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Acceleration
"In daily commuting, 4 cyl is adequate with 2WD and manual transmission, sluggish
with 4WD and automatic. The 5 cyl is sprightly with 2WD, adequate with 4WD. Both
engines well-matched to quick-shifting automatic transmission. "
Value
"Canyon and cousin Colorado focus on the light-duty non-commercial user--assuming
heavy haulers will move up to a full-size GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado. Given
that mission, these are useful, well-balanced small trucks. List prices are fairly
steep, however, so don't buy without a substantial discount."
Ride
"Better than most other compact pickups. Generally composed with base Z85 suspension,
though abrupt vertical motions evident over bumps and dips, plus some jitter
on badly broken surfaces. Stiffer Z71 off-road suspension grows tiresome on long
drives."
Economy
"No opportunity to measure Canyon with 4 cyl, but test 4-cyl Colorado with manual
transmission averaged 18.1 mpg in mostly city driving. With 5-cyl, extended-cab
2WD averaged 18.8 mpg, a 4WD Crew Cab 18.1. Those test numbers reflect mostly
highway work, but slightly better those of V6 rivals. GM recommends regular-grade
fuel for both engines."
Noise
"Less wind and road noise than most competitors, though highway wind rush prominent
around doors of extended and crew models. GM's 5-cyl engine louder, coarser than
rivals' V6s; 4 cyl par for the class."
Comfort - Front
Lots of leg and head room; seats adequately comfortable for long drives. Middle seat for occasional use only.
Comfort - Rear
"Extended-cab's rear seat best suits preteens; adults lack leg room even if front
seats pushed well forward. Crew cab somewhat more spacious, but leg room still
no better than a subcompact sedan's. On both, rear seats hard and undersized,
and entry/exit difficult through small door openings."
Controls
"Audio/climate controls simple to use, clearly marked. Gauges easy to read, but
some digital readouts wash out in direct sunlight. Interior materials and fit-and-finish
above average for the class. Still, some test models had a few squeaks and rattles
from the dashboard area."
Cargo Room
"Interior storage limited on regular cabs, good on extended and crew cabs with
seats folded. Unique two-way support cable allows securing tailgate in a part-open
position, letting 4x8-ft sheets ride atop the wheelwells and tailgate."
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