2023 Toyota Tacoma vs 2024 GMC Canyon

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was a midsize truck that offered a more compact alternative to full-size pickups like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado. Despite being nearly two feet shorter than the Toyota Tundra, the Tacoma maintained an assertive stance with its upright grille and tall bed, giving it a substantial look without appearing overly large. Toyota offered the Tacoma in a variety of trim levels, from the base SR to the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, with multiple powertrain options, bed lengths, and cab configurations, resulting in 34 different combinations. New for 2023 were the SR5 SX and Chrome Packages, which added unique styling elements to the truck.

In contrast, the 2024 GMC Canyon was one of the tallest midsize trucks on the market, standing at 79.8 inches tall, which was significantly higher than the Tacoma. The Canyon shared many parts with the Chevrolet Colorado but offered more ground clearance, with a minimum of 9.6 inches. GMC sold the Canyon in four trims: Elevation, AT4, Denali, and AT4X, each catering to different needs from work to luxury to off-road adventures. The AT4X trim, especially with the AEV package, came equipped with 35-inch all-terrain tires, beadlock-capable wheels, and multiple steel skid plates, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with two engine options. The base engine was a 2.7-liter four-cylinder producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. However, most buyers preferred the more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, which delivered 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. This engine also came with a six-speed automatic transmission, with an optional six-speed manual. The Tacoma was available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. Despite the V6's power advantage, the Tacoma was not particularly quick and suffered from wind and engine noise at highway speeds. Fuel economy was also a concern, with the V6 4WD model delivering an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined. Our TRD Pro test model managed only 16.3 mpg in winter conditions.

The 2024 GMC Canyon, on the other hand, was powered by a single 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, producing an impressive 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Canyon's towing capacity maxed out at 7,700 pounds, and its payload capacity was 1,670 pounds, making it one of the most capable midsize trucks in its class. The Canyon's road manners were commendable, with well-dampened road and tire noise and effective brakes. The AT4X trim featured Multimatic spool-valve dampers, enhancing its off-road capabilities without compromising on-road comfort. However, fuel economy was a weak point, with the best figures being 19 mpg city, 23 highway, and 20 combined for the RWD Elevation trim. Our AT4X AEV tester managed only 13.5 mpg.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered a variety of configurations, including the access cab with clamshell-style doors and a six-foot-one-inch bed, and the double cab with either a long bed or a shorter five-foot bed. The access cab's rear seats were cramped and best suited for storage rather than passengers. The double cab provided easier entry and exit, but rear legroom was still tight. The front seats were more comfortable, with ample cubby space, but the steering wheel's limited extension made it challenging for tall drivers to find a comfortable position. Despite these limitations, the Tacoma's bed was spacious enough to carry gear for a four-day skiing trip.

The 2024 GMC Canyon, while offering best-in-class towing capacity, struggled with interior space. All Canyons came with a four-door crew cab, but rear-seat legroom was limited, making it uncomfortable for adults on long drives. The 5.2-foot bed offered less cargo capacity than the Tacoma's six-foot bed, and the AEV package's spare tire further reduced usable space. The Canyon's height and width made it less maneuverable in urban areas, and finding parking in city garages was a challenge.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured a user-friendly but somewhat outdated infotainment system. Base SR trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had an 8-inch screen. All models included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Our test truck had a premium six-speaker JBL audio system and two USB-A ports. While the Tacoma offered essential tech features, it lagged behind competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline in terms of modernity.

The 2024 GMC Canyon, on the other hand, boasted an 11.3-inch touchscreen display with Google Built-in, providing access to Google Maps and Google Assistant without needing to pair a phone. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included and wireless. The Canyon's infotainment system was at the forefront of modern technology, although the headlight controls embedded in the software were a minor inconvenience. Higher trims like the Denali and AT4X featured a head-up display and off-road performance display pages.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. Our TRD Pro model also had blind-spot monitoring, rear- and side parking distance sensors, and a surround-view camera. However, it lacked more advanced features like lane-keeping assist and rear automatic emergency braking. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact tests but lower scores in frontal crash and rollover tests.

The 2024 GMC Canyon also received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact tests and three stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-seat reminder system. However, advanced features like rear park assist, rear cross-traffic braking, and blind-zone steering assist were available only through options packages on lower trims. Our AT4X test truck came with an HD surround-view camera and a blind-spot avoidance system that worked with a trailer.