Compare the2023 Jeep GladiatorVS 2022 GMC Canyon

The Gladiator offers optional Active Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Canyon offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Gladiator. But it costs extra on the Canyon.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Gladiator’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Canyon doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Gladiator and the Canyon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Gladiator is safer than the GMC Canyon:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Gladiator’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Canyon’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Gladiator for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Canyon.

There are over 43 percent more Jeep dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Gladiator’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Gladiator’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Canyon’s camshafts. If the Canyon’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Gladiator has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the Canyon 4x4’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Gladiator second among midsize pickups in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Canyon isn’t in the top three.

The Gladiator’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 85 more horsepower (285 vs. 200) and 69 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 191) than the Canyon’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Gladiator’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 79 more horsepower (260 vs. 181) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 369) than the Canyon’s 2.8 turbo diesel.

On the EPA test cycle the Gladiator gets better mileage than the Canyon:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Gladiator’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Canyon doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Gladiator has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Canyon (22 vs. 21 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Gladiator offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Canyon doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Gladiator’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Canyon:

The Gladiator’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Canyon are solid, not vented.

The Gladiator stops shorter than the Canyon:

For better traction, the Gladiator Rubicon/Mojave’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Canyon (285/70R17 vs. 265/65R17).

The Gladiator has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Canyon. Without the option you must depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Gladiator has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Gladiator flat and controlled during cornering. The Canyon’s suspension doesn’t offer stabilizer bars.

The Gladiator Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Canyon doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Gladiator uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Canyon, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Gladiator’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the Canyon Short Box Crew Cab (137.3 inches vs. 128.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Gladiator is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Canyon.

The Gladiator Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Canyon Long Box Crew Cab 4x4 (28.5 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

A low lift-over bed design makes loading and unloading the Gladiator easier. The Gladiator’s bed lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the Canyon Extended Cab’s liftover is 34.2 inches. The Canyon Crew Cab’s liftover is 34.5 inches.

A standard locking glovebox, standard locking center console and optional locking underseat storage drawer keeps your small valuables safer in the Gladiator. The Canyon doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Gladiator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Canyon’s (4000 vs. 3500 pounds).

All models of the Gladiator can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Gladiator can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Canyon 4x4 can be dinghy towed.

The Gladiator has a higher standard payload capacity than the Canyon Short Box Crew Cab 4x4 (1700 vs. 1531 lbs.).

The Gladiator has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Canyon (1700 vs. 1531 lbs.).

The Gladiator’s available front power windows lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Canyon’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

The Push Button Start standard on the Gladiator allows you to start the engine without removing a key from pocket or purse (optional Passive Entry will also allow unlocking the driver’s door without taking your keys out). The GMC Canyon doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Gladiator’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Canyon’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Gladiator’s optional LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Canyon’s projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Gladiator detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Canyon doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Gladiator’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Canyon doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Gladiator and the Canyon offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Gladiator has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Canyon doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Gladiator offers an optional Adaptive Speed Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Canyon doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Gladiator offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Canyon doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Four Wheeler performed a comparison test in its June 2021 issue and they ranked the Jeep Gladiator Mojave three places higher than the GMC Canyon Short Box AT4 Crew Cab 4x4.

The Gladiator was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2020. The Canyon has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Gladiator as the 2020 North American Truck of the Year. The Canyon has never been chosen.

The Jeep Gladiator outsold the GMC Canyon by almost three to one during the 2022 model year.