By Tom Crosby
AAA Carolinas

The GMC Canyon, the versatile compact pickup truck that, along with the Chevrolet Colorado, replaced the quarter-century old Chevy S-10 pickup, gets two new engines for 2007 that deliver more horsepower and torque for regular, extended or crew cab body styles.

Pickup trucks are one of the most popular vehicles for individual customization and the Canyon, with the same powertrain and body style as the Colorado, could probably be put together in more than 100 different ways. The engines, a 2.9-liter, in-line 4-cylinder with 185-horsepower and a 3.7-liter, in-line 5-cylinder with 242 horsepower can be mated with an Aisin 5-speed manual or a Hydra-Matic 4L60 4-speed automatic in most cases.

Our test drive was a Crew Cab with the 3.7-liter engine that is the top of the line for Canyon models and comes only with the bigger engine and automatic transmission. Our Crew Cab was 4-wheel drive (2-wheel drive is also available), and while it was a base SLE, was equipped with the $2,545 SLT trim package which ran the price to $26,385. OnStar, satellite radio and chrome wheels pushed the total to $27,774. In addition to new engines, 2007 Canyons come standard with a tire pressure monitoring system and improved gear shifting due to a new speed sensor. SLE and SLT models receive exterior badging, chrome accents on door handles and other inside areas, including the air control knobs and front door sill inserts. Crew Cabs enjoy a 60/40 split-folding rear seat that can sit three adults for short trips. Inside switches and controls, like the four outside door handles, were all designed to accommodate occupants wearing gloves.

Canyon is a spacious, rugged compact pickup with excellent handling and a Z85 suspension system that handles with typical truck bounce, speed-bumps, potholes and off-road surprises. Tracking is straight-ahead strong, a plus for a ZQ8 sport model Canyon. Truck bed size for the Crew Cab is 5.1 feet long and 52.4 inches wide – capable of hauling 4X8 feet sheets of plywood but they have to sit on the wheel housings. Towing is rated at two tons. Outside, the Canyon still looks brawny and rugged, with squarish wheel openings, tight overhangs and four rectangular shaped front headlamps (like the Sierra pickup sibling) bracketing a grill wrapped in chrome. SLT brings extra class and comfort with leather seating surfaces and heated/power front bucket seats, among other goodies.