2020 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 GMC Canyon

The 2020 Toyota Tundra was available in multiple trims, including SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. As you moved up the trim levels, the Tundra became more luxurious. It offered Double Cab and CrewMax cab styles with three bed lengths, depending on the configuration. Prices ranged from $33,425 to $52,930 before destination charges and options. The TRD Pro CrewMax with 4WD, painted in Army Green and featuring black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, had a rugged, military-grade look. Inside, it had black leather with red stitching and "TRD Pro" embroidery, but the interior was marred by industrial-grade plastic.

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a second-generation model, received its first refresh since its 2015 debut. The refresh included an enlarged grille and revised front bumper, aligning it more with the GMC Sierra. Despite the updates, the Canyon remained largely the same truck, which was less of an issue in the midsize pickup market. The cabin, while functional, had plenty of hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish. Trims included Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali, each offering various features and upgrades. The AT4 trim, nearly on par with the Denali, was designed for off-roading with 17-inch dark metallic aluminum wheels, aggressive Goodyear all-terrain tires, and off-road suspension.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, producing 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. It had a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 1,730 pounds in the SR Double Cab with RWD. The TRD Pro model came standard with 4WD, BBS forged aluminum wheels, heavy-duty Fox off-road shocks, a stainless-steel TRD-tuned dual exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The V8 engine provided robust power, but the truck's fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 14.3 mpg. The Tundra handled well on various terrains, though its size could be a liability on narrow trails.

The 2021 GMC Canyon offered a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Optional was a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was also available, producing 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Canyon AT4, equipped with the gas V6 and 4WD, featured an automatic locking rear differential and hill-descent control. The Canyon could tow up to 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel engine and had a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds. The V6 engine provided adequate power, but the Duramax's potential was limited by its six-speed transmission.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra, built in Texas, had a spacious interior. The CrewMax’s rear seating area was particularly large, though the rear bench was low and flat. The front seats were supportive and comfortable for long drives. Storage was abundant, except for the small glove compartment and limited backseat storage. The bed was basic, lacking advanced features like locking storage wells or multifunctional tailgates. The Tundra emphasized simplicity over frills.

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, suitable for children or small items. The Crew Cab offered more usable rear-seat space. The Canyon had a commanding driving position, though seat adjustment was awkward. Storage included usable space in the center console and center stack, with small trays and cupholders in the doors. The Canyon offered two bed sizes: a short (5-foot-2) box and a long (6-foot-2) box. The CornerStep rear bumper provided easy bed access, and the EZ lift-and-lower tailgate prevented slamming.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra featured a recessed, glare-prone infotainment system with a 7-inch display standard on lower trims and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, USB ports, and free trial subscriptions to safety and WiFi services. The TRD Pro trim had dynamic navigation, voice recognition, point-of-interest search, and a 12-speaker JBL premium sound system. However, the system's virtual buttons could be frustrating to use in a moving truck. The Tundra lacked advanced towing technology, offering only a reversing camera.

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 had crisp graphics and an easy-to-use menu layout, with hard buttons and dials for convenience. An 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, operated via a steering wheel pad, for easy access to presets, vehicle settings, and driver information.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra included Toyota Safety Sense and an optional blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. It also came with a free year of Safety Connect services. However, its crash-test performance was lacking. The IIHS rated it Marginal for driver-side small-overlap frontal impact and Poor for the front passenger. The truck's headlights were rated Marginal. The NHTSA gave it 5 stars for side-impact protection, 4 stars for frontal-impact protection, and 4 stars for rollover resistance with 4WD (3 stars with RWD).

The 2021 GMC Canyon included standard safety features like 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 had an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for easier towing.