2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD vs 2021 GMC Canyon

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD had a polarizing design that sparked significant debate among enthusiasts. When it first debuted, the Internet was abuzz with criticism, particularly targeting its exterior aesthetics. The Silverado's design language, shared with the Camaro and Blazer, was not well-received, leading to a quick redesign of the Camaro in 2020. Despite initial reservations, the Silverado's design began to grow on some reviewers over time. However, the truck's primary focus remained on functionality over form, especially given its work-oriented nature. Inside, the cabin design retained a familiar layout, with all controls and features in intuitive locations, making it user-friendly for those accustomed to previous models.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Canyon had a more conservative design approach, with a refresh that included an enlarged grille and revised front bumper to align it aesthetically with the larger GMC Sierra. The Canyon's cabin prioritized functionality, featuring a sensible layout for controls, though it did have its share of hard plastics and average fit-and-finish. The interior was practical, with useful storage spaces and a straightforward design. The Canyon's design updates were subtle but effective, maintaining a balance between utility and aesthetics.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered two powerful V8 engine options, both displacing 6.6 liters. The standard gas V8 produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, while the optional Duramax turbodiesel V8 delivered 445 horsepower and a massive 910 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the rear wheels or available 4WD. The diesel engine, while not as responsive as the gas V8, provided a substantial power build-up, making it one of the punchiest diesel engines available. The Silverado 2500HD could tow up to 18,500 pounds, with the 3500HD variant capable of towing up to 35,500 pounds with a gooseneck hitch. During testing, the Silverado achieved an impressive 17 mpg, allowing for over 600 miles of range with its 36-gallon tank.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An optional 3.6-liter V6, standard on the AT4 and Denali trims, offered 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, delivering 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Canyon's base engine struggled with performance, making the V6 a more suitable choice for better responsiveness. The Duramax engine, while powerful, was limited by its six-speed transmission. The Canyon AT4, equipped with the gas V6 and 4WD, performed well off-road and maintained good on-road manners. The Canyon could tow up to 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel engine and had a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered various bed and cab configurations, including a Regular Cab with a long bed, an extended Double Cab with either a standard or long bed, and a full 4-door Crew Cab with the same bed options. The Crew Cab provided ample interior space, with large cubbies and trays for storage. The center console bin was massive, and the rear seats folded up to reveal a flat load floor and additional storage trays. The Silverado also featured Chevrolet's CornerSteps and BedSteps for easy bed access, and the LTZ trim included a power lift-and-lower tailgate, operable from the key fob or cabin buttons.

The 2021 GMC Canyon was available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab variants. The Extended Cab had rear-hinged half-doors and small second-row jump seats, suitable for children or small items. The Crew Cab, with four full doors, offered more usable rear-seat space. The Canyon's driving position was commanding, though seat adjustment was somewhat awkward. The interior provided practical storage spaces, including a center console and center stack below the climate controls. The Canyon featured two bed sizes: a short (5-foot-2) box and a long (6-foot-2) box. The Extended Cab came only with the long box, while the Crew Cab offered both options. The Canyon also included GM's CornerStep rear bumper and an available EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with remote power locking.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD excelled in its restrained approach to technology. The Work Truck and Custom trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims, including LT, LTZ, and High Country, came with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems had a straightforward layout with large icons and a home-button bar. The truck also offered multiple USB ports and power outlets, with wireless charging available on higher trims. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard on LT, LTZ, and High Country trims, and optional on Custom and Work Truck trims.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the latest GMC infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system featured crisp graphics and an easy-to-use menu layout, with hard buttons and dials for additional control. A larger 8-inch screen was optional on the Elevation and AT4 trims and standard on the Denali, which also included navigation, HD radio, and a wireless charging pad. The Denali trim featured a 4.2-inch color driver display in the instrument panel, operated via a directional pad on the steering wheel.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. The LTZ trim improved on the reversing camera with a surround-view camera with trailer views. The available Safety Package II added forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, along with the Safety Alert Seat. The Safety Package I included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, essential for maneuvering in tight spaces. The truck's large side mirrors with integrated trucking mirrors also aided in driving.

The 2021 GMC Canyon included standard safety features such as a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring system, front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package, available on higher trims, added forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert. The Denali trim featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for easier towing.