2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2023 GMC Canyon

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for the 2020 model year, showcased a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. While its exterior design was widely appreciated, the interior had some shortcomings. The material quality, especially in the top trims, didn't match up to its competitors from Ram and Ford. Additionally, the cabin, though not cramped, wasn't as spacious as the Ram 1500 and Ford Super Duty.

The 2023 GMC Canyon, on the other hand, had a more aggressive look with its headlights and daytime running lights scrunched up along the sides of a broad grille. The body sides featured bulges and creases reminiscent of tensed muscles. Sharing most dimensions with the redesigned Chevy Colorado, the Canyon had a longer wheelbase and a standard factory lift kit. The Denali trim boasted a luxurious interior with laser-etched open-pore wood trim and leather upholstery, while the AT4X trim offered a dramatic red-and-white interior.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD was powered by a 6.6-liter V8 engine, available in both gas and turbodiesel variants. The Duramax diesel engine produced 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, paired with an excellent Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Despite its impressive power, it lagged behind competitors like the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ram 2500 in terms of maximum towing capacity. The Sierra 2500HD could tow up to 18,500 pounds and had a maximum payload capacity of 3,597 pounds. The AT4 trim, equipped with off-road features, handled off-road terrain with ease but had a slightly jittery ride on uneven pavement.

The 2023 GMC Canyon featured a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Canyon offered rear-wheel drive on the base Elevation trim and four-wheel drive on higher trims. The AT4X trim, designed for serious off-roading, included features like front and rear electronic lockers, skid plates, and 33-inch mud terrain tires. The Canyon delivered a good balance of on-road livability and off-road capability, with the AT4X trim excelling in off-road conditions.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered three cab configurations, two pickup bed lengths, and available 4WD. It could seat up to six passengers and provided ample passenger space in both the front and rear seats. The truck's height and the AT4 package's extra lift made entry a bit challenging, but the side assist step and corner-step rear bumper aided access. The interior featured a wide and deep center console, dual glove boxes, hidden storage compartments in the rear seats, and a 120-volt household-style power outlet. The MultiPro tailgate, available on the base Pro trim and standard on higher trims, offered six distinct functions for improved loading and unloading.

The 2023 GMC Canyon was available only in a crew cab configuration with a 5.2-foot bed. Despite the lack of a longer bed option, the crew cab's dimensions provided a fair amount of interior space for a midsize truck. The Canyon had more first-row legroom than most midsize models and competitive second-row legroom. The new MultiStow tailgate featured a waterproof storage compartment, though its utility was limited. The Canyon's maximum towing capacity was 7,700 pounds, and its maximum payload capacity was 1,640 pounds for RWD Elevation models.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above, while a navigation system was standard on the Denali and available on SLT and AT4 trims. The truck came with hitch guidance, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar with connected services. The Bose premium audio system provided rich sound, though the voice-recognition system had some quirks. The Sierra's 15 available camera views, including the "transparent trailer" view, made towing and maneuvering easier.

The 2023 GMC Canyon's standard infotainment system included an 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. All trims featured a digital instrument cluster, with an 8-inch display on Elevation and AT4 models and an 11-inch display on Denali and AT4X models. The Denali and AT4X trims also had a 6.3-inch head-up display and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system featured Google Built-In functionality, with Google Maps as the default navigation system. The Off-Road Performance Display menu provided readouts for off-road adventures, and the available surround-view camera system included an underbody camera for off-roading.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD was available with various driver-assistive features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist. Standard safety features included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, a driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system. Due to its high gross vehicle weight rating, the Sierra 2500HD was not rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 GMC Canyon's crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication. The standard Canyon Pro Safety Package included automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, cyclist detection, automatic high beams, a following distance indicator, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and forward collision warning. The optional Safety Plus Package for Elevation and AT4 models added rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and rear park assist. The Technology Package, available on Elevation and AT4 trims, included adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert, and a surround-view camera system. These features were standard on the Denali and AT4X trims, along with a Safety Alert Seat.