2016 GMC Canyon Duramax
2016 GMC Canyon SLT

Consumer Guide Quick Spin2016 GMC Canyon 4WD SLT Crew Short Box 

Class: Compact Pickup Truck

Miles Driven: 253

Fuel Used: 10.2 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 24.8 mpg

Driving mix: 30% city, 70% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 20/29/23 (city, highway, combined)

CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA-
Power and PerformanceC+
Fit and FinishB
Fuel EconomyB+
ValueB-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.
Big & Tall Comfort
Big GuyB
Tall GuyB
Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Base price: $37,450 (not including $925 destination charge)

Options on test car: Duramax diesel engine ($3730), Bose premium audio system ($500), navigation system with Apple CarPlay ($495), spray-on bed liner ($475), special paint ($395), Driver Alert Package ($395)

Price as tested: $44,365

 

Quick Hits

The great: Class-leading fuel economy, refined driving experience

The good: Impressive off-road ability

The not so good: Price of Duramax diesel option

Click here for more Canyon price and availability information

 

Consumer Guide recently availed itself of the opportunity to do a little off-roading in the 2016 GMC Canyon. Making the offer especially appealing was the chance to spend time piloting a Canyon equipped with the available Duramax diesel engine.

2016 GMC Canyon diesel in Emerald Green Metallic
Consumer Guide’s test truck wears extra-cost ($395) Emerald Green Metallic paint.

We can report that the Canyon acquitted itself on the muddy and challenging trails we were given access to, and despite a recent deluge that “greased up” our trail, we managed to avoid getting stuck.

2016 GMC Canyon diesel in Emerald Green Metallic
Inside and out, the GMC Canyon is a bit flashier and more upscale than its Chevrolet Colorado cousin (which is also available with the Duramax diesel engine). 

The story here, however, is our drive back to Chicago from Central Wisconsin. All told, we put about 250 miles on our test GMC, most of which were spent at highway cruising speed—ideal conditions for a diesel to do its efficient best.

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Our observed 24.8-mpg mileage is impressive, though a little shy of the EPA 29 mpg ratings. It’s worth noting that much of our highway time was spent at (or close to) Wisconsin’s 70-mph speed limit, and that about 30 percent of our Canyon diesel time was spent in mundane regular commuting.

Our observed fuel economy does not include our time on the off-road course; we topped off the tank after our nature adventure.

First Spin: 2016 Toyota Tacoma

2016 GMC Canyon Diesel
Consumer Guide’s test GMC Canyon came by its mud spatters the fun way: driving on recreational off-road trails. Our truck fared well on the unpaved course, despite slick, muddy conditions.
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