Once upon a time, all pickup trucks were smaller than the big ones are today. They did the job, they were easier to get in and out of, and you could reach the cargo in the box without needing a ladder. But then they grew to a ridiculous size in the quest to advertise capacity numbers well beyond what the vast majority of buyers need a truck to do.

If you miss those good old days, the GMC Canyon has returned.

To be sure, not everything was gone. Although manufacturers like Ford, Mazda and Dodge left the compact/midsize truck market and haven’t yet returned, you could still get a Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier. And the Canyon, along with its mechanical twin Chevrolet Colorado, stuck around until 2012. But while the names are the same, the 2015 versions are completely new and share nothing with the old ones other than their badges.

The Canyon is available as an extended cab with a long box (1880 mm, or 6-foot-1), as a crew cab with short box (1593 mm, or 5-foot-2), and as my tester, the crew cab with long box. In two-wheel drive, pricing ranges from $20,600 to $27,650, and from $28,700 to $39,200 for 4x4 configuration.

My tester was a crew cab 4x4 with long box and SLE trim for $36,200. To that was optioned an all-terrain pPackage for $1,440 (which adds such things as off-road suspension, heated seats, hill descent control, and unique wheels); side steps for $780; a convenience package of automatic climate control and remote starter for $550; spray-on bedliner for $525; heavy-duty trailer package for $275; a $100 block heater; and $60 for locks to protect those fancier wheels. In total, my tester was $39,930 before freight and taxes.

Walkaround: 8.5/10

Although they’re the same basic truck, I’d take the Canyon over the Chevy Colorado in a heartbeat, because I think it’s so much better-looking. The big grille is mindful of the full-size Sierra, along with the squared-off wheel arches.

At the back, the tailgate is damped, the trailer plug is above the bumper where it’s easy to reach, and the brilliantly dead-simple bumper step comes over from the full-size trucks.

Don’t bother with the add-on assist steps, though. They don’t make it appreciably easier to get in and they definitely make it tougher to get out. And when I tried to load cargo in through the rear doors, I just got salt and grime all over my pant legs from reaching over them.

Interior: 8.5/10

The cabin basically looks like a scaled-down version of the Sierra, with large controls that are generally easy to work with gloved hands, and an eight-inch touch-screen infotainment centre that’s standard on the SLE and SLT trim lines (navigation can be added as an option). I really like the company’s new policy of changing the dash bezels on its trucks if the buyer doesn’t order an option. Instead of blanked-out buttons that tell the world you cheaped out when ordering, you get just the right number of them.

Rear legroom is good in the Crew Cab and all of the seats are comfortable, front and back. The rear seatbacks fold down flat for carrying cargo, while the cushions flip up (although you first must pull a lever) to reveal hidden cubbies under them.

Small-item storage in the front rows is good overall, with open and covered cubbies and deep cupholders. That said, while there are twin pockets on both front doors, they’re essentially useless as they’re too small and narrow. I had to store my small notebook in the centre console because it wouldn’t fit into the slot on the door.

Technology: 8.8/10

The standard OnStar system includes six months of directions & connections on the SLE and SLT, which lets you download driving directions even if you don’t have the optional navigation system. As well, both trim lines include three months of 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability, accessible through the centre screen. Both plans can be renewed for a fee once they expire.

A rearview camera is standard on all trim lines. While my tester wasn’t so equipped, the top two trim lines can be optioned with a package of forward collision alert and lane departure warning.

Driving: 9.0/10

The base engine is a 200-horsepower, 2.5-litre four-cylinder, which I’ve yet to drive. My tester had the 3.6-litre V6, which makes 305 horses and 269 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic. You can get the four-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission, but unfortunately, it can't be ordered with the V6. A small diesel engine should be joining the lineup in 2016.

I like this V6 engine. It’s gutsy, it accelerates smoothly, and it has just enough of a trucky growl without being annoyingly loud. Against published figures of 13.5 L/100 km in the city and 9.8 on the highway, in very cold weather, I averaged 15.1 L/100 km.

The steering is well-weighted, but light enough that it’s easy to spin this truck in tighter corners. It feels stable on the highway, and the ride is surprisingly smooth on rough pavement. Slipping into four-wheel can be done on the fly using the dash-mounted dial, which came in handy during a heavy snowstorm when I had to get out before the plows did. Towing capacity is rated at a maximum 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs).

Value: 8.0/10

One of the problems with automobiles is that it doesn’t cost appreciably less to build a small one than it does to make a big one. They might not have quite as much steel in them, but the development costs and factory overhead are the same, and they all need four brakes and tires, a steering wheel, seats, etc., etc.

So although the Canyon is a segment below the Sierra, it is possible to overlap them: a base, full-size Sierra Crew Cab 4x4 begins at just $1,200 less than the starting sticker on my tester. Even so, not all of us want the bulk of a full-size truck, and I’d take the Canyon over the Sierra for that reason. I also find it a better vehicle overall than either the Nissan Frontier or the Toyota Tacoma, although a new version of that latter one will be coming along soon.

Conclusion

Even though the smaller-truck segment never completely went away, it’s good to see more players coming back into it. Big trucks will always top the sales charts, and they can do jobs their smaller cousins can’t, but if they’re more than you need, have a look at the Canyon. Lower fuel bills and easier access are just the beginning. Overall Score: 8.5/10