2021 RAM 1500 vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2021 Ram 1500 maintained much of its robust design elements from its 2019 redesign. It came with various configurations, including quad or crew cabs, and could sport either a five-foot, seven-inch bed or a six-foot, four-inch bed. For two-door variants, the longer box was the default. Both rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive options were available. The lineup’s showstopper was undoubtedly the TRX, a beefy, off-road-ready machine with an aggressive exterior featuring a hood scoop, massive grille, and fender vents, inspired heavily by off-road rally races like the Baja series. The TRX was designed with practical features like 11.8 inches of ground clearance, 35-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, and the distinctive TRX branding. The interior upheld the Ram's reputation for luxury, with premium materials like leather and suede, a 12-inch Uconnect infotainment display, and custom interior details, making it a blend of rugged exterior and high-end comfort inside.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, a slightly older design dating back to the 2015 model year, also carried a premium aura within the midsize truck segment. This was particularly prominent in the luxury Denali trim, which featured a unique chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, heated and ventilated leather seats, Ash wood trim, and a Bose audio system. For those leaning towards off-road adventures, the AT4 trim was present with black chrome accents, 17-inch wheels, LED signature lighting, premium leather seats with bold Kalahari accents, and the essential off-road visual cues. Despite its various embellishments, the lower trims like Elevation and Elevation Standard offered more typical GM design and materials, maintaining an overall high standard of material quality.

The performance focus of the 2021 Ram 1500 found its zenith in the TRX variant, which packed a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 engine producing an eye-watering 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. This setup enabled it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and achieve a quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds at 108 mph. Despite its massive power, the TRX had a balanced payload capacity of 1,310 pounds and a towing capability of 8,100 pounds. Fuel economy was predictably low at 10 mpg city, 14 highway, and 12 combined mpg, suited mainly for performance rather than efficiency. Field tests confirmed its prowess over varying terrains and its commendable balance between on-road comfort and off-road capabilities.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered three distinct powertrain options: a 200-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a more powerful 308-hp 3.6-liter V6, and a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine generating 181 horsepower and a robust 369 pound-feet of torque. While the base four-cylinder engine was serviceable, the V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission proved more exciting, offering substantial power for both on-road and off-road scenarios. The Canyon also showcased a towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds when equipped with the Trailering package. The AT4 variant with off-road details had a stable ride both on and off pavement, a benefit amplified by its wide stance and high ground clearance.

For the 2021 Ram 1500, despite its larger exterior dimensions, the TRX variant shared identical interior specs with the standard model: 40.9 inches of front headroom and legroom, and 39.8 and 45.2 inches in the rear. The TRX also had useful touches like full-length rock rails, an easy-access spare tire, and intuitive LED lighting. Its center storage bin was spacious, and the seating was both adjustable and comfortable, a unique selling point against rivals.

The 2022 GMC Canyon came in two main configurations: an extended cab with a 6’2” bed, and a crew cab offering either a 5’2” or 6’2” bed. The crew cab provided ample space for rear passengers, including six-footers, while the extended cab's back seat was more compact. Its crossover-like seat height made getting in and out easy, and the seats were power-adjustable and heated. The Canyon's cargo bed with two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points added functionality, while the integrated corner step rear bumper facilitated bed access.

In terms of cargo management, the Ram 1500 TRX boasted a payload capacity of 1,310 pounds and a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds. The Canyon, while slightly limited in comparison, impressed with its 7,700-pound tow rating when appropriately equipped.

Tech enthusiasts would have found much to like about the 2021 Ram 1500’s 12-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 4C infotainment system. The display supported personalization through customizable features like drag-and-drop controls, split-screen display options, and performance tracking via Performance Pages. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging and offered an optional Harmon Kardon audio package. New for 2021 was a fully customizable head-up display, although some features like GPS-based speed limit notifications had inconsistencies.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, though not as tech-rich, provided sufficient modern features. Starting with a 7-inch touchscreen in the Elevation Standard trim, buyers could upgrade to an 8-inch display in higher trims. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The AT4 trim added a wireless charging pad, and the Denali offered navigation and enhanced camera systems. Alexa Built-In and a premium audio option from Bose rounded out the package.

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX promised over 100 safety and security features, including rear backup cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, pedestrian detection, and much more within the Advanced Safety Group package. Sturdy passive safety features like the enhanced accident response system further increased its appeal as a secure vehicle choice.

For the 2022 GMC Canyon, the safety lineup expanded along with trim levels. Basic features included a tire-fill alert and Teen Driver system in the entry-level trims. Adding the Driver Alert package introduced forward-collision and lane-departure warnings, and rear-parking assistance. However, more advanced features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking were notably absent. The Canyon scored four out of five stars in NHTSA tests, with most ratings being good, except for a “Poor” rating in the IIHS's front passenger-side small overlap test.