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2009 GMC Canyon Safety Review

March 7, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Optional side-curtain airbags are a first for this segment
Kelley Blue Book

Five stars, frontal impact (four-door) and passenger side impact; four stars, frontal impact (two-door) and driver side impact
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset test; "poor," side impact test (without optional side airbags)
IIHS

If you pay $395 for the optional side curtain airbags, the 2009 GMC Canyon qualifies as one of the safest small trucks on the market, especially now that StabiliTrak electronic stability control is included across the line as a standard feature.

All body styles of the 2009 GMC Canyon earn four stars for driver-side impact protection and another perfect five-star rating for passenger-side impact protection in crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The crash-test results for the 2009 GMC Canyon are quite respectable. NHTSA also reports that four-door models achieve a perfect five-star rating in front impact tests, while two-door models get four out of five stars in the same category.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) supports NHTSA’s findings, at least in terms of front impacts, where the GMC Canyon earns the Institute's highest possible rating, "good," in frontal offset impact tests. The ratings between the two agencies differ, however, when it comes to side impact protection. Whereas the GMC Canyons tested by NHTSA have the optional side-impact airbags installed and thus earn high ratings, the IIHS versions do not and therefore are slapped with a "poor" rating in side impact tests. As ConsumerGuide points out, the side curtain bags are a $395 option, but they're well worth it for the additional protection they offer.

Car and Driver also likes that "one year's OnStar coverage"—which might help you more quickly locate assistance if you have an accident or a breakdown—is included on all 2009 GMC Canyons.

Conclusion

Standard electronic stability control goes a long way toward making the 2009 GMC Canyon one of the safer compacts. Get the side-curtain bags and you’ll be especially secure.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Optional side-curtain airbags are a first for this segmentKelley Blue BookFive stars, frontal impact (four-door) and passenger side impact; four stars, frontal impact (two-door) and driver side impactNHTSAGood," frontal offset test; "poor," side impact test (without optional side airbags)IIHS If you pay $395 for the optional side curtain airbags, the 2009 GMC Canyon qualifies as one of the safest small trucks on the market, especially now that StabiliTrak electronic stability control is included across the line as a standard feature. All body styles of the 2009 GMC Canyon earn four stars for driver-side impact protection and another perfect five-star rating for passenger-side impact protection in crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The crash-test results for the 2009 GMC Canyon are quite respectable. NHTSA also reports that four-door models achieve a perfect five-star rating in front impact tests, while two-door models get four out of five stars in the same category. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) supports NHTSA’s findings, at least in terms of front impacts, where the GMC Canyon earns the Institute's highest possible rating, "good," in frontal offset impact tests. The ratings between the two agencies differ, however, when it comes to side impact protection. Whereas the GMC Canyons tested by NHTSA have the optional side-impact airbags installed and thus earn high ratings, the IIHS versions do not and therefore are slapped with a "poor" rating in side impact tests. As ConsumerGuide points out, the side curtain bags are a $395 option, but they're well worth it for the additional protection they offer. Car and Driver also likes that "one year's OnStar coverage"—which might help you more quickly locate assistance if you have an accident or a breakdown—is included on all 2009 GMC Canyons. ConclusionStandard electronic stability control goes a long way toward making the 2009 GMC Canyon one of the safer compacts. Get the side-curtain bags and you’ll be especially secure.  2009 GMC CANYON STYLING | [6 out of 10] MyRide.com: "looks mean and menacing, albeit in a classy GMC manner" Car and Driver: "A broad variety of body styles, wheelbase and cargo-bed lengths" Kelley Blue Book: "Interior layout is highly functional" Most reviewers are quite happy ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Chevrolet Colorado is nearly identical to the Canyon in every way—except for different grilles and slight variations in badging and trim. The Ford Ranger reigns as the strongest competitor to the Canyon and Colorado; the Ranger is an aging design, but at the four-cylinder level it’s more enjoyable to drive than the GM twins and gets decent fuel economy. The Ranger also comes in a wide range of configurations, including strong V-6 versions, although it doesn’t compete with the new V-8. The Toyota Tacoma is a step larger, but it gives the Canyon a run for the money, as its base price is more than $1,000 lower, with strong, smooth performance from its standard four-cylinder engine and hearty, competitive hauling power from its optional V-6. The Tacoma also has especially solid resale value. The Nissan Frontier feels larger, though it comes with a base four-cylinder engine or an exceptionally torquey and smooth 3.5-liter V-6. The Dakota is another alternative, but in terms of size it’s just short of full-size trucks; it’s not as maneuverable and gets less-than-stellar fuel economy from its V-6 and V-8 engines.

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See the GMC Canyon in Other Years:

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

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