2020 Nissan Titan vs 2021 GMC Canyon

The 2020 Nissan Titan was described as handsomely generic, with a stocky and masculine build. Despite its solid construction, it lacked the excitement and standout features of competitors like the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado. For 2020, Nissan introduced new exterior paints, wheels, and grille choices, along with restyled LED headlights and taillights. The Pro-4X trim added blacked-out Nissan badges with red lettering and red tow hooks for a sportier look. The interior of the lower-trim SV King Cab 4WD impressed with better materials, comfortable cloth seats, and a glossy 9-inch touchscreen, showcasing real quality.

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a second-generation model, received its first refresh after six years. The most notable changes included an enlarged grille and revised front bumper, aligning it aesthetically with the GMC Sierra. The cabin maintained a functional layout with plenty of hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish, but it was considered handsome and useful. The Canyon offered trims like Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali, each with varying features. The AT4 trim, aimed at off-road enthusiasts, included leather seating and heated front seats, while the Denali trim added luxury touches like polished aluminum wheels and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2020 Nissan Titan featured a powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided strong acceleration and improved low- and mid-range performance. The Titan's towing capacity reached up to 9,370 pounds with the towing package, which included features like adjustable trailer braking and sway control. The Titan XD variant, designed for heavier loads, offered reinforced frame and upgraded suspension, with a towing capacity of 10,880 pounds. The Titan averaged 16 mpg over a 500-mile week, with RWD standard and 4WD optional.

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 engine, optional on Elevation trims and standard on AT4 and Denali, delivered 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Canyon also offered a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Canyon AT4, equipped with the gas V6 and 4WD, provided confident off-road performance. The Canyon's towing capacity reached up to 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel engine, and it had a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds.

The 2020 Nissan Titan offered King Cab and Crew Cab variants, with the King Cab featuring double-hinged rear doors for easy access. The Crew Cab provided more rear legroom and a 5.5-foot bed. The Titan's interior included six cupholders, air vents, power outlets, and USB ports for rear passengers. The optional cargo organizer and Utility package enhanced the bed's functionality with features like a spray-on liner, LED lights, and a rail system for tie-downs. The Titan also offered a fold-down tailgate step and a 400-watt AC outlet in the bed.

The 2021 GMC Canyon was available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab variants. The Extended Cab had rear-hinged half-doors and small jump seats, while the Crew Cab offered more usable rear-seat space. The Canyon's interior provided a commanding driving position, though seat adjustment was awkward. The center console and center stack offered usable space, but door storage was limited. The Canyon featured 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's bed included GM's CornerStep rear bumper and the EZ lift-and-lower tailgate.

The 2020 Nissan Titan's infotainment system featured an 8- or 9-inch touchscreen, with the 9-inch display offering higher resolution and modern functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and NissanConnect data services. The system also supported voice searches through Google and over-the-air updates. The Titan offered a 485-watt Fender stereo with 10 or 12 speakers, including a subwoofer. The 7-inch color display in the instrument panel provided detailed information. Standard safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with options for adaptive cruise control, driver-attention monitor, and 360-degree cameras.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Elevation and AT4 trims offered an optional 8-inch screen, 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 Canyon's infotainment system had crisp graphics and an easy-to-use menu layout, with helpful hard buttons and dials for additional control.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS for 2020, but the 2019 Crew Cab scored 4 out of 5 stars overall. Improvements in body structure and standard driver assists, along with additional airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, enhanced safety. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and 360-degree cameras. A rear-door alert was standard.

The 2021 GMC Canyon's standard safety features included a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring system, front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package, standard on the Denali and optional on other trims, included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert. The Denali also featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance.