2009 GMC Canyon Pick Up Truck Review

Introduction of 2009 GMC Canyon

The 2009 GMC Canyon priced at MSRP $16,705 – $27,075 is a pick up truck that features many of the attributes that a truck buyer is looking at. This edition offers multiple engine choices and body styles along with a rugged styling. It competes with traditional leaders in this segment like Nissan Frontier, Dodge Dakota and the Toyota Tacoma.

What’s on offer?

The new 2009 edition adds a much needed V8 engine option. This edition also includes StabiliTrak, a bedliner and XM Satellite Radio in its standard features. The Braking system has been upgraded to offer better efficiency.

The 2009 GMC Canyon has made a handful of exterior styling changes. The SL trim has been removed from the list and the sport suspension option has been added to its basic features.

Silhouette

The 2009 GMC Canyon features a very athletic body style with body colored moldings, bezels and surrounds which offers a very sporty exterior appearance to this edition. This edition has been styled with an angular headlight brow which has been borrowed from the Colorado .The front end is styled with rectangular oval grille which adds a stunning look to its exterior body.

The GMC Canyon has added a range of new colors like navy Blue and Aqua Blue metallic which adds the finishing touches to this new edition.

The GMC Canyon is available in three different body styles viz. regular cab, extended cab and crew cab.

Inside the cabin

The 2009 GMC Canyon has its interiors styled with subpar materials and mediocre seat designs. However they have planned a simple and straightforward layout for its controls and gauges.

The seating on the front seats is quite comfortable while the rear seat is crammed on the extended cab and crew cab models and is fit for kids only.

There is ample of under seat storage space. In the rear end, the cargo boxes features two tier loading.

Features of 2009 GMC Canyon

The 2009 GMC Canyon is available in three primary trims viz. Work Truck, SLE, SLT.

The regular cab work truck features 16 inch steel wheels, a bedliner, air-conditioning, satellite radio and cruise control.
The regular cab SLE edition features aluminum wheels, chrome interior accents, fog lights, and an upgraded radio with CD player.  Power accessories are available at an additional cost. The extended cab SLE includes features such as remote keyless entry and full power accessories.

The extended cab SLT boasts of features such as chrome wheels, power heated front bucket seats and leather-trimmed interiors while the crew cab SLT adds heavy duty suspension.

There are optional off road suspension package which is available which includes larger wheels and tires, skid plates, and a locking rear differential on 4WD editions.

The GMC Canyon also offers a ZQ8 sport suspension package on the 2WD extended- and crew-cab models with the new V8 engine which includes 18 inch wheels with performance tires, a lowered suspension and quicker steering.

GMC Canyon Powertrain

The 2009 GMC Canyon is powered with the standard 2.9 liter cylinder which generates 185 horsepower and 190 pounds feet of torque on the SLE models. The SLT trim comes with an option of 3.7 liter inline five cylinder engine which gives out 242 horsepower and 242 pounds feet of torque.

GMC has added a new V8 engine which generates 300 horsepower and 320 pounds feet of torque.  Rear wheel drive is standard on all editions.

The standard 2.9 liter engine is teamed with five speed manual transmission except in crew cabs which offer four speed automatic transmission. The larger engines come with automatic transmission.

The GMC Canyon with 2.9 liter and 2WD offers a fuel economy of 18/24 /20 mpg while the V8 powered crew cabs offers 14/19/16 mpg.

During the test drive we noted that wind noise tends to increase at highway speeds. The four and five cylinders engines offer a smooth ride but lags behind when compared to its competitors. Its suspensions are well calibrated to offer a refined ride and handling.

2009 GMC Canyon Safety

The 2009 GMC Canyon comes with standard antilock brakes and OnStar emergency communication. Side curtain airbags are available as optional features.

During the various crash test that were conducted the GMC Canyon crew cab earned a perfect five stars for driver and front passenger protection and four stars out of five for front-occupant protection and five stars for rear passengers Side-impact  test with the optional side curtain airbags.

Other Canyon editions earned four stars in all the tests.

Conclusion

We concluded that even with the addition of a new V8 engine the 2009 GMC Canyon still does not measure up to the performance of its competitors.  The main advantages of this edition are affordable price and varied engine choice. The main drawbacks that were noted are subpar build quality, V8 engine lacks power and mediocre seating comfort.