GMC Canyon vs Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a polarizing exterior design, with a front end and grille that resembled a vintage furnace or a freight train. It was a vehicle that exuded machismo, appealing to those who wanted a rugged and imposing truck. Inside, the cabin was more conventional, prioritizing quantity over quality. Despite not having the best fit and finish, the spacious interior, comparable to a living room, made up for it. The Silverado 3500HD offered various trim levels, from the basic W/T to the luxurious High Country, each adding more features and comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Canyon had a premium look and feel, especially in the luxury-oriented Denali trim. This trim featured a unique chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, and a host of other premium features like heated and ventilated perforated front leather seats and a Bose premium audio system. Even the rugged AT4 off-road version came with premium touches, making the cabin an inviting and luxurious place to be. The Canyon's material quality, both inside and out, was above expectations for its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered two powerful engine options. The standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional Duramax turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 engine delivered 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines could be configured with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with a low range. The Silverado 3500HD had a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds, making it a formidable workhorse.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, while not as powerful as the Silverado, offered three engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 200 horsepower, while the 3.6-liter V6 engine delivered 308 horsepower. The 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine offered 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The V6 and turbodiesel engines had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds when equipped with the Trailering package. The Canyon's performance was adequate for most buyers, with the V6 engine providing abundant power and the turbodiesel offering robust towing capabilities. The AT4 version, with its off-road equipment, was capable both on and off the pavement.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was available in various configurations, including regular cab/long-bed, double cab/long-bed, crew cab/standard bed, and crew cab/long-bed. The crew cabs provided two rows of spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom. The Silverado featured helpful bed steps integrated into the corners of the rear bumper and additional step-ups along the side of the bed, making it easier to access the cargo area.

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 spacious seating for rear passengers, while the extended cab's back seat was less commodious. The Canyon's crossover SUV-like seat height made getting in and out easy. The cabin featured comfortable and supportive seats, with power adjustments and heating for the front seats. The AT4's taller ride height provided excellent visibility, and the cargo bed with two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points made carrying and securing gear easy.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with upgraded trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The High Country trim added navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials. The Silverado also offered various trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and additional camera angles for trailering, as well as a trailering app with a pre-trailering checklist.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's base Elevation Standard trim featured a 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system, while the Elevation trim offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The AT4 added a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the Denali trim included navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. The Canyon also offered Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar telematics. The GMC infotainment system with navigation was straightforward to use, and the Bose premium audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. However, advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking were optional. Additional options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree parking camera system.

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 received mixed safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with some areas needing improvement.