in the past in general motors at least on the pickup truck side
it's been very difficult to tell the difference between the chevy and the GMC
products but we're here in Southern California we've had a chance to drive
the 2015 chevy colorado and what we have here with us now is a 2015 GMC canyon
now we want to see if GMC is going to continue to try to separate the
differences between the two manufacturers or if they're going to be
the same
let's see what this particular truck if they have succeeded
from the look at the front of the truck
they have absolutely succeeded completely unique grill organically
busting out of the front of the truck
unique hood the only mid size truck with LED headlamps and a projector headlights
and unique body panels with a unique design cut into the body with unique
wheel and tire combinations
we're guessing that most of these trucks are going to be ordered with the v6 but
that doesn't mean you shouldn't give a serious look at the 2.5 liter
four-cylinder engine 200 horsepower a hundred ninety one foot pounds of torque
20 miles to the gallon in the city
28 miles to the gallon on the highway but like we set the majority in this
segment
are going to want to go with the v6 this particular be 63.6 leaders all-aluminum
construction dual overhead cams variable valve timing direct injection this is
the state of the art for v6 engines that's 305 horsepower 269 foot pounds of
torque
this engine may not have the best fuel economy numbers 18 in the city
26 on the highway but it's one of the most fun v6 as we've driven in a long
time
sure the engine feels powerful but you can't talk about this engine without
also talking about the six-speed transmission
obviously the computer controls and the sophistication in the mapping and
algorithms here are impressive
it figures out when you want better fuel economy by how gently
you're touching the throttle but if you match the pedal to go to wide open
throttle it instantly knows that you want power and as much as possible
overall the feeling of this v6 engine beats anything else in this segment
we're also very impressed with help smooth and refined the road feel is with
this pickup truck on almost every surface transitions either hard right
cornering are hard left cornering very very smooth and it makes sense because
the front end has a as a sway bar just about the size of my fist
also breaking very very well too
very easy and transitional if whether you stop on the brake or give it just a
little bit of break
you're getting feedback and you know exactly how much more to give it or how
much less to take your foot off that pedal
that's not true for all the other pickups in this segment we also had a
chance to tow a good-sized boat and some water craft and found the v6 plenty
strong enough to halt without any problems
but be warned the 7,000 pound max towing capacity requires the trailer package
otherwise the trucks rating is 3500 pounds
as far as the interior there's a lot here that we like this is the GMC all
terrain
basically the top of the line level for this midsize pickup truck
very cool carbon fiber looking inserts in the leather seats also accents around
the shifter and cupholders also very easy very very well configured and
designed center console screen up here for both driver and passenger to see
very easily and also switches that are easy to identify and make contact with
and multiple adjustments for the steering wheel both up and down and in
and out here in back it's the same story a lot of attention to detail
we especially like the carbon fiber inserts on the material multiple power
outlets details like this fold down headrest and also tons of storage under
the seat
here at the back end of the canyon the pickup bed it's obvious that the GMC
engineers took a lot of those great ideas they had for the half-ton pickup
truck and stuffed it here in the mid sized not the least of which the soft
drop tailgate grab handle and foothold in the bumper and also 17 different tie
down spots here in the bed for cargo
also we love this separation between GMC and chevy GMC is the only one that gets
their logo at the back of the bed
that makes sense to us because these trucks are about as different as they've
ever been
if you want more information and drive impression specification details about
this truck go to pick up trucks . com