2023 GMC Canyon
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $33,950–$42,538 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.4/10, the 2023 GMC Canyon earns a Good rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.1/10, while Reliability at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.6/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.0/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
The 8.1/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a truck you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.7/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $33,950–$42,538, 23 MPG, seating 5, the GMC Canyon sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. The 8.0/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this truck delivers more than most of the class. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2023 GMC Canyon, but it needs the right buyer. Its reliability scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2023 GMC Canyon ranks #251 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 51% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $33,950 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $35k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$11,415 ($2,283/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 3 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2020 GMC Canyon scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.4 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $36,050 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $36,050 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $35,000 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $33,950 | |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $32,900 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $31,850 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $30,800 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $29,750 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $28,700 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $27,650 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $26,600 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $25,550 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Electrical system / Adas / Driver monitoring / Camera/sensor 22/02/2024 · 24V133000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The front camera module (FCM) system may falsely detect an obstacle, causing the automatic emergency braking (AEB) to engage unexpectedly. |
|---|---|
| Wheels / Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs 28/03/2024 · 24V237000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The front wheel hub bolts may have been over-tightened and damaged during installation. |
| Seat belts / Critical fasteners 19/09/2024 · 24V703000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Chevrolet Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon vehicles. The left or right front seat may have a seat belt buckle attachment bolt that was not tightened properly. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2023 GMC Canyon that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2023 GMC Canyon's reliability 6.6/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #251 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 51% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2023 GMC Canyon starts at $33,950 and ranges up to $42,538 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Canyon years we've rated are 2016 (7.1/10), 2015 (7.1/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.6/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
The documented issues for the 2023 GMC Canyon are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Electrical system, Wheels, Seat belts (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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