Recently, I had the great opportunity to test drive a variety of 2004 cars and trucks during the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) Fall Rally.
One vehicle that caught my interest was the all-new GMC Canyon pickup truck. Knowing that this was an important vehicle for GMC's future success in the mid-size truck market, I had to give the 2004 Canyon a quick once-over evaluation.
Designed from the ground-up, and except for the big red "GMC" letters in the grille, the Canyon shares virtually nothing from its predecessor.
My test drive was in a Canyon 4-door Crew Cab short bed edition, equipped with the Z71 suspension and four-wheel drive.
Compared to the Sonoma, the Canyon is larger; with a rugged new appearance that includes sharper fender edges, and a bolder headlight/grille combination. But, what sets the Canyon styling apart from the competition, are the large wheel-well flares that sweep upwards from front to rear. Though they may appear odd to the eye at first, these slanted, hardedge flares actually give the vehicle a fresh, custom appearance.
GMC's revolution continues under the hood, with new Vortec 2800 inline-four and Vortec 3500 inline-five-cylinder engines. Both engines are manufactured in a new facility at GM's Tonawanda, NY engine plant. Basically they are scaled down versions of the award-winning Vortec 4200 inline six-cylinder introduced in the 2002 GMC Envoy SUV.
When asked why GMC went with inline engine technology for the new truck, Canyon product manager Jerome Thiebaud stated that, "I-4 and I-5 cylinder engines produce exceptional power, smoothness and fuel efficiency." With their common design, each of the new inline engines feature high 10:1 compression ratio, all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts and four-valves-per-cylinder technology.
Other powertrain features on the Canyon include an all-new five-speed manual transmission; a new transfer case for four-wheel-drive models; and the smooth-shifting four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.
Three body styles are available, including Crew Cab, Extended Cab and Regular Cab models. The exterior was painted Polo Green, complimented by the handsome SLE interior trim. Customers can also specify a choice of bed sizes, and the option of either two or four-wheel drive.
The bed on the Crew Cab is 5-feet 1-inch long, which is a full foot shorter than the 6-feet 1-inch bed on the Canyon Regular and Extended Cab models.
Equally, the contemporary interior is available with amenities such as heated leather front power bucket seats, driver information center, optional electrochromic inside rearview mirror with compass and outside temperature gauge, plus supplemental restraint systems, including roof-rail side air bags. I found the seating supportive and comfortable, the large analog gauges easy to understand, and all controls within reach.
Other options that can be ordered are the OnStar safety and security system and XM Satellite Radio. Canyon's 2004 MSRP prices, range from $16,530 for the Regular Cab, up to $28,570 for the top-of-the-line Crew Cab. Both of those prices include the $635 destination fees.
Power, was provided by the 3.5-liter five-cylinder engine, producing 220 horsepower / 225 lb.-ft torque and rated to tow up to 4,000 pounds. This engine offers good standing-start acceleration, and the electronically controlled automatic transmission has adequate kick down for passing. While cruising through traffic, Canyon's steering felt firm, cornered confidently with well-controlled body lean.
After traveling awhile in the vehicle, I had to admit that with all its inherent new technologies under the redesigned body, the reasonably priced GMC Canyon is a formidable contender to wage battle against the Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.
2004 Canyon pickup trucks (and the Chevrolet Colorado version) are assembled at General Motors' Shreveport, Louisiana plant. |