GMC Canyon vs Toyota Tacoma

Don’t expect variety in the 2026 Canyon. There are four trim levels, but this midsize truck is available only in a crew-cab, short-bed configuration, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is standard on all but the base Elevation model. For the 2026 model year, a new Coastal Dune paint color debuts, the Canyon AT4 is available with a Nightfall Essentials Package, and you can add a lift kit to the AT4X.

Verdict: The GMC Canyon isn’t a bargain, but it’s an undeniably appealing truck. Good looks, a stout powertrain, user-friendly tech, and terrific off-roading capability are the selling points. The Canyon’s fuel economy, value, and safety ratings need improvement. Nevertheless, it's a likeable pickup truck.

We’d bet good money that most people who buy a Tacoma TRD Pro—one of the most off-road-capable Tacoma models—won’t use it to blast across the desert with wild abandon. Buyers will probably want to consider a different version of Toyota’s midsize pickup truck, which is available in two cab styles, two bed lengths, several powertrain combinations, and multiple trim levels.

Verdict: The 2026 Tacoma TRD Pro sells a fantasy, not a reality. Given some of the compromises it requires, we think people who want an expensive, off-road-ready Tacoma would be happier with the Trailhunter model.