- pickup 56,215
- 11,634 high price
- Appleton, WI
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- autoshopper.com
2005 gmc canyon review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Representing a new breed of pickup. introductionthe gmc canyon belongs to a new breed of pickups. Called compact pickups in the past, the latest models have arguably outgrown that label. Automakers are beginning to call them mid-size pickups, though the government holds on to the old label. The latest crew cab models offer back seats that are actually suitable for human beings. the canyon last year was launched as an all-new truck with an all-new nameplate. Canyon is longer and taller than the sonoma pickup it replaced, and it looks tougher and more truck-like, with aggressive styling that represents a major departure from the smooth-sided sonoma. And although the sonoma's long-bed option is gone, canyon's standard beds are deeper, for more volume; and canyon's chassis is rated for higher payloads. as the first all-new gmc truck in its class for more than a decade, the canyon is significantly improved over the sonoma, with a stronger frame and a suspension that's friendlier to the fanny. Canyon is roomy and comfortable inside and has a nice, quiet ride. Even the z71, the serious off-road model, seems remarkably civilized. On the highway, the canyon feels solid and stable. Yet this a true pickup, with a unique frame not shared with any suv (although it is shared by chevrolet's mid-size pickup, the colorado). canyon's towing capacity is considerably less than the old sonoma's because gm designed it to do what mid-size pickups do most: carry people and, occasionally, haul heavy loads in the bed. So canyon is tuned for ride comfort rather than brute trailer-slogging strength. The five-cylinder delivers good performance, better than some competing v6 engines. lineupgmc canyon is available in two trim levels: sl, which is essentially work-truck trim, and sle. It comes standard with air conditioning, am/fm radio, and 15-inch aluminum wheels. The front seats are a split-folding cloth bench, the floor covering is vinyl, and rear jump seats for extended cabs cost extra 45). The sle 17,140) adds or substitutes front bucket seats, a floor console and armrest, color-keyed carpeting, cd player with mp3 capability, a standard rear seat on extended cabs 20,260), and a leather-wrapped tilt wheel and cruise control on extended cab and crew cab 21,290) models. the z71 high stance off-road package increases the ground clearance by more than three inches. Z71 also adds larger color-keyed fender flares, p265/75r15 on/off-road tires, a locking rear differential, and, on 2wd models, traction control. Z71s with 4wd get skid plates and tow hooks. Ordering z71 boosts the price of an sl canyon $1,700-$1,800, but the package includes sle goodies such as the bucket seats and cd player. Adding z71 to an sle ups the price anywhere from $2,000-$4,100, depending on cab style and how many wheels are driven. A 4wd sle crew cab with z71 retails for $28,020. side-curtain air bags are optional 195-$235, depending on the cab style). A power convenience group (windows, locks and mirrors) is standard on crew cabs and optional 500) on other sles. New gen 6 onstar 695), with improved hands-free operation, is offered on sle only. Leather-upholstered, heated, and power adjustable driver and front passenger seats 1,495) are available as a package on crew cab and extended cab models during the 2005 model year, and a sunroof will be available. commercial fleet models are also available with steel wheels and skinny tires (starting at $15,045). walkaroundwhen it appeared last year, the canyon put a new face on gmc's mid-size pickup. Nice guy: the black center grille with its floating gmc logo is surrounded by brightwork that extends to either side of the truck. It separates a complex looking array of lights composed of daytime running lamps, turn indicators, and high and low beams. Unlike the old sonoma with its rounded lines, the canyon has an edge. A slight dihedral at the front outer edge of the hood enhances its aggressive appearance. whether regular cab, extended cab, or crew cab, the canyon has a balanced look. The regular and extended cab have 6-foot, 1-inch beds. The crew cab has a 5-foot, 1-inch bed in exchange for its larger cabin. Regular and extended cab models have steps in the rear fender ahead of the rear wheels, making it easier to reach and load things in the front of the bed. Extended cabs have door handles inside the door jam, at the front edge of the rear-hinged doors. The sle, however, is more oriented toward comfort with carpeting and more luxurious fabric on its seats. although gm's interior measurements don't show it, the canyon feels wider inside than the sonoma, especially in the rear seat of the crew cab, which more easily accommodates three adults. Front and rear seats are chair height; that allows the driver excellent visibility over the hood and improves leg room and comfort for rear-seat passengers. The front seats are still the first-class section of the cabin, but those in coach won't have to endure the pain of the old sideways-mounted seats in old extended-cab pickups. The seat bottoms are flat and lack sufficient lateral support, so we always felt like we were sinking to one side or the other. even the canyon's extended cab is large enough to orient its occasional passengers facing forward. Don't expect them to be comfortable, though. The back seat in the extended cab is cramped for anything but short trips to the store for munchkins. Better to flip the rear seats down, which opens up space for cargo. With modifications (like a fleece mat), it would work passably for a medium-size dog. The front-hinged doors on both sides of the extended cab offer good access to this area. the instrument panel has large white numerals on a black background, with the orange needles that gm loves. They're easy to read at a glance. Lighting functions are clustered on the dash to the left of the steering wheel; there are no switches in any remote location. Turning on the dome light requires spinning the small wheel used to dim the instrument lights and we found this a bit challenging in the dark. We recommend opting for the electrochromic 175) mirror, which features a pair of map lights, compass and outside temperature display, and dims automatically. the center stack, outlined with silver-colored plastic, neatly groups together 4x4, audio, and hvac functions. The emergency flasher button is high in the center where it's easily seen. The cruise control switches, however, are the same turn-signal-stalk system gm has used since the 1970s, albeit refined. Some people hate it; others are familiar with it and don't seem to mind. the canyon features triple seals around the doors, another example of its refinement relative to the old sonoma. It develops 225 pound-feet of torque at 2800 rpm. Its torque, that twisting force that propels the truck from a stop and helps it tow heavy loads up long grades, is spread over a broad rpm range. The all-aluminum engine construction aids in cooling and, because of its lower weight, saves fuel and permits quicker acceleration. The five-cylinder is essentially the newly developed six-cylinder from the gmc envoy with one cylinder lopped off. The five-cylinder engine idles and cruises quietly, but the uncommon number of cylinders makes a peculiar siren-like sound when accelerating. It doesn't sound bad, just different. Recommended fuel is unleaded regular, another plus for economical operation. It's rated 20/27 mpg with manual transmission and 2wd. We found it worked well with the manual transmission, perfectly adequate for drivers who favor economy over power. the z71 suspension package provides maximum ground clearance AM/FM✔ Bucket Seats✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Player✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Air Conditioning✔ Aluminum Wheels
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