2022 Toyota Tundra vs 2022 GMC Canyon

The 2022 GMC Canyon, part of the current-generation lineup that began in 2015, boasted a refined and premium appearance, particularly at its higher trims. The luxurious Denali trim highlighted this best, flaunting a distinctive chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, and five-inch chrome assist steps. Inside, it featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, heated and ventilated perforated front leather seats, open-pore Ash wood trim, and floor mats embossed with the "Denali" logo. An exceptional Bose premium audio system completed its upscale offering.

Even in the rugged AT4 off-road version, the Canyon managed to maintain an element of luxury. It came equipped with a black chrome grille, LED signature lighting, unique 17-inch wheels, and premium heated leather front seats embroidered with "AT4" accents. Soft-touch materials on the instrument panel and the option of a Bose audio system made the cabin an inviting blend of off-road capability and luxury. As one descended the trim levels to the Elevation and base Elevation Standard, the materials became simpler, yet the Canyon's overall material quality remained superior to many rivals.

Conversely, the 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the beginning of its third generation, having initially debuted in 2000 with its first significant redesign in 2008. For 2022, Toyota completely revamped the Tundra's look, emphasizing a more dynamic and expressive design. This included a massive hexagonal grille, filled with various patterns and finishes, ranging from chrome to dark chrome, and a modest Toyota logo centered on most trims. The top-tier TRD Pro trim, however, featured a retro-styled "TOYOTA" script above an LED strip light.

The TRD Pro trim also introduced a technical camo pattern, showcased both on its exterior trim and integrated into the interior seat covers. The Tundra's chiseled and muscular body styling, with pronounced wheel arches, emanated strength and capacity. The rear of the truck tucked in neatly, adorned with LED taillamps and a stamped tailgate.

Inside, the Tundra impressed with premium materials and design cohesion. A large 14-inch touchscreen display stood out in higher trims, signifying its intention as a family's adventure vehicle. This interior tied together the Tundra's exterior design cues into a cohesive whole, highlighting a complete redesign effort.

The GMC Canyon provided a range of powertrains to cover the essential performance needs of midsize pickup buyers. The base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, delivering 200 horsepower, while a more robust 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and a 181-horsepower 2.8-liter turbodiesel with 369 lb-ft of torque were also available. With the latter two engines and the optional Trailering package, the Canyon could tow up to 7,700 pounds. All trims came standard with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive as an option. Transmission choices included a six-speed automatic for the base and diesel engines and an eight-speed automatic paired with the V6.

The base four-cylinder engine offered adequate but modest performance. However, the test vehicle—a 2022 GMC Canyon AT4 4WD with the V6—demonstrated an impressive balance of power and smooth gear transitions from its eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.8-liter turbodiesel version also proved capable during previous test drives, particularly in towing and fuel efficiency.

The Canyon's ride and handling benefitted from its off-road-ready AT4 trim. Equipped with 31-inch Wrangler Duratrac tires, a two-speed electronic transfer case, off-road suspension, and an auto-locking rear differential, it balanced on-road stability and off-road capability. The optional Off-Road Performance Edition package further enhanced the off-roading experience, making the Canyon AT4 a worthy competitor even to the Jeep Gladiator.

On the other side, the 2022 Toyota Tundra replaced its old 5.7-liter V8 with two new engine options, neither of which were V8s. The base engine, the i-Force, was a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 generating 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, albeit slightly detuned to 348 hp and 405 lb-ft in the SR trim.

The highlight was the i-Force Max, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain combining the twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor-generator, producing a formidable 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This setup used a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery and a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth and consistent power delivery with minimal turbo lag.

The new twin-turbo V6 enhanced Tundra's performance significantly, making it smooth and strong. Its new chassis and suspension, featuring an independent double-wishbone front setup and a multi-link rear with coil springs, improved ride quality and handling. Adaptive variable suspension and load-leveling rear-height control further refined the driving experience. Whether on a meandering road or a groomed off-road path, the Tundra offered precise steering feel and minimal body roll.

The Tundra's off-road prowess benefited from features like the TRD Off-Road package, which included multi-terrain select, crawl control, downhill assist control, and an electronically-locking rear differential. These features made it a capable adventure vehicle, adaptable both on and off the beaten path.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered flexibility with its available extended cab and 6'2" bed or a crew cab with either a 5'2" or 6'2" bed. The crew cab configuration provided a spacious cabin, comfortably accommodating rear-seat passengers, including those over six feet tall. The extended cab's back seat, however, was less spacious and more suitable for occasional use or shorter adults. The rear folding bench seat offered additional storage options, enhancing practicality.

