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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 GMC Canyon Regular Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 GMC Canyon Regular Cab

Overview

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2009 GMC Canyon Regular Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

The 2009 GMC Canyon is the mirror image of its sister vehicle, the Chevrolet Colorado. GMC adds a few upscale touches to try and distinguish its truck, but, for the most part, the two are interchangeable at every level. As with the Colorado, the Canyon offers customers a compact truck big on value, with a choice of four or five-cylinder engines, two-wheel or four-wheel drive and three configurations: Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab. Though not as powerful or roomy as the imports, the Canyon does have its strong points, namely an affordable base price and relatively good fuel economy.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like the clean yet bold look of GMC pickup design, but want it in a smaller package that gets better fuel economy, check out the 2009 GMC Canyon. We think the optional five-cylinder engine is an under-appreciated gem.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you need something with more interior room, cargo space or towing capacity, you will be better off looking at some of the larger mid-size trucks from Dodge or Nissan, or even a full-size pickup.

What's New for 2009

A host of new equipment includes revised wheels, more standard equipment on SLT and Work Truck trims and an improved Z71 package. Enhanced safety features include standard StabiliTrak stability control and a new braking system. A 5.3-liter V8 can now be ordered on both Extended and Crew Cab models and the sport-oriented ZQ8 suspension package is revived for 2009.

Driving the Canyon Regular Cab

Driving Impressions The 2009 GMC Canyon's greatest improvement over previous GMC compact trucks can be found in its chassis and powertrain. The body-on-frame chassis is extremely rigid and you can feel it...

in the way the Canyon handles, both off-road and while cornering. Even over washboard roads, the Canyon exhibited none of the dash-rattling or squeaks that might be expected, although the rear axle does hop around quite a bit. GMC has created a number of performance and off-road packages to enhance the Canyon's rugged image. Oddly, despite its short wheelbase, the Canyon exhibits an unusually large turning radius. As for power, the standard in-line four-cylinder is fairly potent for such a small engine. When ordered with the manual transmission, it also offers exceptionally good fuel economy.

Favorite Features

Tailgate Design
The Canyon's tailgate can be set at a 55-degree angle that aligns the top of the tailgate with the tops of the wheel housings, thus allowing easy loading and hauling of large, flat panels.

Side-Curtain Airbags
Optional side-curtain airbags are an inexpensive safety feature that can protect occupants in the event of a side impact accident.

2009 GMC Canyon Regular Cab Details

Interior

The Canyon's interior layout is highly functional, with all the gauges and controls within clear sight and easy reach of the driver. The seats offer firm bottoms and good lumbar support and the cloth fabric is both durable and comfortable. Crew Cab models offer a usable but somewhat upright rear seat, while Extended Cabs feature two, limited-use flip down seat bottoms best used on short trips and with short passengers. The Canyon offers a bit more contrast inside than its Chevy cousin, which helps break up the monotone color scheme and lends an upscale look.

Exterior

Bulging fender flares and bright alloy wheels punctuate the Canyon's tall slab sides. Regular Cab models ride on a 111.3-inch wheelbase while Extended and Crew Cab models ride on a 126.0-inch wheelbase. The bed length for the Regular and Extended Cab models is about six feet, while that for the Crew Cab model is just over five feet. Both beds feature tall sidewalls, for deeper storage, which give the Canyon best-in-class cargo volume. The Canyon has a clever tailgate that can be opened flat or set at a 55-degree angle, effectively placing the top of the tailgate in line with the tops of the rear wheel wells for easy hauling of large, flat panels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2009 GMC Canyon SL has a 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine that develops a healthy 185 horsepower. You'll also find a five-speed manual, air conditioning, cruise control, anti-lock brakes (ABS), StabiliTrak stability control, chrome front and rear bumpers, dual outside mirrors, automatic headlamps, a tilt steering wheel, AM/FM stereo with XM Satellite Radio, and tachometer. Various additions for the SLE levels of trim include a CD/MP3 player and upgraded upholstery and trim items.

Optional Equipment

Options include four-wheel drive, a four-speed automatic transmission, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, running boards, automatic locking rear differential, the Z71 off-road package, a tow package, six-disc CD changer, side-curtain airbags, power sunroof, power and heated leather seating, ZQ8 sport suspension and 17- and 18-inch wheels.

