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2017 GMC Canyon Gets New V-6 Engine, 8-Speed Transmission, New Colors, Denali Trim, Wireless Charging And More

Thanks to GM order guides, we now know that the GMC Canyon is getting all kinds of changes and updates for the 2017 model year — the third year of the second-generation model.

The biggest updates and changes to the 2017 GMC Canyon include:

  • The already-announced, range-topping Canyon Denali trim level available exclusively on Crew Cab models with either a short or long box and with 2WD or 4WD
  • The all-new, 3.6L V-6 LGZ gasoline engine that is slightly more powerful, more refined and more fuel efficient than the 3.6L V-6 LFX it replaces
  • An all-new 8L45 8-speed automatic transmission (M5T) mated to the new 3.6L LGZ

The introduction of the new LGZ engine means that the Canyon loses the following dealer-installed intake and exhaust systems that were made to work with the LFX:

  • Performance Intake and Exhaust Package (PDG, LPO)
  • Cat-Back Performance Exhaust Upgrade System (WBC, LPO)
  • Performance Air Intake System (5W7, LPO)

On the outside, the 2017 Canyon loses two colors while gaining three new ones:

Deleted Colors

  • Emerald Green Metallic (actually deleted mid-2016 model year)
  • Copper Red Metallic

New Colors

  • Dark Slate Metallic
  • Red Quartz Metallic
  • Mineral Metallic (Denali only)

A new set of 20-inch aluminum wheels are added as standard equipment only for the Denali trim in both 2WD and 4WD.

Finally, the following four LPO-level new features round out the exterior changes:

  • Fog Lamp Kit (available on the Canyon/2VL and Canyon/4VL trim level)
  • Stripe Package (available on all models, except SL/2SA)
  • Bed mounted sport bar (available on all models, except SL/2SA)
  • Cargo divider (available on all models, except SL/2SA)

Two new packages — Nightfall Edition and the All Terrain X Package — join the lineup:

Nightfall Edition (PDU) includes:

  • Polished exhaust tip (VQZ, LPO)
  • Grille, body-color (VAT), LPO)
  • Spray-on bedliner (CGN)
  • 18-inch multi-spoke Satin Graphite painted aluminum wheels (SKZ, LPO)
  • Availability: SLE trim level, 2WD (2LE) or 4WD (4LE)

All Terrain X Package (PDV) includes:

  • Assist steps (RVP)
  • Black, 3″ round step bars (LPO)
  • All-weather floor liners (RIA, LPO)
  • Spray-on bedliner (CGN)
  • 17″ Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac all-terrain tires (RGO, LPO)
  • All Terrain Package (GAT)
  • SLE Convenience Package (PCN)
  • Availability: SLE trim level, only in 4WD (4LE)

There’s also a new SLE Chrome Appearance Package. The LPO-level package includes:

  • Chrome door handles (VKY)
  • Chrome tailgate handle (SCZ)
  • Chrome mirror caps (VKU)
  • Polished exhaust tip (VQZ, LPO)

Inside, the 2017 Canyon does away with the IO4 IntelliLink infotainment system with the 4.2-inch diagonal color display. In its place is the new IOB AM/FM stereo with IntelliLink and 7-inch diagonal Color Touch Screen. In addition, all 2017 Canyon models gain the Teen Driver Mode as standard equipment, while wireless cell phone charging (for compatible devices) and a heated steering wheel are added as standard equipment on the new Denali trim.

And finally, the 2017 GMC Canyon gets the following equipment-level changes:

  • All Terrain Package (not to be confused with the new All Terrain X) is now only available on 4WD SLE trim. By comparison, it was also available on 2WD models for the 2016 model year.
  • Heated front seats are now available as a free flow on SLE trim and include:
  • Power driver lumbar control
  • Power passenger lumbar control
  • 4-way power front passenger seat adjuster
  • 8″ Diagonal Color Touch Screen Navigation with IntelliLink (IO6) and Bose premium 7-speaker system are no longer available on SLE Extended Cabs
  • 8″ Diagonal Color Touch Screen Navigation with IntelliLink (IO6) now requires All Terrain Package on SLE Crew Cab
  • On SLE Crew Cab, the Bose premium 7-speaker system is no longer a free flow option
  • Trailering equipment (Z82) is no longer required when ordering (G80) automatic locking rear differential on
  • Canyon (2VL, 4VL) SLE (2LE and 4LE) trim levels with the 3.6L V-6 LGZ engine
  • Trailering Package (Z82) no longer standard on SLT trim level
  • Trailer brake controller (JL1) is now available with the new 3.6L V-6 LGZ engine

And that does it for 2017 GMC Canyon updates and changes, which are somewhat similar to those in store for its platform mate, the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado. Though we didn’t get some of the features we were hoping to see, there is always 2018.

Availability

The 2017 GMC Canyon release date is pegged for the fourth quarter of 2016 in the U.S. and Canada.

