Toyota Tacoma vs. GMC Canyon
When shopping around for pickup trucks this year, you may wonder which model is better: Toyota Tacoma vs. GMC Canyon. With both trucks, you see decent performance, handling, towing, payload, and plenty of configurations and trims to go between. The Tacoma has been around since 1995 and is a staple of the Japanese auto brand. In contrast, the GMC Canyon debuted in 2004 and is less well-known than the Tacoma. However, we are here to dive into more recent models of both pickup trucks, so stick around as we get to the bottom of which vehicle outperforms the other in most major categories.
Overview
The Toyota Tacoma vs. GMC Canyon has been a more fierce debate recently. With the newer generations of Tacoma, you see an affordable, MPG-friendly vehicle with a rugged design and a pretty perky engine. With the newer generations of Canyon from GMC, drivers get a slightly faster pickup, although they can expect to pay more than the Tacoma on average. Between the two, the Canyon looks and drives like a luxury truck, while the Tacoma is more agile and adaptable to the road ahead.
Of course, it wouldn't be fair not to give a synopsis of both trucks to give you a better idea of the Toyota Tacoma and the GMC Canyon, so here's that:
Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma from Toyota boasts a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. This truck also has two configurations in terms of drivetrain, either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel, and you have two transmission options: an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Your towing is between 3,500 and 6,500 pounds, which is excellent considering the price range of about $31,000 to start.
GMC Canyon
The GMC Canyon is one of the brand's more slept-on pickups, boasting a standard 2.7-liter inline-four TurboMax™ engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Moreover, your drivetrain options will be either rear-wheel drive (standard) or four-wheel drive (recommended), as well as an 8-speed automatic transmission and comes standard. Towing with the GMC Canyon is a breeze, with the max being up to 7,700 pounds when properly configured. Price points for the GMC Canyon are higher on average when compared to Tacoma, often starting at around $36,000.
Exterior
Looking at the exterior of the Toyota Tacoma vs. GMC Canyon, these trucks have very different vibes. With the Tacoma, you have a more rugged, compact shape than the Canyon, with the front grille boasting a rounded, mesh-inspired face and LED lighting to guide you on and off the road. With the GMC Canyon, the brand has opted for a more sleek, luxury-looking body, featuring an almost Silverado-inspired fascia, sharp, squared-off grille, and LED lights. The Canyon looks nicer between the two truck models, although the Tacoma is perfectly charming and outdoor-ready. It depends on your style, but most people like the Canyon's aesthetic more.
Noteworthy: The GMC Canyon offers 18-inch wheels to start, while the Tacoma will offer 17-inch ones standard.
Interior
Getting inside the Toyota Tacoma vs. GMC Canyon, these vehicles couldn't be more different. Like their outside, the Canyon has a luxurious interior, focusing on passenger space and amenities at the standard level. The Tacoma has decent floor and seat space, but the interior is a bit more basic across the lineup.
Toyota Tacoma
The interior of a Tacoma is sleek, easy to clean, and has passengers in mind. You can expect these features to be standard in newer generations:
- Dual USB-C ports * with power delivery
- Smart Key System on driver and front passenger doors
- Automatic climate control
- Auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror
- Fabric-trimmed seats
- Polyurethane manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel
- Fold-flat passenger seat, lockable rear storage panel
GMC Canyon
As we said above, the Canyon pickup truck feels a bit more elevated inside the main cabin, with these specs being standard in recent releases:
- 11" diagonal color Driver Information Center
- 11.3" diagonal GMC Premium Infotainment System
- 4-way manual front passenger seat
- 6-way manual driver seat
- Cruise control
- Front bucket seating
- HD Rear Vision Camera
Engine and Performance
When comparing the Toyota Tacoma's engine and performance to the GMC Canyon, this is where you may prefer one over the other. Engine-wise, the Canyon from GMC offers better horsepower and torque, with a standard 2.7-liter inline-four TurboMax™ engine that produces 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the newer editions of Tacoma will see a standard turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder capable of producing 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Therefore, your Canyon is better in terms of overall performance.
Noteworthy: The GMC Canyon outperforms the Tacoma in terms of engine and overall performance.
Towing Capacity
When getting into towing for the GMC Canyon vs. Toyota Tacoma pickups, you see the Tacoma head-to-head with GMC. The Tacoma can tow between 3,500 and 6,500 pounds max for newer models, while the GMC Canyon sees 3,500-7,700 pounds.
Therefore, your Canyon pickup is more suited for heavy towing, while the Tacoma offers about 1,200 pounds less at its maximum. Even then, the Tacoma from Toyota is a beast, all things considered.
Safety Features
The safety features of the Toyota Tacoma vs. GMC Canyon are notable, with Toyota putting its best foot forward regarding overall safety. Below, we will show what comes standard in either truck regarding safety and driver-assistance technology.
Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 (TSS 3.0)
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Backup Guide Monitor
- Electric Power Steering (EPS) and power-assisted rack-and-pinion with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
- Class-IV towing hitch receiver and wiring harness with 7-pin/4-pin connector
GMC Canyon
- 3 Years of OnStar® Remote Access
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Buckle to Drive
- Following Distance Indicator
- Forward Collision Alert
- Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking
- Front outboard Passenger Sensing System for frontal outboard passenger airbag
- HD Rear Vision Camera
- Hitch Guidance and View
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
Infotainment
Lastly, we have the infotainment differences between a Toyota Tacoma and a GMC Canyon. Both nameplates offer plenty of newer-gen perks, like larger screens, better connectivity, and even wireless charging in higher trim levels. With the Tacoma, drivers can expect a standard 8-inch Audio Multimedia Display with a 4-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, and SiriusXM.
In contrast, the GMC Canyon gets a standard 11-inch diagonal color Driver Information Center and an 11.3-inch diagonal GMC Premium Infotainment System with Google built-in, plus three years of OnStar Remote Access and a 6-speaker audio system.
Verdict: Overall, the GMC Canyon offers more included infotainment for the money.
Get the Toyota Tacoma or the GMC Canyon at Tim's Truck Capital
With this comparison of the Toyota Tacoma vs. GMC Canyon finished, there is no better time to visit the pros at Tim's Truck Capital to discuss both pickups in greater detail and test drive either nameplate. We're a top-rated sales team and cannot wait to help you find the vehicle of your dreams!
Customer Account
