2022 Ford F-150 Lightning vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, despite being a groundbreaking electric vehicle, maintained a familiar appearance akin to its gas-powered siblings. It featured unique exterior styling cues, such as a prominent LED headlight bar and a plastic façade replacing the traditional grille, but overall, it looked much like any other F-150 on the road. The Lightning was available in four trims: Pro, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum, all of which came with a crew cab and a 5.5-foot bed. Inside, the F-150 Lightning offered ample space, with 43.9 inches of front-seat legroom and 43.6 inches in the rear, making it more spacious than most two-row crossovers. The interior materials were of good quality, and the ergonomics were nearly perfect, thanks to Ford's extensive experience with the F-Series.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Canyon, which had been around since 2015, boasted 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 other upscale touches like open-pore Ash wood trim and a Bose premium audio system. Even the rugged AT4 off-road version came with premium features, including a black chrome grille, LED signature lighting, and premium heated leather front seats. While the lower trims like Elevation and Elevation Standard had more typical GM switchgear and materials, the overall material quality of the Canyon was above expectations for its class.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning stood out for its impressive performance, thanks to its dual electric motors. With the standard range battery, it produced 426 horsepower, while the extended range battery boosted that figure to 563 horsepower. Regardless of the battery, the Lightning delivered a staggering 775 pound-feet of torque. All models came with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a standard locking differential, making it capable of handling various terrains. The standard-range battery offered an EPA-estimated 230 miles of range, while the extended-range battery increased this to 320 miles. The Lightning's independent rear suspension and low center of gravity contributed to a stable ride, although its over three-ton curb weight limited its cornering abilities. The truck could be charged using 120-volt and 240-volt outlets, with fast charging taking the battery from 15 to 80 percent in less than 45 minutes.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, while not matching the performance of full-size trucks, offered three capable powertrains. Buyers could choose from a 200-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, and a 181-horsepower 2.8-liter turbodiesel with 369 pound-feet of torque. The latter two 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 V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided abundant power and smooth shifts. The AT4 trim, equipped with off-road features like 31-inch Wrangler Duratrac tires and an Autotrac two-speed electronic transfer case, offered solid performance both on and off the pavement. The Canyon's ride height and wider stance contributed to stable handling, even at higher speeds.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning excelled in functionality, with a 5.5-foot bed equipped with numerous tie-down points. Its standout feature was the "Mega Power Frunk," a 14.1 cubic foot front trunk with an underfloor storage bin and drain, perfect for storing ice. The Lightning could also serve as a backup generator, capable of powering a typical household for three days with a full battery. Its towing capacity maxed out at 10,000 pounds, and it could carry up to 2,000 pounds in the bed. Onboard scales helped manage payload and driving range.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered versatility with its extended cab and 6'2" bed or 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 was less accommodating. The rear folding bench seat allowed for additional storage. The Canyon's crossover SUV-like seat height made entry and exit easy. The AT4 trim featured power-adjustable, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sliding rear window. The cargo bed, with two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, made carrying and securing gear straightforward.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning came equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 on the Pro and XLT trims, while the Lariat and Platinum trims featured a 15-inch portrait-oriented screen. The Lariat trim included an 8-speaker B&O stereo, wireless charging pad, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Platinum trim upgraded to a 15-speaker B&O system. The infotainment system also included games, which were useful during charging sessions.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, while not as tech-laden, offered a 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system on the Elevation Standard trim. The Elevation trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The AT4 added a wireless smartphone charging pad, while the Denali trim included navigation, a high-definition rearview camera, and several driver-assist features. The optional GMC infotainment system with navigation, available on the AT4, included an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning came with Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a 360-degree surround-view camera, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and Trailer Reverse Guidance. The XLT trim added adaptive cruise control and intersection assist, while the Lariat trim offered Ford BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim. The base Elevation Standard 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. However, features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking were not available. The Canyon received four out of five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA and mixed ratings from the IIHS.