2022 Toyota Tacoma vs 2023 GMC Canyon

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, a staple in the North American market since 1995, was beginning to show its age despite a facelift in 2020. Its exterior maintained a contemporary look with an aggressive grille and headlights, but the interior revealed its dated design with hard plastics and older switchgear. The cabin, though functional with features like keyless entry and push-button start, felt a bit outdated. The Tacoma offered various configurations and packages, such as the SR5 and TRD Pro, each adding unique features like alloy wheels, sport suspensions, and off-road capabilities. The TRD Pro, in particular, stood out with its unique styling, skid plates, and TRD-tuned suspension, making it a favourite for off-road enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2023 GMC Canyon presented a more modern and aggressive design, with a broad grille and muscular body lines. Sharing dimensions with the Chevy Colorado, the Canyon featured a longer wheelbase and an "Ultra Wide Track" stance, enhancing its road presence. The Canyon offered a factory lift kit across its models, with the AT4X model boasting the highest ground clearance. The Denali trim added luxury touches like chrome accents and 20-inch wheels, while the interior featured premium materials such as open-pore wood and leather upholstery. The Canyon's interior was notably more upscale compared to its competitors, offering a unique blend of ruggedness and refinement.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma in Canada came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms and a payload capacity of 583 kilograms. While the V6 provided decent acceleration around town, it struggled at highway speeds due to its gearing and transmission. The Tacoma excelled off-road, especially in the TRD Pro trim, which featured Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control for enhanced trail performance.

The 2023 GMC Canyon, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and offered in four-wheel drive in Canada. The Canyon's AT4X model was particularly adept off-road, featuring electronic lockers, skid plates, and 33-inch mud terrain tires. The Canyon provided a balanced on-road experience with adequate acceleration and a quiet cabin, while the AT4X model excelled in off-road conditions with its advanced suspension and drive modes.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab configurations, offering a five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed. The Access Cab featured clamshell rear half-doors and limited rear-seat space, making it more suitable for storage than passengers. The Double Cab provided slightly more rear-seat space but remained tight for adults. The front seats offered ample legroom, but the steering wheel's limited adjustment could be a drawback for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed included practical features like in-bed lighting and a power outlet.

The 2023 GMC Canyon was offered exclusively in a crew cab configuration with a 5.2-foot bed. Despite the lack of extended or regular cab options, the Canyon provided generous interior space, particularly in the first row. The second-row legroom was competitive, surpassed only by a few SUV-based rivals. The Canyon introduced the MultiStow tailgate with a waterproof storage compartment, adding utility. However, it lacked a telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable front seats, which seemed at odds with its premium positioning. The Canyon's towing capacity reached 3,492 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 716 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma featured a straightforward infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's simplicity was a benefit, offering a familiar interface with large icons. The Tacoma included a wireless device charger, though it required manual activation. While not packed with advanced tech, the Tacoma's infotainment was reliable and user-friendly.

The 2023 GMC Canyon boasted an 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a digital instrument cluster. The Denali and AT4X trims added a head-up display and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system featured Google Built-In functionality, offering seamless integration for Android users. The Canyon also included an Off-Road Performance Display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The system's graphics were impressive, providing a visually appealing and intuitive user experience.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests.

The 2023 GMC Canyon offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. The optional Safety Plus Package added rear cross-traffic alert and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims included additional features like adaptive cruise control and a Safety Alert Seat. While crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time, the Canyon's safety features were competitive for its class.