2021 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

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 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 was less of an issue in the midsize pickup market where competition was not as fierce. The cabin of the Canyon did not look as old as it could have, thanks to a sensible layout for controls, though the quality of materials came second. The Canyon had a handsome but mainly useful interior, with trims ranging from the base Elevation Standard to the range-topping Denali.

The Toyota Tundra, originally developed in the mid-2000s and released for the 2007 model year, had a somewhat awkward look compared to other new trucks. It featured a massive grille and disproportionately small headlights, giving it an oversized appearance. Despite its dated underpinnings, the Tundra's cabin had contemporary elements, with a dash dominated by hard plastics and big monotone panels. The Tundra's interior was not luxurious but was kept fresh with a standard 7-inch infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Trim levels ranged from the base SR to the luxurious 1794 Edition, with the new Nightshade Edition adding darkened exterior touches.

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. A 3.6-liter V6, making 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, was optional on the Elevation trims and standard on the AT4 and Denali, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Canyon was also available with a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, delivering 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. The Canyon's base engine struggled to move the truck, making the V6 a better option, though it still required a heavy foot for lively performance. The Duramax offered potential punch but was limited by its six-speed transmission. The AT4 trim, with its off-road capabilities, provided a confident trail experience without compromising on-road manners. The Canyon could tow up to 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel engine and had a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with the I-Force 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra's towing capacity was 10,200 pounds, and its payload capacity was 1,730 pounds. The V8 engine provided strong acceleration at both low and high speeds, with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra was comfortable over various surfaces, with its width ensuring stability in corners. The steering was vague at low speeds but settled on the highway, making the Tundra feel most at home cruising at 65 mph.

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, best suited 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 2021 Toyota Tundra offered two cab sizes and three bed sizes. The Double Cab had conventionally-opening rear doors and was available with a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed. The CrewMax, a full four-door crew cab, came with a 5.5-foot bed and provided ample rear legroom. The CrewMax's rear seats folded up for a large, lockable cargo area. The Tundra's front seats had plenty of room, with a massive center console and multiple cup holders. The optional power rear window opened the entire rear window, providing clear sightlines and fresh air. The Tundra also offered optional in-bed storage lockers, though they were less useful than the RamBox system.

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 had crisp graphics and an easy-to-use menu layout, with helpful hard buttons and dials below the screen. 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 in the instrument panel, operated via a directional pad on the steering wheel.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system was updated in 2020 and carried into 2021, featuring standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was operated via a 7-inch touchscreen or an available 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and Amazon Alexa. The touchscreen had a sensible layout and redundant hard buttons. The Tundra came standard with multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a three-month trial of WiFi hotspot capability. The standard stereo had six speakers, with the SR5 trim upgrading to seven or nine speakers, depending on the cab size. An available JBL premium audio system provided 12 speakers, including a subwoofer and amplifier.

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

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with the Safety Sense P suite, including forward-collision warning and avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tundra also came standard with eight airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.