Compare the2025 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.

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. Only the Ranger XLT/Lariat offers Cross Traffic Alert and the Ranger’s Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

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 and available 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 220-amp alternator. 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’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Ford With 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks GMC higher than Ford.

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.

As tested in Motor Trend the GMC Canyon is faster than the Ford Ranger turbo 4 cyl.:

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 84.9 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.

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 Ranger doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Canyon stops much shorter than the Ranger:

For better traction, the Canyon has larger standard tires than the Ranger (265/65R18 vs. 255/70R17). The Canyon AT4X’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ranger (315/70R17 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.

The Canyon Denali 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Ranger XLT 4x4 pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Canyon Denali 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Ranger Lariat 4x4 (28 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 29.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

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 AEV’s minimum ground clearance is 2.9 inches higher than on the Ranger (12.2 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 post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Ranger doesn’t offer stake post holes.

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 (except Elevation) offers an available 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.

The Canyon has standard Keyless Access that allows you to unlock the doors from the driver’s outside door handle and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Ranger Lariat offers Intelligent Access.

The Canyon’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Ranger Lariat.

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.