It’s a great thing that GM finally decided to reenter the midsized truck market. The entire segment was becoming extremely stale and the automakers didn’t seem to care too much. The trucks that were still part of the market when GM left for a short few years were still being made with very few updates once GM came back with two of the best midsized trucks we could ever see. This resurgence by the Canyon and Colorado has created a market where the other brands in the market are working toward new and improved models because theirs just don’t stack up anymore.
It seems GM is determined to find a way to continue to be the market leader and for this new model year the pair of amazing midsized vehicles will come in with a diesel engine to add to the lineup and keep them well ahead of the competition when it comes to capability. This new diesel power train will use a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder engine which will be strong enough to improve the overall performance of the vehicle to offer the towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, giving the truck the ability to tow larger trailers and boats than ever before.
As with any diesel powertrain the horsepower is typically lower than the gasoline version, but the torque is greatly increased. For this one we see a rating of 181 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque to be the right size and power for the job. In order to make sure this midsized truck still offers the quieter ride you want with a truck that might be your daily driving vehicle, GM adds several noise cancelling technologies to the vehicle so you can still enjoy the ride without the typical diesel engine noise that can be extremely distracting.
With the massive amount of torque the drive in town at lower speeds is actually enjoyable with the available power. The one question you might have is whether or not this engine has passed the new EPA regulations and it has. This certainly could be what delayed the diesel version of this truck from being on the market sooner, but it’s now offered at dealerships and is ready to be the next great tool in your arsenal to offer the towing and workhorse qualities you need while still giving you the midsized truck features you love to have.
For the Canyon, being under the GMC banner helps give you a truck that you can take all the way to the Denali trim if you want some added driver enhancements and an interior that is as close to luxury as you can get. Some of the great features you will enjoy are the forward collision alerts, lane departure warnings, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment center, four USB ports and heated front seats on some of the midlevel trims. When you do move up to the Denali you add the ventilation to the front seats, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a remote start system and a larger infotainment screen that adds navigation to the mix.
Because other truck models are just starting to refresh their lineups you will be hard pressed to find another diesel model on the market for 2016 that will stand up in the midsized class to the Canyon or the Colorado. Typically this size truck is great for daily driving with some weekend warrior abilities, but now with the diesel powertrain there isn’t anything stopping these trucks from being the right choice for your driving and work needs. Let the GM pair show you what diesel power is all about in a midsized truck as you find the one that fits you and meets all your needs.
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