2022 Ford Maverick vs 2021 GMC Canyon

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a second-generation model, had been on the market since 2015, following a two-year hiatus. This break was likely beneficial, given the first generation's lacklustre performance. The Canyon received its first refresh after six years, featuring an enlarged grille and a revised front bumper, aligning it more closely with the GMC Sierra. Despite these updates, the Canyon largely retained its original design, which was less of an issue in the midsize pickup market, where competitors like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma were also aging. The interior of the Canyon prioritized functionality, with a sensible control layout, though it was criticized for its use of hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish. The Canyon offered various trims, including the base Elevation Standard, the off-road-inspired AT4, and the luxurious Denali, each with distinct features and equipment.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick presented a more conventional pickup appearance, drawing inspiration from larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger. However, its front end deviated from this pattern with large headlights and a grille crossbar. The Maverick was smaller than the Ford Ranger, with a length of 5,073 mm and a height of 1,879 mm. It utilized a unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, contributing to its car-like driving experience. The Maverick's interior was noted for its creative use of plastic, incorporating multicoloured and speckled materials. It offered ample storage options, including the innovative Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) for customizable accessories. The Maverick's bed, though shorter than the Ranger's, featured practical elements like an in-bed power outlet and FlexBed system for enhanced utility.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims like the Elevation, AT4, and Denali featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a 2.8-litre Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, offering 181 hp and a robust 369 lb-ft of torque. The Canyon's base engine struggled with performance, making the V6 a more appealing option, though it required aggressive throttle input for lively acceleration. The Duramax engine provided substantial torque, but its six-speed transmission limited its powerband utilization. The AT4 trim, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, excelled in off-road conditions, maintaining composure on-road. The Canyon's towing capacity reached 3,493 kilograms with the turbodiesel engine, while its payload capacity was 734 kg.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a CVT, producing a combined 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine offered 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was available only with FWD, while the EcoBoost offered AWD. The Maverick's FX4 off-road package enhanced its off-road capabilities with features like different suspension tuning and additional drive modes. On-road, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smoother ride compared to traditional body-on-frame trucks. The hybrid powertrain was praised for its linear power delivery and refinement, while the EcoBoost offered more towing capability and spirited acceleration. The Maverick's towing capacity reached 1,814 kg with the 4K Tow Package, while the hybrid managed 907 kg.

The 2021 GMC Canyon was available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab configurations. The Extended Cab featured rear-hinged half-doors and small jump seats, suitable for children or storage. The Crew Cab offered more usable rear-seat space with four full doors. The Canyon's driving position was commanding, though seat adjustment was awkward. Interior storage included a centre console, small door trays, and cupholders. The Canyon offered two bed sizes: a short bed (1,567 mm) and a long bed (1,880 mm). The Extended Cab came with a long box, while the Crew Cab offered both options. The Canyon featured GM's CornerStep rear bumper for easy bed access and an EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with remote power locking.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was exclusively available in a four-door crew-cab configuration, offering more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, under-seat storage, and an open door-card design. The FITS system allowed for customizable accessories. The Maverick's 1,382 mm bed, though shorter than the Ranger's, offered 680 kg of payload capacity. It included an in-bed power outlet, tailgate tiedowns, and the FlexBed system for enhanced utility. The Maverick's towing capacity was 1,814 kg with the 4K Tow Package, while the hybrid managed 907 kg.

The 2021 GMC Canyon featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system offered crisp graphics and an intuitive menu layout, with hard buttons and dials for ease of use. An optional 8-inch screen with navigation was available on higher trims, while the Denali trim included HD radio, a wireless charging pad, and a 4.2-inch colour driver display.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came with the older Sync 3 infotainment system, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, though not wirelessly. An 8-inch touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The system's graphics and functions were basic, but the screen size was appropriate for the Maverick's price range. The Maverick included a large phone slot with available wireless charging and a stand-up slot for cable management. Hybrids featured a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2021 GMC Canyon included standard safety features like a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system. The optional Driver Alert package added forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert, standard on the Denali trim. The Denali also featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's crash-test ratings were not yet available. Standard safety features under Ford Co-Pilot360 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane centring, and evasive steering assist.