The GMC Canyon dates back to the early 2000s, and it's not alone in the compact-truck field.
The Ford Ranger's even older, and so is the former Dodge Dakota.
Both of those trucks have been dropped for the 2012 model year, though you may still see a handful offered brand-new at showrooms, some of the Dakotas wearing Ram badges.
The newer entries in smaller trucks are the mid-sizers, and of the pair, we prefer the Nissan Frontier to the Toyota Tacoma.
The Tacoma gets an update this fall with a new look and Entune in-car infotainment, but it's been a rough rider in the past, and fairly pricey.
The Frontier still spans the range of frugal four-cylinder, rear-drive trucks up to expensive, V-6 off-road specials; four-door crew-cab models can be a big value compared to some compact crossovers and SUVs.
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 2012 GMC CanyonBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Chevrolet ColoradoBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Nissan FrontierBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Toyota TacomaBrowse Used Listings |  2011 Dodge DakotaBrowse Used Listings |  2011 Ford RangerBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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Crash test scores are a concern, but it you're shopping for a truly compact pickup truck, the 2012 GMC Canyon is probably a better pick than the Ranger or Dakota. |
The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado soldiers on as the only truly compact truck on the market (with its Canyon twin), but are you sure you don't really want a mid-size truck instead? |
You may not need to go full-size--the 2012 Nissan Frontier pickup truck can cover a lot of the same ground a bigger pickup can. |
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma's affordable price, fuel-efficiency, and simplicity make it a good, capable alternative for those who don't need a full-size truck. |
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| MSRP From | |||||
| $17,490 | $17,475 | $19,260 | $17,125 | N/A | $18,160 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 16 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | |
| Engine | |||||
| Gas I4 | Gas 4-Cyl | Gas 4-cyl | Gas I4 | N/A | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Style Name | |||||
| 2WD Reg Cab Work Truck | 2WD Reg Cab Work Truck | 2WD King Cab I4 Manual S | 2WD Reg Cab I4 MT (GS) | N/A | 2WD Reg Cab 112" XL |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | N/A | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | N/A | 3 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Regular Cab | Regular Cab | King Cab | Regular Cab | N/A | Reg Cab 6' Styleside |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | N/A | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2012 GMC Canyon vs. 2012 Chevrolet Colorado | 2012 GMC Canyon vs. 2012 Nissan Frontier | 2012 GMC Canyon vs. 2012 Toyota Tacoma | 2012 GMC Canyon vs. 2011 Dodge Dakota | 2012 GMC Canyon vs. 2011 Ford Ranger | |
