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GMC Canyon in new mid-size format brings truck-tough traits
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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BULVERDE, Tex. -- On a dusty trace running through Texas Hill Country, a new truck in the line of GMC manages to smother any chuckhole indentions and deliver a smooth and stable ride that, despite the absence of hard pavement, borders on the cushy.
It's a sophisticated quality -- far removed from the image of a rough and rugged truck -- yet this new model comes with a choice of powerful new in-line engines and scores high marks for hauling and towing to rank as a serious machine for truck-tough work.
Titled as the Canyon, the new pickup measures up as a mid-size model and fits in the GMC line between a full-size Sierra and the compact Sonoma.
It's larger than Sonoma, with more room in the cabin and boosted cargo capacity.
External styling for Canyon borrows design cues from the Sierra series and projects a powerful face dominated by a chrome-heavy grille.
For this truck, designers at General Motors started with that proverbial clean sheet of paper.
The structure is new using a ladder-type frame, the sheetmetal is curvy and aerodynamically efficient, the truck's back bed and three cab configurations reveal innovative ideas in spatial management and there are the two new engines pushing top-end power.
And while both Chevrolet and GMC brands share the essential structure plus engines and mechanical components, GMC's version looks and feels different to establish a unique character and upscale style.
Concepts for the design are simple: Make Canyon bigger than compact-class rival trucks and stock it with more powerful engines and more comfortable cabins, but wrap the package in sheetmetal styled in a classy image yet also brawny and strong.
Canyon looks unmistakably like a work-duty truck.
A massive prow posts large stacked headlamp clusters at front corners flanking a bold trapezoid-shaped grille ringed in chrome. A thick bumper also in chrome curves around the lower grille and cradles corner foglamps.
Side panels flare in squared wheelwells between optional step rails and contain 15-inch steel or aluminum wheels, while at the rear a notched chrome step bumper underscores the tailgate.
Overall length of Canyon varies due the size of the cab and the length of the truck's rear box.
Cabs include a two-door Regular Cab, an Extended Cab with two rear-hinged doors set behind the two front doors, and the Crew Cab with four conventional front-hinged doors.
Canyon's Regular Cab has a bench covered in cloth and divided 60/40, but bucket seats are available.
Canyon Extended Cab carries a pair of forward-facing rear flip-up jump seats, plus under-seat storage and a flat-load floor.
Canyon Crew Cab installs a rear bench with enough room to accommodate three adults. Front seats in the Crew Cab consist of twin buckets clad in cloth or optional leather.
Box for the Regular Cab and extended version stretches to 73 inches in length, while the box on a Crew Cab chops off 12 inches to ensure easy maneuverability. Despite that abbreviated length, the briefer box maintains the same width as other trucks in the Canyon series and there's an optional U-shaped tubular stainless steel brace that flips out to form a bed-extending rail with the tailgate folded flat for a floor.
Two new engines of in-line design were developed to motivate Canyon.
The entry plant is a Vortec 2800 2.8-liter four-cylinder unit with dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing (VVT).
It delivers 175 hp at 5600 rpm plus keen torque of 185 lb-ft at 2800 rpm.
Optional is the first straight-five engine for this class of trucks in a design that generates the higher horsepower of a V6 but the fuel efficiency of a four-pack.
The Vortec 3500 3.5-liter in-line five-cylinder plant climbs to 220 hp at 5600 rpm with torque reaching to 225 lb-ft at 2800 rpm.
Either engine ties to a five-speed manual transmission by Aisin or a four-speed Hydra-Matic 4L60-E automatic.
The five-speed stick is new and has a high-torque-capacity, which enables it to work well with either engine. Despite the inherent strength of this manual gearbox, it feels light and precise when shifting and engages smoothly.
More across-the-board choices come with formats of rear two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction through an automatic active transfer case called Insta-Trac.
Canyon's chassis is strong and stiff in H-shaped design with cross bracing. A welded steel superstructure rises from the rigid chassis bed with body mounts tuned to enhance the frame's stiffness, absorb impacts from vertical movement and isolate noise.
Two suspensions apply -- Z85 Heavy Duty and Z71 Off-Road high stance, and both work with 2WD and 4WD formats.
The Z85 model for 2WD has an independent front suspension with coil springs, while the Z71 adds a torsion bar up front. For 4WD models a torsion bar front suspension is also employed and the Z71 Off-Road high stance version elevates the overall ride height by more than three inches over the Z85 2WD.
Then comes the uncommon component for a truck -- a rack and pinion steering mechanism with power assistance. It produces a good on-center feel for steering with crisp movements, but also sets up Canyon's tight turning circle.
Safety mechanisms include standard anti-lock brake system (ABS), with optional traction control system (TCS) for a 2WD Canyon and curtain-style air bags in the cabin.
Standard gear for Canyon ranges from air conditioning and a stereo audio kit to a locking two-position tailgate, folding exterior mirrors and a driver information center. The automatic transmission and Insta-Trac 4WD, OnStar telecommunications and XM satellite radio service are available, plus packages like the Power Convenience Group with power door locks, power windows, electronically-controlled outside mirrors and remote keyless entry.
GMC sets the MSRP for Canyon at $16,530 for the SL 2WD Regular Cab model and $18,875 for a SL 2WD Extended Cab. Canyon SLE 4WD Crew Cab Z71 caps the price chart at $27,725.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2004 GMC CANYON Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size pickup truck |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size pickup truck |
| Wheelbase: |
Regular Cab: 111.3 inches
Extended Cab: 125.9 inches
Crew Cab: 125.9 inches
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| Overall Length: |
Regular Cab: 192.4 inches
Extended Cab: 207.0 inches
Crew Cab: 207.0 inches
Box length Regular Cab: 73.0 inches
Extended Cab: 73.0 inches
Crew Cab: 61.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.8-L I4
DOHC 3.5-L I5
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| Transmission: |
I4: Manual/5 AR-5
Auto/4 4L60-E
I5: Manual/5 AR-5
Auto/4 4L60-E
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| Drive: |
Rear 2WD
4WD Insta-Trac
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| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS
opt. TCS (2WD)
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
+ opt. 2 (side curtain) |
| Gross Weight: |
Regular Cab 2WD: 4700 pounds
Regular Cab 4WD: 5150 pounds
Extended Cab 2WD:5000 pounds
Extended Cab 4WD:5300 pounds
Crew Cab 2WD: 5000 pounds
Crew Cab 4WD: 5300 pounds
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| Price: |
$ 16,530 to $ 27,725 |
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