2022 GMC Canyon vs 2023 Ford F-150

The 2022 GMC Canyon, which debuted its current generation in 2015, offered a premium look and feel, especially in the luxury-oriented Denali trim. This version 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 AT4's cabin was inviting and luxurious, while its exterior exuded a bold, capable look.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford F-150 offered a more familiar and inoffensive styling, with a wide range of configurations to suit various needs. The F-150's interior adopted a modular, functional approach, with some surface plastics feeling less premium. The test truck featured the Ford Work Surface upgrade, which allowed for a flat interior work surface but made the shifter feel loose. Cloth seats were comfortable and practical, especially in extreme weather. Overall, the F-150's design was practical and user-friendly, with no major design missteps.

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 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's off-road capabilities were enhanced by 31-inch Wrangler Duratrac tires, an Autotrac two-speed electronic transfer case, special off-road suspension, and other off-road features.

The 2023 Ford F-150 offered numerous engine options, including the optional twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, which produced 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided effortless acceleration. The F-150's maximum towing capacity was 14,000 pounds, and the maximum payload rating was 3,315 pounds, depending on the configuration. The test truck's standard suspension tuning felt harsh when unloaded but improved with cargo or a trailer. The F-150's brakes were strong, and the steering was unremarkable but functional. The truck was also unexpectedly quiet at freeway speeds, though it fell short of its EPA-estimated 19 mpg, averaging 17 mpg during testing.

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 offered ample space for rear-seat passengers, while the extended cab was less accommodating. The rear folding bench seat provided additional storage. The Canyon's seat height made entry and exit easy, and the seats were comfortable and supportive. The AT4's taller ride height improved visibility, and features like a rearview camera and rear park assist made maneuvering easier. The cargo bed's two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points facilitated gear storage.

The 2023 Ford F-150 XLT, equipped with the High equipment package, offered comfortable seating for five, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and eight-way for the front passenger. The truck provided ample storage, including a large bin under the front center armrest, trays and cubbies on the center console and door panels, and dual glove compartments. The rear seat could be flipped up or folded flat for additional cargo space. The test truck's cargo bed featured a factory-applied spray-in bedliner and the 2.0-kW Pro Power Onboard system. However, climbing into the bed was challenging without the available tailgate step.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's Elevation Standard trim came with a 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system, while the Elevation trim offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, 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 was user-friendly, and the Bose premium audio system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Ford F-150 XLT featured the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, enhanced voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Ford Pass Connect services provided access to a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The test truck also had a connected navigation system, remote engine starting, remote tailgate locking, an integrated trailer-brake controller, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The Sync 4 system was easy to use, though it could benefit from bolder graphics. The voice recognition system performed exceptionally well, and the standard stereo offered decent sound quality.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim level. The base Elevation Standard trim 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, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning 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.

The 2023 Ford F-150 test truck came with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, which included automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The Assist package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, evasive steering assist, intersection assist, and speed-sign recognition. The F-150's ADAS performed well, though the lane-centering assist displayed some minor issues. The F-150 SuperCrew earned high marks from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.