The 2016 GMC Canyon adds a 4-cylinder diesel engine option, giving this midsize pickup truck a segment-leading 7700 pounds of trailering for 2WD models. A week-long test drive of the 4WD Canyon Crew Cab powered by the turbo-diesel engine showed the truck’s strong power- punch is capped by superb fuel economy. Canyon’s performance is complimented by electrically assisted power rack-and-pinion steering. The truck is offered in extended and crew cab versions in four trims: SL, base, SLE, and SLT. Its standard safety equipment includes a rear vision camera system and six airbags.

Power choices for Canyon are a 200 horsepower/191 pounds-feet of torque 2.5-liter gasoline 4- cylinder; a 305 horsepower/269 pounds-feet of torque 3.6-liter gasoline V6; and a 2.8-liter 4- cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel engine producing 181 horsepower at 3400 rpm and 369 pounds- feet of torque at 2000 rpm. The diesel engine mates to a Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission. Canyon features a segment-first CornerStep rear bumper and an available factory- installed spray-in bed liner. The test driven Canyon 4WD SLT Crew Cab short box with diesel engine carries a suggested MSRP of $37,650 and collects mpg of 20 city/29 highway.