There’s a 2023 GMC Canyon trim for almost any type of buyer, but its competitors are better than ever.
The GMC Canyon is another midsize pickup truck that offers a version for all buyers. It’s available in four trim levels, including the luxurious Denali and off-road AT-4. It’s also available in two cab styles, extended and crew, with the latter offering more interior room.
GMC offers a choice of three engines with the Canyon, a base 200 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 308 hp 3.6-liter V6, and a 181 hp 2.8-liter turbo diesel. The wide array of configurations makes it easier for buyers to find the right Canyon depending on their needs. While all these options are impressive, the 2023 GMC Canyon doesn’t have its work cut out for it, having to compete against some of the best pickup trucks ever put out on the market. Here are some alternatives you should consider before pulling the trigger on the new GMC Canyon.
10 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Small pickup trucks have been returning to the United States due to their utility. For example, the Santa Cruz is a small truck that offers a great cabin with seats for five people. It has a great interior that one can easily mistake for a small SUV.
The Santa Cruz also offers better handling and power, like most of its close rivals, the Ford Maverick and Honda Ridgeline. That is thanks to an optional 281 hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes it feel like a sport sedan.
9 2023 Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline is Honda’s only pickup truck. It continues to challenge most traditional midsize trucks with its blend of car-like comfort and rugged capability. Unlike most conventional midsize trucks, the Ridgeline boasts an independent rear suspension and unibody construction.
It also offers a roomy four-door crew cab, a powerful V6 engine, and all-wheel drive. While its competitors might offer more towing and off-road capability, the Ridgeline prides itself on roomy crossover-like cabin space and excellent handling and ride quality.
8 2023 Jeep Gladiator
Over the years, pickup trucks have been among the best-selling vehicles in the United States. They have also gotten better, bigger, and more expensive. The result is a growing appetite for more economical and smaller alternatives.
The Gladiator aims to offer a great midsize truck option for buyers considering the 2023 GMC Canyon. While it’s pretty much the same as the Wrangler, the Gladiator has all-terrain supremacy. It offers better off-road abilities and reasonably powerful engines, including a diesel.
7 2023 Ford Maverick
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The Ford Maverick is an excellent indicator that people want an affordable and compact pickup truck. It’s easy to drive, offers excellent fuel economy, is easy to park, and can handle multiple chores. The Maverick is also unlike most of its larger Ford stablemates that use body-on-frame construction.
Instead, it uses a lighter frame and body structure and shares most of its mechanical bits with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. This increases the agility and drivability of the Maverick, making it feel and drive like a small SUV. The Maverick has two engine options, with the base being a 191-hp hybridized 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
The Colorado is a pickup truck that can easily serve various customers. It’s available in two cabs, extended and crew, and two bed lengths, a 5-foot 2-inch, and a 6-foot 2-inch. All models are also available with two- or four-wheel drive.
As for engines, Chevrolet offers three choices; a 200 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 308 hp 3.6-liter V6, and a 181 hp 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel. The turbo diesel is a rarity in this class, as it’s not available in other competitors like the Ford Ranger or Nissan Frontier.
5 2023 Ford Ranger
The 2023 Ford Ranger is one of the best midsize pickup trucks money can buy. It’s larger than the Maverick but smaller than the best-selling F-150. However, it’s a great competitor to options like the Colorado, Canyon, or Gladiator.
Unlike its competition, the Ford Ranger offers strong overall value with an enjoyable driving experience and turbocharged power. It’s also available in multiple configurations, making it a versatile pickup truck. For the 2023 model year, the Ranger gets a new rugged look that gives it a sure-footed stance.
4 2023 Nissan Frontier
Nissan is one of the most enduring truck producers in the United States. It offers an endless selection of trucks dating back more than 60 years. The Frontier is one of the best midsize pickup trucks from the brand, with a rugged look, modern tech, and a great interior.
The new Frontier also promises an improved ride quality, thanks to hydraulic body mounts and refined steering. It also offers a great package of active safety features and an optional 9-inch touchscreen. All these upgrades help make the Frontier a great all-around daily driver and work truck.
3 2023 Toyota Tacoma
While the Tacoma might not be particularly modern or refined, it feels like a true pickup truck from behind the wheel. Like most Toyota trucks, the Tacoma is a powerful, capable, sturdy pickup truck that will get the job done.
Toyota also offers multiple variants of the Tacoma, from the TRD Pro and Off-Road models to conquer any trail to the Sport and Limited models for better on-road comfort and handling. Like most trucks on this list, the Tacoma uses a four-cylinder engine, but it’s also available with a more powerful V6 option.
2 2023 Rivian R1T
Despite being the first vehicle from Rivian, the R1T is an incredible electric pickup truck with excellent off-road and towing capability. Rivian offers the R1T with either dual or quad motors, all of which have plenty of power. Unlike most pickup trucks on this list, the R1T offers numerous innovative storage options, including a gear tunnel and a front trunk.
All these unique features help add to its appeal. The R1T has an all-wheel drive setup, with both motor options offering quick acceleration. The dual motor setup produces 600 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, while the quad motor produces 800 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque.
1 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
If you’d want more space in your truck, the GMC Sierra 1500 is one of the best full-size trucks to consider. It’s among the best-selling trucks in the US, thanks to its massive configurability options. While it’s a mechanical twin to the Chevrolet Silverado, the Sierra 1500 aims to offer a more upscale experience.
It’s available with multiple cab and bed configurations. GMC also offers multiple engine options ranging from a 310 hp turbocharged 4-cylinder to a 460 lb-ft of torque Duramax turbodiesel to a 420 hp 6.2-liter V8. The Sierra 1500 also boasts an incredible towing capacity of 13,200 lbs.
