Arriving in showrooms basically unchanged from last year’s edition, the 2022 GMC Canyon is a midsize pickup truck.
GMC offers it in two cab styles (Extended Cab and Crew Cab), two cargo-box lengths (62 inches and 74 inches), and three engines (4-cylinder, V6, and turbodiesel).
Separated into four grades (Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali) the Canyon offers 4-wheel drive (4WD) for all trims. It’s standard on the AT4.
Think of Canyon as a more gussied up version of the Chevy Colorado. Because of that, it shares Canyon’s segment-leading 7,700-pound maximum towing capability.
Power and Fuel Economy
The base powerplant in the Elevation Standard (ES) and the Elevation is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It develops 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission transfers engine production to the rear wheels (2WD).
There isn’t much difference in fuel efficiency between 2WD and 4WD. Government estimates for RWD are 19 miles per gallon in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg in combined driving.
Opting for 4WD still earns government estimates of 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
Available in the two lower grades, but standard in the AT4 and Denali, is a 308-hp 3.6-liter V6 that makes 275 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic tranny.
The estimated mileage with 2WD is 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. With 4WD the numbers are 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
Unavailable in the ES, a third optional power source is the 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel 4-cylinder. Generating 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, it provides the best mileage and most towing capability.
Its estimated 2WD fuel-economy numbers are 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. With 4WD, 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined.
Our only regret is the almost total lack of driver aids. Otherwise, the Canyon is a fine choice for work, play, or just getting where you need to go.
Although the Canyon offers a selection of trims, cab configurations, cargo-box lengths, and drive wheels, not all of them can be combined. Base pricing is for whichever combination is the lowest price for each grade. Find a 2022 GMC Canyon for sale
2022 GMC Canyon Elevation Standard (Starting at $26,800)
This price is for the 2WD Extended Cab with the long box. Basically, the ES is Canyon’s work truck.
Included in the price are air conditioning, rearview camera, height-adjustable steering wheel, 4-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and power door locks and windows.
Among the other standard content are the CornerStep rear bumper, locking tailgate, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
Infotainment features include 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 6-speaker audio system, two USB ports, and satellite-radio capability.
GMC offers dozens of options. One option package worth its $630 price tag is the Convenience Package: It adds remote keyless entry, cruise control, rear-window defogger, and EZ-Lift tailgate.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the ES base prices brings the total to $28,495. Financing that amount for 60 months at 3% equals a monthly payment of $512. Find a 2022 GMC Canyon Elevation Standard for sale
2022 GMC Canyon Elevation Standard includes:
- CornerStep rear bumper – Providing steps on either end, CornerStep makes accessing the cargo box easier.
- Air conditioning – A basic creature comfort you shouldn’t do without.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Must-have features for many drivers, they are part of an infotainment group that includes a 7-inch touchscreen and 6-speaker audio system.
2022 GMC Canyon Elevation (starting at $32,200)
This price is for the 2WD Extended Cab with the long cargo box.
Elevation builds on the ES, adding automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, two rear-seat charging USB ports, soft-touch dashboard, and auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Among the other standard content are remote start, tilt-telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED fog lamps, EZ Lift tailgate, OnStar connected services, and 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Wi-Fi hot spot capability, cruise control, and power-adjustable heated outboard mirrors are also standard.
An option package worth considering is the Driver Alert Package ($690). It adds rear-park assist, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Elevation’s base price brings the total to $33,895. With no money down, financing that amount for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $609 per month. Find a 2022 GMC Canyon Elevation for sale
2022 GMC Canyon Elevation includes:
- Wi-Fi hot spot – With a data plan, you can connect up to seven devices to the internet.
- Power-adjustable outboard mirrors – You can position these mirrors exactly how you need them without touching them.
- EZ Lift tailgate – Easing the resistance when lifting, this feature also significantly reduces the force when lowering.
2022 GMC Canyon AT4 (starting at $38,400)
This price is for the 4WD Crew Cab with the short box and cloth interior.
Basically the Canyon’s off-road specialist, the AT4 only comes with the Crew Cab and 4WD.
To the Elevation’s standard features, the AT4 adds the V6 engine, 4WD, heated front seats, hill-descent control, and transfer case shield,
Other standard gear includes the Autotrac 2-speed transfer case, automatic locking rear differential, off-road suspension package, tow-haul mode, and Hitch Guidance.
Opting for a leather interior will set you back $2,000.
If you are going to do any serious off-roading, we recommend the Off-Road Performance Package ($3,195). Among its goodies are all-weather floor liners, front leveling kit, front and mid skidplates, and rocker-panel protection.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the AT4’s base price brings the total to $40,495. Financing that with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $720 per month. Find a 2022 GMC Canyon AT4 for sale
2022 GMC Canyon AT4 includes:
- Autotrac 2-speed transfer case – Electronically switching from RWD to 4WD, this system can switch among RWD, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo.
- Hitch guidance – It displays a guideline on the rearview camera to help line up your hitch and trailer. It also provides a closeup of your hitch.
- Tow-haul mode – When towing, this feature protects the transmission by reducing the number of shift cycles.
2022 GMC Canyon Denali (Starting at $41,200)
The price is for the 2WD Denali Crew Cab with the short box.
Building on the AT4, the Denali adds a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation system, Trailering Package, 20-inch aluminum wheels, LED cargo box lighting, and spray-on bed liner
Other standard features include a 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, leather seating, two type-A USB ports, SD card slot, heated steering wheel, and wireless charging.
Driver aids include forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, rear-park assist, and driver-attention alert.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee brings the total to $42,895. With no money down, financing this amount for 60 months at 3% interest comes to a monthly payment of $771. Find a 2022 GMC Canyon Denali For Sale
2022 GMC Canyon Denali includes:
- Bose audio system – A 7-speaker system, it provides concert-like sound.
- Navigation system – GPS-based, it provides a full-color map and turn-by-turn directions.
- Driver aids – The Denali is the only Canyon trim to get any standard driver aids. They include forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear-park assist.