2018 GMC Canyon vs. 2017 Toyota Tacoma
Toyota has been trying to make a name for itself for its heavy-duty trucks, but it is still squarely known for its budget-friendly sedans. GMC has an established foothold in the truck sector, and it continues to prove why with its latest offering in the Canyon.
If you’re in the market for a new truck, you may have heard a lot of good things about both the GMC Canyon and the Toyota Tacoma. Here’s a closer look at how they compare so you can see why the 2018 GMC Canyon is the superior choice:
Performance and Fuel Economy
Performance is one of the most important considerations when it comes to choosing the right truck, whether you are buying it for work purposes or for personal driving. A good truck should get you through muddy terrain and haul your loads with ease.
The 2018 GMC Canyon does not disappoint. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. It dwarfs the 2017 Toyota Tacoma in performance. The Tacoma has a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.
But you won’t have to pay for that improved performance with a staggering gas bill! The new GMC Canyon gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Compare that to the Toyota Tacoma, which gets an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. You’ll enjoy greater performance and fuel savings with the new Canyon, which can make you feel like you’re getting a win-win.
Interior Features and Technology
Both the 2018 GMC Canyon and the 2017 Toyota Tacoma have attractive interiors with quality materials. You won’t find leather upholstery here (unless you get a top trim level), but you will find materials that are soft to the touch and that look and feel nice. You’ll enjoy riding in either truck, and you’ll feel good inviting guests to ride with you.
Inside the 2018 GMC Canyon, you’ll find plenty of convenience features. A backup camera is standard, as is an adjustable steering wheel, power steering and locks, and a vehicle anti-theft system. An infotainment system rests in the center of the dash, with a color screen surrounded by manual controls and air vents. An auxiliary jack is available to connect your cell phone, and an mp3 player is integrated with the audio system.
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma includes some of the same features, such as the backup camera and the integrated infotainment system. It also includes a mount for a Go Pro camera so you can easily film your off-roading adventures. But there is very little else on offer in the base model.
You may not feel like you need much in the way of convenience features or technology in a truck that’s best suited for hard work, but you will appreciate these little extras when you are riding home after a long day or you are enjoying fun rides on the weekend.
If you want even more, you can upgrade to a premium trim level or can choose an optional package to add on.
Pricing and Trim Levels
You have the option to configure your perfect truck by starting with the trim level you want and choosing the options you want, such as two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, crew cab or extended cab, and manual or automatic transmission. But the Canyon and the Tacoma each include different options in their trim levels, which can significantly influence what kind of truck you are able to build. And, of course, the pricing varies greatly.
The 2018 GMC Canyon starts at $20,885 for the two-wheel drive, extended-cab base model. There are four trim levels, but there are many more configurations depending on the choice of drivetrain and cab size.
The SL is the base model. The SLE is the next level up, and it starts at $28,260. You get extras like rear defrost, fog lamps, steering wheel-mounted controls, keyless entry, front floor mats, power driver mirror, heated mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power driver seat. Towing capacity also increases to 7,000 pounds (up from 3,500). Options include a bed liner, sliding rear window, running boards, tonneau cover, chrome wheels, wheel locks, climate control, a heated driver seat, a power passenger seat, and lumbar support.
The SLT is the next trim level, and it starts at $34,505. It includes extras like remote engine start, an electrochromic rearview mirror, climate control, leather seating, a heated driver seat, a second row bench seat, power driver and passenger seat, and lumbar support for driver and passenger.
The top trim level is the Denali, and it starts at $39,305. It includes extras like running boards, performance tires, aluminum wheels, satellite radio, a premium audio system, and a cooled driver seat. The features from the lower trim levels are all included, as well.
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma starts at $24,575, which is significantly more than the all-new Canyon. It has six trim levels, which offers more variations for buyers who don’t want to mix and match their options and packages. The top tier is the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which offers a combination of luxury and performance features. The Tacoma tops out at $40,760 without options packages.
Which is Right for You?
The choice is clear to us: The 2018 GMC Canyon offers superior performance, fuel economy, and overall style for less money than the 2017 Toyota Tacoma, which is also an older model. You can get a superior truck that will offer you everything you need in a work or personal vehicle, and you’ll get it for an affordable price.
If you want additional features, you have all the options you are likely to need through the advanced trim levels and options packages.
