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Makes›GMC›Canyon›2020

2020 GMC Canyon

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

GMC Canyon
Pictured: 2022 GMC Canyon Elevation, front 4.4.23. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Cab L/Box 2WD, Crew Cab L/Box 4X4, Crew Cab S/Box 2WD, Crew Cab S/Box 4X4
Engines
2.8L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmission
8-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic, automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Diesel, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 30 hwy
Length
212.6–224.8 in
Curb weight
3,949–4,480 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
0 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints14 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 87 for similar models.
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

  • Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 22% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 GMC Canyon is a small pickup truck offered with 3 engines (2.8L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 225 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 141-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,259 lb (Crew Cab L/Box 2WD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 30 highway), 6% better than the 2020 small pickup truck average of 21.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Canyon — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Canyon →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–3.6L 6-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic · 6-speed automatic · automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

DenaliSLESLTAll TerrainWork Truck

Safety & driver-assist features

Forward collision warningSome trims
Lane departure warningSome trims
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard

Built in: Wentzville, Missouri

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Canyon configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Cab L/Box 2WD224.8 in74.4 in70.5 in140.6 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,259 lb57/43
Crew Cab L/Box 4X4224.8 in74.4 in70.5 in140.6 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,480 lb57/43
Crew Cab S/Box 2WD212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,041 lb57/43
Crew Cab S/Box 4X4212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,411 lb57/43
Extended Cab L/Box 2WD212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,949 lb57/43
Extended Cab L/Box 4X4212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,169 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Canyon 2WD Diesel2.8L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive20 / 30 / 23+6%$4,150435
Canyon 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22+2%$3,050406
Canyon 4WD Diesel2.8L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 22+12%$4,350456
Canyon 4WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21+7%$3,200428
Canyon 2WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20-7%$3,350440
Canyon 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-4%$3,550461
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.6 MPG2020 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 GMC Canyon PU/CC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.2%
2020 GMC Canyon PU/EC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★22%
2020 GMC Canyon PU/CC 2WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.9%
2020 GMC Canyon PU/EC 2WD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning

Similar 2020 small pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 GMC Canyon (this car)23 MPG★★★★★0
2020 Toyota Tundra15 MPG★★★★★4
2020 Chevrolet Colorado23 MPG★★★★★0
2020 Nissan Titan18 MPG★★★★★5
2020 Ram 150026 MPG★★★★★14

Recalls (0)

No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2020 GMC Canyon.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 GMC Canyon is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

14Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
23,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train6
Engine3
Electrical System3
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Steering1
Air Bags1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/05: 120/08: 120/10: 121/01: 122/01: 122/10: 123/04: 123/12: 124/01: 124/03: 125/01: 125/10: 126/01: 126/08: 120/0520/1022/0123/0424/0125/0126/01max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 GMC Canyon buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
  2. Power Train — 6 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 23,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 GMC Canyon. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Canyon years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Canyon20213 inNot rated28
2025 Canyon20213 in★★★★★28
2024 Canyon20213 in★★★★★3207
2023 Canyon20213 in★★★★★362
2022 Canyon23224.8 in★★★★★127
2021 Canyon23224.8 in★★★★★212
2019 Canyon23224.8 in★★★★★017
2018 Canyon25224.8 in★★★★★153
2017 Canyon25224.8 in★★★★★166
2016 Canyon25224.8 inNot rated4271
2015 Canyon22224.8 inNot rated8303
2012 Canyon21207.1 inNot rated220

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →