2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was a truck that stood out for its styling and the upscale Denali trim level, which was often compared to owning a Mercedes in the truck world. The Sierra AT4 variant, priced at $78,938 Canadian, was the off-road-ready version, featuring a 5 cm suspension lift, off-road suspension, and unique design elements like red front recovery hooks. The AT4 CarbonPro Edition Package added a carbon fibre composite cargo bed and a MultiPro Audio System. Despite its rugged capabilities, the Sierra's interior was dominated by black plastic, with some caramel seat trim and metallic accents, reflecting a more industrial design.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Canyon offered a premium look and feel, especially in the Denali trim, which featured a chrome grille, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a luxurious interior with leather seats and a Bose audio system. The AT4 off-road version also came with premium features like a black chrome grille and heated leather seats. While the Canyon's lower trims had more standard materials, the overall quality was above expectations for its class. The Canyon's cabin was inviting and luxurious, with a bold exterior design that emphasized its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was equipped with a Duramax 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, offering 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth gear changes and impressive fuel economy, averaging 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The Sierra's off-road suspension handled tough terrain with ease, and its towing capacity reached up to 4,173 kilograms with a payload of 962 kilograms.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered three powertrains: a 200-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a 308-hp 3.6-litre V6, and a 181-hp 2.8-litre Duramax turbodiesel with 369 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided abundant power, while the diesel engine excelled in towing and fuel efficiency. The Canyon's AT4 version featured off-road tires and suspension, offering stable handling and solid performance both on and off the road. The Canyon's towing capacity reached 3,175 kilograms with the Trailering package.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a spacious interior with large, supportive seats, heated and cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were comfortable, with heated outboard seats and rear air conditioning vents. The Sierra's cargo bed, enhanced by the CarbonPro Edition, offered between 1,781 and 2,523 litres of cargo space, with 12 cargo tie-downs. However, the Sierra's interior storage was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, available in extended and crew cab configurations, provided a spacious cabin, especially in the crew cab form. The rear seats offered ample room for passengers, and the rear folding bench seat allowed for additional storage. The Canyon's seat height made entry and exit easy, and the chairs were comfortable and supportive. The cargo bed featured two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, making it practical for carrying gear.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 featured numerous camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera and a rear camera mirror, enhancing visibility. The optional Technology Package included a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The Sierra's infotainment system offered a choice between a 7-inch and an 8-inch touchscreen, with features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The available Bose sound system was adequate but not exceptional.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's technology offerings varied by trim. The Elevation Standard trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The AT4 trim added a wireless charging pad, and the Denali trim included navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. The Canyon's infotainment system was user-friendly, and the Bose audio system provided quality sound.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The Denali trim included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims. The Sierra received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for certain tests, highlighting areas for improvement.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features expanded with higher trims. The Driver Alert package, available on the Elevation and AT4 trims, included forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning. The Canyon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for a "Poor" rating in the front passenger-side small overlap test. The Canyon's safety features were limited compared to competitors.