2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator was a unique creation, starting with a Wrangler base, stretching and fortifying the frame for serious towing and hauling, and adding a short 5-foot cargo bed. This design aimed to maintain a good departure angle while providing the utility midsize pickup buyers needed. The result was a distinctive vehicle that initially looked odd due to its tall, long, and narrow proportions, especially with the Wrangler-based bodywork. However, driving the Gladiator, especially in remote areas, quickly endeared it to many.

In 2021, Jeep introduced a new Willys special edition with a blacked-out grille, limited-slip rear differential, rock rails, and 32-inch all-terrain tires for the Sport or Sport S trims. The 80th Anniversary Edition, positioned just above the Overland, featured special badges, finishes, and materials. At the top of the lineup, the High Altitude luxury model debuted with body-color detailing, black 20-inch wheels, and premium Nappa leather.

Pricing for the Jeep Gladiator Sport started at $33,545, featuring a manual transmission, all-season tires, manual windows, a basic top, and a 5-inch radio display. The test truck, however, was an Overland trim with nearly every option, including a new turbo-diesel engine and automatic transmission, bringing the MSRP to $58,525.

The interior of the test truck was well-appointed with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and top-tier infotainment and sound systems. Despite these luxuries, the Gladiator remained a rugged vehicle with durable materials. The cabin closely mirrored the Wrangler’s, with modifications to the rear seating area, emphasizing utility and purpose. Jeep Easter eggs and the Jeep Wave added to the sense of belonging to an exclusive club.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, which had been around since the 2015 model year, offered a premium look and feel, especially in the luxury-oriented Denali trim. This trim featured a unique chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, five-inch chrome assist steps, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, heated and ventilated perforated front leather seats, open-pore Ash wood trim, sill plates, floor mats embossed with the "Denali" logo, and a Bose premium audio system.

Even the rugged AT4 off-road version came with premium features like a black chrome grille, LED signature lighting, unique 17-inch wheels, a soft-touch instrument panel, premium heated leather front seats with Kalahari accents, and "AT4" embroidered on the headrests. The AT4’s cabin was luxurious and inviting, with off-road elements giving the truck a bold, capable look.

As you moved down the trim levels to the Elevation and base Elevation Standard trims, the Canyon’s material quality remained above expectations for the class, though it featured more typical GM switchgear and materials.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator initially offered only a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 engine. In 2021, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 became available for an additional $4,000, except for the Mojave trim. The diesel engine produced 260 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 442 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 to 2,800 rpm, providing substantial low-end grunt and better fuel economy than the gas engine. During testing, the diesel averaged 22.6 mpg on a mountainous loop, slightly below the EPA’s estimated 24 mpg in combined driving. In contrast, a 2020 Gladiator Overland with the standard V6 returned only 20.3 mpg on the highway.

A Gladiator Sport with the standard engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, and 4.10 axle ratio could tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul up to 1,700 pounds with a six-speed manual transmission. The turbo-diesel powertrain, due to engine-cooling restrictions, could tow between 6,000 and 6,500 pounds, matching or besting several other Gladiator configurations. The diesel’s payload capacity was comparable to most other Gladiators.

During off-road testing, the diesel-powered Gladiator Rubicon excelled, with its low-speed torque making it easy to tackle tough trails. The Selec-Speed off-road cruise control system further enhanced its off-road capabilities. On paved roads, the diesel Gladiator exhibited the same charms and drawbacks as the gasoline version, with slow and sloppy steering, a stiff and jouncy ride, and noticeable wind noise on the freeway. However, these characteristics added to the truck’s charm, with the turbo-diesel engine enhancing the overall experience.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered three powertrains: a 200-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 308-hp 3.6-liter V6, and a 181-hp 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder with 369 pound-feet of torque. The V6 and turbodiesel engines had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds with the Trailering package. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on all trims. The base four-cylinder and diesel engines came with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic.

The base four-cylinder engine’s performance was adequate but uninspiring. The test vehicle, a 2022 GMC Canyon AT4 4WD with the V6/eight-speed automatic combination, offered abundant power and smooth shifting. The 2.8-liter turbodiesel, tested previously, demonstrated robust towing and fuel economy capabilities.

