Compare the2025 GMC CanyonVS 2025 Toyota Tacoma

The Canyon has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Tacoma’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Canyon has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Toyota charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Tacoma.

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 all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

There are over 35 percent more GMC dealers than there are Toyota dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Canyon’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Canyon has a standard 800-amp battery. The Tacoma’s 776-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The Canyon’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 82 more horsepower (310 vs. 228) and 187 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 243) than the Tacoma SR’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. 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 Tacoma’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Canyon’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (310 vs. 278) and 113 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 317) than the Tacoma’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the GMC Canyon is faster than the Toyota Tacoma turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

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.

The Canyon has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tacoma (21.4 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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.

The Canyon AT4X’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Tacoma doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Canyon stops much shorter than the Tacoma:

For better traction, the Canyon has larger standard tires than the Tacoma (265/65R18 vs. 245/70R17). The Canyon AT4X’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tacoma (315/70R17 vs. 265/70R17).

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 Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport/Limited’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Canyon Denali offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Tacoma’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 Tacoma doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Canyon has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tacoma doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Canyon Denali 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Pro Double Cab pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Canyon Denali 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Tacoma 5-ft. bed Trailhunter Double Cab (28 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Canyon AT4X AEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Pro Double Cab (12.2 vs. 11.5 inches), allowing the Canyon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Canyon is 1 foot, 1 inches shorter than the Tacoma 6-ft. bed Double Cab, making the Canyon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Canyon is 6.5 inches narrower on average than the Tacoma, making the Canyon easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

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.

The Canyon has a much larger cargo box than the Tacoma Double Cab shortbed (41.9 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

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

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 2x4’s 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 post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Tacoma doesn’t offer stake post holes.

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.

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

The Canyon has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Tacoma (1670 vs. 1495 lbs.).

When two different drivers share the Canyon (except Elevation), 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 (except Elevation)’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 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 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.