The 2022 Ford Ranger and GMC Canyon are pretty evenly matched competitors, but the Ranger edges out the Canyon in terms of overall value and truck capabilities.

The Ford Ranger has amazing towing capacity, unparalleled off-road chops, and basic straightforward tech—everything truck lovers want and need. However, the GMC Canyon is bringing some stiff competition to the midsize truck field in terms of size, maximum towing capability, and fuel efficiency.

To see how these two trucks stack up against each other,

Jerry

, the

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2022 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Canyon: the basics

Let’s start with the basics: size, price, fuel efficiency, and towing power:

Size: Both inside and out, the

GMC Canyon

is a larger truck than the

Ford Ranger

. It offers a larger wheelbase, wider stance, and more passenger space than the smaller Ranger.

Pricing: That large price comes with a larger price tag. The Canyon starts at $30,080, while the Ranger’s base MSRP is just $27,425. Plus, estimates place the starting price for the new 2023 Canyon at over $40k, while the new Ranger will remain under $27k.

Efficiency: No matter which of the Canyon’s three powertrains you choose, it wins in terms of fuel efficiency—especially if you choose the diesel, which returns up to 30 mpg on the highway.

Towing power: While the Ranger can dominate other smaller trucks for towing capacity, once the Canyon is outfitted with anything but the base 4-cylinder powertrain, it can easily pull as much or more than the Ranger. Fully outfitted, the Ranger tops out at 7,500 pounds. With its base powertrain, the Canyon can trailer 3,500, but add the V6, and you can pull up to 7,550 pounds. Outfit it with the diesel powertrain, and you can pull a maximum of 7,700 pounds.

Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s take a closer look at some of the other aspects that help make or break a truck sale.

2022 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Canyon: power & performance

First things first—we’re talking trucks, so let’s talk power and performance.

Under the hood of every Ranger, you’ll find the same thing: a 270-hp 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a 10-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) and either rear-wheel or front-wheel drive.

With the Canyon, you get three choices: a gas-powered four-cylinder, a V6, or a diesel four-cylinder engine.

The diesel powertrain offers a surprisingly smooth and quiet ride with unparalleled non-hybrid fuel efficiency, plus the undeniable torquiness of a diesel, but it’ll cost you a pretty penny.

Model	2022 Ford Ranger	2022 GMC Canyon (base)	2022 GMC Canyon (upgrade)	2022 GMC Canyon (diesel)
Engine	2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost®	2.4L 4-cylinder	3.6L V6	2.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel
Horsepower	270 hp	200 hp	308 hp	181 hp
Torque	310 lb-ft	191 lb-ft	275 lb-ft	369 lb-ft
Transmission	Ten-speed automatic	Six-speed automatic	Eight-speed automatic	Six-speed automatic
Drivetrain	RWD or 4WD	RWD or 4WD	RWD or 4WD	RWD or 4WD
EPA fuel economy (combined)	23 mpg to 19 mpg (Tremor only)	19 to 25 mpg	18 to 25 mpg	20 to 30 mpg

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GMC Canyon V6

2022 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Canyon: interior & storage

When it comes to interiors, both the Ranger and the Canyon are long on function and short on flash. This plays out well in the Ranger that tends toward utility and fun at all trims—not so well in the Canyon’s supposedly luxury-leaning Denali trim.

Both driver and passengers will have a good deal more room in the Canyon’s cabin, but cheap features like plastic switches mean you’ll never feel truly swathed in luxury. That said, the Canyon beats the Ranger when it comes to interior storage options.

Measurements	2022 Ford Ranger	2022 GMC Canyon
Wheelbase	126.8 inches	128.3 inches
Length	210.8 inches	212.4 inches
Bed length	60 to 72 inches	61.7 to 74 inches
Headroom (front/rear)	41 / 38.3 inches	41.1 / 38.3 inches
Legroom (front/rear)	43.1 / 34.5 inches	45.0 / 35.8 inches

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2022 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Canyon: technology & trims

Truck owners aren’t always looking for the latest bells and whistles when it comes to tech, so both Ford and Nissan have kept their base models pretty stripped down in terms of tech and options.

The base

Ranger XL

offers a WiFi hotspot, four-speaker sound system, and forward collision mitigation.

Available tech packages can add Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, two more speakers, and even cruise control, among a few other techy delights, and the available Co-Pilot 360 package can add blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist.

Step up the ladder to an XLT, and all the above tech comes standard. Plus, you’ll get keyless entry, an 8-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

XLTs tech packages can add:

Remote start

Power-folding mirrors

Power-adjustable, heated front seats

Front parking sensors

Navigation system

Adaptive cruise control

Tech features available on the top Lariat and Tremor trims that aren’t available on lower trims include automatic windshield wipers, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, and a universal garage door opener.

The GMC Canyon’s base Elevation Standard trim isn’t quite as spartan as the Ranger’s, but with only a 7-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, and a six-speaker sound system, it’s pretty basic.

The Elevation adds cruise control and power driver’s seat adjustments while the AT4 perks things up with heated front seats.

Then, we have the Denali. This trim-topper pulls out all the stops with:

An 8-inch infotainment screen

Power-adjustable passenger seat

Wireless device charging pad

Bose audio system

Heated steering wheel

Forward collision warning

Lane departure warning

Rear parking sensors

MORE:

How to build a custom Ford Ranger

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2022 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Canyon: towing & off-roading

We already know that while the Ranger and the Canyon are comparable when it comes to towing capacity, the Canyon ultimately edges out the Ranger in towing capacity. The Canyon beats the Ranger by 50 pounds when equipped with the V6 powertrain, and 200 pounds when outfitted with the diesel engine, towing a maximum of 7,550 and 7,700 pounds respectively. But what about off-road?

Currently, the GMC Canyon’s off-road-oriented AT4 trim can’t hold a candle to the Ranger’s Tremor package. Even in terms of something as simple as ground clearance, the AT4 simply doesn’t offer the geometry needed to really get dirty. But big news is on the horizon—the

Canyon AT4X

model has been unveiled for 2023 and it’s likely to leave even the Ranger Tremor in the lurch.

2022 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Canyon: safety

The Ranger hasn’t won a lot of rounds in this battle of the trucks, but another area where it’s a clear winner is safety. Neither truck offers a wealth of safety features on its base model, but the Ranger at least includes its Co-Pilot 360 package as a standard feature once you move to the XLT. For Canyon buyers, driver assists are only offered on the top trim.

Both the GMC Canyon and the Ford Ranger earn good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t yet rated the Ranger, but it gives the Canyon 4 out of 5 stars.

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2022 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Canyon: Reliability

Consumer Reports gives the 2022 Ford Ranger a predicted reliability rating of 4 out of 5. There is little reviewable data since it only returned to production in 2019, but there has been one recall on the truck.

The GMC Canyon, on the other hand, earns a predicted reliability rating of only 2 out of 5 due to previous Canyon generations and GMC’s brand history.

Which is better: Ranger or Canyon?

It’s time for the bottom line—who wins in this battle of the trucks: the 2022 Ford Ranger or the 2022 GMC Canyon?

If you’re looking for a traditional truck with plenty of interior space, fuel efficiency, and towing capacity, the GMC Canyon will be your best choice.

If you’re more interested in affordability, fun, and off-road options, you should go for the Ranger—it’s all about what matters most to you!

MORE:

The top 10 cheapest trucks to insure

How to find cheap auto insurance for your truck

Whether you choose the cavernous Canyon or the range-roving Ranger, you need to keep it covered with insurance as reliable as the truck it’s protecting. You might expect insurance on a truck with off-road and towing capabilities like these to be expensive, but when you shop with

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