 1-inch bed anyway. The GMC Canyon’s styling is somewhat better than the Chevrolet Colorado, but it’s still a little too much for a small truck. The Canyon’s interior wears a lot of plastic and clicky switches. Three different suspension packages are offered, along with a long list of options that allows for maximum customization. In most versions the 2008 GMC Canyon has better-than-average ride and handling. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and folding exterior mirrors. Options include traction control, XM, fog lamps; leather seats; a sunroof; a six-CD changer and a sliding rear window. OnStar is offered but there is no navigation system, a real need in work trucks. The four-door GMC Canyon gets five-star crash scores, while other versions get four stars. Side curtain airbags are optional but inexpensive. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 GMC Canyon, also consider:Chevrolet ColoradoDodge DakotaFord RangerNissan FrontierToyota TacomaReason Why:The Canyon shares its running gear with the Chevrolet Colorado, which you may find more attractive -- otherwise, the two are near-twins. The true competitor for the Canyon/Colorado is the Ford Ranger, an aging truck that still scores well in crash tests, gets decent fuel economy and comes in all sorts of flavors. Larger trucks like the Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma are a distinct size larger, and have four-cylinder engines that aren’t quite as frugal as that in the 2008 GMC Canyon. The Bottom Line:The 2008 GMC Canyon is right-sized for today’s gas prices -- if only its engines were quieter and its rear seats more comfortable. TheCarConnection.com’s team of car enthusiasts and writers researched stories about the GMC Canyon online to bring you this comprehensive review. TheCarConnection.com’s editors also drove the 2008 GMC Canyon to be able to deliver more driving impressions where needed, to compare it with ...

Other Choices:

The Canyon shares its running gear with the Chevrolet Colorado, which you may find more attractive -- otherwise, the two are near-twins. The true competitor for the Canyon/Colorado is the Ford Ranger, an aging truck that still scores well in crash tests, gets decent fuel economy and comes in all sorts of flavors. Larger trucks like the Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma are a distinct size larger, and have four-cylinder engines that aren’t quite as frugal as that in the 2008 GMC Canyon.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 GMC Canyon

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 GMC Canyon

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 GMC Canyon near you

See the GMC Canyon in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Mark #1, Posted: 3/4/2009

    Review scum by Edmunds and CarAndDriver

    Just a little history on allegedly underpowered 3.7l Canyon.Only road tests -comparisons between Canyon and competed compact pick-up trucks took place in 2005.Two major road tests were done by Edmunds and CarAndDriver.Performance data was published, impressions made and opinions formed.Since then they simply carryover their reviews from one year to another up to date. In 2007 GMC came up with bigger , stronger and updated engine. Since Canyon quite frankly is not up to competition with neither Nissan nor Toyota amd it is still essentially the same vehicle just with bigger engine, Edmunds and CarAndDriver simply decided ignore that fact.
    Yoy make take you calculator and go to 2005 test small pickup trucks performance data posted at Edmunds, and estimate Canyon performance with a new engine.Very conservatively speaking Canyon should be able to compete with Frontier and Tacoma. Only reliable information regarding measurable performance 3.7l Canyon, I found, is coming from TruckTestDigest at GulfCoastNews.com Comparable Tacoma and Canyon tested by the same team on drivers on the same track showed identical results for 1/4 mile and Tacoma being minimally faster at 0-60 test. It is worthy of mentioning that at 0-60 test Canyon lost slightly only because of significant wheel-hop and there was potential to go much faster (according to drivers testimony). So , actually was not Tacoma stronger engine but Tacoma technical superiority over Canyon.Many smaller car reviewers from all over the web copy and paste Edmunds opinions without even being aware that this information is somehow outdated.No major comparison tests were ever done between 3.7l Canyon and competition so there is no substantial proof that Canyon engine is any weaker that these of competition. Also is worthy of mentioning that driving impression and measurable performance are two different things in this regard Canyon is far behind Frontier and Tacoma.

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