The 2021 GMC Canyon receives a light update for the 2021 model year, consisting of small updates to the exterior and interior. The 2021 Canyon also sees significant changes to the model lineup, including the replacement of several trim levels with new ones, along with the deletion of several packages.
While the 2021 updates is erroneously called by some as a refresh, it’s actually not. Instead, the 2021 model year represents a mild update that’s not considered a refresh (known in GM parlance as MCE, or Mid Cycle Enhancement).
Now, here’s exactly what’s new and different about the 2021 Canyon.
2021 GMC Canyon Model Line Changes
The following revisions were made to the Canyon lineup:
- Deletion of Base (2SA) SL model
- Deletion of (2LT) and (4LT) SLT models
- Replacement of Canyon trim level with Elevation Standard
- Replacement of SLE trim level with Elevation
- Replacement of All Terrain trim level with AT4
Exterior
On the outside, the Canyon sees the deletion of eight exterior colors and the addition of four new exterior color options:
New exterior colors:
- Cayenne Red Tintcoat
- Dynamic Blue Metallic
- Desert Sand Metallic
- Hunter Metallic
Deleted exterior colors:
- Blue Emerald Metallic
- Cardinal Red
- Quicksilver Metallic
- Carbon Black Metallic
- Marine Blue Metallic
- Dark Sky Metallic
- Red Quartz Tintcoat
- Smokey Quartz Metallic
The 2021 GMC Canyon offers a total of seven exterior colors. Aside from the four new hues, Satin Steel Metallic, Summit White, and Onyx Black are also available.
Other exterior changes include the addition of dealer-installed (LPO-level) off-road lighting option, as well as the deletion of several other LPO-level items, such as:
- Bedliner
- Black bed rails
- Chrome door handles
- Chrome mirror caps
- Chrome tailgate handle
- Hitch receiver cover
Three wheel options have also been deleted, and the new Elevation Standard and Elevation models are equipped with new 18-inch x 8.5-inch (45.7 cm x 21.6 cm), Black aluminum wheels (RPO code RCW) along with P265/60R18 all-season, blackwall tires (QIA). Other tire changes include the addition of 265/65R17 all-terrain, blackwall, 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires (QJ2), which are standard on AT4 models as well as the addition of 255/65R17 all-terrain, blackwall tires (QHE) which are optional on AT4 models.
A rear body-color bumper also becomes standard on Elevation Standard and Elevation models, while black beltline moldings are standard on Elevation and AT4 models. Additionally, recovery hooks are now standard on 2WD models. For the 2020 model year recovery hooks were only available and standard on 4WD models.
Interior
As for the inside of the 2021 GMC Canyon, the truck sees slight changes to interior colors, including the deletion of the Jet Black with Cobalt Red option as well as the addition of two new interior color options: Cocoa with Dark Atmosphere, and Jet Black with Kalahari.
The single-zone manual climate control system is now exclusive to the new entry-level model, Elevation Standard. Meanwhile, all other 2021 Canyon models are equipped with a single-zone automatic climate control system as standard.
The manual rear sliding rear window is standard on Elevation models. For the 2020 model year, this feature was only standard on SLT, All Terrain, and Denali models, and was optional on SLE models.
Finally, the “fasten seat belts” label has been removed for the 2021 model year.
Technology
On the technology front, the 2021 GMC Canyon now includes remote vehicle start as standard.
Powertrain
Like the 2020 model, the 2021 GMC Canyon continues to offer three engine choices: the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter LCV I4 with an output of 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, the naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter LGZ V6 with 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, and the 2.8-liter Duramax LWN I4 turbo-diesel with 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
Notably, 2.5L LCV is standard on two-wheel-drive Elevation Standard and Elevation models, but is not available on 4WD Elevation models. Meanwhile, the 3.6L LGZ is standard on all other models, and the Duramax four-cylinder diesel is optional except on Extended Cab Elevation models. Additionally, the Duramax engine requires the Driver Alert Package and Trailering Package on Elevation and AT4 models.
