2021 GMC Canyon vs 2022 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2021 GMC Canyon, entrenched in its second generation, presented itself as an evolved cousin to its first iteration which had been underwhelming. Following a well-timed hiatus, the Canyon returned in 2015 with a refreshed demeanor. By 2021, the truck received another facelift, including an enlarged grille and a revamped front bumper. These updates brought it visually closer to the full-sized GMC Sierra, fostering a sense of brand cohesion. Yet, the truck retained most of its older features, which posed less of a problem in the midsize truck market given the age of its competitors like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.

Inside, the Canyon sported a practical and user-friendly cabin similar to the larger Sierra, with an emphasis on function over form. The use of hard plastics and average fit-and-finish were noticeable, but within acceptable bounds for the segment. Offered trims included the Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali—with the AT4 delivering off-road prowess and the Denali presenting with additional luxury features.

Conversely, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 underwent significant updates to increase its appeal. The model introduced two new trims: Denali Ultimate and AT4X, expanding on the existing luxury of Denali and the ruggedness of AT4, respectively. The Sierra's reworked front fascia, grille, and split-C headlights gave it a more commanding presence despite its unchanged dimensions.

The Denali's new tri-linear patterned grille presented a blingy yet tough demeanor, while the Denali Ultimate's dark-colored Vader bars added sophistication. Meanwhile, trims like SLT, AT4, and AT4X featured less ostentatious but equally imposing grille designs. The interior of the Sierra was transformed, offering a spacious feel and a more squared, rugged dashboard design, complemented by premium materials in the higher trims.

The 2021 GMC Canyon offered multiple powertrain choices. The standard engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, generated 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A 3.6-liter V6 was available, making 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, this engine showed more vigor, especially for off-roading in the AT4 trim. The most potent option was the 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel, delivering 181 hp but a robust 369 lb-ft of torque, although its six-speed automatic transmission limited its potential.

The Canyon's towing capacity peaked at 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel, which, paired with a 1,605-pound payload capacity, set a high bar in its segment.

By comparison, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engines, two transmissions, and RWD or 4WD configurations. The standard 2.7-liter turbo-four saw improvements, producing 310 hp and a notable 430 lb-ft of torque—a 20% increase over the previous model. This engine managed up to 9,600 pounds of towing for 2WD models.

Improvements in the 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine boosted its rating to 13,200 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. Other options included a 5.3-liter V8 (355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque) and a 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque), both mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

In practice, the Sierra Denali Ultimate provided a smooth, luxurious driving experience, while the AT4X showed exceptional on-road manners and off-road capabilities, supported by unique suspension systems and Multimatic DSSV dampers for superior off-road performance.

The 2021 Canyon came in Extended Cab and Crew Cab variations. The Extended Cab's second-row jump seats were marginally useful, best suited for small children or luggage. The Crew Cab, with its four full doors, offered better rear-seat usability, though still not expansive. The Canyon offered a commanding, yet occasionally uncomfortable driving position. Storage space inside was adequate with a reasonable center console and practical door trays.

Two bed sizes were available: a short (5-foot-2) and a long (6-foot-2) box. The Extended Cab paired with the long box, while the Crew Cab allowed for both options. The Canyon's GM-engineered CornerStep rear bumper and optional EZ lift-and-lower tailgate enhanced its practicality.

The 2022 Sierra 1500, however, excelled in roominess and utility. It offered best-in-class cargo capacity with its short bed. Front headroom measured about 43 inches across all cab types, and rear-seat headroom stood at 40 inches. Legroom was spacious, with 44.5 inches upfront and up to 43.4 inches in the rear Crew Cab. Many storage compartments were thoughtfully integrated, though the redesigned dashboard's gloveboxes were relatively small.

The center console presented an ergonomic challenge with low-positioned screens and an abundance of knobs and buttons. Despite the clutter, massaging seats provided an extra touch of comfort, particularly appreciated on long drives.

The 2021 Canyon featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims, like the AT4 and Denali, offered an 8-inch screen and additional features such as navigation, HD radio, and a wireless charging pad. The Denali trim also included a 4.2-inch color driver display for accessible control over vehicle settings and information.

For 2022, the Sierra 1500 raised the bar with a standard 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with built-in Google services. The system was fast and responsive, with a clear display and large icons. However, the similarity between in-car Google-based navigation and smartphone-projected maps could cause some confusion.

The larger screen allowed for dual views such as navigation and trailering simultaneously. Options included a 15-inch multicolor head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, enhancing the driving experience.

Standard safety features for the 2021 Canyon included a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package added forward-collision and lane-departure warnings and rear parking sensors. The Denali trim featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for easier towing.

The 2022 Sierra 1500 stood out with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system, standard on the Denali Ultimate. It included features such as automatic lane changes and trailering capability. GMC Pro Safety suite offered forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and IntelliBeam headlights.

In safety ratings, the Sierra received mostly favorable marks from the IIHS, though it scored lower in specific tests like the front-passenger small overlap and headlights. NHTSA awarded it four stars for crashworthiness in 2WD models.