Following is the complete list of RPO-level changes to the 2017 GMC Canyon:

Deletions

  • Exterior color (G7J) Emerald Green Metallic (deleted mid-2016 model year)
  • Exterior color (G7P) Copper Red Metallic
  • (LFX) 3.6L SIDI DOHC V6 VVT engine
  • (IO4) AM/FM stereo with IntelliLink and 4.2″ diagonal color display
  • (PDG) Performance Intake and Exhaust Package, LPO
  • (WBC) Cat-Back Performance Exhaust Upgrade System, LPO
  • (5W7) Performance Air Intake System, LPO

New Features

  • Denali 2WD and 4WD Crew Cabs offered in Short and Long Box (T2P43 and T2V43)
  • (LGZ) 3.6L DI DOHC V6 engine
  • (M5T) 8-speed automatic transmission
  • Exterior color (GPA) Dark Slate Metallic
  • Exterior color (GPJ) Red Quartz Metallic
  • Exterior color (GJB) Mineral Metallic (Denali only)
  • (PDU) Nightfall Edition, includes:
    • (VQZ) Polished exhaust tip (LPO)
    • (VAT) Grille, body-color (LPO)
    • (CGN) Spray-on bedliner
    • (SKZ) 18″ multi-spoke Satin Graphite painted aluminum wheels (LPO)
  • (PDV) All Terrain X Package, includes:
    • (RVP) Assist steps
    • Black, 3″ round step bars (LPO)
    • (RIA) All-weather floor liners (LPO)
    • (CGN) Spray-on bedliner
    • (RGO) 17″ Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac all-terrain tires (LPO)
    • (GAT) All Terrain Package
    • (PCN) SLE Convenience Package
  • (PDY) SLE Chrome Appearance Package (LPO), includes:
    • (VKY) Chrome door handles (LPO)
    • (SCZ) Chrome tailgate handle (LPO)
    • (VKU) Chrome mirror caps (LPO)
    • (VQZ) Polished exhaust tip (LPO)
  • (IOB) AM/FM stereo with IntelliLink and 7″ diagonal Color Touch Screen
  • (TDM) Teen Driver Mode (standard on all models)
  • (K4C) Wireless charging, for compatible cell phones (standard on 2SD and 4SD only)
  • (UVD) Heated steering wheel (standard on 2SD and 4SD only)
  • (RQ9) 20″ x 8.5″ aluminum wheel (standard on 2SD and 4SD only)
  • (S3U) Fog Lamp Kit, LPO (available on 2VL and 4VL only)
  • (VYQ) Stripe Package, LPO (available on all models, except 2SA)
  • (SBY) Bed mounted sport bar, LPO (available on all models, except 2SA)
  • (SIZ) Cargo divider, LPO (available on all models, except 2SA)

Changes

  • (GAT) All Terrain Package is now only available on 4WD SLE (was also 2WD in 2016)
  • (PDV) All Terrain X Package is 4WD only
  • (KA1) heated front seats are now available as a free flow on 2LE and 4LE and includes:
    • (AL9) power driver lumbar control
    • (AT9) power passenger lumbar control
    • (AAQ) 4-way power front passenger seat adjuster
  • (IO6) 8″ Diagonal Color Touch Screen Navigation with IntelliLink and (UQA) Bose premium 7-speaker system are no longer available on SLE Extended Cabs (T2N53)
  • (IO6) 8″ Diagonal Color Touch Screen Navigation with IntelliLink now requires (GAT) All Terrain Package on SLE Crew Cab
  • On SLE Crew Cab, (UQA) Bose premium 7-speaker system is no longer a free flow option
  • (Z82) Trailering equipment no longer required when ordering (G80) automatic locking rear differential on 2VL, 4VL, 2LE and 4LE trims with (LGZ) 3.6L DI DOHC V6 engine
  • (Z82) Trailering Package no longer standard on 2LT and 4LT
  • (JL1) Trailer brake controller is now available with (LGZ) 3.6L DI DOHC V6 engine

Download the 2017 GMC Canyon order guide at the following link (in PDF Format):

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Comments

  1. Missing LED headlights and taillights and the 5.3-liter V8 as an option in the Denali model

    Reply
  2. Maybe someone is listening after all? Very good to see availability of options and packages for SLE and lower trims. Not everyone wants leather and heated seats, lane monitoring, etc…….

    Reply
  3. So for the Denali version and probably near 50K for 2wd and over 50K for 4wd, you still don’t get 10 way powered seats that you can get in the under 49K versions of Silverado LT with, LT convenience package, 4wd, Navigation, Leather, Bose, six passenger seating and the capability of towing over 10,000 lbs, and as always a big chunk of cash on the hood. I’m just not seeing the value anymore.

    Reply
    1. Well, yes, the equipment variances are definitely there. But let’s not forget that 1) GMC is moving upmarket in comparison to Chevrolet, and 2) the Denali trim level has never, ever been about value but rather status, bling and features.

      The way I see it, those who do not want a full-size Silverado or Sierra but still want a range-topping truck will be more than happy to pay whatever the Canyon Denali costs. That said, the lack of the features you refer to is definitely an issue. Questions is, is it an issue for those who buy in this segment?

      Reply
      1. I used Silverado as the example, but the Sierra line is not much different in pricing. I understand the upmarket branding, but again when you get into the top levels of Silverado/Sierra, other than looks and trims there really isn’t that much difference in content. They are the same in pretty much all aspects other than GMC giving the impression of higher luxury and “Professional Grade” capability through smooth marketing. And again, there is always cash on the hood for both GMC and Chevy full size trucks. Not so much with the Colorado/Canyon.

        I understand GM leaving out many of the options in the mid-size trucks for the first few years in order to see where the market would go, but now that they are seeing it boom, it’s a shame they are leaving things out that someone who wants status and bling would be willing to pay for. I mean for goodness sake even the last generation of Colorado/Canyon although smaller, could be had with fully powered seating, and otherwise loaded with a V8 for around 30K or less. The new trucks are light years ahead of them in overall comfort and capability and It may sound like a petty gripe about something as simple as power seats, but for the price it is such a strange and glaring omission. Especially when you’re going after the Denali type of buyer.

        Reply
        1. I like most of the additions to the Denali Canyon. What I want though is a mid size truck with all the bells and whistles of the Denali. The omissions I see are keyless entry & push button start. I drive a Lexus GX but I would like a mid size truck with all the add ons it has. Don’t know why GM can not supply them to reach the market for people who want everything on a mid size truck.

          Reply

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