2021 GMC Canyon — Full Specifications
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The 2021 GMC Canyon is a pickup offered with 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 2.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) / 23 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 22–28 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a GMC Canyon workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2020 GMC Canyon: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 28 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 4★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.8L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.5L 4-cyl · 2.8L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 28 combined / 24 urban / 36 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 23 combined / 20 city / 30 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 270 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,150 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 6 configurations for the 2021 GMC Canyon across 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 2.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 18 to 23 mpg (US), or 22 to 28 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/24) | 268 | $3,200 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/25) | 257 | $3,050 |
| 2.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/28) | 283 | $4,350 |
| 2.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/30) | 270 | $4,150 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/22) | 307 | $3,700 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (18/25) | 263 | $3,200 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2021 GMC Canyon
Running Costs: 2021 GMC Canyon
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2021 GMC Canyon at 28 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,299 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,150 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2021 GMC Canyon Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 GMC Canyon (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Equipment (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Equipment — campaign 21V497000, reported 1 July 2021. Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Seat belts — campaign 20V811000, reported 23 December 2020. Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Canyon. The most-reported areas are Steering (2), Power train (2), Unspecified (2). Complaints include 2 reported crashes, 1 reported fire, 5 reported injuries. That is well below the median of 26 complaints across the 15 GMC Canyon model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2021 GMC Canyon
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Seat belts (1 recall campaign) — Check every belt latches and retracts properly and that any restraint recalls were completed.
- Steering (2 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Transmission & drivetrain (2 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Air bags (2 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the GMC Canyon compare to similar pickups? For context, pickups in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 28 mpg figure is 3 mpg better than that average. Its 270 g/km CO₂ figure is 13 g/km lower than the 283 g/km average for pickups on this site. This comparison is based on 264 pickups in our dataset.
GMC models in our database average about 26 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2021 GMC Canyon's 28 mpg is 2 mpg above that make average.
Of the 15 GMC Canyon model years we cover, the 2021 ranks 4th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (28 mpg UK combined, against a high of 30 mpg). See every GMC Canyon year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2021 GMC Canyon
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2021 GMC Canyon have?
EPA lists 3 engines for the 2021 GMC Canyon: 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.8L 4-cyl turbo with a automatic 6-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 GMC Canyon?
The most efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, or 23 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 22 to 28 mpg.
How much does the 2021 GMC Canyon cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,150 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2021 GMC Canyon have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2021 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 GMC Canyon (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Equipment (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 GMC Canyon?
Among the 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Steering (2 complaints), Power train (2 complaints), Unspecified (2 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the GMC Canyon's fuel economy good for a pickup?
Yes — it returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the pickups we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.