GM's baby pick-up truck is relatively unchanged for 2008. The only real benefit buyers of a 2008 GMC Canyon will receive is one-year OnStar coverage free of charge.

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Three body styles and four trim levels of the Canyon exist, and buyers get a choice of two engines. There is a 2.9 liter inline-four banger that makes 185 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 190 lb-ft at a low 2,800 rpm. It returns 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the open road with the five-speed manual transmission and 4WD. The same truck with 2WD is good for 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the EPA's highway cycle. The 4WD / 2WD automatics, respectively, are rated at 16 / 23 mpg and 17 / 24 mpg, city and highway.

Then there is the 3.7 liter engine, with its cylinders arranged in an uncommon inline-five layout. Touted at its launch as offering the fuel economy of a four cylinder with the power of a V6, the 3.7 liter straight five manages to make decent power: 242 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 242 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg in the city cycle and 23 mpg on the highway for the rear-wheel drive model and 16 mpg / 22 mpg, respectively, for the four-wheel drive model. The only transmission on offer with the 3.7L is a four-speed automatic.

Buyers can opt for a regular cab with two full-size doors, an extended cab with two suicide-style rear half-doors or a four-door Crew Cab along with a choice of 2WD or 4WD with low-range.

Five trims exist on the extended cab body style, named curiously as WT 1SA, SL 2SA, SLE1 3SA, SLE2 3SB and SLT 4SA. The Regular cab loses the SLT 4SA trim, and the Crew Cab also removes the WT trim.

The WT sports single-zone manual air conditioning, AM/FM stereo, four wheel antilock brakes with front discs, rear drums, cruise control, front 60/40 split-bench with vinyl, integral outboard head restraints and dual cup holders, tire pressure monitor and 15-inch steel wheels.

The SL adds color-keyed carpeting on the floors, front 60/40 split-bench with Pewter SL Cloth, integral outboard head restraints and dual cup holders, and 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

SLE1 builds on top of the SL with some chrome accents on interior bits, a couple of grab handles, CD and MP3 capability to the audio system with speed compensating volume control, front 60/40 split-bench with SLE Deluxe Cloth, manual recliners, integral outboard head restraints, armrest with integral storage and dual cup holders.

The SLE2 goes one step further and begets the larger engine, and deep-tinted glass and rear sliding window.

The SLT takes it up another notch, with an auto-dimming rearview mirror that features an integrated compass and outside temperature display, front leather bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat adjuster, 6-way power front passenger seat adjuster, heated driver and front passenger seats with power lumbar control and adjustable outboard head restraints. Wheels are still 15s, but wider and finished in chrome.


Maximum towing capacities are 4,000 lbs for the Regular Cab, and 5,500 lbs for the Extended and Crew Cabs, while the beds of the Regular Cab 4WD, Extended Cab 2WD and Crew Cab 2WD models can carry the maximum payloads of 1,535, 1,532 and 1,316 lbs, respectively.

An automatic locking rear differential made by Eaton is optional, as is traction control, side inflatable airbags and towing hardware.