2023 Ford Maverick vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2022 GMC Canyon, a model that had been around since 2015, was known for its premium look and feel, especially in the Denali trim. This luxury-oriented version featured a unique 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 came with premium features like a black chrome grille, LED signature lighting, and premium heated leather front seats with Kalahari accents. The Canyon's material quality, both inside and out, was above expectations for its class, offering a luxurious cabin experience even in its more rugged trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Maverick maintained its new model look with a blocky front end and headlights, showing a clear Ford truck family resemblance. The Maverick Tremor package added off-road capability and street cred with blacked-out logos, headlights, and taillights, along with unique colour options like Avalanche Grey. The Tremor package also included tow hooks in "Tremor Orange," updated fender vents, and a new grille with orange accents. Inside, the Maverick's crew cab featured a lot of cold, hard plastic, but the Black Onyx seats with a heathered, salt-and-pepper look added a touch of style. While the interior materials felt utilitarian, the overall design trended surprisingly highbrow, offering a unique blend of practicality and style.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered a range of powertrains, including a 200-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a 308-hp 3.6-litre V6, and a 181-hp 2.8-litre Duramax turbodiesel 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 available Trailering package. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with a four-wheel drive option available on all trims. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided abundant power, even with the added weight of the AT4's off-road features. The Canyon's ride and handling were solid, with the AT4's off-road equipment making it a capable off-roader.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, on the other hand, was hybrid-powered by default, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid came with a CVT and front-wheel drive, while the 2.0-litre, 250-hp turbo EcoBoost engine offered an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Tremor package added Ford’s “Advanced 4WD” system, capable of sending torque to either rear wheel, and included Trail Control for off-road terrains. The EcoBoost engine's 277 lb-ft of torque allowed for a towing capacity of up to 1,814 kilograms (4,000 lbs) with the 4K Tow Package, though the Tremor package reduced towing and payload capacities.

The 2022 GMC Canyon was available with an extended cab and a 6'2" (188 cm) bed or a crew cab with either a 5'2" (157.5 cm) or 6'2" bed. The crew cab offered spacious seating, even for rear-seat passengers, while the extended cab's back seat was less accommodating. The Canyon's crossover SUV-like seat height made entry and exit easy, and the cabin featured comfortable and supportive seats with available power adjustments and heating. The cargo bed offered two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, with an integrated corner step rear bumper for easy access.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, with the Tremor package, was 2.5 centimetres longer than other Mavericks, but this didn't affect legroom. Gas engine models offered 1,088 mm of front legroom and 937 mm in the second row, while the hybrid's rear legroom was slightly less at 912 mm. The Maverick's interior featured a lot of plastic, but upgrades were available, including heated seats and a soft-touch steering wheel. The XLT and Lariat trims offered additional tech and safety features, with the Lariat trim providing more luxury options.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's technology offerings were modest, with the Elevation Standard trim featuring a 7-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system. The Elevation trim added an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The AT4 trim offered an optional wireless smartphone charging pad, while the Denali trim included navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. The Canyon also came with a free trial of SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar telematics.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, as an entry-level truck, offered basic tech features. The 8-inch infotainment touchscreen was adequate, with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto connectivity as standard. FordPass Connect provided a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot with a subscription. The Lariat trim added a 6.5-inch LED driver-information display, additional USB ports, and a power-sliding rear window. The Lariat's Luxury Package included an eight-speaker B&O sound system, a wireless charging pad, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim level. The base Elevation Standard lacked advanced driver aids but included tire-fill alert and the Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package, available on the Elevation and AT4 and standard on the Denali, included forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and rear parking assistance. The Canyon received a four-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, though it had some lower ratings in specific areas.

The 2023 Ford Maverick came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite, which included automatic high beams, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera. Additional safety features were available, such as adaptive cruise control, lane centring, and blind-spot monitoring. The Maverick earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some points lost for rollover resistance and frontal crash tests. The IIHS gave it a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.