The 2015 GMC Canyon Sure to Turn Heads

The new year has hardly arrived and already the automotive world is looking at 2015 with the Detroit unveiling of the GMC Canyon. For a long time virtually ignored by manufacturers, the mid-size pickup market took center stage at the 2014 auto show, and the Canyon was touted as just plain awesome. It shares powertrain elements with the Chevrolet Colorado, unveiled at the auto show in L.A. last November, but is overall a slightly upgraded version. GM’s CEO-elect, Mary Barra, feels the Canyon “redefines” mid-size trucks and called it “pure CMC.”

The Canyon features two cab styles. The crew cab has a 5- or 6-foot bed with a 6-foot bed for the extended cab. This pickup also has C-shaped LED daytime running lamps, a three-bar grille slightly less than heavy-duty pickups, corner rear bumper steps, and strong hood lines. The painted aluminum wheels carry all-terrain tires.

The same options offered for the engine of the Chevrolet Colorado are available on the Canyon. This includes the standard 2.5-liter, four cylinder with 193 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as a 3.6-liter V6, estimated to give 302 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines also have aluminum block crankshafts and jet-spray piston cooling. According to GM, this mid-size truck will be a leader in the efficient use of fuel, horsepower, and payload.

The Canyon’s newly styled cabin is a step up in finishing interiors. The inlaid doors have triple seals to keep the noise down, and seating for five is standard on all models. The SLTs also boast leather upholstery and heated front bucket seats. On the extended cab models, the rear seat can be deleted to allow for more cargo space. All models come standard with six airbags, traction control, and a rear-vision camera. The tow rating of the Canyon is 6,700 pounds.

GM’s new entry in the mid-size truck market will be mainly in competition with three other models.The Hondas Ridgeline features a crew cab with a 5-foot bed and the tow rating is 5,000 pounds. The Nissan Frontier does not compare with the Canyon’s new technology. The Toyota Tacoma is the best-selling mid-size pickup on the market, but has not been redesigned for years. It lacks Canyon’s new technology and safety features.

GM says this new mid-size entry will feature an 8.0 inch color IntelliLink multimedia system with advanced navigation, capability for the iPhone set, and wide range of apps. This mid-size offering will go into production at GM’s assembly plant in Missouri in the fall.