Access to the Canyon was notably easy, thanks to its crossover SUV-like seat height. The seats were comfortable and supportive, with power adjustments, heating for the front seats, and additional amenities like a heated steering wheel and a sliding rear window. The visibility from the cabin was excellent, especially in the AT4 trim with its taller ride height. Features like rear park assist and a rearview camera simplified maneuvers, making the Canyon user-friendly.

In terms of cargo and towing, the Canyon's cargo bed featured two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, making it adept at carrying different loads. The integrated corner step rear bumper provided ease of access to the cargo area, enhancing its functionality.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra, available in Double Cab or CrewMax configurations, catered to those needing more space and capability. The Double Cab offered 33.3 inches of rear seat legroom, while the CrewMax provided a generous 41.6 inches of rear legroom, rivaling many SUVs. The absence of a Regular Cab model underscored Toyota's focus on accommodating passengers.

The Double Cab came with either a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed, whereas the CrewMax offered a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed. The new aluminum-reinforced composite bed enhanced durability while maintaining payload capacity, resisting scratches, dents, rust, and eliminating the need for painting. Tundra's towing capabilities were impressive, with a maximum capacity of up to 12,000 pounds, facilitated by standard features like trailer sway control, TOW/HAUL mode, and trailer brake control.

Inside, the Tundra maximized functionality with smart storage solutions. The front center armrest featured a sliding tray, allowing convenient access to the center console storage without disrupting the driver's posture. A 12-volt power tap was smartly placed behind the touchscreen, reducing the clutter of cables. Across the cabin, Toyota applied thoughtful design for user convenience.

The 2022 GMC Canyon integrated essential technology while avoiding being overwhelming. The Elevation Standard trim featured a basic but functional 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system. Upgrading to the Elevation trim brought an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The AT4 added a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the Denali trim included navigation, a high-definition rearview camera, and advanced driver-assist features.

Additional tech offerings included Amazon Alexa Built-In, providing hands-free access to music, phone calls, weather updates, and more. Every new Canyon came with a SiriusXM satellite radio trial, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar telematics. The optional GMC infotainment system with navigation, standard on our AT4 test vehicle, included an 8-inch touchscreen with robust connectivity options and a Bose premium audio system, simplifying the user experience and delivering quality sound.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra showcased a significant technological overhaul compared to its older models, aligning it more closely with contemporary standards. The new infotainment system featured prominently, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen in SR and SR5 trims, scaling up to a standout 14-inch screen in Limited and above. The audio setup varied from a six-speaker system in Double Cab to a nine-speaker system in CrewMax, with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system available or standard in higher trims.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless and standard across all models. Toyota Connected services offered various functionalities with a trial period, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi Connect, and SiriusXM. Limited and upper trims also featured a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad that doubled as an angled dock for smartphones.

The instrument panel ranged from a combination analog/digital display with a 4.2-inch multi-information display in lower trims to a stunning 12.3-inch digital instrument panel in higher trims and hybrid models. The available 10.1-inch head-up display on upper trims further enhanced the driver's information access. Off-roaders benefited from the multi-terrain select system with crawl control and downhill assist control, enhancing off-road capabilities with real-time visual feedback through a specialized camera system.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied significantly across its trims. The base Elevation Standard included basic features like tire-fill alert and the Teen Driver system, which allowed monitoring and setting limits on the vehicle's speed and audio volume. Higher trims, such as the Elevation and AT4, offered the Driver Alert package, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking assistance. The Denali trim featured these as standard, but adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance remained absent across the lineup.

In crash tests, the NHTSA awarded the Canyon four out of five stars overall, with five stars for side protection, four for frontal crash protection, and three for rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Canyon "Good" ratings in most crash tests but rated it "Poor" in the front passenger-side small overlap test and "Marginal" for its child-seat anchors. The vehicle's front crash prevention and headlights also received lower ratings.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it came equipped with Toyota's comprehensive Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This suite included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Tundra also featured the Star Safety System, which included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart-stop technology.

Other safety features included eight airbags, LATCH connectors for child seats, child-protector rear door locks, tire-pressure monitoring, hill-start control, drive-start control, and active headrests. Parking support brake with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard, while a blind-spot monitor was available on SR5 models and standard on other trims except the SR.