2006 GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon pickup truck undergoes only minor changes for 2006. A new Passenger Sensing System is standard on all models; it turns off the passenger-side airbag if it senses a small child, or no passenger at all, in the seat. There’s a new available ZQ8 sport suspension with 17-inch aluminum wheels, and the SLT package is available on extended and crew cab models. New interior colours have been added: Medium Pewter on vinyl seats, and Light Cashmere on leather. On the outside, Stealth Grey Metallic replaces Polo Green Metallic.

The Canyon is the same truck as the Chevrolet Colorado (and is the basis for the new Hummer H3); it comes in regular, extended and crew cab, including a two-wheel-drive crew cab and High Stance off-road models. The full range includes the option of two- or four-wheel drive.

Depending on the configuration, features on the SL trucks can include vinyl floor covering, cloth seats, variable intermittent wipers, AM/FM stereo, 15-inch steel wheels and chrome bumpers; all come with four-wheel disc brakes with four-wheel ABS. There’s also a YCO base trim package, with available vinyl seats, that’s offered only for fleet sales in the U.S. We are definitely practical people here in Canada.

Upscale models can add deep-tinted rear windows, aluminum wheels, air conditioning, colour-keyed carpet, tilt wheel, cruise control, power windows, power locks with keyless entry, and CD/MP3 system. Numerous add-ons are available, including a bed extender, side steps, a sport tent and air mattress for camping, tonneau cover, rear sliding window and leather interior.

The Canyon is an immense improvement over the S-10 it replaced in 2004, and its choice of body styles make it useful for a number of tasks, especially since it’s available with an easy-clean vinyl floor for muddy jobs. It’s more mini- than midsize truck; it’s smaller than the Toyota Tacoma, and its extended-length models are considerably smaller than the massive Dodge Dakota. But that can work in its favour; not everyone needs or wants a bulked-up “mini” truck, and for those who do, the Canyon should prove a very good fit.