2026 GMC Canyon Crew Cab

For truck buyers who want rugged elegance with a comfortable interior and excellent capability, the crew cab, short bed GMC Canyon strikes the right chord. Its trim levels range from the most affordable Elevation to the most capable AT4 variants and the most luxurious Denali. In addition to a tech-filled interior available with upscale options, the Canyon is highly capable off-road, is tied with its corporate sibling the Chevrolet Colorado for the best towing capacity in its class, and has a powerful engine that’s standard on every trim level.

For the 2026 model year, 18-inch Gloss Black wheels are standard on the Elevation trim, and 18-inch Gloss Black machined wheels are standard on the AT4. Both replace gray wheels. New available features include the Nightfall Essentials Package (AT4), AEV-spec hot-stamped boron steel skidplates, and an AT4X lift kit. A Black Badging Package is available throughout the lineup. The color Deep Bronze has been deleted, and Coastal Dune is new for this year.

The Canyon is an upmarket pickup in the midsize truck segment, and its base model is better equipped than a basic work truck, so its starting price is higher than the Canyon’s cousin, the Chevy Colorado, as well as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, Jeep Gladiator, and the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab. Only the Honda Ridgeline with its standard all-wheel drive costs more than the entry-level Canyon.

Before buying a GMC Canyon, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. To date, the GMC Canyon is about average for retaining its value. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The GMC Canyon’s only engine choice is a good one, a high-output turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. A turbo V6-equipped Ford Ranger is the only rival matching the Canyon’s horsepower but doesn’t come close to the torque. The only midsize truck with more power under the hood is the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid.

All the new Canyon models we’ve driven — even the rugged AT4 models — have impressed us with their smooth and surprisingly quiet on-road ride. The Canyon has comfortable seats and user-friendly tech, which makes it feel like you’re driving an upscale SUV. Credit GMC’s engineering team for making this capable off-road pickup that’s still a comfortable and practical daily driver.

The top trim for off-roading is the AT4X, the ultimate version of which is the AEV Edition (a $10,100 package). This is a similar trim treatment to the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison. AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) partnered with General Motors to create both of these ultimate off-roaders. In addition to the AT4X AEV’s 12.2 inches of ground clearance, it comes with beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud-terrain tires, locking front and rear differentials, Multimatic spool-valve shocks, and more. There’s even a launch control system engineered for quick takeoffs in the mud. We can’t say enough about the AT4X AEV Edition’s off-road prowess.

Fuel Economy

Despite the high output and better-than-average torque of the Canyon’s turbo 4-cylinder, its estimated fuel economy is within 1-2 mpg of most midsize trucks. With rear-wheel drive (RWD) in mixed city/highway driving, the Canyon gets 20 mpg. Most Canyon models come with 4-wheel drive (4WD), which drops the mileage to 19 mpg combined, or 17 mpg with mud-terrain tires. The AT4X AEV’s is lower at 16 mpg. You can learn more about the fuel economy of the GMC Canyon and its competitors on the EPA’s website.

The GMC Canyon stands out from other midsize trucks with its blend of classy yet rugged interior design. The precise angular lines and straightforward controls remind us of the bigger and more expensive trucks in the GMC family, but in a more affordable package. Even in the entry-level Elevation grade, everywhere we touched we were in contact with quality materials. Another cool detail: The Canyon is available with a sunroof.

The centerpiece of this interior is the infotainment system with an 11.3-inch touchscreen. It has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and also has Google built-in. We were able to use Google Maps and Google Assistant without connecting our phone. Google Assistant gives this system some of the best voice recognition we’ve ever used in a vehicle.

While each Canyon trim has unique interior touches, for a taste of luxury, look for the Denali trim. Perforated leather seats and laser-etched open-pore wood trim make the Canyon Denali arguably the fanciest entry in the midsize truck segment.

We were wowed by the comfortable front seats with plenty of legroom and headroom. These are among the most spacious front seats in the segment. A characteristic plaguing the midsize pickup class, the Canyon crew cab’s backseat isn’t particularly roomy. There are 34.7 inches of rear legroom, which is about average for this segment and adequate for kids or adults for short trips. And the rear seats aren’t quite as comfortable as the front seats.

The good news is that with one cab, one bed length, and one engine, decision-making gets a lot easier. Yes, it reduces choice, but this is by far the most popular truck configuration, which is why the availability of regular and extended cabs is becoming so limited. In any event, it’s a great-looking package. The AT4X may be the best-looking of the bunch, with its wide stance, tall mud-terrain tires, and specially shaped bumpers. These features are primarily there to help when off-roading; its good looks are a secondary benefit. Other features you can get for the Canyon include off-road lighting, side steps, a Utility Wall latch and strap kit for the bed, a lift kit, and black badges.

CornerStep rear bumper
So simple, yet so useful, this integrated step made accessing the cargo box much easier.

Waterproof tailgate compartment
We were able to stash some soaked beachwear for the trek back home in this clever compartment, which can also transform into a cooler for keeping beverages cold. It’s optional in the lower trims and standard in the Denali and AT4X.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
We appreciate not wrestling with cables every time we enter and leave a vehicle. Cable-free phone integration is standard across the Canyon lineup.

Google built-in
We were able to keep our hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with voice commands, controlling navigation through Google Maps and speaking to answer text messages. It’s standard in every GMC Canyon.

Underbody cameras
Removing some of our angst during a bit of gnarly off-roading, these cameras offered front and rear views under the AT4X, allowing us to see whatever tricky terrain lurked underneath.

The GMC Canyon’s only engine choice is a good one, a potent turbocharged 4-cylinder engine generating 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends power to the wheels. Four-wheel drive is optional on the Elevation and standard on every other trim.

Payload and Towing

The Chevrolet Colorado has a maximum payload capacity of 1,670 pounds with a segment-leading maximum towing limit of 7,700 pounds. For comparison, the Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The GMC bumper-to-bumper new-vehicle limited warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for the class. The first scheduled service is also free.

Safety Ratings

The GMC Canyon received several “Good” ratings when crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but did not earn Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards. In government testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Canyon received an overall score of four out of a possible five stars. The Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma also got four out of five stars. Every Canyon comes with forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist.