2022 Nissan Titan vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2022 GMC Canyon, which had been around since the 2015 model year, boasted 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, 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, and premium heated leather front seats with Kalahari accents.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Titan, which had been updated for the 2020 and 2021 model years, maintained a rugged yet elegant exterior with strong lines and an expressive face. The interior continued this theme with clean lines, excellent material selection, and build quality. The cabin felt airy and spacious, especially with the optional dual-panel panoramic moonroof. The Titan's fit and finish were first-rate, and the overall design was both functional and attractive.

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 latter two engines had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds with the available 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's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like 31-inch Wrangler Duratrac tires, an Autotrac two-speed electronic transfer case, and special off-road suspension.

The 2022 Nissan Titan, on the other hand, came with a single powertrain option: a 5.6-liter gasoline V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard on most trims, while four-wheel drive was standard on the Pro-4X model and available on others. The Titan's fuel economy was estimated at 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway for RWD models and slightly lower for 4WD models. The Pro-4X model featured off-road enhancements like Bilstein off-road monotube shocks and an electronically locking rear differential. The Titan's towing capacity was 9,310 pounds, with a maximum payload of 1,710 pounds.

The 2022 GMC Canyon was available in extended cab and crew cab configurations, with bed lengths of 5'2" or 6'2". The crew cab offered ample space for rear-seat passengers, while the extended cab's rear seat was less spacious. 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 had two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, with an integrated corner step rear bumper for easy access.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came in King Cab and Crew Cab body styles, both with two rows of seating. The King Cab had rear-hinged clamshell doors and a 60/40-split bench seat with 24.8 inches of legroom, while the Crew Cab offered 38.5 inches of legroom and full front-hinged doors. The King Cab had a 78.7-inch bed, while the Crew Cab had a 67-inch bed. The Titan's bed featured four fixed tie-down hooks and an available Utili-track Channel system with moveable cleats. The tailgate was nicely damped and could be opened and closed with one hand.

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, 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 optional GMC infotainment system with navigation included an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2022 Nissan Titan featured an 8-inch center display screen as standard, with a 9-inch touchscreen interface available as an upgrade. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a WiFi hotspot that could accommodate up to seven devices. The standard audio system included SiriusXM satellite radio capability and six speakers, while the upgrade system was a Fender-branded 12-speaker setup with a subwoofer. NissanConnect with navigation was available on SV models and standard on Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve trims, including features like over-the-air map updates and online POI search.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's base Elevation Standard trim had limited safety features, including tire-fill alert and the Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package, available on higher trims, 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 earned four out of five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA and received mixed ratings from the IIHS, with a "Poor" rating for its headlights and front crash prevention.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Titan also featured intelligent forward collision warning and eight airbags. The Titan received top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in most crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention. However, the standard halogen reflector headlights received a "Poor" rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Titan, but the 2020 model received four out of five stars for overall safety.