2023 RAM 2500 vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2022 GMC Canyon, particularly in its Denali trim, offered a premium aesthetic that set it apart from many of its competitors. The Denali trim was distinguished by its unique chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, and luxurious interior features such as heated and ventilated perforated leather seats, open-pore Ash wood trim, and a Bose premium audio system. Even the rugged AT4 off-road version maintained a sense of luxury with features like a black chrome grille, LED signature lighting, and premium leather seats. While the lower trims like the Elevation and Elevation Standard had more typical materials, the overall quality of the Canyon's design and materials exceeded expectations for its class.

In contrast, the 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel shared a similar aggressive appearance with the Power Wagon but featured a more streamlined look with an aluminum sport hood and 20-inch wheels. The Rebel's interior was luxurious, with quality materials and contrast stitching, although the gloss black plastic around the infotainment system was prone to showing dust and fingerprints. The truck's interior was spacious and comfortable, with premium Natura Plus leather and bucket seats, and the back seat offered ample room and amenities like USB ports and a power outlet. The RAM 2500 Rebel's design was both functional and stylish, making it a strong contender in the heavy-duty segment.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered a range of powertrains, including a 200-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 308-hp 3.6-liter V6, and a 181-hp 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine with 369 lb-ft of torque. The V6 and turbodiesel engines had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds with the Trailering package. The Canyon's performance was solid, with the V6 providing abundant power and the eight-speed automatic transmission delivering 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 an off-road suspension, making it a capable off-roader.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel came standard with a 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The Rebel also offered a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine with 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The V8 provided the Rebel's maximum towing capacity of 16,870 pounds and a payload capacity of 3,140 pounds. The Cummins engine offered better fuel efficiency, with observed highway mileage of 19.1 mpg, but came at a higher cost. The Rebel's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like 20-inch wheels, 33-inch off-road tires, and a locking rear differential, making it nearly as capable as the Power Wagon.

The 2022 GMC Canyon was available in extended cab and crew cab configurations, with bed lengths of 6'2" or 5'2". The crew cab offered ample space for rear-seat passengers, while the extended cab was less accommodating. The Canyon's interior was comfortable, with power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sliding rear window. The cargo bed featured two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, making it practical for carrying gear.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel required some effort to enter and exit due to its height, but once inside, the cabin was spacious and comfortable. The interior featured premium materials, with options for cloth or leather upholstery and front bench or bucket seats. The back seat was roomy, with amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The Rebel offered ample storage space, with hidden dashboard storage and bins throughout the cabin. The cargo box options included a spray-in bedliner and LED lighting, with the available Ram Box storage bins providing additional utility.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's technology offerings were basic, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen on the Elevation Standard trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The AT4 added a wireless charging pad, while the Denali included navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. Available tech included Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The GMC infotainment system was user-friendly, with straightforward smartphone pairing and a quality Bose audio system.

The 2023 RAM 2500 featured a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and numerous camera and trailering technology upgrades. The Rebel offered blind-spot cameras, a digital rearview mirror, and Trailer Reverse Steering Control. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system included a 12-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The system was intuitive, with configurable home screens and effective voice recognition, although glare was an issue for some displays.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features were limited at the base level but expanded with higher trims. The Driver Alert package, available on the Elevation and AT4 and standard on the Denali, included forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. The Canyon received mixed safety ratings, with four stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and a "Good" rating from the IIHS in most crash tests, but a "Poor" rating for passenger-side small overlap protection.

The 2023 RAM 2500 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were not available, the RAM 2500's size and weight provided a sense of security.