2021 GMC Canyon vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a wide range of design options. From different grilles and finishes to various wheel sizes and styles, the Silverado presented a distinctive appearance for every version. Buyers had the choice between Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab styles, with trim levels including WT (Work Truck), Custom, LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country. Off-roading enthusiasts could add a Trail Boss treatment to the Custom or LT. The Silverado's MSRP ranged from $28,500 to $57,100, excluding the $1,595 destination charge.

The Silverado LT Trail Boss, equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and four option packages, had a price tag of $59,185, including the destination charge. The test truck's black paint, black wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim gave it a custom appearance, but maintaining its cleanliness could be challenging. While the Silverado's exterior was generally appealing, its industrial-looking cabin felt dated with busy, layered surfaces and plastic rather than metal trims.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Canyon, in its second generation since 2015, featured a refreshed exterior with an enlarged grille and revised front bumper, aligning it aesthetically with its larger sibling, the GMC Sierra. The Canyon's interior design remained largely unchanged, prioritizing functionality with a sensible control layout over luxurious materials. Despite its older design, the Canyon’s exterior updates and the continuation of the Sierra-inspired cabin helped keep the truck current and competitive in the midsize pickup market.

The Canyon came in several trims: Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali. The base trim featured 18-inch gloss-black aluminum wheels and a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims offered additional features like LED fog lights, leather seating, and advanced trailering options. The Canyon AT4 model we tested boasted off-road enhancements, including dark metallic wheels, all-terrain tires, and skid plates, making it an attractive option for those seeking adventure.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered an impressive array of powertrains. The new 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder generated 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, returning up to 27 mpg on the highway. The test truck featured a 6.2-liter V8 engine, producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing impressive thrust and a commanding exhaust note. With the Z71 Off-Road Package, the LT Trail Boss demonstrated excellent off-road capability, though its handling on pavement wasn't as refined due to all-terrain tires and somewhat delayed steering response. Yet, the ride quality was commendable, and the truck averaged 16.8 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional 3.6-liter V6, generating 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine offered 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Canyon AT4 we drove, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, performed confidently both on and off-road. The vehicle's trail capabilities and handling were well-balanced, with a slight shudder from bumps being the only noticeable discomfort.

For towing, the Canyon, equipped with the turbodiesel engine, could tow up to 7,700 pounds and had a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds. These figures highlighted its strength in the midsize segment.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's interior was spacious yet practical. With leather upholstery and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, the test truck provided comfort for long journeys. However, the front passenger seat's lack of height adjustability posed an issue for shorter occupants. The Crew Cab's back seat was cavernous, offering USB ports, air conditioning vents, and rear cushion heating. With extensive storage solutions, including dual glove compartments and hidden rear-seatback compartments, the Silverado was well-equipped for daily use.

The Silverado also excelled in payload and towing capacities, hauling up to 2,250 pounds and towing up to 13,400 pounds, depending on the configuration. The test truck, with the Max Trailering Package, could handle 2,170 pounds of payload and tow up to 11,300 pounds, rivaling many competitors in its class.

For the 2021 GMC Canyon, the Extended Cab variant featured rear-hinged half-doors and small jump seats, better suited for minimal use. The Crew Cab, with four full doors, offered more practical rear-seat space. The Canyon's driving position was commanding but finding a comfortable seating adjustment was challenging. Storage options included small trays and cupholders in the doors and a decently sized center console.

The Canyon came with two bed sizes: a 5-foot-2 box and a 6-foot-2 box. The Extended Cab was limited to the long box, while the Crew Cab offered both options. The truck featured GM’s CornerStep rear bumper for easier bed access and an available EZ lift-and-lower tailgate to prevent slamming, boosting the tailgate's longevity.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Chevrolet Connected Access services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot as standard. Optional upgrades included a high-definition display, navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, wireless device charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The Advanced Trailering Package provided up to 15 camera views, including the innovative Transparent Trailer view, enhancing towing ease. However, the infotainment system’s screen size felt smaller compared to modern standards.

The 2021 GMC Canyon featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was user-friendly with crisp graphics and intuitive menus. Higher trims offered an optional 8-inch screen, navigation, HD radio, and a wireless charging pad. The Denali trim included a 4.2-inch color driver display within the instrument panel, controlled via the steering wheel, making it easy to access key vehicle information.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. However, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) were limited to the higher LTZ and High Country trims. Forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control were only available on these trims. The Silverado’s crash-test ratings were less than stellar, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for passenger protection in IIHS tests. Furthermore, the headlights received a Poor rating.

In comparison, the 2021 GMC Canyon offered standard safety features such as a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, traction control, and Teen Driver system. The optional Driver Alert package included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert, standard on the Denali trim. An upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance were also available, improving towing accuracy.