A truck's curb weight is an important vehicle spec that factors into several of the truck's maximum capacities. Knowing what the curb weight is will give you a better grasp on why your GMC Canyon has the towing capacity and payload maximums that it has. It will also make you a little more conscientious about how much you load into the bed or cab. So how much does a GMC Canyon weigh? We've consulted the manufacturer's specs to bring you the answer.
The GMC Canyon weighs between 3,842 pounds and 4,243 pounds. The weight varies based not only which trim level you're looking at, but also on the bed length, cab size, 4x2 and 4x4 models, and even the type of upholstery. The curb weights, based on the trim level, are as follows:
- The GMC Canyon Elevation Standard weighs between 3,842 lbs and 3,895 lbs
- The GMC Canyon Elevation weighs between 3,846 lbs and 4,160 lbs
- The GMC Canyon AT4 weighs between 3,936 lbs and 4,243 lbs
- The GMC Canyon Denali weighs between 4,000 lbs and 4,243 lbs
For 2021, GMC is offering consumers 14 different variations of their Canyon model pickup truck. We've spent time compiling specs for the GMC Canyon from official sources and have them ready for you. Continue reading to discover the exact curb weight when we break it down by cab size, bed length, and other options. We'll also talk about what truck class the Canyon model falls into, what the maximum payload capacities are for the 2021 models, and how payload might affect your overall fuel economy.
![A GMC Canyon displayed on a themed car show, How Much Does a GMC Canyon Weigh? [By Model and Trim Level]](https://vehq.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/How-Much-Does-a-GMC-Canyon-Weigh-By-Model-and-Trim-Level-683x1024.png)
How Much A GMC Canyon Weighs
Your GMC Canyon's curb weight refers to how much your truck weighs when it is completely empty of cargo and passengers. Below are the curb weights for the 2021 models, separated by trim levels:
GMC Canyon Elevation Standard
The 2021 options for this trim level are a little more limited than in years past. The Elevation Standard has two cab options, only one of which is available for the 4x4.
- The Elevation Standard 4x2 extended cab weighs 3,846 pounds
- The Elevation Standard 4x2 crew cab weighs 3,895 pounds
- The Elevation Standard 4x4 extended cab weighs 3,842 pounds
GMC Canyon Elevation
The Elevation trim level has four options available to truck buyers in 2021.
- The Elevation 4x2 extended cab weighs 3,846 pounds
- The Elevation 4x2 crew cab short box weighs 3,936 pounds
- The Elevation 4x4 crew cab short box weighs 3,936 pounds
- The Elevation 4x4 crew cab long box weighs 4,160 pounds
GMC Canyon AT4
GMC has brought back their popular all-terrain medium-sized pickup truck for 2021. The AT4 has four options again this year.
- The AT4 crew cab short box (cloth seats) weighs 3,936 pounds
- The AT4 crew cab short box (leather seats) weighs 4,000 pounds
- The AT4 crew cab long box (cloth seats) weighs 4,160 pounds
- The AT4 crew cab long box (leather seats) weighs 4,243 pounds
GMC Canyon Denali
GMC has also brought back its luxury trim level, Denali, for 2021.
- The Denali 4x2 crew cab short box weighs 4,000 pounds
- The Denali 4x4 crew cab short box weighs 4,000 pounds
- The Denali 4x4 crew cab long box weighs 4,243 pounds
Is GMC Canyon A Half-Ton Pickup?
While the GMC Canyon isn't technically in the half-ton pickup class, it is capable of carrying almost as much payload as other trucks in that category. You might be asking yourself what half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and ton refers to when those terms are used in conjunction with a type of pickup truck.
If you're thinking that these designations refer to their weight, you would be incorrect. These refer to the estimated payload capacity of the trucks. A half-ton would have a payload capacity of around 1,000 pounds, a three-quarter-ton would have its capacity at around 1,500 pounds, and so on. For more information about the GMC Canyon's payload capacity, read ahead.
The GMC Canyon falls into the "mid-size" pickup class. Most of these pickups are smaller than their half-ton counterparts and have less towing capacity. These trucks are great for transporting small equipment and for moving a friend, but not as ideal as a half-ton for regularly carting around heavy loads.
What Is The Maximum Payload Capacity Of GMC Canyon?
Knowing your vehicle's maximum payload capacity is critical if you are using it to haul a lot of heavy cargo. The payload capacity refers to how much weight your GMC Canyon can carry on its axles, in addition to its curb weight. This payload capacity not only takes into account the amount of weight that is being stored in the bed of the pickup for hauling, but it also combines it with the weight of everything and everybody in the cab.
Exceeding a vehicle's maximum payload capacity can result in some costly damage to your GMC Canyon. Too much weight on board can lead to damaging the truck's frame and axles, and will most certainly put undue strain on the truck's engine and transmission. Staying within the manufacturer's recommendations will ensure a much longer road life for your truck.
Below are the payload capacities for various models of the 2021 GMC Canyon, broken down by trim level, bed length, cab size, and 4x2 and 4x4:
Elevation Standard
- 4x2 extended cab has a maximum payload of 1,430 pounds
- 4x2 crew cab has a maximum payload of 1,440 pounds
- 4x4 extended cab has a maximum payload of 1,520 pounds
Elevation
- 4x2 crew cab short box has a maximum payload of 1,444 pounds
- 4x2 extended cab has a maximum payload of 1,433 pounds
- 4x4 crew cab short box has a maximum payload of 1,531 pounds
- 4x4 crew cab long box has a maximum payload of 1,487 pounds
AT4
- Crew cab short box (cloth) has a maximum payload of 1,531 pounds
- Crew cab long box (cloth) has a maximum payload of 1,487 pounds
- Crew cab short box (leather) has a maximum payload of 1,481 pounds
- Crew cab long box (leather) has a maximum payload of 1,445 pounds
Denali
- 4x2 crew cab short box has a maximum payload of 1,522 pounds
- 4x4 crew cab short box has a maximum payload of 1,481 pounds
- 4x4 crew cab long box has a maximum payload of 1,445 pounds
Does Weight Reduction Improve MPG?
Prior to the 1980s, there were two things that greatly increased fuel consumption by an internal combustion engine: faster acceleration rate and overall weight. Thus, decreasing the amount of weight that the engine has to carry will mean more fuel miles to the gallon. Since then, the industry began to rapidly adapt to consumer demands for better fuel economy. They have made substantial improvements regarding fuel consumption.
Does hauling more weight still reduce MPG? Of course, but not nearly as bad as it did decades ago. A vehicle will use most of its fuel getting up to cruising speed, and the more weight it's carrying, the more fuel and energy is spent getting to this speed. But once you're cruising, the main culprit behind decreasing your miles per gallon is wind resistance.
But if you're hauling a lot of weight on board or behind you, and you're doing a lot of stop-and-go driving, then you're constantly spending more fuel. If you're constantly braking and accelerating, then you're always putting your engine in a position where it's using the most fuel.
In Closing
The GMC Canyon has shown to be a popular midsized pickup truck since it was launched in 2004. With a moderate payload capacity and the ability to tow, it's been a really affordable truck option for consumers. While it has fewer trim levels than in years past, the option of having a 4x4 truck with a sizable cab gives buyers plenty of choices if they continue to stick with the GMC Canyon.
If you're interested in learning more about the GMC Canyon, the following posts might be helpful to you: