2022 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed look from 2020, offering three Crew Cab trim levels in Canada: SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve, each with distinct design elements. The Titan SV featured a dark grille, while the Platinum Reserve boasted a satin chrome one, and the Pro-4X had a black grille with lava-red script. The Pro-4X also included lava-red tow hooks, adding character. The Titan's new headlights provided 120% more light output than the 2019 model, with available LED fog lights enhancing visibility. The truck bed featured four LED light sources, and the rear had LED taillights with unique tailgate finishers. The Titan's interior received a significant upgrade, with a modern centre stack, a large infotainment screen, and piano-black plastic trim. The upholstery and seat design were attractive, though the steering wheel design felt dated.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, particularly in the Denali trim, offered a premium look with a chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and luxurious interior features like heated and ventilated leather seats, Ash wood trim, and a Bose audio system. The AT4 off-road version also had premium features, including a black chrome grille, LED lighting, and unique wheels. The Canyon's cabin was inviting and luxurious, with a rugged exterior for the AT4. Lower trims like the Elevation and Elevation Standard had more typical materials, but overall, the Canyon's material quality exceeded class expectations.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was equipped with a single powertrain: a 5.6-litre V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, making it the best-in-class standard powertrain. It required premium fuel to achieve these numbers. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth shifts but struggling in mid-range gears. The Titan's acceleration was strong, and it lacked engine start/stop functionality, impacting fuel efficiency. The Titan was sold with a 4WD drivetrain in Canada, with fuel consumption averaging 15.2 L/100 km in the city and 11.1 on the highway. The Pro-4X grade had slightly higher figures. The Titan's steering was traditional, with a full-size truck feel, and its ride quality was average for the class. It had a payload capacity of up to 739 kg and a towing capacity of 4,178 kg. The Pro-4X featured off-road equipment like hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered three powertrains: a 200-hp 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 latter two engines had a maximum tow rating of 3,175 kg with the Trailering package. RWD was standard, with 4WD available on all trims. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic, provided abundant power, while the turbodiesel offered robust towing and fuel efficiency. The AT4's off-road tires were noisy at highway speeds but provided stable handling. The Canyon felt solid on and off the pavement, with the AT4 equipped for off-roading with features like an electronic transfer case and hill-descent control.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered a front bench seat as standard, with bucket seats available, seating five or six. The Zero Gravity design of the seats provided comfort for long distances, with heated and cooled front seats available. The Titan had ample seating space for adults, though petite drivers might struggle to find a comfortable position. The centre console offered generous storage, and a panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window were available. The Titan's interior featured thoughtful touches like easy-to-reach grab handles and folding rear seatbacks.

The 2022 GMC Canyon was available with an extended cab and 6'2" bed or a crew cab with either a 5'2" or 6'2" bed. The crew cab offered spacious seating for rear passengers, while the extended cab was less accommodating. The Canyon's seat height made ingress and egress easy, and the seats were comfortable and supportive. The AT4 trim offered power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sliding rear window. The cargo bed featured two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, with an integrated corner step rear bumper for easy access.

The 2021 Nissan Titan featured a standard 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. Navigation, HD Radio, and additional USB ports were available. The interface was responsive, though the graphics were less modern than competitors. A 7-inch programmable information display was standard, and a Fender Premium Audio System with 12 speakers was available.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's Elevation Standard trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The AT4 offered a wireless charging pad, while the Denali added navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. All Canyons came with a free trial of SiriusXM, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar telematics. The AT4's infotainment system included navigation, voice recognition, and a Bose audio system, with straightforward smartphone pairing.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included forward-collision warning, parking sensors, and an Around View Monitor. The Titan had a five-year/160,000-kilometre warranty, the best in Canada.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim. The base Elevation Standard had tire-fill alert and Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package, available on higher trims, included forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning. The Canyon lacked features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. It earned four stars from NHTSA and "Good" ratings from IIHS, with some lower ratings for specific tests.