2021 GMC Canyon vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a second-generation model, had been around since 2015 after a two-year hiatus. It received its first refresh after six years, featuring an enlarged grille and a revised front bumper to align more closely 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 interior of the Canyon prioritized function over form, with a sensible layout for controls but plenty of hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish. The trims ranged from the base Elevation Standard to the luxurious Denali, with the off-road-inspired AT4 nearly matching the Denali in features but without the glitz.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for the 2020 model year, boasted a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. Inside, the Sierra 2500HD's interior was functional but fell short in material quality compared to its Ram and Ford competitors. The cabin was spacious, but not as roomy as the Ram 1500 and Ford Super Duty. The Sierra 2500HD was available in five trim levels, from the basic Pro to the luxurious Denali, with the off-road-focused AT4 offering a rugged yet handsome package. Our test truck, the AT4, featured black chrome accents, C-shaped LED lighting, and a premium interior with heated and ventilated leather seats.

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 369 lb-ft of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Canyon's base engine struggled to move the truck efficiently, making the V6 a better choice, though it still required aggressive throttle input for lively performance. The Duramax engine provided substantial torque but was limited by its six-speed transmission. The AT4 trim, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, handled off-road trails confidently and maintained good on-road manners. The Canyon's towing capacity reached up to 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel engine, and it had a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two powerful 6.6-liter V8 engines: a standard gas engine and an optional Duramax turbodiesel. The Duramax engine, paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission, produced 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque, enabling a maximum payload capacity of 3,597 pounds and a towing capacity of 18,500 pounds. Despite these impressive figures, the Sierra 2500HD lagged behind competitors like the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ram 2500 in towing capacity. Our test truck, equipped with the Duramax diesel, demonstrated abundant power, requiring firm brake pedal pressure to prevent unintended movement when shifting gears. The Sierra 2500HD felt quick for its size, with smooth shifts from the Allison transmission, though the ride was jittery on uneven pavement. The AT4 trim excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its robust equipment, including an automatic-locking rear differential, off-road suspension, and all-terrain tires.

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, suitable for children or large gym bags. The Crew Cab, with four full doors, offered more usable rear-seat space. The Canyon's driving position was commanding, but seat adjustment was awkward. Storage options 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 available EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with remote power locking.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD provided three cab configurations, two bed lengths, and available 4WD. Most versions seated five, but it could accommodate up to six passengers with a front-row bench seat. The Sierra 2500HD offered abundant passenger space in all seating positions. Getting into the truck required effort, especially with the AT4 package's extra lift, but the side assist step and corner-step rear bumper facilitated access. Inside, the Sierra 2500HD featured a wide and deep center console, dual glove boxes, hidden rear seat storage compartments, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The truck also had a 120-volt household-style power outlet, USB ports, and a wireless charging pad. The MultiPro tailgate, standard on SLE and above, offered six functions for improved loading and unloading, and could be lowered via a switch, remote key fob, or manually.

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 featured crisp graphics and an easy-to-use menu layout, with hard buttons and dials for additional control. A larger 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 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen, depending on the trim level. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above, and available on SLE. Navigation was standard on the Denali and available on SLT and AT4 trims. The Sierra 2500HD included hitch guidance, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar with connected services. Our test vehicle's Bose premium audio system delivered rich sound, though the voice-recognition system occasionally produced odd results. The Sierra's 15 available camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view, made trailer hookup and monitoring easier. The standard rear camera mirror provided a clear view behind the truck, even with a full cabin.

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 easier trailer alignment.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered advanced safety and driver-assistive features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist. Standard items included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and the Teen Driver system. The Sierra 2500HD's mass provided safety benefits in collisions but posed risks to smaller vehicles and pedestrians, making its numerous camera views and safety systems essential.