2022 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed 2020 look, offering three King Cab grades and five Crew Cab trim levels, each with distinct interior and exterior designs. The base model Titan S and SV featured dark grilles, while the SL had a bright chrome grille, and the Platinum Reserve boasted a satin chrome one. The Pro-4X stood out with a black grille and lava-red script logo, complemented by lava-red tow hooks. The Titan's new headlights provided 120% more light output than the 2019 model, and available LED fog lights added 15% more visibility. The truck bed featured four LED light sources, a Utili-track Bed Channel System, and a spray-in bedliner, making it practical for various uses. The Titan came in eight exterior colors, with the brown Baja Storm being particularly unique.

Inside, the Titan received significant upgrades, including a large infotainment screen and piano-black plastic trim. The upholstery and seat design were on par with GMC and Chevrolet products, a notable improvement over the Toyota Tundra. However, the steering wheel's design and small buttons felt dated. The Titan offered ample seating space and storage, with features like a panoramic moonroof, power-sliding rear window, and easy-to-reach grab handles enhancing its practicality.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, a midsize pickup, offered a premium look and feel, especially in the luxury-oriented Denali trim. The Denali featured a unique chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, and a host of interior luxuries, including heated and ventilated perforated front leather seats, open-pore Ash wood trim, and a Bose premium audio system. The rugged AT4 off-road version also came with premium features like a black chrome grille, LED signature lighting, and premium heated leather front seats with Kalahari accents. The Canyon's material quality, both inside and out, exceeded expectations for its class.

The Canyon's cabin felt spacious in crew cab form, with plenty of room for rear-seat passengers. The extended cab model, however, was less accommodating for adults. The Canyon's seats were comfortable and supportive, with power adjustments and heating available for the front seats. The AT4's taller ride height provided excellent visibility, and features like a rearview camera and rear park assist made maneuvering easier. The cargo bed's two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points added to the truck's practicality.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came with a single powertrain option—a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, making it the best-in-class standard powertrain. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Titan offered smooth and steady shifts, though it struggled mid-range. The Titan's acceleration was strong, and it lacked engine start/stop functionality, which some drivers appreciated. The Titan was available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations, both achieving an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined. The Titan's towing capacity reached up to 9,310 pounds for RWD models and 9,260 pounds for 4WD trucks, with a payload capacity of up to 1,680 pounds.

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 engine with 369 pound-feet of torque. The V6 and turbodiesel engines had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds with the Trailering package. The Canyon's V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided abundant power and smooth shifts. The Canyon's ride and handling were solid, with the AT4's off-road tires offering good grip and stability. The AT4's off-road equipment, including an Autotrac two-speed electronic transfer case and hill-descent control, made it capable off-road.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered a front bench seat as standard, with bucket seats available, seating five or six passengers. The Titan's Zero Gravity seats provided comfort for long journeys, with heated and cooled front seats available. The Titan's seating space was adequate for adults, though petite drivers might struggle to find a comfortable position. The Titan's center console offered ample storage, and features like a panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window added to its appeal. The Titan's thoughtful interior layout included easy-to-reach grab handles and folding rear seatbacks.

The 2022 GMC Canyon was available with an extended cab and 6'2" bed or a crew cab with either a 5'2" or 6'2" bed. The crew cab offered spacious seating for rear passengers, while the extended cab was less accommodating. The Canyon's seats were comfortable and supportive, with power adjustments and heating available for the front seats. The AT4's taller ride height provided excellent visibility, and features like a rearview camera and rear park assist made maneuvering easier. The cargo bed's two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points added to the truck's practicality.

The 2021 Nissan Titan featured a standard 9.0-inch WXGA resolution infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and satellite radio. Available upgrades included navigation, HD Radio, additional USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a Fender Premium Audio System. The Titan's WiFi hotspot supported up to seven devices, and the NissanConnect system offered a concierge service. The Titan's 7-inch programmable information display provided useful driver information.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's Elevation Standard trim came with a 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system, while the Elevation trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The AT4 added a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the Denali trim included navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. Available tech included Amazon Alexa Built-In and a Bose premium audio system. The Canyon's infotainment system was user-friendly, and the Bose sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included forward-collision warning, parking sensors, an Around View Monitor camera system, adaptive cruise control, and a driver-alertness monitor. Nissan backed the Titan with a five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim level. The base Elevation Standard trim lacked advanced driver aids but included tire-fill alert and the Teen Driver system. 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. The Canyon received four out of five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA and mixed ratings from the IIHS, with some areas needing improvement.