2021 GMC Canyon vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Ford Ranger marked its return to the North American market after an eight-year hiatus, having been sold internationally in a different form. This iteration was larger and more sophisticated than its predecessor, aligning with the international version. While Ford attempted to link the Ranger to its F-Series lineup through similar grille styling, the Ranger's design language was distinct, avoiding the "bigger-and-blockier" trend seen in American trucks. It boasted a clean, aggressive appearance that highlighted its sporty and capable nature. Inside, the Ranger's cabin was functional and modern, though not particularly inviting. It featured hard plastics, which were durable but gave the interior a low-rent feel compared to competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline.

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a second-generation model, had been around since 2015 and received its first refresh after six years. The refresh included an enlarged grille and revised front bumper, aligning it aesthetically with the GMC Sierra. Despite these updates, the Canyon largely remained the same truck, which was less of an issue in the midsize pickup market. The cabin maintained a functional layout, with hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish, but it was handsome and useful. The Canyon's trims included Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali, each offering varying levels of features and amenities. The Denali trim, in particular, added upscale touches like polished aluminum wheels and a premium audio system.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was equipped with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission to a standard four-wheel drive system in Canada. The turbo engine provided ample power for low-speed driving and highway passing, and the Ranger could tow up to 3,401 kilograms (7,500 pounds) when properly equipped. However, the Ranger's ride was somewhat stiff, with noticeable chatter and vibration over bumps, and body roll in corners. The FX4 Off-Road package enhanced its off-road capabilities with features like off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and Trail Control.

The 2021 GMC Canyon offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. A 3.6-litre V6, standard on higher trims, delivered 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a 2.8-litre Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, offering 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Canyon's V6 engine provided decent performance, though it required a heavy foot to feel lively. The turbodiesel engine offered strong torque but was limited by its six-speed transmission. The Canyon AT4 trim, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, excelled off-road without compromising on-road manners. With the turbodiesel engine, the Canyon could tow up to 3,493 kilograms (7,700 pounds), matching the best-in-class towing capacity.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab featured a 2+2 layout with rear-opening clamshell half-doors, providing access to tight rear seats suitable for children. The SuperCrew, with four full doors, offered more adult-friendly rear seating. Both configurations provided ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets, a centre console bin, and a coin/key tray atop the dash. The Ranger paired a 1,848 mm (six-foot) bed with the SuperCab and a 1,550 mm (five-foot) bed with the SuperCrew, offering features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came in Extended Cab and Crew Cab variants. The Extended Cab had rear-hinged half-doors and small jump seats, while the Crew Cab offered more usable rear-seat space with four full doors. The Canyon's driving position was commanding, though seat adjustment was somewhat awkward. Storage options included a centre console, centre stack space, and small door trays. The Canyon offered two bed sizes: a short bed measuring 1,567 mm (5-foot-2) and a long bed at 1,880 mm (6-foot-2). 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 2020 Ford Ranger's base XL trim featured a basic entertainment setup with an AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect, included for a year, allowed remote locking, unlocking, and starting, along with Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation. The Lariat trim offered an optional B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, running the latest GMC infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system featured crisp graphics and an intuitive menu layout, with hard buttons and dials for ease of use. A larger 8-inch screen with navigation was optional on the Elevation and AT4 trims and standard on the Denali, which also included HD radio, a wireless charging pad, and a 4.2-inch colour driver display.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Ford's CoPilot360 suite, optional on the XL and standard on other trims, included features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and blind spot monitoring. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it had a recall for a transmission issue.

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