2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2022 GMC Canyon, part of the current generation that debuted in 2015, offered a premium aesthetic that set it apart from many of its competitors. The Denali trim, in particular, stood out with its luxurious features, including a distinctive chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, and chrome assist steps. Inside, it boasted an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, heated and ventilated perforated front leather seats, open-pore Ash wood trim, and a Bose premium audio system. Even the rugged AT4 off-road version maintained a high level of luxury with features like a black chrome grille, LED signature lighting, and premium heated leather front seats with Kalahari accents. The Canyon's overall material quality exceeded expectations for its class, although the base trims offered more standard GM materials.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced new Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, expanding on the already premium Denali and AT4 trims. The Sierra appeared larger and more aggressive, with an updated grille, front fascia, and headlight design that made it seem wider. The Denali's grille evolved to a "tri-linear" theme, while the Denali Ultimate featured dark-coloured "Vader bars" inserts. The Sierra's interior saw significant changes, with a redesigned dash that made the cabin feel more spacious. The AT4X trim, designed for off-road driving, offered a luxurious cabin with premium leather, Vanta ash wood trim, and a microsuede headliner. The Denali Ultimate took luxury to the next level with full-grain leather, open-pore Paldao wood, and microsuede trim, featuring topographical maps of Mount Denali embossed and laser-etched into the materials.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered three powertrains, catering to a range of performance needs. The options included a 200-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a 308-hp 3.6-litre V6, and a 181-hp 2.8-litre Duramax turbodiesel four-cylinder engine with 369 lb-ft of torque. The latter two engines had a maximum tow rating of 3,175 kilograms (7,000 pounds) with the Trailering package. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided ample power, even with the AT4's off-road enhancements. The Canyon's ride and handling were solid, with the AT4's off-road tires offering stability and grip. The AT4 trim was equipped with off-road features like an Autotrac two-speed electronic transfer case and hill-descent control, making it a capable off-road vehicle.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options, including a 310-hp 2.7L turbo four-cylinder and a 277-hp 3.0-litre Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six. The diesel engine boasted a class-leading 460 lb-ft of torque and a towing capacity of up to 5,987 kilograms (13,200 pounds) with the Max Trailering Package. Other engine options included a 355-hp 5.3-litre V8 and a 420-hp 6.2L Ecotec3 V8. The Sierra Denali Ultimate 4WD provided a smooth and comfortable ride, while the AT4X trim impressed with its off-road capabilities, featuring Multimatic DSSV dampers and e-locking front and rear differentials. The Sierra's off-road test at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park showcased its prowess, although the test conditions were not overly challenging.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered versatility with its extended cab and crew cab configurations. The crew cab provided ample space for rear-seat passengers, while the extended cab was less accommodating. The Canyon's seats were comfortable and supportive, with power adjustments and heating available. The cargo bed featured two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, making it practical for carrying gear. The Canyon's visibility was excellent, aided by a rearview camera and rear park assist.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 excelled in roominess and utility, with best-in-class cargo capacity even in its short bed. The interior was spacious, with front headroom of 1,093 mm and legroom of 1,131 mm. The crew cab offered 1,102 mm of rear legroom, providing comfort for passengers. The Sierra's cabin featured numerous storage compartments, although the gloveboxes were on the smaller side. The driver-oriented cockpit had a low centreline, with screens and controls positioned lower than expected. The AT4X trim had off-road controls in two locations, adding to the complexity.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's technology offerings were modest, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen on the Elevation Standard trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The AT4 trim added a wireless smartphone charging pad, while the Denali trim included navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. The Canyon came with a free trial of SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar telematics. The optional Bose premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 featured larger display screens, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen on most trims. The infotainment system included Google built-in, Bluetooth, OnStar, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The Denali models had an interactive start-up screen with topographical maps. The infotainment screen allowed for personalization and dual modes, and wireless charging was available on higher trims. Additional options included a 15-inch head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim level. The base Elevation Standard trim lacked advanced driver aids but included tire-fill alert and the Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package, available on higher trims, added forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and rear parking assistance. The Canyon received four out of five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, but it was rated "Poor" for headlights and front crash prevention.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM's Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, as a standard feature on the Denali Ultimate trim. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving with automatic lane changes and trailering capability. The Sierra's safety features included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Sierra received mostly "Good" crash safety ratings from the IIHS but was rated "Marginal" in the front-passenger small overlap test. The NHTSA awarded four out of five stars for crashworthiness to 2WD models.