The 2011 GMC Canyon is available in three trims--Work Truck, SLE and SLT--and in three body styles--Regular, Extended and Crew cab. Two bed lengths (5.1-foot and 6-foot) and three different engines are available.
The standard engine for the base Work Truck is a 185-horsepower, 2.9L inline-4 that produces 185 hp and 190 ft-lb of torque. The SLT gets a 3.7L inline-5 engine making 242 hp and 242 ft-lb of torque. This engine is standard on all Crew Cabs with 4-wheel drive. Optional on the Extended Cab, Crew Cab, SLE and SLT trims is a 5.3L flex-fuel capable V8 engine offering 300 hp and 320 ft-lb of torque.
The base 2.9L 4-cylinder engine comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed automatic transmission is optional on the base model but standard on Crew Cabs. Rear-wheel drive is standard across the lineup. A shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system is optional across the lineup.
Regular and Extended Cab trims come with a 6-foot cargo bed, while the bed on Crew Cab trims measures just over 5-feet long. For transporting long objects, both beds come with a tailgate that can be locked in a 55-degree position to line up with the top of the rear wheel wells.
Standard safety equipment on all Canyons includes the OnStar emergency system, antilock 4-wheel brakes with front disc brakes, traction control, head curtain airbags, side curtain airbags, crash sensor with GPS, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and GM's electronic stability system.
The Regular Cab Work Truck features, as standard, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, OnStar 9.0, 16-inch steel wheels, a bedliner, a 60/40-split front bench seat, cruise control and satellite radio. The Regular Cab SLE adds aluminum wheels, fog lights, chrome interior accents and upgraded audio. The Extended Cab SLE adds power accessories and keyless entry. The Extended Cab SLT adds chrome wheels, leather-trimmed interior accents and power heated front bucket seats. The Crew Cab SLT comes standard with all the above-mentioned features as well as a heavy-duty suspension.
Several optional packages bring extensive appearance and suspension changes to the 2011 Canyon. For off-road enthusiasts, there's the Z71 Off-Road package, which includes a high-stance suspension, torsion bars, off-road tires, a locking rear differential, wheel flares, jounce bumpers and skid plates. It is available only on the SLE and SLT trims with 4WD.
Also looking the part for street-racing is the ZQ8 Sport Suspension package, available only on V8 versions of the Extended or Crew Cab trims. The ZQ8 brings a "slammed" appearance from a stiffer sport suspension that rides about an inch lower than standard models. Painted aluminum 18-inch wheels, low-profile sport tires and a power-steering cooler are also included.
Economical Pricing
Predictable And Reassuring Handling
Many Styles And Configurations Available
For 2011, the GMC Canyon features OnStar 9.0 with a 6-month Directions and Connections plan. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity is now standard and the front headrests have been redesigned. Aqua Blue Metallic is a new exterior color and a new chrome package includes a chrome fuel door and exhaust tip.
The 2011 GMC Canyon falls in the compact pickup truck category and is a sister vehicle to the Chevrolet Colorado. Base pricing starts at $17,000, making it one of the most affordable entry-level trucks available. The Canyon has been praised by reviewers for its simple and straightforward layout of interior controls and gauges. Properly equipped with the Z85 towing package on the optional V8 engine, the 2010 Canyon can tow up to 6,000 pounds. It competes directly with the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma. Fuel economy is estimated at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
