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2008 GMC Canyon Features Review

November 5, 2008

FEATURES | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Focuses on the light-duty noncommercial user
ConsumerGuide

Several packages are available to tailor the Canyon to specific duties
Edmunds

Options include heated leather front bucket seats
Cars.com

For pickup buyers, cargo capacity and storage configurations are what matters most, but the 2008 GMC Canyon scores remarkably low in this area, according to many review sources. ConsumerGuide reviewers are disappointed to discover that "interior storage is limited on regular cabs," though they report it is "good on extended and Crew Cabs with the rear seats folded." The short and shorter beds available on the GMC Canyon don't help much with overall carrying capacity, either. While Edmunds does note that the "dual-position tailgate can be secured partially open to better support the carrying of 4x8 sheets," the system is awkward and requires that the sheets "ride on top of the wheelwells."

Otherwise, the 2008 GMC Canyon may be a low-priced pickup, but that doesn't mean you won't find a respectable array of standard conveniences on even the lowest trim level.

Kelley Blue Book reviewers reports features such as "air conditioning, cruise control...chrome front and rear bumpers," and "automatic headlamps" on the 2008 GMC Canyon SL. ConsumerGuide adds that an "AM/FM radio" is standard on all GMC Canyon models as well. Moving up to the SLE trim, Edmunds notes this Canyon GMC model garners "OnStar, an upgraded front bench, a CD/MP3 player and options not available on the SL." Furthermore, the SLT trim of the Canyon GMC "adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery and heated power front bucket seats."

Numerous option packages are available for the GMC Canyon. The Z71 Off-Road package seems to be one of the preferred 2008 GMC Canyon options in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, with ConsumerGuide reporting that upgrades include a "limited-slip differential, wheel flares, front tow hooks, off-road suspension, full-size spare tire, [and] 265/75R15 on/off-road tires." The ZQ8 package is geared toward street tuners and includes such features as "18-inch aluminum rims and a lowered ride height," according to Cars.com. Cars.com reviewers also state that other "options include heated leather front bucket seats" and "an in-dash six-CD changer"; "XM Satellite Radio is available" as well. According to Edmunds, that six-CD changer is part of a "'Sun and Sound' package" on the GMC Canyon "that bundles a six-CD changer with a power sunroof."

Conclusion

The 2008 GMC Canyon is a great truck for those interested in mixing and matching a variety of options, but keep an eye on the bottom line.

FEATURES | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Focuses on the light-duty noncommercial userConsumerGuideSeveral packages are available to tailor the Canyon to specific dutiesEdmundsOptions include heated leather front bucket seatsCars.com For pickup buyers, cargo capacity and storage configurations are what matters most, but the 2008 GMC Canyon scores remarkably low in this area, according to many review sources. ConsumerGuide reviewers are disappointed to discover that "interior storage is limited on regular cabs," though they report it is "good on extended and Crew Cabs with the rear seats folded." The short and shorter beds available on the GMC Canyon don't help much with overall carrying capacity, either. While Edmunds does note that the "dual-position tailgate can be secured partially open to better support the carrying of 4x8 sheets," the system is awkward and requires that the sheets "ride on top of the wheelwells." Otherwise, the 2008 GMC Canyon may be a low-priced pickup, but that doesn't mean you won't find a respectable array of standard conveniences on even the lowest trim level. Kelley Blue Book reviewers reports features such as "air conditioning, cruise control...chrome front and rear bumpers," and "automatic headlamps" on the 2008 GMC Canyon SL. ConsumerGuide adds that an "AM/FM radio" is standard on all GMC Canyon models as well. Moving up to the SLE trim, Edmunds notes this Canyon GMC model garners "OnStar, an upgraded front bench, a CD/MP3 player and options not available on the SL." Furthermore, the SLT trim of the Canyon GMC "adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery and heated power front bucket seats." Numerous option packages are available for the GMC Canyon. The Z71 Off-Road package seems to be one of the preferred 2008 GMC Canyon options in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, with ConsumerGuide reporting that upgrades include a "limited-slip differential, wheel flares, front tow hooks, off-road suspension, full-size spare tire, [and] 265/75R15 on/off-road tires." The ZQ8 package is geared toward street tuners and includes such features as "18-inch aluminum rims and a lowered ride height," according to Cars.com. Cars.com reviewers also state that other "options include heated leather front bucket seats" and "an in-dash six-CD changer"; "XM Satellite Radio is available" as well. According to Edmunds, that six-CD changer is part of a "'Sun and Sound' package" on the GMC Canyon "that bundles a six-CD changer with a power sunroof." ConclusionThe 2008 GMC Canyon is a great truck for those interested in mixing and matching a variety of options, but keep an eye on the bottom line. 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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