2024 GMC Canyon vs. the Competition
GMC just does things differently. You want a truck that’s rugged, intelligent, but also incredibly luxurious? The new 2024 GMC Canyon opens up the potential for better weekends and much more. The Canyon — available now at Banks Buick GMC in Concord, New Hampshire — also handily outclasses other trucks in its segment, including the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and more.
GMC Canyon vs. Ford Ranger
The 2024 GMC Canyon and 2024 Ford Ranger are competitive midsize pickup trucks that have both been recently redesigned, making the time ripe for comparison. That’s what we’ve done below, but we’ll spoil the results for you now: The Canyon wins this one. And in a lot of ways, it’s not even particularly close.
Power and performance
This is the area where the Ranger comes closest to the Canyon, but it’s still a loss for the Ford truck. Both models offer peak torque output of 430 lb-ft, but only the Canyon offers it standard. The Canyon also manages to put that power to a little more use, as it can tow up to 7,700 pounds — that’s 200 pounds more than the Ranger can handle.[1] And if you opt for either of the trucks’ most off-road-capable variants, the gap only increases. The Canyon AT4X can tow up to 6,000 pounds, while the Ford Ranger Raptor can only tow up to 5,510 pounds.
Off-road options
If you’re looking to travel the trail, you’ll have an easier time in a GMC Canyon. The AT4X AEV Edition, with 35-inch tires, simply leaves the Ranger in the dust (it rides on 33-inch tires). It has higher ground clearance (12.2 inches vs. 10.7 inches), a higher approach angle, higher breakover angle, and similar departure angle. Both trucks have five skid plates, but the Canyon’s boron stamped steel plates from AEV provide better coverage.
Comfort and luxury
GMC is famous for its luxurious Denali interiors. The Ranger makes a valiant effort, but if you’re in the market for a midsize truck with a plush ride, it’s tough to beat the Canyon Denali. It has standard perforated leather-trimmed seats, laser-etched open-pore wood trim, 20-inch diamond-cut wheels, and multi-color 6.3-inch-diagonal head-up display. The equivalent Ranger Lariat has heated leather seats, but they’re not ventilated like in the Denali, and the Ford truck also doesn’t offer any kind of HUD. It also doesn’t offer a Google Built-in infotainment system like the Canyon does.
Practicality and versatility
For years, GMC been ahead of the curve when it comes to practical features like camera views and tailgate flexibility. This remains true with the 2024 Canyon. It comes with a class-leading 10 available camera views (including a segment-first underbody cam), compared to just a rearview and 360-degree camera for the 2024 Ranger. It also has a first-in-class MultiStow Tailgate™ that enables you to stow additional items in a hidden compartment within the tailgate itself. By comparison, the Ranger’s tailgate is very rudimentary.
GMC Canyon vs. Jeep Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator is a fairly new kid on the block, and in trying to take on the GMC Canyon, it has given itself quite a big task. Is it up for it? As you’ll find out below, it’s a swing and a miss.
Power and ride: Better all around
All 2024 GMC Canyon trucks feature a 310-horsepower turbocharged 2.7-liter engine under the hood, which generates 430 lb-ft of torque. The Jeep Gladiator’s only engine, a 3.6-liter V6, is very underwhelming by comparison. Generating only 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, it won’t feel as powerful or as responsive — whether you’re towing or climbing a dune. In fact, according to Car and Driver, the Gladiator’s 0-60 mph acceleration of 7.2 seconds makes it slower than most competitors. The Canyon, on the other hand, needs just over 6 seconds flat.
To make matters worse, C/D says that the Gladiator’s steering “lacks precision” and the ride “can be busy on uneven surfaces.” Jeep might claim that these are compromises to enhance the Gladiator’s off-road prowess — but with the Canyon, you get a powerful truck that rides well without giving up anything off the beaten path, so compromises are really not necessary.
Off-road capability: Uncompromised
There’s no denying that the Jeep Gladiator is a serious off-roading machine. But because this is just about its entire reason for existing, we’d expect the Gladiator to be better at all-terrain traversal compared to a more refined truck like the GMC Canyon. As it turns out, it’s not. In AT4X configuration, it gets 10.7 inches of ground clearance, bumped up to a best-in-class 12.2 inches with the AEV Edition upgrade. That’s more than the Gladiator’s 11.6 inches. The AT4X also gets class-leading underbody protection with five boron steel skid plates, plus 35-inch mud-terrain tires. The kicker? An AT4X will set you back nearly $10,000 less than a Gladiator Mojave X or Rubicon X.[2]
Luxury: Still the king
GMC’s Denali trims are still unmatched when it comes to truck luxury. Perforated leather seats, laser-etched open-pore wood trim, and extensive legroom and headroom make the Canyon Denali the plushest midsize truck in the class. And a premium Bose® sound system, color head-up display, wireless charging pad, and heated and ventilated seats are just some of the many premium amenities that set the Denali apart from the 2024 Jeep Gladiator.
