Compare the2023 GMC CanyonVS 2024 Ford Ranger

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 Ranger.

Both the Canyon and Ranger 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 Ranger’s Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Canyon and the Ranger 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 Canyon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Ranger’s (6 vs. 5 years).

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Canyon has a standard 170-amp alternator (220-amp - Canyon optional). The Ranger’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Canyon has a 800-amp battery. The Ranger only offers a standard 700-amp battery.

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

The Canyon’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (310 vs. 270) and 120 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 310) than the Ranger’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder. The Canyon’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 400) than the Ranger’s optional 2.7 turbo V6.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Canyon uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Ranger requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Canyon has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ranger (21.4 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better traction, the Canyon has larger standard tires than the Ranger (265/65R18 vs. 255/70R17). The Canyon AT4X’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ranger (285/70R17 vs. 255/70R17).

The Canyon Denali’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ranger’s optional 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Canyon Denali offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Ranger’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 Ranger doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Canyon’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Ranger (131.4 inches vs. 128.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Canyon is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Ranger.

For greater off-road capability the Canyon has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Ranger (9.6 vs. 9.3 inches), allowing the Canyon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Canyon AT4X’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the Ranger (10.7 vs. 9.3 inches).

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 Ranger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Canyon has 1.5 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and .1 inches more rear legroom than the Ranger.

The GMC Canyon has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. A Integrated Box Side Step costs extra on the Ford Ranger.

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

The Canyon’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ranger’s (7700 vs. 7500 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 Ranger can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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 Ranger doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the Canyon and the Ranger 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 Ranger prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Canyon’s 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 Ranger’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

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 Ranger doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Canyon and the Ranger 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 Ranger doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.