[steve_twice]

Was pretty much sold on the RL but the redesigned '23 Canyon definitely has my attention. 2.7L turbo 4 cyl, 310 hp, greatly improved interior & tech, and it just looks cool. Two very different trucks, I realize, and every vehicle is a compromise of some sort, but wondering if the new Canyon may have enough added comfort & tech to tip me in that direction.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/08/2023-gmc-canyon-at4-the-accessible-off-road-truck/

 

[longboat]

Would need to take a test drive.

I think IRS and coil springs will be needed to even get into the neighborhood of the Ridgeline's ride. Body-on-frame can certainly isolate the cabin from the road better for perhaps a quieter ride, but those secondary oscillations from the rubber mounts between the cab and frame will be very hard to engineer out of the design.

Maybe some crafty NVH tech to cancel out those vibrations, but we will see that first on the full-size trucks that have a high ROI for the mfr.

As for the engine, that does look pretty sweet. It would be nice if Honda would offer their 2.0T four as an option on the G3 Ridgeline.

 

[14v6]

The RL is long in the tooth now but the competition has a long way to come up so we'll see if the RL is even behind. Unfortunately, the Colorado doesn't have an extended cab anymore but my daughter works at GM and probably won't talk to me again if I don't get a GM something which would have to be a truck or an EV. The Canyon has LED headlights on all trims but again, it remans to be seen how they perform, so that's years away. The one I want to see is the new Taco as I'd like to be exclusively Toyota. I I've come to conclusion that I need a Hybrid Suv and a work truck. The is no midsize that can to it all for me so the biggest/deepest bed on the smallest frame in 2wd wins. Remember the days when you could get a Taco or a Ranger with a 6 foot bed for under 10k, that's all I need, not 40k for a smaller, bed.

 

[HoppyBadger]

Definitely nice, I love that they added 10 inches in width. One thing I didn't like about my 2015 Canyon was the width. However, it will be tough to pull me away from my 2022 RTL-E but never say never haha. I do wish the bed was a few inches deeper on the Ridgeline though. Bought a car seat and I couldn't slide the box in under my bed cover, was disappointed at the time lol Coolers and other things become in issue too.

 

[John 1954]

If you want one, wait a year. First year redesigns can be fraught with peril.

 

[ToyTruck]

Looks like the perfect size.......I too am interested in the Colorado/Canyon but will wait as well. Year #1 is always dicey. Plus I want to see if GM has resolved their 8-speed issues.

 

[Beaumontian]

4 cylinder, DI turbo from someone that isn't Toyota, no thanks. The only reason this vehicle ever interested me was the ZR2 package, but the seats were easily as bad, or worse, than the Tacoma.

 

[Starquesbd22]

Looks like a better looking Nissan Frontier.

Ok, I looked at it some more and now I'm convinced that the new Frontier and the current gen Tacoma had a baby, lol.

 

[19RTL]

It certainly has the Ridgeline beat in the looks department and it has to have far better tech too. Two big selling points for the masses.

 

[CNC1]

They look great, but GM has some problems, expect to be friends with the service department.

 

[NoelPR]

The engine is pretty cool and powerful but I would stay away from it.

The 5 Most Common GM 2.7L L3B Engine Problems - I4 Turbo Problems

How reliable is the Chevy 2.7L Turbo L3B engine? Read about common problems with the I4 turbo L3B including AFM and fueling issues.

chevytrucks.org

 

[jseeski]

The linked article also says the listed problems are generally not particularly common. We should note that the Honda 3.5 in the RL is also a direct injection engine with a system to shut down some cylinders during light load, so some of the problems mentioned in the linked article can also occur on the RL.

What I don't like about the new Colorado is that it weighs nearly 5,000 lbs empty! The RL is no featherweight, but the Colorado is a good 500 lbs heavier. For a "mid-sized" pickup?!? With a 5-foot bed and a tight back seat?

I don't much like that they stuck with a live axle on leaf springs, either. That's a dated, crude suspension that tends to bounce and dance badly on washboard roads. Several modern full-sized SUVs from both Ford and GM show that an IRS can handle a large trailer just fine, so a solid axle is not required to pull a trailer. That's just an excuse to avoid improving the rear suspension.

I do like the ground clearance and the available under-body cameras. Together, those help make the Colorado a decent off-road machine (if you want to abuse your new truck like that, anyway). The lift won't help the fuel mileage, though.

 

[DonMa]

I test drove a 2022 Canyon Denali. Is it just me or do the seats feel very hard? Not comfortable at all.

 

[John 1954]

Some GM models have a dismal reliability rating. Buyer beware....

 

[se.greenwald]

It looks nice but still 44" between the wheel wells? Come on! It's 2022 make the beds wider.

 

[jseeski]

I test drove a 2022 Canyon Denali. Is it just me or do the seats feel very hard? Not comfortable at all.

I drove a 2021. I found the seats very firm but nonetheless comfortable and supportive. I was rather surprised, actually.

 

[wjfyfe]

Some GM models have a dismal reliability rating. Buyer beware....

Basically, about the only thing the Canyon has in common with the Ridgeline is that they both have pickup beds. Otherwise, my family, and extended family, all are still GM truck die hards from way back with nary a complaint! If there were any real problems I would definitely be hearing about it. Personally, it looks to me if you really want, and can use, more of a "truck", then the Canyon appears to be the smarter way to go. If still a "car", with an occasional light pickup usage, is more your style, then I would stick with the Ridgeline.

Bill

 

[se.greenwald]

I also wonder how the 8L90 transmission is doing. It doesn't have a real good track record with owners but maybe they've fixed things.

 

[GoNoGo]

Where do you lock up the arsenal while stopping for dinner on the way home when coming back from the firing range.. if driving the Canyon ??

 

[19RTL]

Where do you lock up the arsenal when you stop for dinner when coming back from the firing range.. when driving the Canyon ??

If you chose a nicer place to live, you wouldn't need your arsenal .