Truck practicality: Class-leading
With up to 10 available camera views — including a segment-first underbody camera — as well as hitch view and hitch guidance system even on the lowest trim level, the Canyon offers an unprecedented level of visibility from behind the wheel, let alone compared to the Gladiator. It also comes with a first-in-class MultiStow tailgate in which you can lock items up to 45 inches wide, plus eight standard tie-downs and a standard CornerStep bumper for added practicality.
The 2024 Jeep Gladiator is a tough truck, but not quite as tough and certainly not as refined as the 2024 GMC Canyon. Make sure to check out the winner of this comparison at Banks Auto in Concord, New Hampshire!
GMC Canyon vs. Toyota Tacoma
If you’re looking for a refined truck with plenty of on- and off-road capability, the 2024 GMC Canyon is a great option. And if you’re shopping for a Canyon, you’ve probably come across a Tacoma in your research. So how do these two trucks compare, and can the Toyota really match up to the GMC? (Spoiler: No, it can’t).
Refined driving experience
The most luxurious trucks you can buy are GMC’s Denali models. Starting at $51,000,[2] the GMC Canyon Denali comes with standard premium features like perforated leather-appointed seats, laser-etched open-pore wood, a multicolor 6.3-inch-diagonal head-up display, and 20-inch diamond-cut aluminum wheels — just to name a few.
These are the type of high-end luxury amenities that the plushest Toyota Tacoma Limited trim fails to surpass, even though it starts at a higher price of $52,100. And with a standard Google Built-in infotainment system and available MultiStow® tailgate storage system, which have no similar counterparts in the Tacoma, the GMC Canyon further takes the lead in this category.
Superior on- and off-road capability
The 2024 GMC Canyon’s top off-roading trims are the AT4, AT4X, and AT4X AEV Edition. The Tacoma’s most comparable trims are the Trailhunter and TRD Pro, and they don’t quite manage to keep up. When it comes to getting from A to B, the Canyon’s larger available tires (35 inches vs 33 inches) and Multimatic DSSV™ dampers simply make it easier. In its most extreme spec, it has a best-in-class max ground clearance of 12.2 inches (vs 11.5 inches for the Tacoma), 38.2-degree approach angle (vs 35.7), 26.9-degree breakover angle (vs. 24.6 degrees), and 26-degree departure angle (vs 22.6 degrees).
In fact, even the Canyon AT4X has better approach, breakover, and departure angles than the Tacoma Trailhunter, despite starting at about $8,000 less. And back on the road, the Canyon has a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, well clear of the Tacoma’s 6,500-pound rating. So no matter the challenge ahead, you’ll be better equipped with a GMC Canyon.[1]
The little things that count
If you’ve sat in a new Tacoma and visit our dealership in Concord, New Hampshire, to try out a GMC Canyon, you’ll immediately be struck by one thing: It’s more spacious. If you’re a tall driver, you’ll appreciate the generous front-row headroom that allows you to sit upright without rubbing your head on the roof.
And if you expect passengers, they’ll also love the extra legroom across both rows. Along with numerous additional goodies like a segment-first underbody camera, the Canyon simply stands out in a good way.
Visit Banks Auto in Concord, New Hampshire, to get a closer look at the winner of this comparison: the 2024 GMC Canyon! Whether you’re looking for adventure or simply need a practical, comfy truck to get around, the latest Canyon does the job more convincingly than the latest Tacoma.
Ultimately, the 2024 GMC Canyon rides ahead of the competition whether you’re using it for work, play, or the daily commute. If you’re interested in checking out the new Canyon in person, make sure to visit the Banks Auto dealership in Concord, New Hampshire!
[1] Requires a properly equipped Elevation, AT4 or Denali model with available ProGrade™ Trailering System. Maximum trailering ratings are intended for comparison purposes only. Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The trailering capacity of your specific vehicle may vary. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can trailer.
[2] The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. Click here to see all GMC vehicles’ destination freight charges.