2019 GMC Canyon Denali is quiet, smooth, comfortable, even at highway speeds

Anyone who knows me will tell you I shy away from pickup trucks. And yes, I know I’m supposed to be an impartial journalist, capable of suspending my personal tastes and giving every vehicle a fair shake. Still, to say I was looking forward to the 2019 GMC Canyon Crew Cab Denali would be a stretch.

However, I can say I learned a number of things from the experience. It also led me to wonder why people think it’s OK to ask you to haul things when you have a truck.

The 2019 GMC Canyon is the fifth iteration of what was then an all-new design for the 2015 model year. Lauded by the motoring press as “the most refined midsize pickup ever offered” when it was launched, the 2019 Canyon (particularly in Denali trim) remains a remarkably sophisticated proposition. In fact, driving it felt more like piloting a good crossover SUV than driving a pickup truck. The road manners are just that good.

Quiet, smooth and comfortable, even at highway speeds, the Canyon also delivers an upscale passenger compartment, particularly in Denali trim. Materials were pleasantly sumptuous and the appearance of the interior was quite impressive, and was filled with tech.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features — even in the base model. While I’ve never been fond of touchscreens (dial and pointer is my preferred solution), the GMC Infotainment system offered fast response and a logical layout. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairing were easy and voice recognition actually worked. The screen’s graphics were crisp and looked thoroughly modern.

Power came from a 3.6-liter V-6 with 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission routed power to all four wheels. Fuel economy averaged 20 mpg overall during my testing. The EPA...