2021 GMC Canyon vs 2020 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 carried forward the design introduced in 2019, maintaining its timeless and stoic appearance reminiscent of the classic "GMT 400" trucks. The exterior featured straight lines and crisp angles, while the interior layout remained largely unchanged from the 2018 model, with a flatter dash giving it a jukebox look. The Sierra was available in six trims, with the AT4 trim offering off-road capabilities and a rugged yet upscale interior with black leather seats and brown accents. The Denali trim set the standard for luxury with chrome accents and advanced features like a head-up display and wireless charging.

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a midsize pickup, received a refresh with an enlarged grille and revised front bumper, aligning it more closely with the Sierra's aesthetic. Despite its age, the Canyon's cabin remained functional with a sensible control layout, though it featured hard plastics and average fit-and-finish. The Canyon was available in four trims, with the AT4 trim providing off-road enhancements like all-terrain tires and skid plates. The Denali trim added luxury touches such as polished aluminum wheels and a Bose audio system, while the Elevation trims offered a balance of features and style.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a range of five engines, starting with a 4.3-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. A 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivered 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque, while a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine provided 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Two V8 options were available: a 5.3-liter with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Sierra's 6.2-liter V8 offered impressive acceleration and towing capacity of up to 12,100 pounds. The AT4 trim featured off-road enhancements like skid plates and Rancho shocks, though its on-road ride was rough. Fuel economy varied, with the turbodiesel achieving the best efficiency at 23/30/26 mpg.

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. A 3.6-liter V6, standard on the AT4 and Denali trims, delivered 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Canyon also offered a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine with 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Canyon's V6 provided adequate power, while the Duramax excelled in towing, with a capacity of up to 7,700 pounds. The AT4 trim offered off-road capabilities without compromising on-road comfort, though the base engine struggled with performance.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 was available in various cab and bed configurations, including a single cab with a long bed, a double cab with a standard bed, and a crew cab with either a standard or short bed. The Sierra featured a carbon-fiber bed and MultiPro tailgate, offering versatility and weight reduction. The cabin was equipped with numerous storage options, including cupholders and cubbies, and the rear seats folded up for additional storage space.

The 2021 GMC Canyon offered Extended Cab and Crew Cab variants, with the Extended Cab featuring rear-hinged half-doors and limited rear-seat space. The Crew Cab provided more usable rear-seat space, though still limited. The Canyon had two bed sizes: a short (5-foot-2) box and a long (6-foot-2) box. The Extended Cab came with a long box, while the Crew Cab offered both options. The Canyon featured the CornerStep rear bumper for easy bed access and an EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with remote power locking.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 featured a straightforward infotainment system with clear graphics and tactile controls for radio and climate settings. The AT4 trim included a head-up display, wireless charging, and multiple USB ports. The system's simplicity was preferred over larger touchscreens found in competitors.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had crisp graphics and an easy-to-use menu, with hard buttons and dials for convenience. 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 featured a 4.2-inch color driver display for easy access to vehicle settings and information.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 included standard safety features like a reversing camera, traction control, and airbags. The AT4 trim offered additional safety features, including a surround-view camera, parking sensors, and driver assistance features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The rear camera mirror provided a digital image for improved visibility.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came with standard safety features such as a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, and airbags. The Teen Driver system allowed for speed and volume limitations for secondary drivers. The Driver Alert package, standard on the Denali and optional on other trims, included forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. The Denali also featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for towing assistance.