GMC Sierra or GMC Canyon: Which is Right for You?
GMC is a leader in trucks, and the GMC Sierra and GMC Canyon are two of its standouts. These full-size beauties are both strong and stylish, giving you the opportunity to sail over the most rugged landscape with ease while also enjoying a plush ride that feels more luxurious than most trucks offer. You’ll love the way the GMC Sierra and the GMC Canyon drive, and you’ll love the way you look while you’re driving them.
Not sure whether the GMC Sierra of the GMC Canyon is the better choice for you?
Here’s a more in-depth look at how they compare to help you make the best decision for your needs and your budget.
Exterior and Interior Size Comparison
The GMC Canyon and GMC Sierra are both full-size trucks, and they cut impressive figures on the road. But the exact measurements of any vehicle have an impact on how easy it is to handle on the road or how comfortable it is inside, and the Canyon and Sierra do have minor differences.
The most obvious difference you’ll notice between the two is that the standard model Canyon seats only two people, while the standard model Sierra can seat three. You can always upgrade to an extended cab, but if you are looking at the base model, you might want to opt for the Sierra if you know you’ll occasionally want to have more passengers. Even the individual seating is larger in the Sierra – it has 66.03 inches of shoulder room compared with 57.5 for the Canyon, and it has about a quarter-inch more leg room and nearly six inches more hip room.
Both trucks are about the same size outside, but the Canyon is nearly seven inches longer than the Sierra. That might be an issue when you’re parking in compact spaces. But the Canyon is shorter and narrower than the Sierra, by about 3.5 inches and nearly six inches, respectively. You might find those numbers helpful when you are driving on the highway and your large truck is making you feel claustrophobic in your lane.
Performance at a Glance
Most people looking for a heavy-duty truck want to get down to brass tacks: Exactly how powerful is it? Fortunately, both the GMC Canyon and the GMC Sierra offer strong and capable performance, but they do diverge here in a way that will make a difference to many buyers.
The base model 2018 GMC Canyon comes with a 2.5-liter Inline 4 direct injection engine that puts out 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the base model 2018 GMC Sierra has a 4.3-liter V6 that puts out 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. You’ll notice that difference in power when you are accelerating in traffic or you are traveling over bumpy back roads and need a little more oomph to get through the mud and gravel.
You will get slightly better fuel efficiency with the Canyon, which might make it a better choice if you are looking for a truck that you’ll drive for your daily commute. However, if you need a work truck that can handle the terrain of job sites and can carry heavy loads, the Sierra might be the better choice. The Sierra has a maximum trailering capacity of 8,900 pounds, which is more than double the Canyon’s 3,500 pounds.
Interior Features and Technology
Full-size, heavy-duty trucks aren’t typically known for having a plethora of luxury features. However, the Canyon and the Sierra both have a nice host of features that will make driving comfortable and fun.
Some standard interior features in the GMC Canyon include a tilting steering column, power driver’s seat, and a backup camera. The entertainment system includes a 4.2-inch color display (with a 7.0-inch display optional), auxiliary and USB connections for audio streaming, and great speakers. Many more features are available as options, such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, navigation, and mobile wi-fi.
Some standard features on the GMC Sierra include a tilting steering column, rubber floors for easy cleanup, and adjustable seats. You can get things like a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, and power-adjustable pedals if you upgrade the trim level or package. But the base model is built for work and off-road play.
Entertainment features include the full IntelliLink interface on a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are installed and ready for subscription. Voice command, auxiliary inputs, and USB connections are also included.
Again, you can upgrade these features, but you’ll have to choose a higher trim level or invest in an options package. Both trucks focus more on performance than convenience features, but you’ll still enjoy a comfortable ride with the basics in either model.
Which is Right for You?
GMC has always produced solid pickup trucks, and the 2018 Canyon and Sierra models are excellent choices for their class. The 2018 GMC Canyon starts at an affordable $21,880, and the 2018 GMC Sierra starts at $29,700.
What truck model is right for you depends on a number of factors, including your budget, your personal preferences, and how you intend to use the truck. If you want an affordable truck that you can drive every day and then use for occasional hauling on the weekends or for hobby projects, then the GMC Canyon might be the right truck for you. The low base price gives you plenty of wiggle room to add on more convenience features if you want them.
If you want a heavy-duty truck that can handle heavy loads and rugged handling, the GMC Sierra is likely the better choice. You can also upgrade it if you want a little more luxury even when you’re doing hard work.
