2020 Nissan Frontier vs 2021 GMC Canyon

The second-generation GMC Canyon had been around for a while, first arriving as a 2015 model after a two-year hiatus. The most notable changes to the 2021 Canyon included an enlarged grille and a revised front bumper, aligning it aesthetically with its full-size sibling, the GMC Sierra. Despite these updates, the Canyon largely remained the same truck, which could have been an issue in the full-size truck market but was less so in the midsize pickup space. The cabin maintained a functional layout with sensible controls, though it featured plenty of hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish. The Canyon's trims ranged from the base Elevation Standard to the luxurious Denali, each offering various features and options to suit different needs.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Frontier looked almost like a perfectly-preserved 2005 model, with its design aging well over the years. The Frontier was available in King Cab and Crew Cab styles, with various trims including the base S, mid-grade SV, and the off-road-oriented PRO-4X. The interior of the Frontier was reminiscent of mid-2000s Nissan designs, featuring symmetry, modularity, and silver plastic. Despite the hard plastics, the Frontier's cabin was solidly built, with no squeaks or rattles. The PRO-4X trim added unique features like a tube-style roof rack, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a spray-in bedliner, enhancing its rugged appeal.

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 engine, standard on the AT4 and Denali trims, delivered 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, offering 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Canyon's base engine struggled to move the truck efficiently, making the V6 a more suitable choice. The AT4 trim, equipped with the gas V6 and 4WD, provided confident off-road performance without compromising on-road driving manners. 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 Frontier introduced a mostly-new 3.8-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old 4.0-liter V6 and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. The new V6 produced 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, offering a smoother and more refined performance compared to its predecessor. The Frontier's maximum tow rating remained at 6,720 pounds. While the new engine and transmission provided strong acceleration and quick shifts, the Frontier's overall driving dynamics were less impressive. The steering was slow and heavy, and the turning radius was wide. The PRO-4X trim featured high-pressure Bilstein off-road shocks, which absorbed trail ruts and speed humps but allowed road surface irregularities to reverberate through the truck.

The 2021 GMC Canyon was available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab variants. The Extended Cab featured rear-hinged half-doors and small second-row jump seats, suitable for children or large gym bags. The Crew Cab, with four full doors, offered more usable rear-seat space. The Canyon provided a commanding driving position, though seat adjustment was awkward. Storage space included a center console, center stack, and small door trays. The Canyon offered 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 GM's CornerStep rear bumper for easy bed access and an EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with remote power locking.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier, despite its wasted space on the center console, offered plenty of storage in other locations, including dual glove compartments and a bin under the center armrest. The PRO-4X trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, providing a tall and supportive position. However, the seat was not one of Nissan's Zero Gravity designs, and long drives could become uncomfortable. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but sat high enough off the floor. Rear seat room was tight, with a flat bench seat and minimal backrest angle. The Frontier's bed, equipped with a spray-in bedliner, bed-rail caps, and a Utili-Track channel system, could haul up to 1,020 pounds of payload. The bed measured 18 inches deep and 27.1 cubic feet in total volume.

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 added 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 in the instrument panel, operated via a directional pad on the steering wheel.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier's PRO-4X trim was equipped with a 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including NissanConnect Apps, satellite radio, navigation, voice recognition, and a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium sound system. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Pairing an iPhone to Bluetooth allowed the use of Siri Eyes Free voice assistant, offering a more natural alternative to the Frontier's voice recognition technology. The Frontier's technology was limited, reflecting its age.

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 optional Driver Alert package added forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert, standard on the Denali. The Denali also featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for easier towing.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier's safety ratings were less impressive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it an overall rating of four stars, with three stars for driver frontal-impact protection and two stars for the front passenger. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "marginal" in the small overlap frontal-impact test and "poor" for headlights. The Frontier's safety features included a reversing camera, antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control, but it lacked modern driver-assistance technologies.