2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was a popular choice for those seeking a stylish and upscale truck, particularly in its Denali trim, which was often compared to owning a Mercedes in the truck world. The Sierra AT4 variant, priced at approximately $78,938 Canadian, was designed for off-road enthusiasts, featuring a 5 cm suspension lift, Rancho monotube shocks, and a two-speed Autotrac transfer case. The AT4's aggressive mud-terrain tires and unique design elements like red front recovery hooks and body-colour trim highlighted its rugged intent. Inside, the Sierra's cabin was dominated by black plastic with caramel seat trim, offering standard metallic accents and rubber floor mats with snap-in carpeted inserts. However, despite its high price tag, the Sierra's interior lacked the luxury expected at this level.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma, a staple in the North American market since 1995, was beginning to show its age despite a 2020 facelift. Its exterior remained contemporary with an aggressive grille and headlights, but the cabin revealed its dated design with hard plastics and older switchgear. The Tacoma was available in various configurations, including the TRD Pro, which excelled off-road with features like a TRD-tuned suspension and Multi-Terrain Select. The Tacoma's interior offered practical features like a wireless charger and a power sliding rear window, but rear-seat space was limited, especially in the Access Cab. The Tacoma's infotainment system, though basic, was user-friendly, and its safety features were comprehensive, making it a reliable choice for those seeking adventure.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a compelling performance package with its affordable Duramax 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, priced at $1,995 Canadian. This engine delivered 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and an impressive 460 pound-feet of torque starting at just 1,500 rpm. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Sierra's powertrain provided smooth and efficient gear changes, making it a capable performer in various driving conditions. The Sierra's Auto 4WD mode allowed for seamless transitions between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, enhancing fuel efficiency and traction. During testing, the Sierra averaged a fuel economy of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the official rating of 9.1 L/100 km. The AT4's off-road suspension handled challenging terrain with ease, and its towing capacity reached up to 4,173 kilograms (9,200 pounds) with a payload capacity of 962 kilograms (2,120 pounds).

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, on the other hand, came standard in Canada with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. While this engine offered decent acceleration around town, it struggled to reach highway speeds due to its transmission and gearing. The Tacoma's suspension was trail-oriented, providing a smooth ride and firm handling around corners. The TRD Pro variant excelled off-road, absorbing rocks and bumps effortlessly. The Tacoma's towing capacity reached 2,948 kilograms (6,500 pounds) with a payload capacity of 583 kilograms (1,285 pounds). Features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a reliable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with large, supportive front seats covered in durable leather. Both front seats featured power adjustments, heated and cooled cushions, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and rear air conditioning vents. The Sierra's innovative six-position Multipro tailgate and high-clearance side rails made accessing the cargo bed easier. The CarbonPro Edition option package added a carbon fibre composite cargo bed, increasing payload capacity by 26 kilograms (59 pounds). The Sierra's bed held between 1,781 and 2,523 litres of cargo, with up to 12 cargo tie-downs rated at 225 kilograms (500 pounds) each. However, interior storage space was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab body styles, offering a five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed. The Access Cab featured clamshell rear half-doors and limited rear-seat space, best suited for children or storage. The Double Cab provided seating for up to five, but rear legroom remained tight. The front seats offered ample legroom, but the tilt/telescoping steering wheel's limited range posed challenges for taller drivers. The Tacoma's cab included plenty of cupholders and storage options, while the bed featured in-bed lighting and a wall-style power outlet.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was equipped with advanced camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror, enhancing visibility and maneuverability. The optional Technology Package added a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The Sierra's infotainment system featured a choice between a 7-inch and an 8-inch touchscreen display, offering fast loading times and responsive input. The test truck included an 8-inch display with physical menu shortcut buttons and excellent voice recognition technology. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard, while on-board navigation was optional. The available Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors' offerings.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth compatibility, while higher packages added an 8-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system's older design was user-friendly, with a basic layout and large icons. The Tacoma included a wireless device charger, though it required manual activation. While the Tacoma lacked advanced tech features, its simplicity was appreciated by those with active lifestyles.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional safety features like forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on the Denali trim. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat were available depending on the trim level. Adaptive cruise control was optional for the Sierra SLT, AT4, and Denali. The Sierra's crash-test ratings were less than stellar, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for front passenger protection and LATCH anchor accessibility.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The backup camera's image quality was grainy, requiring extra attention when reversing. The 2021 Tacoma received high scores in IIHS crash tests, and the 2022 model earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests.