2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab

Despite there being a countable configuration inclusive of drive layout and cargo bed, the 2021 Canyon Denali Crew Cab has its set of disadvantages. It is not as efficient as the rest of the trucks, and it also is getting quite old. This means it seriously needs some updates to keep up with modern times. The towing capacity of nearly 7000 lbs with considerable power surge can’t be overlooked but it is still in a very nasty segment where the rivals are upgrading with every coming day.

The 2021 Canyon Denali crew cab is the top-level trim of the new Canyon lineup. This trim comes fully loaded with almost all the features. In general, there is an option to opt for different formats in the Canyon but the Denali trim is offered only in the crew cab variant. Yet, satisfaction has been augmented with the 8-inch GMC infotainment system including navigation and Bose premium audio system. The comfort with power-heating at seats and steering wheel have been added to showcase its superiority in the family tree. Sirius XM radio, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay capability are also there to cheer you up.

The leather upholstery and power-adjustable seats along with other tech assists such as the Theft-deterrent system, Wireless Charging, Single-zone Automatic Climate Control, and Hitch Guidance are just some of the superlatives to make it practically sound in every possible arena. The likes of the Driver Alert Package and Trailering Package can also be availed of as per one’s need and preference. Therefore, it is an unquestioned choice for its completeness and adaptability.

Which Trim should you buy?

Everything you need is available in the Denali trim as it literally comes on top of the list. The price is justifiable with the offering and extensions it has been tagged with. The ambiance is ergonomically very supportive and the towing prowess is one of the best in the market. So, there seems no reason to not own it.

There are a total of three engine options to choose from, and from these three, the V6 comes standard on the 2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab. The same engine can be found in Canyon’s mechanical twin, the Chevrolet Colorado. The 3.6-liter V6 engine puts out 308 horsepower and 275 pound-foot of torque. While the diesel engine allows for better towing capacity, the V6 launches the truck from 0 to 60 MPH in under seven seconds, which is quite fast for the segment. 

The engine not only offers quick acceleration but also allows for better overtaking at high speeds. The eight-speed transmission that comes paired with this engine is a better performer than the standard six-speed automatic. Denali comes standard with a 2WD drivetrain but there is an available 4WD version that can be had for an additional cost of $3,800. 

GMC and Chevrolet share the same V6 engine hence they have the same performance figures. They have more power than the other two trucks, but Ford with a turbocharged inline-4 engine offers better torque. Hence it has more towing capacity and also better quarter-mile time. Toyota’s V6 engine is feeble and is tuned to return max power at 6000rpm while the GM twins can go all the way up to 6800 rpm.

How well does the 2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab handle?

Driving dynamics are one of the strongest points of the 2021 Canyon Denali Crew Cab and it offers a better ride quality on the road than most trucks. The steering is light and precise which makes the drive even more fun, and a well-insulated cabin restricts ambient road noise. The suspension system is tuned to be on the softer side and thus the undulations of the road are absorbed easily. But when the cargo bed is empty, the ride feels bumpy which is a characteristic that you will notice in all the trucks of the segment. 

Furthermore, the 4-wheel ABS and anti-roll bars go on to aid the leftovers. Being the range-topping model, the StabiliTrak and Traction control are other prerequisites to avoid all sorts of wheel slippage and body leaning that are generally inevitable in such body styles. Since it is under massive loading pressure, the center of gravity is also subjected to go a bit higher from the ground level, so that is basically what is countered with all these attachments and it can be rated fairly well in this section as per its segment.

2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab Braking Performance

The 2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab is not a heavy-duty truck, but brakes and braking performance are to be taken care of, and GM knew that. They gave the Canyon a set of 12-inch plus rotors for the front and the rear. The big brakes allow for better-stopping power. When the brakes are slammed, the truck comes to a halt from 60-0MPH in just 130 feet. Apart from that, ABS and traction control further help to keep the truck under control in emergencies. 

Ford Ranger is the heaviest, yet has better stopping distance than the GMC. But the other GM truck that is the Colorado being lighter has the least stopping distance at 124ft., even better than the lightest truck in comparison- Tacoma. This might be due to the smaller brake rotors in the Tacoma as it takes 132 feet to stop from 60 to 0 MPH, which is the longest of all the rivals. This directs us to the point that the lower mass transfer must be complemented by a relative caliper-induced restraining force.

Fuel economy figures are not highly impressive but are also not disappointing. It sits in the sweet spot offering decent economy figures which are at par with what the rivals have on offer. The V6 engine offers quick acceleration and better power, which means that the economy figures are the lowest in comparison to the other available powertrains. EPA estimates that this particular engine in the 2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab with the standard 2WD drivetrain returns 18/25/21 MPG for city/highway/combined cycles. It has a 21-gallon fuel tank which allows for an overall range of 441 miles in mixed driving conditions. 

As they share the same engine, the GM twins offer the same fuel economy figures and have identical fuel tanks. Toyota Tacoma Double Cab offers 1 MPG more in the city than the GM cousins, but Ford with its Ecoboost inline-4 engine offers the best in class fuel economy of 23 MPG. Sadly with a smaller fuel tank, it takes a hit in terms of the overall range. And Tacoma with a slightly bigger fuel tank offers the most range in the city and combined driving conditions of 401 and 443 miles.

