2012 GMC Canyon Overview

The 2012 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 4-cylinder that produces 185 hp and 190 ft-lb of torque. This engine is standard on all Work Trucks. The SLE and SLTs get a 3.7L 4-cylinder that makes 242 horsepower. A 5.3L V8 capable of 300 horsepower and 320 lb-feet of torque is optional.

There's only one transmission, and it's a 4-speed automatic. 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.

2012 GMC Canyon Model Changes

For 2012, the SLE Canyon loses its manual transmission; otherwise the Canyon is basically unchanged.

2012 GMC Canyon Value

The GMC Canyon falls in the compact pickup truck category and is a sister vehicle to the Chevrolet Colorado. Base pricing starts at $17,410, 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 2012 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 for the 2-wheel drive 4-cylinder version.

2012 GMC Canyon Strengths

Economical pricing; predictable and reassuring handling; many styles and configurations available