2025 Ford Maverick vs 2026 GMC Canyon

The Ford Maverick really shook up the pickup-truck market when it arrived as a 2022 model. Ford’s compact pickup utilizes the same basic platform as the Escape and Bronco Sport crossovers, but it offers real truck capability and a hybrid powertrain to boot. The 2025 model features styling and tech updates, but the biggest news is a Maverick Lobo performance variant and an all-wheel drive (AWD) hybrid, so that’s what we focused on for this first drive.

Verdict: The Maverick is still a great vehicle, but it’s not quite the bargain it once was.

Don’t expect variety in the 2026 Canyon. There are four trim levels, but this midsize truck is available only in a crew-cab, short-bed configuration, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is standard in Canada. For the 2026 model year, a new Coastal Dune paint colour debuts, the Canyon AT4 is available with a Nightfall Essential Package, and you can add a lift kit to the AT4X.

Verdict: The GMC Canyon isn’t a bargain, but it’s an undeniably appealing truck. Good looks, a stout powertrain, user-friendly tech, and terrific off-roading capability are the selling points. The Canyon’s fuel economy, value, and safety ratings need improvement. Nevertheless, it's a likeable pickup truck.