2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2023 GMC Canyon

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had a design that sparked mixed reactions. While some elements like the split-bar grille were reminiscent of classic Chevy trucks, the small headlights and aggressive styling were polarizing. The design seemed to align with Chevrolet's current vehicle portfolio, which some might describe as inspired by futuristic themes. Various appearance packages, such as the Rally Edition and Redline Edition, offered additional customization options. Inside, the Silverado's cabin was more universally appealing, with functional controls and two distinct interior layouts depending on the trim. The WT and Custom trims retained a more traditional interior, while higher trims featured a modern, tech-focused dashboard with a large touchscreen.

In contrast, the 2023 GMC Canyon presented a bold and aggressive exterior, with a design that exuded toughness. The truck's broad grille and muscular body lines contributed to its assertive appearance. The Canyon shared its dimensions with the Chevy Colorado, featuring a longer wheelbase and a standard factory lift kit. The Denali trim stood out with its luxurious interior, featuring laser-etched wood trim and leather upholstery. The Canyon's interior space was competitive for a midsize truck, offering ample first-row legroom and decent second-row space. The new MultiStow tailgate added a unique storage solution, although it was somewhat limited in utility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engine options, starting with a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the 5.3-litre V8 delivered 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, while the 6.2-litre V8 offered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. A six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine was also available, providing 305 hp and 495 lb-ft. The Silverado's towing capacity reached up to 6,000 kilograms with the 6.2-litre V8 and Max Towing package. The truck's handling was commendable for its size, with the Trail Boss and ZR2 trims offering enhanced off-road capabilities.

The 2023 GMC Canyon, on the other hand, featured a single powertrain option: a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the Canyon came standard with four-wheel drive, with the AT4X trim offering advanced off-road features like electronic lockers and Multimatic DSSV dampers. The Canyon balanced on-road comfort with off-road prowess, particularly in the AT4X trim, which excelled in various off-road scenarios. However, the Canyon's towing capacity was slightly lower than the Silverado's, with a maximum of 3,492 kilograms for most trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered multiple body styles, including regular, double, and crew cabs, with varying bed lengths. The crew cab was particularly spacious, providing ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The rear bench seat could be folded up to create additional in-cabin storage space. The Silverado's interior was designed with practicality in mind, with easy access to the rear seats in the double cab model.

The 2023 GMC Canyon was available only in a crew cab configuration with a 5.2-foot bed. Despite the limited configuration options, the Canyon provided generous first-row legroom and competitive second-row space for a midsize truck. The new MultiStow tailgate offered a waterproof storage compartment, although its utility was somewhat limited. The Canyon's interior lacked some premium features like a telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable front seats, which was surprising given GMC's premium positioning.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured a base infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LTZ trim added wireless device charging and additional USB ports. The Silverado's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a focus on functionality over flashy graphics.

The 2023 GMC Canyon came standard with an 11.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included a digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and a Bose premium audio system. The Canyon's infotainment system featured Google Built-In functionality, offering a seamless experience for Android users. The system's graphics were impressive, and the available Off-Road Performance Display provided useful information for off-road enthusiasts. The surround-view camera system, with its underbody camera view, was a standout feature for off-roading.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system. The Silverado received high safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2023 GMC Canyon offered a standard Canyon Pro Safety Package with features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Additional safety features were available through optional packages, including rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims came with these features as standard, along with a Safety Alert Seat. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.