Compare the2023 GMC CanyonVS 2023 Toyota Tacoma

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Canyon. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Tacoma.

Both the Canyon and Tacoma offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Canyon with Rear Cross Traffic Alert also has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Tacoma’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Canyon and the Tacoma 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

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

	Canyon	Tacoma
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	194	232
Neck Injury Risk	26.1%	39.1%
Neck Stress	330 lbs.	462 lbs.
Neck Compression	10 lbs.	69 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	150/71 lbs.	230/374 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	34.9%	55.2%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	244 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	39/149 lbs.	590/544 lbs.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the GMC Canyon is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

	Canyon	Tacoma
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	115
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	37 G’s
Hip Force	285 lbs.	480 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches
HIC	251	339
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	60 G’s
Hip Force	586 lbs.	1038 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Canyon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Tacoma’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 34 percent more GMC dealers than there are Toyota dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Canyon’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Canyon has a standard 800-amp battery. The Tacoma’s 582-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

Engine

The Canyon’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 151 more horsepower (310 vs. 159) and 250 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 180) than the Tacoma’s standard 2.7 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Canyon’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (310 vs. 278) and 165 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 265) than the Tacoma’s optional 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the GMC Canyon is faster than the Toyota Tacoma V6 (automatics tested):

	Canyon	Tacoma
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.4 MPH	86.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Canyon’s fuel efficiency. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Canyon’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 Tacoma doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Canyon has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Canyon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tacoma.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Canyon	Tacoma	Tacoma 4x4
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	10.75 inches	12.48 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	10” drums	10” drums

The GMC Canyon has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Tacoma. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Canyon stops shorter than the Tacoma:

	Canyon	Tacoma
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Canyon has larger standard tires than the Tacoma (265/65R18 vs. 245/75R16). The Canyon AT4X’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tacoma (285/70R17 vs. 265/65R17).

The Canyon AT4X’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 70 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tacoma’s standard 75 series tires. The Canyon Denali’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Tacoma Short Bed Limited’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Canyon AT4X has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Tacoma. The Canyon Denali’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Tacoma Short Bed Limited.

The Canyon has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tacoma doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Canyon is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Tacoma.

The Canyon Denali 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Tacoma Short Bed TRD Pro 4x4 pulls only .70 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Canyon Denali 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Tacoma Short Bed TRD Pro 4x4 (28 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Canyon has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tacoma (9.6 vs. 9.4 inches), allowing the Canyon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Canyon AT4X’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the Tacoma (10.7 vs. 9.4 inches).

Chassis

The Canyon is 1 foot shorter than the Tacoma Long Bed Double Cab, making the Canyon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Canyon uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Tacoma doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Cargo Capacity

The Canyon has a much larger cargo box than the Tacoma Double Cab short bed (41.9 vs. 34.8 cubic feet).

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

	Canyon	Tacoma Access Cab	Tacoma Double Cab
Length (short/long)	61.7”	73.7”	60.5”/73.7”
Max Width	58.1”	56.7”	56.7”
Min Width	45.5”	41.5”	41.5”

The GMC Canyon has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Toyota Tacoma doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

Both the Canyon and Tacoma have bed indentations that accommodate 2x4s for two-tiered loading, but the Canyon also has indentations to separate the cargo box into three different sections length-wise.

The Canyon has stake postholes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Tacoma doesn’t offer stake postholes.

Payload and Towing

The Canyon’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tacoma’s (7700 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Canyon AT4 can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Canyon can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Tacoma can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on all models of the Canyon, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. Only the Tacoma V6 offers a trailer sway program.

The Canyon has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tacoma:

	Canyon	Tacoma
Crew Cab	1640 lbs.	1525 lbs.
Crew Cab 4x4	1590 lbs.	1135 lbs.

The Canyon 4x4 has a much higher optional payload capacity than the Tacoma Short Bed Double Cab 4x4 (1590 vs. 1155 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Canyon offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Canyon, 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 Tacoma doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Canyon’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 Tacoma doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Canyon’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Tacoma does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Canyon offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Canyon’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Tacoma has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Canyon and the Tacoma have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Canyon is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Tacoma prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Canyon’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tacoma’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Tacoma TRD/Limited’s rear windows don’t open automatically.

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

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

The Canyon has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Tacoma only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Canyon (except Elevation) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Tacoma doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Canyon’s optional (except Elevation) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Canyon offers an optional center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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