If you are shopping a used GMC Canyon in mid October 2026, split the search by generation before anything else. The 2015-2022 truck came with a 2.5 four, a 3.6 V6, or a 2.8 Duramax diesel in several cab and bed combinations; the 2023-on truck is crew cab, short bed, 2.7 turbo only. Pick the one that fits how you tow and park, run the VIN for open recalls, and pull a history report so you know whether that "Denali" was a work truck in a nicer suit.
The Canyon and the Chevy Colorado are mechanical twins, which Car and Driver says plainly: the GMC charges more for nicer trim and extra standard features. If price matters more to you than leather and chrome, read our used Chevy Colorado buying guide too. This page sticks to Canyon trim names and the stuff that is specific to buying one used.
Second gen (2015-2022): three engines, lots of configurations
The second-gen Canyon is the flexible one. MotorTrend's 2021 review lists a 200-hp 2.5-liter four with a six-speed automatic, a 308-hp 3.6-liter V6 with an eight-speed, and a 2.8-liter turbodiesel four at 181 hp and 369 lb-ft. EPA data on fueleconomy.gov shows the 2WD diesel at 30 mpg highway, and a six-speed manual paired with the 2.5 on 2019 2WD trucks. You could get an extended cab or a crew cab, and two bed lengths.
Trim names changed late in the run. For 2021 the AT4 replaced the old All Terrain trim, with 4WD, a rear locker, and 31-inch all-terrain tires per MotorTrend, and the lineup ran Elevation, AT4, and Denali. So an older listing that says "AT4" on a 2019 is wrong, and that is worth asking about. MotorTrend called the diesel a pricey option when new, so expect to pay up for one; look for service records showing the emissions system has been kept up, since a neglected diesel is an expensive way to save fuel.
Third gen (2023-on): one cab, one bed, one engine
The current Canyon is simpler and stronger. Every truck uses a 310-hp, 430 lb-ft turbocharged 2.7-liter four and an eight-speed automatic, according to Car and Driver, and it only comes as a four-door crew cab with a roughly five-foot bed. Tow ratings are up to 7,700 pounds on Elevation, AT4, and Denali, and lower on the AT4X. Car and Driver also says it misses the old diesel. MotorTrend notes that for 2025 the AT4X became a package under the AT4 trim, so model-year details matter when you compare listings.
If you need a long bed or an extended cab, this generation simply does not offer it, so you are back to a 2015-2022 truck.
Recalls to clear by VIN
We pulled NHTSA recall data for 2015 through 2026 Canyons on October 14, 2026. Early 2015 trucks carry the most campaigns, including driver air bag wiring and inflator issues (14V-645 and 15V-157), front seat frame hooks (15V-267), front brake calipers that may leak fluid (15V-278), and two power steering connector campaigns (16V-054 and 21V-213). Campaign 17V-621 covers 2015-2016 driver air bags that may inflate improperly in a high-speed crash, and 18V-358 covers 2015-2018 trucks where the high-pressure fuel pump can come loose and damage the fuel line.
On the newer truck, the NHTSA recalls API lists 24V-133 for 2023 front cameras that can trigger automatic emergency braking for an obstacle that is not there, 24V-237 for 2023 front wheel hub bolts that may have been over-tightened, and 24V-703 for a loose seat belt buckle bolt. 2024 trucks show 24V-491 (fuel pump lock ring) and 24V-673 (flickering headlights), and 25V-856 covers 2024-2026 AT4X AEV passenger air bag software. Use our GMC recall check by VIN page to see which apply to your truck, then call a GMC dealer with the full VIN to confirm the work was done.
VIN, title, and history
Trucks get swapped parts, so start by checking that the dash VIN, door sticker, and title agree. Run it through NHTSA's vPIC decoder to confirm the engine, cab, and drive type. A "diesel" that decodes as a V6 tells you a lot about the seller. Our GMC VIN decoder guide explains the GM-specific positions.
Then get a history report. CARFAX covers title brands, odometer readings, ownership type, and reported accidents, which matters on trucks that may have done fleet or commercial duty. Look at the odometer history closely; a diesel with a gap of several years and no readings is worth a phone call. Through us, a CARFAX report is about $5.50 as a guest or about $4.50 as a member, and a CARFAX plus AutoCheck bundle is about $6.75, compared with roughly $39.99 to $44.99 at retail in mid October 2026. Confirm at checkout. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller and are not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck, or Experian. A seller's printout is not a substitute; get your own.
On the test drive
On a second-gen V6, MotorTrend noted the eight-speed can be slow to downshift, so try a passing maneuver and see if it bothers you. Look under the truck for frame rust and trailer-hitch wear; a truck rated for heavy towing often did heavy towing. On a 2023-on truck, watch for any random braking event from the front camera and ask if 24V-133 was done. Check the headlights on 2024 trucks. If you are cross-shopping, our used Toyota Tacoma buying guide and used Ford Ranger buying guide cover the main rivals.
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