2012 GMC Canyon

The dinosaurs of GM's lineup, the Chevy S-10 small pickup and its twin, the GMC Sonoma, are dying a slow death.

GMC's Canyon and its Chevy Colorado companion focus on the light-duty non-commercial user -- assuming heavy haulers will move up to the full-size Sierra and Silverado.

Less impressive is the overall design and quality of the interior, as it still wears the drab gray plastic panels of its predecessors.

With 220 hp, the optional 3.5-liter engine gives the Colorado and Canyon the highest horsepower rating in the class, but like its six-cylinder cousin, the power is situated higher in the power band than on most truck engines.

The base Canyon has a no-fault interior right down to its rubber floor mats so you can get in with muddy work boots and not feel guilty. The SLE, however, has more comfort-minded interior with carpeting and more luxurious fabric on its seats.

Although the truck is marginally shorter than its predecessor, the Sonoma, its about four inches wider inside.

Perhaps the cheapest interior around, flimsy front seats, cramped rear seat in extended-cab models, thrashy base engine

The dinosaurs of GM's lineup, the Chevy S-10 small pickup and its twin, the GMC Sonoma, are dying a slow death.

Less impressive is the overall design and quality of the interior, as it still wears the drab gray plastic panels of its predecessors.

With 220 hp, the optional 3.5-liter engine gives the Colorado and Canyon the highest horsepower rating in the class, but like its six-cylinder cousin, the power is situated higher in the power band than on most truck engines.

The GMC Canyon is a handsome light-duty pickup that looks good on paper. But out on the road or trail, where passenger comfort and refinement really count, it doesn't quite measure up.