GMC · 2004-2012
Canyon (1st Gen)
The first-generation GMC Canyon (2004-2012) was the upscale twin of the Chevrolet Colorado, sharing its GMT355 platform and engines but with Canyon, SLE and SLT trims. Engines grew from a 2.8 four and 3.5 five-cylinder to a 2.9/3.7 pair, with a 300-hp V8 added in 2009.
- Years
- 2004-2012
- Drivetrain
- RWD · 4WD
- Engines
- 2.8 L LK5 · 2.9 L LLV · 3.5 L L52
- Sold in
- US · Canada
Spec sheet
- Generation
- 1st Gen
- Production
- 2004–2012
- Assembly
- Shreveport, LA
- Sold in
- US
- Canada
- Codes
- GMT355 platform
- Body styles
- Regular cab
- Extended cab
- Crew cab
- Bed lengths
- 6 ft (regular/extended)
- 5 ft (crew cab)
- Drivetrains
- RWD
- 4WD
- Transmissions
- 5-speed manual
- 4-speed automatic
- Trims
- WT (work truck, by 2009)
- SLE (SLE-1/SLE-2/SLE-3 by 2009)
- SLT
- Z71 High-Stance Off-Road package
- ZQ8 Sport Suspension package (2WD)
- Wheelbase
- 111.3 / 126 in
- Length
- 192.4 / 207.1 in
- Height
- 65.2 / 67.9 in
- Payload
- 1,118-1,429 lb (2009 Crew Cab 4WD to 2012 Regular Cab 2WD)
- Towing
- 1,900-6,000 lb (2009: 2.9 I-4 manual Extended Cab 4WD to 5.3 V8)
Engines
| Engine | Disp. | Config | HP | Torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 L LK5 | 2.8 L | I4 | 175 | 185 lb-ft | 2004-2006 |
| 2.9 L LLV | 2.9 L | I4 | 185 | 190 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm | 2007-2012 |
| 3.5 L L52 | 3.5 L | I5 | 220 | 225 lb-ft | 2004-2006 |
| 3.7 L LLR | 3.7 L | I5 | 242 | 242 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm | 2007-2012 |
| 5.3 L LH8/LH9 | 5.3 L | V8 | 300 | 320 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 2009-2012 |
Related
Overview
The Canyon replaced the Sonoma for 2004 and shared nearly everything with the Colorado: the GMT355 platform, three cab styles, 2WD and 4WD, and the same 2.8-liter four and 3.5-liter five at launch. GMC distinguished it with its own front end and a differently named trim ladder: Canyon (base), SLE and SLT.
Z71 added off-road suspension and a locking rear differential, while ZQ8 gave a lower sport setup on 4x2 models. The 2007 facelift brought the 2.9-liter four and 3.7-liter five, and a 5.3-liter V8 rated at 300 hp was added in 2009.
The Canyon ended production in 2012 and the name returned for 2015 with a new generation.
Trims, Bodies and Drivetrains
Trims
- WT (work truck, by 2009)
- SLE (SLE-1/SLE-2/SLE-3 by 2009)
- SLT — top trim; leather-appointed front bucket seats on Extended and Crew Cab
- Z71 High-Stance Off-Road package — higher-rate torsion bars and springs, long-travel shocks, automatic locking rear differential and 17-inch wheels with on/off-road tires
- ZQ8 Sport Suspension package (2WD)
Cab and bed
- Body styles: Regular cab, Extended cab, Crew cab
- Beds: 6 ft (regular/extended), 5 ft (crew cab)
Drivetrain and transmissions
- Drivetrains: RWD, 4WD
- 5-speed manual
- 4-speed automatic
Highlights
- Twin of the Colorado with unique grille and trim
- 2007 facelift with new 2.9/3.7 engines; 5.3 V8 from 2009
- Scott Brown's 2005 Canyon became widely known from a US Senate candidate's TV ads (Wikipedia)
Known Issues
- Original 2.8/3.5 engines had head problems (see Colorado, Wikipedia).