The AT4’s 31-inch Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires were noisy at highway speeds but didn’t compromise on-road grip. The higher ride height and wider stance provided stable handling. Off-road, the AT4 was well-equipped with Duratrac tires, an Autotrac two-speed electronic transfer case, special off-road suspension, auto-locking rear differential, transfer case shield, and hill-descent control. The optional AT4 Off-Road Performance Edition package added further off-road enhancements, making the Canyon AT4 a worthy rival to the Jeep Gladiator.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized utility over comfort. The seats were supportive, but the small door openings, snug seating positions, close proximity to the steering wheel and windshield, and cramped rear legroom required acclimation. Side steps or rails, mounted high to preserve breakover angle, made entry and exit more challenging and could dirty your clothing if muddy.

In-cabin storage included netting on the door panels, a small center console bin, cupholders, a dash-top tray, and an undersized glove compartment. A locking and removable storage bin under the rear seat was also available. The 5-foot steel cargo box held 35.5 cubic feet of cargo, with multiple tie-down hooks, an adjustable tailgate, and optional spray-in bedliner and Trail Rail cargo organizer. Payload ratings ranged from 1,075 to 1,535 pounds, depending on trim, engine, and transmission.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered an extended cab with a 6'2" bed or a crew cab with either a 5'2" or 6'2" bed. The crew cab provided ample space for rear-seat passengers, while the extended cab’s rear seat was less spacious. The rear folding bench seat allowed for additional storage.

Entering and exiting the Canyon was easy, thanks to its crossover SUV-like seat height. The seats were comfortable and supportive, with power adjustment, heat, and lumbar support for the front seats. The test vehicle also featured a heated steering wheel, sliding rear window, and wireless device charging pad.

The AT4’s taller ride height provided excellent visibility, and the rearview camera and rear park assist made backing up stress-free. The cargo bed, with two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, facilitated easy gear storage and access, aided by the integrated corner step rear bumper.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator, while inherently old school, offered modern technology. The standard FCA Uconnect 3 system with a 5-inch display included Bluetooth, voice text reply for Android devices, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The optional Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touchscreen, standard on Sport S trim, added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-shelf Uconnect 4C system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation, included SiriusXM Guardian connected services, remote engine starting, and a WiFi hotspot. An Alpine premium sound system and Amazon Alexa skill were also available.

The Uconnect 4C system was user-friendly but showed signs of aging, with slow load and response times and specific voice recognition prompts. The forward-facing Trail Cam, available with the Overland trim, assisted drivers in navigating off-road obstacles.

The 2022 GMC Canyon’s technology offerings varied by trim. The Elevation Standard trim featured a 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system, while the Elevation trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The AT4 added a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the Denali trim included navigation, a high-definition rearview camera, and several driver-assist features.

Available tech included Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar telematics. The test vehicle’s GMC infotainment system with navigation included an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-vehicle apps, and a Bose premium audio system. The system was straightforward to use, and the Bose sound system performed well.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator’s standard safety features were minimal, with a reversing camera as the primary offering. Depending on the trim and equipment, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams were available.

The test truck included all these features, with blind-spot monitoring being particularly useful due to the narrow side mirrors. Adaptive cruise control worked well, and Jeep offered both adaptive and standard cruise control options.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Gladiator a four-star frontal-impact rating with the standard gasoline engine and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 GMC Canyon’s safety features varied by trim. The base Elevation Standard trim included tire-fill alert and the Teen Driver system, which helped parents monitor their teen’s driving habits and set audio system volume and vehicle speed limits. The Driver Alert package, available on the Elevation and AT4 and standard on the Denali, included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking assistance. However, features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance were not available.

The 2022 Canyon earned four out of five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal crash protection, five stars for side protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Canyon "Good" ratings in most crash tests but rated it "Poor" in the front passenger-side small overlap test. The Canyon also received "Poor" ratings for its headlights and vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, and a "Marginal" rating for its LATCH child-seat anchors.