2022 Toyota Tacoma 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. The Canyon's material quality, both inside and out, was above expectations for the class.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma, despite its aggressive exterior design, showed signs of aging, especially in the cabin. The interior had a mix of new elements like push-button start and older buttons and switchgear from outdated Toyota designs. The Tacoma's trim levels ranged from the basic SR with 16-inch steel wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen to the range-topping TRD Pro with unique exterior styling, added underbody skid plates, LED fog lights, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a TRD sport exhaust. The Tacoma's interior featured a lot of hard plastics and chintzy surfaces, making it feel less premium compared to the Canyon.

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 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 Canyon AT4 4WD, with its off-road equipment, felt solid and steady both on and off the pavement.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base engine was a 2.7-liter four-cylinder making 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, which felt underpowered. The optional 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, was more capable but still struggled to get up to highway speeds due to its gearing and transmission. The Tacoma had a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. The TRD models offered features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control for off-road mastery, making the TRD Pro particularly adept on the dirt.

The 2022 GMC Canyon was available with an extended cab and 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 commodious. The Canyon's seats were comfortable and supportive, with power adjustments and heating for the front seats. The cargo bed featured two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, making it easy to secure gear.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came in Access Cab and Double Cab body styles, with a five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed. The Access Cab's rear jump seats were tight on legroom, best suited for children or short trips. The Double Cab offered slightly better rear-seat space but was still cramped for adults. The front seats provided plenty of legroom, but the tilt/telescoping steering wheel did not extend far enough for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed included in-bed lighting and a wall-style power outlet.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's base Elevation Standard trim featured a 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system, while the Elevation trim upgraded to 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, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar telematics. The Bose premium audio system in the AT4 provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system was a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch touchscreen available on all other trims. The system featured a basic layout with large icons, making it easy to use. The Tacoma also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Our test truck had a wireless device charger that required manual activation. The Tacoma's infotainment system was straightforward and familiar, though it lacked advanced tech features.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim level. The base Elevation Standard lacked advanced driver aids but included 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. The Canyon received four out of five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA and mixed ratings from the IIHS, with a "Poor" rating for its headlights and front passenger-side small overlap test.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests.