I just had the use of one of these (a 2016 Canyon V6 SLE 4WD Crew cab long box) for 24 hours and I was very impressed. The ride and handling was a revelation compared to the previous Colorado/Canyon and previous generation full-size trucks that I have driven and it even got close to the quoted 11.8 litres per 100km combined figure. It was also a good-looking truck and GM interiors have improved massively in the last few years. Although they look cool and the utility compared to a sedan is great, the running costs and sheer size of the things for everyday use when it's just me or me and 1 passenger has put me off buying a truck thus far. I currently have a 2013 Civic EX that I like and was probably going to wait for a low mileage 2014/2015 Civic Si to come along (the price differential for a new one is too big in my opinion for something so similar) but this is probably the first truck that has made me contemplate truck ownership.
My only criticism really is that the gearing and axle ratio is such that it doesn't feel like it has 300hp. This works for fuel economy but it can feel a bit sluggish, although I discovered if you floor it, it will go as well as you would expect it to!
People often dismiss mid-size trucks (Canyon/Coloroda/Tacoma) in that you can get a full-size truck for similar money but what if you don't want/need a full-size truck? The Canyon is 6 inches narrower than a Silverado/Sierra and that makes it feel surprisingly more wieldy, although with the longer 6'2" box, it is still the same length as a full-size crew cab with a short box. I don't tow anyway but the V6 will tow 7000 pounds, so not far off a full-size truck in terms of capability. A lot of the appeal of a truck for me is the styling, so I want a good-looking truck (attractive wheels and body-coloured trim etc) and a few toys inside without having to make aftermarket mods. You can get a basic 2WD 4-cylinder manual transmission extended cab work truck for $20600 but how many of those will they actually sell?
I would have to get either the Colorado Z71 or Canyon SLE with All-Terrain Package, which depending on engine, cab style and whether you go for 2WD or 4WD, will cost anything between $33000-$40000. Yes, for a similar budget, you can get a full-size truck but it will be fairly basic/plain spec rather than the Ram Sport/Silverado LT Z71/Sierra SLE All-Terrain Package spec that I would really want. The 4 cylinder has 200hp and a 4.1:1 axle ratio, so should be fairly lively for what it is but the V6 upgrade for only $1400 seems like a no-brainer.
I'm less sure about extended vs crew cab and 2WD vs. 4WD. I want a shorter truck (the one I tested didn't fit in my garage), so would be looking at the extended cab with the 6'2" box or the crew cab with the 5'2" box, which would fit. The rear jump seats on the extended cab are disappointingly cramped but the longer box is useful. I rarely carry more than one passenger but would want to be able to fit my kids in (they're only young so would fit) and I would also consider a full-size regular cab truck with a bench seat, as that would also work. The longer box would probably be more useful more of the time but the ability to do longer journeys in comfort with the crew cab albeit at the expense of box length would also be useful for airport runs with my parents etc.
2WD vs. 4WD is my biggest struggle, as it's such an expensive upgrade ($4000-$6000). I get on fine with just FWD in the Civic but then RWD with little weight over the rear axle in the truck could mean that it was more of a PITA to drive than the Civic on crappy Manitoban winter roads? The Z71/All-terrain package does at least come with the automatic locking diff, so I shouldn't get stuck! Obviously, I would have 4WD ideally but it comes at a price and my budget is relatively tight.
Any thoughts? Would you buy a "small" truck and would you trade off box length for more passenger space and/or 4WD for 2WD?
