Compare the2023 Chevrolet Colorado VS 2022 GMC Canyon

The Colorado has standard Automatic Emergency 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.

The Colorado’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Canyon and is not available with Elevation Standard.

The Colorado offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Canyon only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Colorado’s optional Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Canyon doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

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

There are over 73 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Colorado’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 7th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, GMC is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 1 place higher in reliability than GMC.

The Colorado has more powerful engines than the Canyon:

	Horsepower	Torque
Colorado 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder	237 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
Colorado 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder	310 HP	391 lbs.-ft.
Colorado ZR2 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder	310 HP	430 lbs.-ft.
Canyon 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	200 HP	191 lbs.-ft.
Canyon 3.6 DOHC V6	308 HP	275 lbs.-ft.

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

			MPG
Colorado
	RWD	2.7 turbo 4-cyl. (237 HP)	20 city/25 hwy
	AWD	2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/23 hwy
Canyon
	RWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	19 city/25 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/25 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/24 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Colorado’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.

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

	Colorado	Canyon
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	12.75 inches

For better traction, the Colorado ZR2’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Canyon (285/70R17 vs. 265/65R17).

The Colorado Trail Boss’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Canyon Short Box Denali Crew Cab’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Colorado Trail Boss offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Canyon’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Colorado is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Canyon.

For greater off-road capability the Colorado ZR2 has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Canyon Extended Cab (10.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Colorado to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Colorado is 11.9 inches shorter than the Canyon Long Box Crew Cab, making the Colorado easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Colorado has a larger cargo box than the Canyon Crew Cab shortbed (41.9 vs. 41.3 cubic feet).

The Colorado’s cargo box is larger than the Canyon’s in almost every dimension:

	Colorado	Canyon Extended Cab	Canyon Crew Cab
Length (short/long)	61.7”	74”	61.7”/74”
Max Width	58.2”	57.8”	57.8”
Min Width	45.5”	44.4”	44.4”

The Colorado has a higher standard payload capacity than the Canyon Short Box Crew Cab (1500 vs. 1440 lbs.).

The Colorado has higher optional payload capacities than the Canyon:

	Colorado	Canyon
Crew Cab	1710 lbs.	1570 lbs.
Crew Cab 4x4	1710 lbs.	1531 lbs.

When two different drivers share the Colorado Z71/ZR2, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Canyon doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Colorado Z71/ZR2’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Canyon doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Colorado’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Canyon’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Colorado’s standard front and rear power windows all 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.

On a hot day the Colorado’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Canyon can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Push Button Start standard on the Colorado allows you to start the engine without removing a key from pocket or purse (Colorado LT/Z71/ZR2’s Keyless Access will also allow unlocking the driver’s door without taking your keys out). The GMC Canyon doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Colorado’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 standard on the Colorado detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Canyon doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Colorado has standard power remote mirrors. The Canyon Elevation Standard doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Colorado (except WT/Trail Boss)’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 Colorado and the Canyon offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Colorado offers optional 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 Colorado offers an optional Adaptive Cruise 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 Colorado (except WT/Trail Boss) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, 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.

The Chevrolet Colorado outsold the GMC Canyon by over three to one during 2022.