2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 GMC Canyon

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a second-generation model, had been on the market for several years, having first appeared in 2015 after a brief hiatus. This refresh brought a larger grille and a revised front bumper, aligning it more closely with its full-size sibling, the GMC Sierra. Despite these updates, the Canyon largely retained its original design, which was not a significant drawback in the midsize pickup segment, where many competitors were also aging. The interior of the Canyon prioritized functionality with a straightforward control layout, though it featured hard plastics and average fit-and-finish. The truck offered various trims, including the base Elevation Standard, the off-road-inspired AT4, and the luxurious Denali, each with distinct features and options.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator, derived from the Wrangler, featured a stretched and reinforced frame for enhanced towing and hauling capabilities, along with a 5-foot cargo bed. Its unique design, while initially striking, grew on drivers, especially those who ventured off-road. The Gladiator introduced new editions like the Willys and 80th Anniversary, as well as the luxurious High Altitude model. Starting at $33,545, the Gladiator offered a range of trims and options, including a turbo-diesel engine. The interior, while durable and equipped with modern technology, maintained a rugged charm, with features like Jeep Easter eggs and a manual transfer case lever. The Gladiator's off-road prowess and distinctive design made it a standout choice for adventurous drivers.

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 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, offering 181 horsepower and a robust 369 pound-feet of torque. The Canyon's base engine struggled with performance, making the V6 a more appealing choice, though it required aggressive driving to feel lively. The Duramax engine provided substantial torque but was limited by its six-speed transmission. The AT4 trim, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, excelled off-road with features like an automatic locking rear differential and hill-descent control. The Canyon's towing capacity reached up to 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel engine, matching the best in its class, and it boasted a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator initially offered a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 engine, but for 2021, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 became available, adding $4,000 to the price. This diesel engine produced 260 horsepower and an impressive 442 pound-feet of torque, providing strong low-end performance and improved fuel economy. During testing, the diesel engine averaged 22.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA's estimate. The Gladiator Sport, with the standard engine, could tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul 1,700 pounds of payload. The diesel powertrain, while not matching these figures, still offered competitive towing and payload capacities. Off-road, the diesel-powered Gladiator Rubicon excelled, with its torque making challenging trails manageable. On-road, the Gladiator exhibited its characteristic charm, with a stiff ride and wind noise, but the diesel engine added to its appeal.

The 2021 GMC Canyon was available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab configurations. The Extended Cab featured rear-hinged half-doors and small jump seats in the second row, suitable for children or small items. The Crew Cab, with four full doors, offered more usable rear-seat space. The Canyon provided a commanding driving position, though seat adjustment was somewhat awkward. Interior storage included a center console, small door trays, and 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 optional EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with remote power locking.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized utility over comfort, with supportive seats but limited interior space. The truck's small door openings, snug seating positions, and cramped rear legroom required adjustment. Side steps or rails, while preserving breakover angle, made entry and exit challenging. Interior storage included netting on door panels, a small center console bin, cupholders, and a dash-top tray. The Gladiator's 5-foot steel cargo box held 35.5 cubic feet of cargo and featured an adjustable tailgate for accommodating large items. A spray-in bedliner and various cargo management options were available. Payload ratings varied by trim, engine, and transmission, ranging from 1,075 to 1,535 pounds.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the latest GMC infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered crisp graphics and an intuitive menu layout, with hard buttons and dials for ease of use. An optional 8-inch screen was available 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 steering wheel-mounted directional pad.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator, while rugged, offered modern technology. The standard Uconnect 3 system with a 5-inch display included Bluetooth, voice text reply for Android, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The optional Uconnect 4 system, with a 7-inch touchscreen, added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-tier Uconnect 4C system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation, provided SiriusXM Guardian services, remote engine starting, and a WiFi hotspot. An Alpine premium sound system and Amazon Alexa skill were included. The Uconnect 4C system, though user-friendly, showed signs of aging with slow response times. The Gladiator also offered a forward-facing Trail Cam for off-road navigation.

The 2021 GMC Canyon included standard safety features such as a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system, which allowed speed and volume limits for secondary drivers. 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 2021 Jeep Gladiator, in its standard form, offered a reversing camera but limited additional safety features. Depending on trim and equipment, advanced driving assistance systems were available, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The test truck included these features, with blind-spot monitoring proving particularly useful due to narrow side mirrors. The NHTSA awarded the Gladiator a four-star frontal-impact rating with the standard engine and a three-star rollover resistance rating.