2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2021 GMC Canyon

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a midsize pickup, had been around since its second generation debuted in 2015. It received a refresh in 2021, featuring an enlarged grille and revised front bumper, aligning its aesthetics more closely with the larger GMC Sierra. Despite these updates, the Canyon largely retained its previous design, which was less of an issue in the midsize market where competitors like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma were also aging. The interior of the Canyon prioritized functionality over luxury, with a sensible control layout but abundant hard plastics. The trims ranged from the base Elevation Standard to the off-road-oriented AT4 and the luxurious Denali, each offering varying levels of features and comfort.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was a full-size pickup with a commanding presence, thanks to its boxy design, chiseled details, and a blunt nose. The LTZ trim, just below the top-tier High Country, featured a crew cab and short bed, with a Northsky Blue paint and plenty of chrome accents. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal, with dated design elements and a lack of finesse. Despite its spaciousness and supportive seating, the Silverado's cabin fell short in terms of innovation and quality compared to its rivals. The rear seat offered ample space and comfort, but storage solutions were not as secure or innovative as they could have been.

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, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful 3.6-litre V6, standard on higher trims, delivered 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic. A 2.8-litre Duramax turbodiesel engine was also available, offering 181 hp and a robust 369 lb-ft of torque. The Canyon's V6 and turbodiesel options provided better performance, with the latter offering a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,493 kilograms (7,700 pounds) and a payload capacity of 734 kg (1,619 pounds). The AT4 trim, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, excelled in off-road conditions without compromising on-road comfort.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a variety of engines, including the standout 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel, which was a cost-effective option at $1,995 Canadian. It delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth acceleration and impressive fuel efficiency of 9.6 L/100 km in combined driving. The Silverado's towing capacity with the Duramax was 4,309 kilograms (9,500 pounds), while the maximum towing and payload capacities were achieved with the 6.2-litre V8 and other configurations. The Silverado's 10-speed automatic transmission and optional Z71 Off-Road Package enhanced its performance, though the standard suspension struggled with body control on rough terrain.

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, while the Crew Cab offered more usable rear-seat space with four full doors. The Canyon's driving position was commanding, though seat adjustments were somewhat awkward. Storage space was limited, with small trays and cupholders. The Canyon offered two bed sizes: a short bed (1,567 mm) and a long bed (1,880 mm), with the Extended Cab only available with the long box. The CornerStep rear bumper and EZ lift-and-lower tailgate added convenience for accessing the bed.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's crew cab provided a spacious interior with wide, supportive front seats featuring 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat comfortably accommodated three adults, offering ample headroom and legroom. Storage solutions included dual dashboard glove compartments and built-in storage areas in the rear seatbacks, though they lacked security. The Silverado's bed was the deepest and roomiest among its competitors, with useful features like the CornerStep rear bumper and up to 12 tie-down hooks. The optional Multi-Flex tailgate offered six configurations, enhancing cargo management.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the latest GMC infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was user-friendly, with crisp graphics and intuitive menus. Higher trims offered an optional 8-inch screen with navigation, HD radio, and a wireless charging pad. The Denali trim included a 4.2-inch colour driver display for easy access to vehicle settings and information.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3, with 7-inch and 8-inch screens. The system offered quick loading times, modern graphics, and standard connectivity options like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The LTZ trim included a fully-featured infotainment system with an 8-inch HD display, wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. The Silverado also offered a head-up display, rear camera mirror, and numerous trailering technologies, though some features fell short compared to competitors.

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 for easier towing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in a small-overlap collision, and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, parking sensors, and Teen Driver technology. Optional features included forward collision alert, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Safety Package offered adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a Safety Alert Seat, though some advanced features were missing.