2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2022 GMC Canyon, a stylish midsize pickup, was praised for its premium aesthetics that set it apart from most rivals. The luxurious Denali trim emphasized this uniqueness, featuring a distinctive chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, and five-inch chrome assist steps. The interior boasted an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, heated and ventilated perforated front leather seats, open-pore Ash wood trim, sill plates, customized floor mats embossed with the "Denali" logo, and a Bose premium audio system. Even the rugged AT4 off-road version maintained a premium feel with features like a black chrome grille and surround, LED signature lighting, distinctive 17-inch wheels, a soft-touch instrument panel, and premium heated leather front seats with Kalahari accents and "AT4" embroidered headrests.

In stark contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 highlighted a more aggressive design with small headlights integrated into the grille area. Though the look appeared somewhat polarizing, with a distinctly assertive impression, it aligned with Chevrolet's current portfolio. Various appearance packages like the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition offered additional visual flair. The interior showcased two distinct layouts based on the trim level. The basic WT and Custom trims retained the simpler pre-2022 facelift design with a smaller screen and more hard controls, while higher trims introduced a modern, high-tech dashboard with a large touch screen. Luxurious trims, such as the LTZ and High Country, added leather upholstery, a power-operated tailgate, and more advanced features, aligning with the expectations of a premium full-size truck.

The 2022 GMC Canyon provided three powertrain choices: a 200-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a robust 308-hp 3.6-liter V6, and a 181-hp 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder with a hefty 369 pound-feet of torque. The latter two engines, when combined with the Trailering package, could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The base four-cylinder engine worked with a six-speed automatic transmission, similarly paired with the diesel engine, while the V6 utilized an eight-speed automatic. Our test vehicle, the 2022 GMC Canyon AT4 4WD, offered abundant power from the V6, smooth eight-speed automatic shifts, and solid handling on various terrains. The AT4's off-road features made it a competent contender in the midsize truck segment.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was powered by a range of engines starting with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder that lent 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. V8 enthusiasts could opt for a 5.3-liter engine producing 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, or a more powerful 6.2-liter version with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Additionally, a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel delivering 305 hp and 495 lb-ft was available. The Silverado could tow up to 13,300 pounds with the Max Towing package and the 6.2-liter V8, while the smaller V8 managed 11,000 pounds. Its base payload capacity was 2,260 pounds with the four-cylinder and RWD setup. Our Trail Boss tester, equipped with the turbo-four engine, demonstrated smooth power delivery despite some mechanical noise. The full variety of engines and trims ensured a versatile performance spectrum catering to different needs.

The GMC Canyon offered flexibility with an extended cab and 6'2" bed or a crew cab with a 5'2" or 6'2" bed. The crew cab configuration ensured spaciousness even for rear-seat passengers, making it comfortable for six-footers. However, the extended cab's rear seat was less accommodating. Easy entry and exit akin to a crossover SUV, power-adjustable front seats with heating options, and a tall ride height enhancing visibility were notable features. Practical elements like a rearview camera, rear park assist, and a cargo bed with two-tier loading and multiple tie-down points simplified cargo management.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500's body style choices included a regular cab with a standard or long bed, a double cab with a standard bed, and a crew cab with either a short or standard bed. Bed lengths varied from 5 feet 8 inches to a long 8 feet. The regular cab, limited to work trims, provided seating for three with a fold-down center console. The double cab offered easy rear access with conventional doors but limited legroom, suggesting its rear seats were best for occasional use. In contrast, the spacious crew cab with its fold-up rear bench seat offered substantial in-cabin storage. This made it an excellent choice for those needing secure, weather-proof cargo space inside the vehicle.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, while not leading in tech features, covered the essentials. The base Elevation Standard trim included a 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system, which the Elevation trim enhanced to an 8-inch version with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The AT4 came with wireless smartphone charging, and the Denali trim added navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. Extra features like Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar telematics were available. Our AT4's infotainment setup included an 8-inch touchscreen with voice recognition, Bluetooth, integrated apps, and a high-quality Bose sound system, which performed admirably in our tests.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 showcased a clear technological upgrade, especially in trims above the WT and Custom. The base trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the rest sported a modern dashboard with a 13.4-inch touchscreen offering wireless connectivity. This more extensive screen was vivid and responsive, paired with a fully digital instrument panel. Higher trims like the LTZ incorporated wireless device charging and additional USB ports, adding to the sophisticated tech experience of the Silverado, aligning with consumer expectations for a modern full-size truck.

The GMC Canyon's safety features were modest at the base level, progressively expanding with higher trims. The foundation was laid with tire-fill alert and Teen Driver system on the base Elevation Standard model. Higher trims like the Elevation and AT4 could add the Driver Alert package, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking assist (only with leather seats). However, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance were absent across all trims. Safety ratings from NHTSA awarded the Canyon four out of five stars overall, with standout ratings for side protection but weaker marks for rollover resistance and front crash protection. IIHS gave it good ratings in crash tests except for a poor rating in the passenger-side small overlap test.

In comparison, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was well-equipped with advanced safety features across the board. Standard offerings included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automated high beams. The Teen Driver system also featured, while the LTZ trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, rain-sensing wipers, and parking sensors. Additional options such as adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, rear-camera mirror, and GM’s Super Cruise highway driving system increased safety significantly. NHTSA gave the Silverado a five-star overall safety rating, and it received high scores from IIHS as well, making it a standout in terms of safety.