2023 Toyota Tundra vs 2023 GMC Canyon

The 2023 Toyota Tundra was a behemoth of a truck, with a massive grille that commanded attention. Its design featured interlocking elements, from the grille surround to the headlights and taillights, creating a cohesive and solid appearance. Despite its imposing size, the Tundra's design was not solely about brute force. Slim, high-mounted headlights and a character line along the side profile added visual length, while the rear showcased a three-dimensional stamped design. The Tundra was available in ten trim levels in Canada, offering a range of options from the basic SR to the luxurious Capstone. The TRD Pro trim added unique features like clearance lamps and a skid plate, enhancing its rugged appeal. Inside, the Tundra boasted spacious and comfortable seating, with higher trims featuring a massive 14-inch touchscreen. The interior was designed for comfort and practicality, making it a desirable choice for truck enthusiasts.

The 2023 GMC Canyon, on the other hand, exuded an aggressive and muscular look. Its headlights and daytime running lights were positioned alongside a broad grille, giving it an angry appearance. The body sides featured bulges and creases reminiscent of tensed muscles, enhancing its tough aesthetic. The Canyon shared dimensions with the Chevy Colorado, offering a longer wheelbase and an "Ultra Wide Track" stance. It came with a standard factory lift kit, providing impressive ground clearance. The Denali trim added a touch of luxury with chrome accents and 20-inch wheels, while the AT4X model was designed for serious off-roading with features like front and rear electronic lockers and 33-inch mud terrain tires. Inside, the Denali trim offered a premium experience with laser-etched wood trim and leather upholstery. The Canyon's interior was spacious, with more first-row legroom than most midsize trucks, and it featured innovative storage solutions like the MultiStow tailgate.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra marked a significant departure from its predecessor by offering two engine choices, both featuring six cylinders instead of eight. The standard 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine produced 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the Tundra Hybrid, known as the i-FORCE MAX, delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid engine was available on select trims and standard on the Capstone trim. A 10-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth power delivery, and the Tundra's performance was consistent across various terrains. The truck's maximum towing capacity was 5,045 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 880 kilograms. The TRD Pro trim stood out with its off-road capabilities, featuring a lift, Fox shocks, and a multi-terrain system. However, its large size posed challenges on narrow trails.

The 2023 GMC Canyon was powered by a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and offered a balance of on-road livability and off-road capability. The Canyon's four-wheel-drive system came with a single-speed transfer case on the Elevation and a two-speed transfer case on other models. The AT4X model was equipped for serious off-roading, with features like electronic lockers and Baja drive mode. The Canyon's towing capacity was 3,492 kilograms for most trims, with a slightly lower capacity for the AT4X. The truck's payload capacity was 716 kilograms, which was lower than some rivals. Despite its off-road prowess, the Canyon maintained good road manners, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra offered a practical and thoughtful interior design, blending technology with simple interface controls. The truck featured a large touchscreen, physical controls for essential functions, and a wireless charging pad. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel were available on four-wheel-drive models. The Tundra's centre console bin had a clever sliding door for easy access, and the rear seats provided ample space for passengers. The truck was available in various configurations, with different bed lengths to suit different needs.

The 2023 GMC Canyon was available in a single configuration: a crew cab with a 5.2-foot bed. Despite the lack of a longer bed option, the Canyon offered a spacious interior with ample legroom in both rows. The truck featured the innovative MultiStow tailgate with a waterproof storage compartment. However, it lacked a standard telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable front seats. The Canyon's towing and payload capacities were competitive, but slightly lower than some rivals. Overall, the Canyon provided a comfortable and functional interior, with thoughtful storage solutions.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 14-inch multimedia screen available on higher trims. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12-speaker audio system on select trims. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel added to the truck's technological appeal, making it a modern and advanced choice for tech-savvy buyers.

The 2023 GMC Canyon came with an 11.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The infotainment system featured Google Built-In functionality, with Google Maps as the navigation system. The Canyon also offered a digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and a Bose premium audio system on higher trims. An Off-Road Performance Display menu provided additional information for off-road adventures, and the available surround-view camera system enhanced visibility during challenging driving conditions.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available but not standard across all trims. The Tundra received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for CrewMax models.

The 2023 GMC Canyon offered the Canyon Pro Safety Package as standard, including features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Additional safety features were available through optional packages, with higher trims offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.