Packages
On the packages front, the 2021 GMC Canyon loses the following four packages, as a result of the aforementioned trim level re-arrangement:
- SLE Convenience Package
- Elevation Edition Package
- All Terrain X Package
- SLE Chrome Appearance Package
The midsize truck also introduces a new High Elevation Package, which includes Jet Black leather-appointed front seating with power driver lumbar control, heated driver and front passenger seats, and a heated steering wheel.
2021 GMC Canyon Availability
The second-generation GMC Canyon is assembled by GM USA at the GM Wentzville factory in Missouri, and 2021 models are already on dealer lots as of this writing.
The 2021 Canyon represents the seventh model year of the second-gen model. Looking ahead, we expect the current, second-generation GMC Canyon to remain in production for the 2021, and 2022 model years, and that an all-new, future GMC Canyon will launch on or after the 2023 model year. See more on the 2023 GMC Canyon.
Previously introduced for the 2023 model year. More ways to get a stylish wheel option on the midsize truck. Canyon News
This 2025 GMC Canyon Paint Color Is No Longer Available To Order
This 2025 GMC Canyon 20-Inch Wheel Is Now More Widely Available
Comments
Keep us all on the discounts,rebates and sales of GM Vehicles because with me cars and trucks cost more then I paid for my house in 1981.I look at all makes and still buy American built.Owning 60 since 1967 and I do my homework.
Update the dang thing. Ford is updating the Ranger for the 2022 year. They are also coming out for the Maverick
Wrong. Ford is redesigning the ranger for the 2023 model year, same year that the canyon will get the redesign.
I agree with upgrading the thing, but I mean it beat the Ranger in almost every comparison I saw, so it’s not like it’s behind.
GM will always be ahead of Ford and that God awful ugly Jeep Pickup makes laugh lol.
Yea! Thats why they have the lowest reliable score of any vehicle!
A GMC dealer told me two years ago GM was going to upgrade the transmission to the 10 speed for the twins. Wonder when thats supposed to happen. LOL
Here:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gmc/canyon/2023-gmc-canyon/
I see totally overlooked that lol. I hope so. As they seem to have plans to keep the 8 speed around in the new Silverado along with the 10 speed. The 10 speed seems to be much better.
I thought this was pushed back to 2025, and would now be on the VSS-R or whatever the new rear GM platforms are called.
I read an interview with the lead engineer at Ford and he made it clear on the issues on the mid size truck class.
#1 the mid size trucks cost nearly as much as a full size to design and build. This creates other issues.
#2 the margins in the segment due to the high cost are very low so they don’t make much money in this segment. There are limits to how much they can charge unlike the full size where they have more ability to charge more. Also they can off set cost over 4-5 times more volume. The mid size share little with any other vehicle unlike in the past they shared more with RWD based cars in parts and design.
#3 all this leads to little change or update because customers will just not pay the cost involved. This is why the Toyota drives like a 15 year old truck with a flexing frame. This is why GM and Ford have not updated sooner. These trucks make some money but nothing like a full size.
#4 the unibody trucks are of interest. They can base them on a CUV to share the cost and make them cheaper and more profitable. The problem is FWD based trucks have all failed before or saw limited success. The Honda has done the best but is far from a run away success.
Honda and Hyundai are in the segment and will offer one body style. Ford hopes to be able on the C2 platform to offer different cabs and beds in unibody form. They are targeting to make it more like a truck but yet on an escape platform to save cost and show more profit.
Will this hurt Ranger sales? Will this work? If Ford new I suspect they would not be doing both trucks. They also will be relying on the global market. Also remember both models use the FWD and RWD Bronco model part under them. This cuts the risk of investment.
But both the GM and mid size trucks could be in the last gen coming out as ICE vehicles as both could be Electric in the next gen.
This is one of the toughest segments to make money. This is why they all but Toyota walked away for a while as they invested in the CUV market that is much more profitable.
Sadly this is why we have a CUV Blazer as they will make much more money there.
Like I have said before it is no longer enough just to make money. Today they only take on projects with the highest return. Ford really needs help and they are in a desperate place. This makes this risk worth it. I expect the Maverick to work so GM may give it a try.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out.
So this is why you have seen little investment in this segment.
Gmc needs a twin turbo V6 in this truck, a redesign interior and the 10spd auto. The Colorado/Canyon are older trucks then the new GM 1500s and surprise, they’re getting a redesign interior.