The redesigned 2023 Canyon is set to go on sale very soon, and we have high hopes for this midsize truck. The Valley could definitely use some good press right now, considering this past year.
How many GMC Valleys will be sold in 2022? Is there any hope that the redesigned model will boost the Canyon’s appeal?
Reports indicate that the GMC Canyon finished 2022 with 6,408 units sold in the US during the fourth quarter. With a total of 27,819 units sold for the year, Canyon’s popularity among consumers increased 15% compared to 2021. That year, only 24,125 GMC Canyon units were sold.
However, the GMC Canyon’s sales are bleak compared to other trucks in this segment. Although Nissan Frontier sales were down in the fourth quarter compared to a year ago, it still sold more than 76,000 units in total. The Chevy Colorado has had a 22% increase in sales this year with nearly 90,000 units sold.
Along with the GMC Canyon, the Toyota Tacoma was the only midsize truck to have increased sales in the fourth quarter from 2022 to 2021. It also outperformed the competition in terms of overall popularity with 237,323 units sold last year.
Where does the GMC Canyon fall short?
On paper, it looks like the GMC Canyon should be able to beat its competitors with ease. It actually has a standard Toyota Tacoma’s larger, four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. The Canyon can also be chosen with either a 181-hp turbocharged engine or a 308-hp V6.
Equipping the GMC Canyon with a turbodiesel engine gives you the best gas mileage and towing capacity. With rear wheel drive, this engine earns 20/30 mpg city/highway and can tow up to 7,700 lbs. This makes it one of the most powerful trucks in its class, tied with the Chevy Colorado. The only truck that offers more power is the truck, with a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds.
The turbocharged engine is available for Denali, Elevation and AT4 Canyon models. This last option is the off-road model with 17-inch wheels shod in all-terrain tires, a massive front skid plate and a rough-and-tumble-ready suspension. However, this model does not have the ground clearance to compare with.
Design aside, the GMC Canyon’s interior quality is below average compared to its competitors. While the Canyon Denali has some wood accents and leather seats, it still has many visible plastic switches and hard surfaces. The touchscreen also has a retro design, sandwiched between two large air vents.
Aside from Teen Driver, the base GMC Canyon doesn’t have any advanced driver safety system features. Driver Alert Package (standard only on GMC Canyon Denali), adds lane departure warning, rear park assist sensors, and forward collision alert.
Did GM fix these flaws for 2023?
As we can see, the cabin of the 2023 GMC Canyon has undergone massive improvements. Raised edges feature ample padding on the dashboard and armrests.
Every trim now comes with a sleeker 11-inch touchscreen display with wireless smartphone integration. The standard ADAS safety suite includes forward collision alert and lane keep assist, with many other features available.
One of these is a 7-camera surveillance system, including views of both the front and rear of the underbody. It can be optioned on the all-new model, which has nearly 10.7 inches of ground clearance and many additional off-road improvements.
However, GMC also downplayed the Canyon’s extensive customization capabilities. Now you can get this truck with a 5’5″ bed and crew cab. GMC also cut the optional two engines, leaving only the 310-hp turbo-four.
Only time will tell if GM’s somewhat risky decision pays off.
