2015 GMC Canyon:Details
Class-leading power, fuel-economy and high-tech in mid-sized pickup truck package
Today was big day in Detroit for GM. GMC revealed the 2015 Canyon to the world’s automotive media that didn’t get to see it at Los Angeles Auto Show, unleashing an instant flurry of tweets, videos and blogs.
When the new truck goes on sale this year along with its near twin, the Chevy Colorado, it will give GMC one of the only two three-truck lineups in the industry.
It is expected to deliver class-leading capabilities in an efficiently sized, maneuverable package for customers who want the cargo-hauling and trailering versatility of a truck without the size of a full-size pickup.
“The all-new 2015 Canyon completes GMC’s three-truck family, which started with the redesigned 2014 Sierra 1500 and 2015 Sierra HD,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing.
“It rounds out a lineup that offers the broadest range of capabilities in the industry, giving truck customers more choices to find the vehicle that meets their professional, personal and lifestyle needs.”
[Click to see all the new pickup’s specifications.]
GMC says the new Canyon is expected to deliver:
- The segment’s best horsepower – an estimated 193 horsepower (146 kW) from a standard 2.5L I-4 and an estimated 302 horsepower (224 kW) from an available 3.6L V-6
- The segment’s best payload of at least 1,450 pounds (657 kg)
- The segment’s best maximum trailering rating (when properly equipped) of at least 6,700 pounds (3,039 kg)
- Even greater capability with a powerful and efficient Duramax 2.8L turbodiesel engine coming in 2016
(Click on images to view larger.)The new mid-size shares a lot of the interior refinements found in the 2015 Sierra and Silverado 1500s.
“Not everyone needs full-size capability, but they still deserve strength and true- truck attributes that come in larger models. The Canyon will offer all the capability with confidence – and GMC’s signature refinement that complements active lifestyles,” said DiSalle.
“It also delivers the technology customers want with more standard features.”
Canyon’s customer-focused technologies include available OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and expected segment-first available driver alert features such as forward collision alert, lane departure warning and a standard rear-vision camera.
Inside and out, the 2015 Canyon is pure GMC, with premium materials and a commanding exterior presence that emulates the technology-infused design aesthetic introduced on the 2014 Sierra 1500 and 2015 Sierra HD models.
Bold front-end styling incorporates the segment’s only standard projector beam headlamps and GMC’s signature C-shaped LED daytime running lamps on all models.
Three body configurations are offered: An extended cab model with a six- foot bed, a crew cab with a five-foot bed and a crew cab with a six-foot bed. With the tailgate down, the six-foot bed allows eight-foot-long items to be hauled within the vehicle.
Canyon is offered in base, SLE and SLT models, in 2WD and 4WD models, and with an aggressively styled All-Terrain package offered on SLE models. It includes 17- inch painted aluminum wheels covered by all-terrain tires, a body-color grille surround with horizontal chrome bars and specific suspension tuning.
From a refinement standpoint, the Canyon features triple-sealed doors inlaid in the body sides, like the 2014 Sierra, for improved aerodynamic performance and a quieter interior. And to help keep overall mass down and improve the front-to-rear weight balance, the Canyon features an all-new aluminum hood.
Interior mimics that of new Sierra pickups. Comfort and function in a well-designed package.It also features the segment’s only active aero grille shutters, which close at certain highway speeds to enhance efficiency through improved aerodynamics.
Additional exterior features include:
- Segment-first CornerStep rear bumper design, pioneered on the 2014 Sierra, is standard
- Available segment-first EZ Lift-and-Lower locking tailgate that uses an internal torsion bar to make raising the tailgate easier with one hand, and a damper for more-controlled lowering
- Standard two-tier loading that allows a platform to effectively split the bed into upper and lower sections, making it easier to haul, store and conceal items such as tools
- Thirteen reconfigurable and four stationary tie-down locations throughout the bed for use with available, removable cargo tie-down rings
- Standard bed rail and tailgate protectors
- Available factory-installed spray-in bed liner
- Range of 16-, 17- and 18-inch aluminum wheels
A diverse collection of work- and lifestyle-supporting accessories will be offered including everything from a bed liner and innovative cargo management system to a custom tonneau cover, removable cargo rings, tool box and more.
Comfortable and connected cabin
The interior of the 2015 Canyon is designed to be comfortable, heavily equipped and well connected. A bold, upright instrument panel with large instruments and a central driver information center is similar to Sierra. A center console-mounted
shifter is similar to those found in midsize cars and crossovers.
The Canyon’s cabin boasts exceptional attention to detail and premium appointments, including a sculpted headliner that enhances headroom, halo lighting on key controls for easier viewing and an open area at the front of the center console for easier phone charging.
The Canyon is about three inches narrowers and 18 inches shorter in overall size compared to similar full-size GMC. (Click on image to view larger.)Additional interior details include:
- Sculpted door panels that make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle
- Upper-instrument panel storage bin – when not equipped with the uplevel audio system – and large glove box volume
- Standard center console with room to store a tablet
- Rear under-seat storage
Segment–best power and efficiency
GMC expects Canyon to be the most powerful and efficient truck in the segment with new direct-injected engine options and six-speed automatics (a six-speed manual is available on the base models.). A 184hp 2.5L I-4 is standard, and a 302hp 3.6L V-6 is the upgrade option.
Like the full-size Sierra, Canyon is built on a fully boxed perimeter frame, which provides the strength to support its capabilities, and a ride expected to be smooth and quiet.
A coil-over-type front suspension features aluminum knuckles that are low in mass and high in strength contributing to a more responsive, immediate feel to driver inputs, as well as efficiency.
The 2015 Canyon also features the segment’s first application of electric power steering, which enhances efficiency because it is not driven by the engine. Additionally, the Canyon has a tight turning radius of only about 41 feet (12.6 meters), making it easier to maneuver when parking or backing into tight spots, such as garages or campsites.
The all-new 2015 GMC Canyon is expected to deliver the segment’s best horsepower, segment’s best payload and segment’s best maximum trailering rating. (Click on images to view larger.)Four-wheel disc brakes, and the option of an automatic locking G80 rear differential on up-level models, adds to the trucks utility and performance.
AutoTrac automatic four-wheel drive is also a segment-first feature, which employs an electronically controlled transfer case that allows the driver to shift from 2WD to 4WD. The driver can select four modes, 2WD, Auto, 4WD HI, or 4WD Lo.
By selecting ‘Auto’ mode, the transfer case will operate in 2WD and will automatically apply traction to the front wheels (4WD) when the vehicle senses wheel slippage.
Safety features
With 360 degrees of available active and passive safety technologies, Canyon is designed to help keep occupants safe on the road, with standard features including:
- Six air bags, including head curtain side air bags that can also reduce the risk of occupant ejection
- Large rearview mirrors and rear-vision camera system for greater visibility
- StabiliTrak stability control system with rollover mitigation technology, trailer sway control, hill start assist and hill descent control (All Terrain).
Optional safety features include:
- Segment-first forward collision alert
- Segment-first lane departure warning
The Canyon will be assembled at GM’s Wentzville, Mo., assembly plant.
