If you're a parent who needs a midsize truck for work or play, you'll be excited to learn that with thenew 2015 GMC Canyon, the manufacturer will debut brand-new safety features that have never before been utilized in trucks in this class--including a patent pending feature to keep children in car seats safer in the event of a collision.
In most extended cab trucks, it's nearly impossible to put a child safety seat in a second row seat safely, since there is not room for the manufacturer-recommended 80 percent of the seat base to be on the seat. The new Canyon solves this problem with a revolutionary detachable back-seat headrest, which securely attaches to the seat itself, providing the surface area for the child seat to be safely and effectively secured.
But that's not the only unique-in-its-class safety feature the 2015 Canyon will offer. It's also the first mid-size truck to incorporate automatic warnings for lane departure and forward collision. These features, available as part of an optional Driver Alert package, sound warnings when the driver is too close to a car ahead of it or in the next lane. A rear vision camera, which is more effective than rearview mirrors for maximum driver visibility, is also standard.
In addition to these brand-new features, the Canyon's frame is made from more than 70 percent high-strength steel, making it more safe in the event of a crash than cars with bodies with a lower steel percentage. Six airbags, including head curtain side airbags that prevent driver and passenger ejection in the event of a crash, are also standard in the truck.
Infotainment is also provided safely in the 2015 Canyon. The available IntelliLink system incorporates a touchscreen with smartphone capabilities into the dash, seamlessly syncing navigation, music, voice commands, and more without requiring the driver to take his or her attention from the road. Drivers who use the iPhone platform can also integrate their phone with the Siri assistant, allowing them to hear and respond to text messages and use other voice commands while on the road.
While mid-sized trucks aren't typically considered ideal family vehicles, the all-new 2015 GMC Canyon turns the tables with a variety of truly innovative safety features that make it the smart choice for parents who need the hauling power and size of a pickup with a vehicle that will give them peace of mind while toting their most precious cargo. The truck, which has no firm release date, will go into production in fall 2014.