2021 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

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 its full-size sibling, 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 function over form, with a sensible layout for controls but a prevalence of hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish. The trims ranged from the base Elevation Standard to the off-road-inspired AT4 and the luxurious Denali, each offering varying levels of features and aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma embodied the quintessential truck design with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille. The Tacoma offered unique styling features in certain models, such as the Nightshade Edition's blacked-out trim and the TRD Pro's model-specific grille and blacked-out elements. The Tacoma maintained a body-on-frame construction, enhancing its towing and off-road capabilities. The interior mirrored the rugged exterior, with a dashboard of chunky plastic elements. While the material quality was suitable for a base model, it seemed less justified at higher price points like the TRD Pro. Despite its focus on off-roading, the Tacoma's ride quality was poor, and its acceleration was sluggish, partly due to the six-speed automatic transmission's reluctance to shift.

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 Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims came standard with a more powerful 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a 2.8-litre Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, offering 181 horsepower and a robust 369 pound-feet of torque. The Canyon's base engine struggled with performance, making the V6 a more viable option, although it required aggressive throttle input for lively performance. The Duramax engine provided significant torque, but its pairing with a six-speed transmission limited its powerband efficiency. The AT4 trim, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, excelled in off-road conditions without compromising on-road manners. The Canyon boasted a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,493 kilograms and a maximum payload capacity of 734 kilograms.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine generating 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, utilizing the Atkinson cycle and Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for improved efficiency. Both six-speed automatic and manual transmissions were available, along with a part-time 4WD drivetrain with low range and an electronic rear limited-slip differential. The TRD models enhanced the Tacoma's off-road capabilities with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and Crawl Control. The TRD Pro model further included Fox shocks, a front lift, and a skid plate. Despite its off-road prowess, the Tacoma's on-road performance was less impressive, with poor ride quality and slow acceleration due to the automatic transmission's hesitance. The Tacoma's towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, and its payload capacity was 571 kilograms, both respectable but not class-leading.

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, with four full doors, offered more usable rear-seat space, though still limited. The Canyon provided a commanding driving position, but 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 2021 Toyota Tacoma's Double Cab configuration, while seemingly ideal for daily driving, lacked interior space compared to other midsize pickups. Rear headroom and legroom were the worst in the segment, and front space was also below average. The cabin's design created a bunker-like feel, with limited visibility due to the tall hood. The rear seats folded up for storage, but overall in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma lacked clever in-bed storage solutions but included a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an available 120-volt outlet. The bed was made from sheet-molded composite, a lightweight, rust-resistant material.

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 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 the Elevation and AT4 trims and standard on the Denali, which also included HD radio and a wireless charging pad. The Denali featured a 4.2-inch colour driver display for easy access to vehicle settings and information.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's base model included a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured an 8-inch screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with SiriusXM available on all but the base model. A seven-speaker JBL audio system was optional on higher trims. The infotainment system was functional but not exceptional, with responsive navigation and shortcut buttons. The TRD Pro model offered a Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, useful for off-road and parking situations.

The 2021 GMC Canyon's standard safety features included a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system, which allowed speed and volume limits for secondary drivers. The optional Driver Alert package, standard on the Denali, included forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert. The Denali also featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for easier towing.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score for the passenger-side small overlap front test. Headlight ratings varied, but the Tacoma earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA gave the Tacoma a four-star overall rating, with five stars in side crash tests. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control, offering a comprehensive array of safety features.