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2008 GMC Canyon Review

November 5, 2008

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Distinctively rugged styling
Edmunds

Interior layout is highly functional
Kelley Blue Book

A broad variety of body styles, wheelbase and cargo-bed lengths
Car and Driver

A large part of any pickup truck's appeal is its macho exterior styling. With the 2008 GMC Canyon, it seems like GM tried to give its smallest pickup offering a dose of that macho look—with mixed results.

The 2008 GMC Canyon is a small pickup that comes in "a broad variety of body styles, wheelbase and cargo-bed lengths," according to Car and Driver. Edmunds reports that the Canyon GMC comes in "three body style configurations: regular cab, extended cab (with short reverse-opening doors) or crew cab with four regular forward-swinging doors." Furthermore, Edmunds adds that "crew cabs come with a 5-foot cargo box while other Canyons feature a 6-footer." Drivers pleased with the visual appeal of GMC's previous vehicles will not find any unwelcome surprises in the GMC Canyon, as Cars.com observes that the Canyon GMC has "a distinctive front end...that gives the Canyon a strong family resemblance to other GMC products." Kelley Blue Book remarks that the GMC Canyon is "the mirror image of its sister vehicle, the Chevrolet Colorado," and features "bulging fender flares and bright alloy wheels [that] punctuate tall slab sides." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com tend to appreciate the styling of the 2008 GMC Canyon, which Edmunds calls "distinctively rugged," though you certainly won't stand out much from some other GM light pickups on the road.

Unfortunately, while the exterior scores somewhat above average with reviewers, the interior of the GMC Canyon is a different story. Even if you like the view from afar, Edmunds warns that "the attraction ends when you open the door." Cars.com observes that the "Canyon's interior trim was revised to include chrome accents," but reviewers still lament what Car and Driver calls the "rental-car interior décor." On the positive side, Kelley Blue Book does point out that the 2008 GMC Canyon's "gauges and controls [are] within clear sight and easy reach of the driver."

Conclusion

The 2008 GMC Canyon's exterior is tried-and-true, but it looks decidedly chintzy inside.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Distinctively rugged stylingEdmundsInterior layout is highly functionalKelley Blue BookA broad variety of body styles, wheelbase and cargo-bed lengthsCar and Driver A large part of any pickup truck's appeal is its macho exterior styling. With the 2008 GMC Canyon, it seems like GM tried to give its smallest pickup offering a dose of that macho look—with mixed results. The 2008 GMC Canyon is a small pickup that comes in "a broad variety of body styles, wheelbase and cargo-bed lengths," according to Car and Driver. Edmunds reports that the Canyon GMC comes in "three body style configurations: regular cab, extended cab (with short reverse-opening doors) or crew cab with four regular forward-swinging doors." Furthermore, Edmunds adds that "crew cabs come with a 5-foot cargo box while other Canyons feature a 6-footer." Drivers pleased with the visual appeal of GMC's previous vehicles will not find any unwelcome surprises in the GMC Canyon, as Cars.com observes that the Canyon GMC has "a distinctive front end...that gives the Canyon a strong family resemblance to other GMC products." Kelley Blue Book remarks that the GMC Canyon is "the mirror image of its sister vehicle, the Chevrolet Colorado," and features "bulging fender flares and bright alloy wheels [that] punctuate tall slab sides." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com tend to appreciate the styling of the 2008 GMC Canyon, which Edmunds calls "distinctively rugged," though you certainly won't stand out much from some other GM light pickups on the road. Unfortunately, while the exterior scores somewhat above average with reviewers, the interior of the GMC Canyon is a different story. Even if you like the view from afar, Edmunds warns that "the attraction ends when you open the door." Cars.com observes that the "Canyon's interior trim was revised to include chrome accents," but reviewers still lament what Car and Driver calls the "rental-car interior décor." On the positive side, Kelley Blue Book does point out that the 2008 GMC Canyon's "gauges and controls [are] within clear sight and easy reach of the driver." ConclusionThe 2008 GMC Canyon's exterior is tried-and-true, but it looks decidedly chintzy inside. 2008 GMC CANYON STYLING | [6 out of 10] Edmunds: "Distinctively rugged styling" Kelley Blue Book: "Interior layout is highly functional" Car and Driver: "A broad variety of body styles, wheelbase and cargo-bed lengths" A large part of any pickup truck's appeal is its macho exterior ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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.

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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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