Sierra vs Canyon: Which GMC Pickup Is For You?

When small pickup trucks were compact-sized with engine outputs of under 150 hp and sometimes even under 100 hp, it was pretty easy to determine whether a small economical truck was all you needed or if you required the capability of a full-size truck. 

It is a little different today. Smaller trucks like GMC’s Canyon have grown to midsize. Full-size trucks have grown as well, but not as significantly. Plus, smaller and larger trucks feature four-door cabins, enabling them to double as family vehicles, carrying up to five people.

There is also less disparity between the engines. The Canyon still has a 4-cylinder engine, but it is turbocharged to produce power that those earlier small trucks of decades past could only dream of. It is also the standard engine on the Sierra 1500. So, unless you know your needs fall beyond the Canyon’s capability, deciding which GMC truck is right for you involves a little research. This Valley GMC blog post will add some perspective to your decision. 

The Sierra 1500 can be seen as the default choice as its capability is very likely to cover your needs, and if it doesn’t, you are probably not considering a Canyon. The Sierra also has some choices unavailable in the Canyon, such as a Regular (2-door) Cab if you don’t expect to need a back seat. You also have a choice of short (70”), standard (80”), or long (98”) beds. 

Sierra 1500 engine choices start with a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 that produces 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque and is connected to an 8-speed automatic. The step doubles the cylinder count with a 5.3-liter V8, rated at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. You can also opt for the 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both V8s are paired with a 10-speed automatic. The 5.3L V8 is available with both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive. The 6.2L V8 is only available with 4-wheel drive. If you are considering this engine, you have likely already ruled out the Canyon. 

By contrast, the Canyon is one size fits all, with a 4-door cab and a 61.7-inch-long bed. If you are considering the space in your garage, at 213 inches, the Canyon is 19 inches shorter than a Sierra 1500 CrewCab with a short bed. The Canyon is also about 9 inches narrower, which may be the difference between walking or side-stepping next to it in the garage. 

The same 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 standard on most Sierra models is also standard on the Canyon with the same 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque and the same 8-speed automatic transmission. This makes the fuel mileage of both trucks closer than you might think. 4×2 Canyons have an EPA city/highway/combined mpg estimate of 18 / 23 / 20 compared to 18 / 22 / 20 on a 4×2 Sierra. 4×4 figures for the Canyon and Sierra are 17 / 22 / 20 and 17 / 20 / 18 respectively. 

Both the Canyon and Sierra 1500 are available with the comfort and convenience features you find in sedans or SUVs, including a standard 11.3-inch touchscreen in the Canyon and a proportionally larger 13.4-inch screen for the Sierra. Both are backed by the feature-packed Google Built-in operating system, which features wireless Apple and Android compatibility as well as standard Google Maps navigation. Both trucks are available in Denali trims, which fancies things up considerably. 

Still, GMC reserves some special items for the bigger truck. The versatile MultiPro Tailgate is only available on the Sierra 1500. The Super Cruise true hands-free driving system is also only available on Sierra models. 

Then there is the cost. Both model lines have a wide price range, so there is overlap. The $37,995 starting MSRP for the Canyon is $7,400 less than a comparable Crew Cab short-bed Sierra Pro with the same drivetrain. To give a different perspective, with a starting MSRP of $51,300, a Canyon Denali costs less than the Sierra SLE, which is the first step up from the base model. So, consider how much the Sierra’s additional space is worth to you. What better reason to visit Valley GMC in Auburn, Washington, to shop both the Canyon and Sierra 1500 back-to-back?