Canyon and Colorado are mechanically identical, but when you get inside the 2021 Canyon Denali Crew Cab you can instantly recognize that it is a GMC and that too a Denali; Thanks to the upscale materials, leather upholstery, and soft-touch plastic that have been used inside the cabin. On the inside, the crew cab variant is capable of seating five. The power-adjustable seats with flexing up to 6 ways and heating and cooling functions embedded alongside tick the checklist for one’s easy settlement. In addition to them, the single-zone automatic climate control and rear-window electric defogger make up for an ironic duo at work. Moreover, the steering wheel is not just primed with leatherette on it rather housed with cruise and audio controls as well. 

The high seating allows for a better view upfront in the GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab. However, rear visibility is not as good as the former and the high ride height would require some effort to get in and out of the truck which means the elderly wouldn't have a good time while getting in the truck. As far as rivals are concerned, Ford has a slightly bigger bed than the GM cousins, but in terms of interior arrangement, there is no lack of space in them. They offer better headroom and legroom in both the rows along with a decently sized bed allowing for more comfort and relaxed feeling on long drives. 

Standout interior features:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Six-way power driver's seat and four-way power passenger seat
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power lumbar support
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather upholstery

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Just like the premium interior features, the infotainment system of the 2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab is also the most advanced one. The head unit is an 8-inch screen that can be operated by the touchscreen itself which is quite responsive or by the physical buttons which further make it easy to communicate. The infotainment system also comes with support for Android Auto, Apple Carplay, and Navigation system. Denali is the top trim that comes loaded with the most premium features, which includes a seven-speaker Bose sound system. Apart from that, you also get a wireless charging pad.

Standout infotainment features:

• 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wireless charging pad
• SiriusXM Satellite radio
• 7-speaker Bose premium sound system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Navigation
• 4G LTE Wifi hotspot

The Canyon Denali Crew Cab has been slightly revised in terms of looks for the 2021 model; the front grille has changed marginally which gives the truck a more rugged look. The Denali trim is all about flashy chrome bits on the exterior and has a premium finish. There are all the standard features available along with a few extra add ons like bigger alloy wheels, chrome accents, and LED lights in the cargo box. 

Trucks are mostly quite boxy and muscular-stance machines, and the same is the case with the Canyon. However, the Denali trim looks a bit classier than the other trucks in the segment. The vehicle also comes with features like 5" rectangular chrome-finish Assist Steps, a spray-in bed liner, a remote locking tailgate, and many more.

As per data, Ford is the smallest truck in this comparison which in the real world makes it easy to park and maneuver around in the city. Toyota, on the other hand, has the highest ground clearance of 9.4 inches with other mechanical integrants which makes it a better off-road performer than the rest of the trucks. Apart from that, all trucks have almost similar dimensions but the Toyota is the lightest of the lot that keeps the mass transfer under the limits too. The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Denali have the longest wheelbases of 128.3 inches. Yet, they all can be chosen for their almost parallelism in this category. 

Standout exterior features:

• 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
• Chrome front grille
• Chrome trim
• Halogen projector-beam headlights
• Signature LED lights
• Front LED fog lights

Safety ratings and crash test scores of the 2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab are not up to the mark for the segment, meaning that there are better and safer options in the segment. NHTSA gave it an overall safety rating of 4-stars, wherein it earned 5-star in the overall side crash test but managed just 3-stars in the rollover test. IIHS on the other hand gave it a safety rating of ‘Good’ in most subsections but it failed to grab the title of their ‘Top safety Pick.’ 

What makes the Canyon Denali makeup for these mediocre scores is the fact that Denali being the top trim comes loaded with all sorts of safety tech and features. Standard safety assets that come with the truck include airbags, ABS, traction control, EBD, and StabiliTrak stability control. Along with these, one can even enjoy the precision of the forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and Tire fill alert.

Standout safety features:

• Available forward-collision warning
• Available lane-departure warning
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear-view camera
• Tailgate/rear door lock
• Tire fill alert
• StabiliTrak & traction control

2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma Limited Double Cab

Where on one side the Canyon offers better interiors, better driving dynamics, and more power, Toyota Tacoma Limited Double Cab has better MPG and reliability. It also comes at a lower price, so both trucks have their pros and cons but with better towing prowess on tap, the practicality index takes a boost for the GMC. The cabin insulation is another plus point for the Canyon making the ride a quality one to relish. Hence, it has to be GMC for now between the two.

2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab vs 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat SuperCrew

Ford has been intelligent with the Ranger SuperCrew, as the Ecoboost inline-4 engine is a masterpiece and strikes a perfect balance between being powerful and efficient. But then the ride quality is not as comfortable as one would find in the GMC and there is no match for the power and agility of the V6 in the GMC. Of course the plush and more premium interior of the Canyon Denali Crew Cab also feels better to be in. 

2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab vs 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR1 Crew Cab

Both the trucks share a lot in common mechanically but the Canyon Denali offers a better and more luxurious interior. As being the same trucks underneath, both of them are almost equally adorned with their capabilities. Be it towing or interior arrangement, one could hardly spot any difference between the two. But because of the slightly better accent side, one can sway towards the GMC. 

The 2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab is one of the most interesting trucks in the mid-size truck segment. The V6 engine offers agility and power, it has good driving dynamics which makes the drive fun, and the plush and premium interior keeps the occupants comfortable and content. However, there are a few drawbacks like an expensive price tag and average MPG figures. But then every great deed has its sacrifices, and the sacrifices that come with the Canyon Denali do not hamper much with the fact that it is quite a good performer in the segment.