I’m on the hunt for a used Canyon I can make my next project car. I just want to make sure the model year I buy is a reliable one. What’s the best year for a used Canyon?
is no exception to that rule. The best years for a reliable used Canyon include 2012 and 2005, while the 2021 and 2018 are among some of the worst.
While it might seem counterintuitive that some of the newer Canyon models don’t perform as well as older ones, let’s break down what makes these older Canyons worthy of our attention.
2012 GMC Canyon. According to MotorBiscuit, the 2012 Canyon is among the best to buy. Why? For one, it’s the highest-rated Canyon for reliability, ever. U.S. News ranked the 2012 Canyon #5 among compact pick-ups for its year, and J.D. Power gave it a respectable 79/100 score.
2005 GMC Canyon. Despite nearly ten years between them, the 2005 Canyon earns the second-highest reliability rating of any model year. The trade-off? You won’t find the same modern features or safety assurances in a vehicle this old. But pre-installed features may not be your primary concern if you’re out to get the perfect project car, pre-installed features may not be your primary concern.
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.