Ace of Base: GMC Canyon 2WD SL

Sometimes a manufacturer churns out a base trim that is — all things considered — the primo choice for that particular model. Here’s an example.

For years, there’s been a chorus cry from the internet: “Buyers can’t get a simple pickup truck anymore!” Well into the ‘90s, customers could waltz into many a dealer and drive off in a Spartan, four-cylinder, stick shift, rear-wheel-drive pickup with the footprint of a Twinkie.

Toyota doesn’t sell ‘em anymore. Buyers looking there for a four-cylinder stick have to pop for a 4×4. Nissan’s powertrain combo fits the bill, but its sub-$20,000 base price forgoes A/C and a radio, just like a 1987 Toyota Tercel EZ. What to do then? Surprisingly, we look to the General, which offers its Colorado and Canyon twins in poverty spec, yet still sees fit to include a few unexpected features.

The SL trim on GMC’s Canyon is an extended cab layout with the rear seat binned. Just as well, since the things are as upright and uncomfortable as a church pew. Use the space to store your testosterone-laden power tools, which you totally have because you’re buying a truck, right?

The four-pot 2.5-liter cranks out 200 horsepower funnelled through a six-speed manual and a 4.10 rear axle. With a light and unladen box, smoky burnouts should happen with ease. Vinyl covers the floor, allowing for a hosing out before a night on the town. The $0 Onyx Black paint looks sharp while the $0 Summit White will grant you access to all the construction sites in town because everyone will think you’re a contractor.

A backup camera, a feature sadly absent from my own six-year-old Ram 1500, appears at this price point and will surely help with trailer-hookup duties. Hitching the family camper solely with voice commands and hand gestures is a test of marital strength (at least in the Guy household). When not providing an aft view, the color 4.2-inch infotainment unit pumps out tunes through six speakers. Buyers of the original Nissan Hardbody never had it so good.

Paradoxically, the spare tire has a diameter two inches greater than its actual wheels, proving the scales of economy in a big company, as do standard power windows, tilt steering wheel, and power driver’s seat. GM’s beancounters — famous for cutting content to the bone — appear to have helped the situation at this end of the spectrum.

If the GMC’s standard equipment LED headlight mascara on this $21,880 is too feminine for your macho tastes, try on an equivalent Bowtie and save $885. That’ll buy you a few power tools.

Not every base model has aced it. The ones which have? They help make the automotive landscape a lot better. Any others you can think of, B&B? Let us know in the comments. Naturally, feel free to eviscerate our selections.

The model above is shown with American options and is priced in Freedom Dollars. As always, your dealer may sell for less.