2021 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 GMC Canyon, part of the second generation that debuted in 2015, underwent its first refresh after six years. This refresh included an enlarged 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 less of an issue in the midsize pickup market where competitors like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma were also aging. The interior of the Canyon prioritized function over form, with a sensible layout for controls but featuring hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish. The trims ranged from the base Elevation Standard to the off-road-inspired AT4 and the luxurious Denali, each offering varying levels of features and aesthetics.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma presented a classic truck appearance with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille. It offered unique styling features across different models, such as the Trail Edition and Nightshade Edition, while the TRD Pro boasted exclusive elements like a model-specific grille and Lunar Rock color. The Tacoma maintained a body-on-frame construction, enhancing its towing and off-road capabilities. However, the interior space was limited, especially in the Double Cab, which had the least rear headroom and legroom in its segment. Despite these constraints, the Tacoma offered practical features like fold-up rear seats for additional storage and a standard rail system with tie-down cleats in the bed.

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 a robust 369 lb-ft of torque. The Canyon's base engine struggled with performance, making the V6 a more viable option, though it required aggressive throttle input for liveliness. The Duramax engine provided significant 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, while its payload capacity was 1,605 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma offered two powertrain options: a base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, available with both automatic and manual transmissions, utilized Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for improved fuel economy. The Tacoma's part-time 4WD drivetrain included a standard electronic rear limited-slip differential, with a fully locking rear diff available. The TRD models enhanced off-road capabilities with features like upgraded suspension, Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, and Crawl Control. The TRD Pro model added Fox shocks, a front lift, and wider wheels. On-road, the Tacoma TRD Pro felt traditional, with less car-like handling compared to competitors. Its towing capacity was 6,800 pounds, and the maximum payload was 1,685 pounds, though these figures varied based on configuration.

The 2021 GMC Canyon was available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab variants. The Extended Cab featured rear-hinged half-doors and small jump seats, suitable for children or storage. 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. Interior storage included a center console and small door trays, with decently sized cupholders. The Canyon 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 Toyota Tacoma's Double Cab configuration struggled with interior space, offering the least rear headroom and legroom in its segment. The front headroom and legroom were also below average, contributing to a bunker-like feel. The rear seats folded up to reveal storage cubbies, but overall in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma lacked clever in-bed storage solutions but included a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an available 120-volt outlet. The bed was made from sheet-molded composite, a lightweight and rust-resistant material.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring the latest GMC infotainment system, 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 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 for easy access to vehicle settings and information.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's base SR trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, while other models featured an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A six-speaker JBL audio system was available on higher trims. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout features, with plain graphics and basic functions. The TRD Pro model offered a Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, useful for off-road and parking maneuvers.

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 towing assistance.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score for the passenger-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Tacoma's safety features were comprehensive, though the Ford Ranger offered additional features like lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring.