2021 Ford Ranger vs 2021 GMC Canyon

The 2021 GMC Canyon experienced crucial updates, reflecting a more contemporary style aligned with its full-size counterpart, the GMC Sierra. The second-generation Canyon, a 2015 model revival after a hiatus, heralded significant improvements. Key modifications for the 2021 model included an enlarged grille and a revised front bumper, giving the truck a more aggressive and modern stance. Although fundamentally the same truck, these changes kept the Canyon relevant amidst aging competitors like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma and newer entries like the Jeep Gladiator.

Inside, the Canyon's cabin was fortunately similar to the GMC Sierra's, with a layout prioritizing functionality over luxury. The material quality leaned heavily on hard plastics and exhibited average fit-and-finish, common issues within the midsize truck segment. The trims included Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali, offering variations from basic utility to premium comfort. The base Elevation Standard featured necessities like an 18-inch wheelset, LED running lights, and a 7-inch touchscreen. In contrast, the upscale Denali added luxury touches such as polished aluminum wheels, heated-and-cooled seats, and an 8-inch infotainment system with a Bose audio setup.

The 2021 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles. The former had a six-foot cargo bed, while the latter had a five-foot variant. Trim levels for the Ranger were XL, XLT, and Lariat, all powered by a potent turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger exuded rugged charm with its Tremor Off-Road Package, featuring 17-inch dark gray wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires. The Tremor equipment elevated the Ranger's off-road credentials and added unique graphic touches to its exterior.

Ford designed the Ranger's cabin with an emphasis on modernity and convenience. The Lariat trim, combined with the Tremor package, offered simulated suede seat inserts and an array of upfitter switches for increased functionality. The center console, equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed simple controls that aligned with the truck's clean, contemporary design. While hard plastic was prevalent, it was handled more fashionably, maintaining a sense of quality that resonated with Lincoln's premium vehicles.

The 2021 GMC Canyon offered three engine choices, starting 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 more powerful 3.6-liter V6, delivering 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, came standard on the AT4 and Denali trims. This engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, there was a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel four-cylinder, offering 181 horsepower and a robust 369 pound-feet of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Canyon's base engine struggled to provide sufficient power, making the V6 a more compelling choice, albeit with a somewhat flat throttle response. The diesel engine showcased significant torque, although its six-speed transmission somewhat hindered its performance consistency. The AT4 trim, geared towards off-roading, featured the gas V6 and 4WD, as well as hill-descent control and an automatic locking rear differential. The Canyon’s towing capacity was impressive, maxing out at 7,700 pounds with the diesel engine, while payload capacity reached up to 1,605 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Ranger, meanwhile, featured a singular yet potent 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, providing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine ensured the Ranger didn't suffer from any power deficiencies. The Tremor Off-Road Package included a Terrain Management System with multiple driving modes and an electronic locking rear differential for enhanced traction. Trail Control further facilitated low-speed off-road maneuvering.

The Ranger’s off-road suspension, reinforced with Fox performance shocks and revised springs, delivered 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Ranger's towing capabilities were commendable, with a maximum capacity of 7,500 pounds and a payload capacity ranging up to 1,860 pounds. However, in Tremor guise, the payload dropped to 1,430 pounds. Fuel economy for the Tremor stood at 19 mpg combined, slightly lower than standard Rangers, reflecting its off-road adaptations. Despite this, the Ranger excelled in acceleration and off-road performance, with its turbo engine proving refined and responsive across various terrains.

The 2021 GMC Canyon offered versatility with Extended Cab and Crew Cab variants. The Extended Cab had small, rear-hinged half-doors and limited rear seating space, making it more suitable for small children or extra cargo. The Crew Cab, with four full doors, was more practical for regular use. The driving position in the Canyon was commanding but sometimes awkward to adjust comfortably. Storage solutions included decent center console space, small door trays, and adequate cupholders.

In terms of cargo, the Canyon came with either a short 5-foot-2 box or a long 6-foot-2 box. The Extended Cab only came with the long box, while the Crew Cab could be equipped with either. The Canyon's EZ lift-and-lower tailgate enhanced usability, and the included CornerStep rear bumper provided convenient bed access.

The 2021 Ford Ranger’s Tremor model was equipped with sturdy, hoop-style step bars that, despite their high placement for clearance, could be challenging for shorter individuals and intrusive for taller ones. Inside, the Ranger featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a six-way passenger seat, ensuring comfort despite requiring additional seat track travel for taller drivers. The rear-seat space was more accommodating than most competitors, although the lack of rear air conditioning vents and a manually operated sliding rear window were noted drawbacks.

Storage in the Ranger was practical but marred by the single-piece lift mechanism of the rear seat cushion, which hindered access to the underlying bins. The 43.3 cubic-foot cargo bed in the SuperCrew (51.8 cubic feet in the SuperCab) was spacious, although the undampened tailgate and limited cargo solutions were drawbacks. Ford offered an extensive list of accessories for customization to address specific utility needs.

The 2021 GMC Canyon featured a user-friendly 7-inch touchscreen as standard, showcasing the latest GMC infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The intuitive interface included crisp graphics and a straightforward menu layout, complemented by physical buttons and dials for ease of use. Higher trims offered an upgrade to an 8-inch screen, with the Denali trim adding navigation, HD radio, and a wireless charging pad. The Denali also boasted a 4.2-inch color driver display in the instrument panel, controlled via a directional pad on the steering wheel for seamless access to vehicle information and settings.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor came with Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, centered around an 8-inch touchscreen. This system included voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and FordPass Connect, providing remote access to various features through a 4G WiFi hotspot. The system also incorporated navigation and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system. While Sync 3 was on the cusp of being phased out by the newer Sync 4 system in Ford’s lineup, it remained competitive within the midsize truck segment.

During testing, the Sync 3’s voice recognition had mixed results, sometimes struggling to understand commands related to navigation and media. However, the integration of climate controls into the system allowed for convenient voice-activated adjustments.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came with standard safety features, such as a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system, which enabled setting speed and volume limits for secondary drivers. The Canyon could be equipped with the Driver Alert package, incorporating forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert. These features were standard on the Denali and optional on other trims, although many competitors, including the Toyota Tacoma, offered similar features as standard.

The Denali trim further enhanced safety with an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance, which provided additional help for aligning the vehicle with a trailer hitch.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features across the lineup, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The system's lane warnings, provided through subtle steering wheel vibrations, were almost easy to miss.

The Ranger also included a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control (standard on the Lariat trim), and additional features like rain-sensing wipers and a wiper de-icer system. These systems ensured maximum visibility and assistance when parking or navigating trails.

In terms of crashworthiness, the Ranger received four stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a lower three-star rating for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it high marks except for "Acceptable" in front-passenger protection during the small-overlap frontal-impact test and "Marginal" for its headlights.