2022 GMC Canyon

The Elevation Standard is the entry-level Canyon. It has 18-inch wheels, rear bumper corner steps, and a locking tailgate. A step up to the Elevation gets you a sliding rear window, body-colored door handles, LED fog lights, and a remote locking tailgate. The AT4 is the off-road-ready model. It has 20-inch wheels, a spray-in bedliner, an off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and recovery hooks. Finally, the upscale Denali has 20-inch diamond-cut wheels, chrome exterior trim, side steps, and an upgraded grille.

The base engine for the Canyon is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with 200 horsepower that works with a six-speed automatic transmission. A 3.6-liter V-6 is an option for the two lower trims, and it gets you 308 horsepower. If you have the AT4 or the Denali, this engine comes standard. There's also a 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder with 181 horsepower for some configurations.

Driving the Canyon feels like you're driving a crossover, but it has the strength and power of a pickup, and its off-road capabilities are impressive with the AT4 model. The V-6 engine is worth the upgrade for the extra power and towing capacity, but the Duramax turbodiesel is the most efficient and can tow up to 7,700 pounds.

Inside, the Canyon is practical, comfortable, and functional. The base trim has cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. Step up to the Elevation for keyless entry and the option for leather upholstery, or pick the AT4 for heated front seats. The Denali has the most upscale interior with ventilated front seats, upgraded interior trim, a heated steering wheel, and standard leather upholstery. The tech features in the Canyon start with a 7-inch touch screen, two USB ports in the front seat, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth. You'll get a larger 8-inch touch screen in the Elevation, along with a Wi-Fi hot spot and extra USB ports in the back seat. The AT4 offers wireless charging and HD radio, while the Denali makes these standard and adds a Bose stereo system and integrated navigation.

Every 2022 GMC Canyon has a rearview camera, but if you have the Elevation, it's eligible for the Driver Alert Package with forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, automatic braking, and a lane-departure warning system. The front and rear parking sensors are also available with the AT4, but if you bump up to the Denali, you'll get many of the advanced safety features as standard equipment. The high-end trim level comes standard with all the features in the Driver Alert package, so you don't have to add it as an extra option.