2021 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a second-generation model, had been around since 2015 after a two-year hiatus. This refresh brought an enlarged grille and a revised front bumper, aligning it more closely with the GMC Sierra. Despite these updates, the Canyon largely remained the same truck, which was less of an issue in the midsize pickup market where competitors like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma were also aging. The cabin, while functional with a sensible layout, featured hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish, typical for the segment. Trims ranged from the base Elevation Standard to the off-road-inspired AT4 and the luxurious Denali, each offering varying levels of features and comfort.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, particularly in its Limited trim, exuded luxury and capability. With its Iconic Silver paint, chrome grille, and polished wheels, it looked ready for both rugged tasks and upscale outings. The interior was spacious and plush, featuring high-end materials like soft two-tone leather, real wood, and aluminum trim. The F-350 came in multiple trims, from the work-oriented XL to the opulent Limited, and offered various cab styles and bed lengths. Our test truck, a crew cab with a standard bed and single-rear-wheel axle, showcased the truck's versatility and luxury, with features like power-deploying running boards and a panoramic sunroof.

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, delivered 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic. Additionally, a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, offering 181 hp and a robust 369 lb-ft of torque. The Canyon's base engine struggled with performance, making the V6 a necessary upgrade for better responsiveness. The AT4 trim, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, handled off-road trails confidently without compromising on-road 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 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, powered by a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, delivered an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Despite its size and power, the F-350 averaged 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. The Powerstroke diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided remarkable performance, effortlessly handling heavy loads and challenging terrains. The Tremor off-road package further enhanced its capabilities with features like a front suspension lift, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires. However, the truck's size made urban driving and parking challenging, though features like adaptive steering and a comprehensive camera system helped mitigate these issues.

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 awkward. Storage options included a center console, small door trays, and decently sized cupholders. The truck offered two bed sizes: a short (5-foot-2) box and a long (6-foot-2) box, with the Extended Cab only available with the long box. The Canyon featured GM's CornerStep rear bumper for easy bed access and an EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with remote power locking.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's crew cab provided ample space for five people, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The driving position was commanding, offering a clear view of the road. Storage was plentiful, with a large center console, dual glove compartments, and door bins. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with generous legroom and heated outboard seats. The cargo bed, accessible via an integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step, featured the configurable BoxLink system, a spray-in bedliner, and LED box lighting for convenience.

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. 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's 4.2-inch color driver display, operated via a steering wheel pad, provided easy access to presets, vehicle settings, and driver information.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured an 8-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, while functional, was becoming outdated compared to competitors. The system included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, FordPass Connect services, and a B&O premium sound system. The screen size was a drawback, especially for parking and using the truck's advanced towing technologies. Despite occasional responsiveness issues, Sync 3 was generally user-friendly, with separate stereo and climate controls to limit screen interaction. The driver information display offered extensive menus for safety, towing, off-roading, and efficiency settings.

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, which allowed owners to set speed and volume limits for secondary drivers. The optional Driver Alert package, standard on the Denali, included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert. The Denali also featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for easier towing.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing around 7,300 pounds, likely offered good protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. Available driver-assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control system had some performance issues in traffic, and the lane-departure warning system provided a noticeable vibration through the steering wheel. The blind-spot monitoring system required proper mirror adjustment to be effective. The Sync 3 system's 911 Assist feature could automatically contact emergency responders following a collision if the paired smartphone had a signal.