2021 GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon has four main trim levels for the year 2021: Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali. Because AT4 and Denali have varying configurations and unique characteristics, they are not the same. Those 2 trims will be discussed separately in a subsequent article. There is no difference in powertrain between the Elevation Standard and Elevation. Both trims, however, come with an All-wheel drive variant as an option. The Canyon's powertrain can also be upgraded to a 3.6L V6 engine on both trims.

Standard trim lacks soft-touch materials on the dash whereas Elevation trim features soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. As standard, the front driver's seat is 4-way power-adjustable. However, the Elevation trim comes with a 6-way power-adjustable and heated driver's seat.

Which trim should you buy?

We recommend you opt for the base trim because it is the most value for the money. However, if you are not restricted by a budget and you want a little extra protection, comfort, and infotainment, you should probably consider the Elevation trim.

The 2021 GMC Canyon offers 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. Owners will not have to stop at the gas station too often since the vehicle has a large tank of 21 gallons that enables the Canyon to go over 450 miles without a refill. In terms of combined mileage, the Canyon is rated at 22 MPG which is similar to most of its competitors.

Compared to these rivals, all of them except Tacoma have a pretty similar fuel economy. However, the Ford Ranger achieves the highest fuel economy compared to all its rivals. However, its smaller fuel tank of 18 gallons limits its range on a full tank as compared to those of other competitors.

To improve the comfort of the 2021 GMC Canyon, the automaker has been working on improving its line of vehicles. Optionally, the top trim comes with heated and ventilated front seats. If you like to feel comfortable in your vehicle, especially in the winter, this is a great option.

Also, because of the cabin's spaciousness, it is ideal for people who require a truck but don't want comfort to be a tradeoff as the Canyon's seats are very comfortable, and the driver's seat can be adjusted in six different ways. The higher trim also features soft-to-touch materials inside. Moreover, the Canyon's cargo space is measured at 41.3 cubic feet, which is decent, but not the best in its segment.

Due to their spacious cabins, both the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado easily dominate all the other trucks here. On either row, they have the most headroom and legroom. However, the Tacoma features the most cargo bed capacity. Some of the key features of the interior are:

• Cruise Control
• Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Ventilated front seats with cooling feature
• Rear under-seat storage tray
• Automatic climate control

What’s there to keep you entertained?

GMC has improved its lineup quite a lot in terms of feature upgrades and additions over the years. However, there are a few things that may disappoint buyers. The display screen is large and works well, but the interface looks very dated and needs to be updated. The experience is similar to using an iPhone 6 in 2021.

Other than that, seven speakers are included as standard. On the Elevation trim, however, you can choose the Bose 7-speaker premium audio system. Other basic features include satellite radio (3 months), USB connection, AM/FM stereo, speed-sensitive volume control, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto. Furthermore, it supports Wireless Charging although the pad is too small for any smartphone of today to fit in. Therefore, GMC needs to address this issue since it makes the feature useless if one cannot use it. Some of the key infotainment features are:

• Touch Screen Display
• Apple Carplay & Android Auto
• Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Wireless Charging
• BlueTooth & Navigation
• Bose speakers (Optional)

The GMC Canyon's exterior has been updated for 2021. The new face of the vehicle features a unique grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights. Also, the lower tail light trim and larger bumper on the rear end have been revised. A more streamlined exterior design and improved visibility distinguish the 2021 GMC Canyon over its predecessor. 

The truck's dimensions are unchanged, but it does lose about 300 pounds. As a result of these changes, the truck should look and perform better. Moreover, the grille is wider and shallower, and the headlights wrap around the grille for a sleek profile. It also comes with standard 18.0-inch black-painted aluminum wheels on both trims.

This year, the GMC Canyon comes out as the lightest vehicle in its class because its curb weight has been reduced. In comparison, the Tacoma has the highest ground clearance and weighs the most while both the Canyon and Colorado have the longest wheelbases, which translates to more space in their cabins. Some of the key exterior features are:

• 18.0-inch wheels
• LED Fog Lamps
• Black Recovery Hook
• Rear step bumper
• Power remote heated manual folding side-view door mirrors
• Body-colored door handles

Both NHTSA and IIHS have not yet tested the 2021 GMC Canyon. However, the previous version's ratings were satisfactory. The NHTSA gave it a 4-star rating, which is considered to be just above average. On the other hand, the IIHS gave it a 'Good' rating in most of the categories. As standard, it has a good amount of safety features. The most advanced features are only available in the topmost trim, which is also optional. However, we would say it is not the best when it comes to safety tech, but it is not the worst either. Some standout safety features include:

• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Lane Departure Warning Accident Avoidance System (Optional)
• Engine Immobilizer
• Forward Collision Alert (Optional)
• Hill Start Assist
• Rear Parking Assist (Optional)

2021 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger costs a little less than the Canyon. But, when it comes down to performance, the Ranger is unmatched in its segment. The engine puts out 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is the most in this class of mid-size trucks. This power allows the Ranger to cover 0-60 in about 7 seconds, which is very impressive for a mid-size truck. The GMC Canyon does offer a little better space inside the cabin and the fuel economy is again almost similar. But, the Ranger with its better performance and better towing capacity (7500 pounds) easily outshines the GMC Canyon.

2021 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

Both the Canyon and Colorado come from the same parent company and both of these trucks share the same chassis and powertrain. The price, specification, and dimensions are again very similar as well. But, the GMC Canyon beats its corporate cousin as it features a nicer cabin and better infotainment specs. The Chevrolet Colorado also gets poor ratings from the IIHS for its headlights. As a result, we would recommend you to go with Canyon instead.

2021 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The base model of the Toyota Tacoma costs much less than the Canyon. But, the GMC Canyon is better than the Tacoma in every other aspect. It has a nicer cabin, better engine performance, superior fuel economy, and many more features as standard. The Canyon also looks a little more stylish than the Tacoma. So, if you are willing to pay slightly more, the Canyon is the better choice between the two.

Yes, the 2021 GMC Canyon is one of the better mid-size trucks in its segment. It has different powertrains available for buyers to choose from and has a nicer set of features as compared to most of its rivals, however, its interface looks a little dated. Otherwise, it is quite a potent truck in its segment that should certainly be at the top of your list. Also, don't forget to check out its closest rival, the Ford Ranger which is a little expensive but is arguably the best in the segment of mid-size pickup trucks.