Under the Hood

Engine choices for the Canyon include four- and five-cylinder powerplants. The standard 2.9-liter four and the optional 3.7-liter five are both derivatives of the in-line six found in the GMC Envoy, and although engines of these sizes might seem small, they are both big on power. The 2.9-liter four produces an impressive 185 horsepower and offers up most of its 190 pound-feet of torque between the ranges of 1200 and 5600 rpm. That's enough power to muscle any lightly-equipped four-wheel drive vehicle through the toughest terrain. The optional 3.7-liter engine makes 242 horsepower. Both of these engines produce class-leading horsepower while returning outstanding fuel economy. While the 5.3-liter V8 offers impressive power, its fuel economy figures fall far short of its smaller stable mates.

2.9-liter in-line 4
185 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
190 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 (2WD), 17/23 (4WD)

3.7-liter in-line 5
242 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
242 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 (2WD), 16/22 (4WD), 17/23 (2WD, Crew Cab), 16/21 (4WD, Crew Cab)

5.3-liter V8
300 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
320 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 (2WD), 14/19 (4WD)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used GMC Canyon Regular Cab vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2009 GMC Canyon Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.3

Out of 10

Based on 264 Ratings for the 2004 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.6/10

Quality

8.5/10
Reliability

8.8/10

Performance

8.6/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.8/10

Better than a sedan

By Big Guy (NE) on Monday, April 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 16,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Good quality useful truck"

Cons: "A little basic, but that is money in your pocket"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I was considering a sedan for my next car, but was excited to buy this 2009 truck from someone who rarely drove it. I knew they had no problems with it so far. To get a good sized car you really can see the price tag get high. A lot of people look at this as a “small” vehicle, but compared to the cars out there now, it seems huge. I found even a small truck can be very useful for hauling a number of things for yard and home. Even if it takes a couple of extra trips when hauling, save a ton on gas over all. I was dreading what kind of new tiny car I would be stuck with and realized a truck solved the problem. I like how basic it is, it is hard to get a car that has some basics without these huge package upgrades. There is a reason why trucks are the best selling vehicles."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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lots of compliments on its looks

By chippy (NE) on Saturday, March 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"bought a used 07 with 59000.so far i like everything about it.gas millage could be better but i knew that going in."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Great Truck Tranny should have been tougher!

By Boss (CT) on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 62,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Excellent looking, quick, great in snow"

Cons: "Needed head work warranty @ 7k miles. trans @52k"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I bought the truck new in 2006. Crew cab. Automatic tranny. Had a spray in bed liner. Had a fisher plow LD mounted on it at the dealer and only this blizzard of 2013 with 36 inches of snow proved a bit too much for my baby! However, it did drive in 2 solid feet of snow once you kept it moving.! The tranny blew at exactly six years and 52000 miles but it did plow five winters and about 3000 driveways. I will definitely recommend this truck. My family drives it reliably. Had a head displacement issue taken care of under warranty and truck drives great now."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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great mid size truck very dependable

By mike (NJ) on Sunday, February 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 57,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "great economy,fun to drive,good looking ,"

Cons: "zilch"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought this truck used,50,000 on the clock.its been very reliable, economical,fun to drive with the 5 speed,very comfortable.rides like a car. And I hauled many a bed full of stuff with no complaints from the engine. Pretty quick too with a intake and magnaflow exhaust. This is probably the best truck I've owned. And definitely the best looking."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Great truck for its price!

By Greg (OR) on Saturday, February 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 112,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Comfortable, fun to drive, great headlights,"

Cons: "Turning radius"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought new in 2005.Plan on more miles with this truck. Has proven itself to being reliable, comfortable and I like the body design. The major likes are the oil change monitoring system. No more fast lube places that guilt you into thinking you needed oil changes every 3000 miles. My wife likes the seat warmers. Me, not so much!Have had the battery replaced once and relaced the AC/Heater fan blower wiring harness due to defect at contact point.Other than these this Canyon has been very reliable and maintenance free.I would certainly buy another Canyon or Colorado."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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very reliabilty,fun to drive and easy on the walet

By tony (MD) on Thursday, January 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 67,700

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "fun to drive,"

Cons: "arm rest needs to be padded"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This truck has been the best truck I have ever owned.It has neve had to go in for any work just oil changes any at 50.000 miles I had a bg transmision fluid change.The more I think about it I my just keep it."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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See all 264 reviews