2024 GMC Canyon vs 2024 Ford F-150

The 2024 Ford F-150 was available in a multitude of configurations and trim levels, offering buyers a choice of eight different trims and options for a regular two-door cab, a SuperCrew four-door cab, or a smaller four-door Super Cab. It featured three different bed lengths, options for four-wheel or two-wheel drive, and six different engine choices. While the base XL model was quite basic, the King Ranch trim offered luxury with heated and ventilated front leather seats, heated rear seats, wood trim, and ambient lighting. However, mid-level trims had some cheap-looking surfaces and hard plastic touchpoints. The F-150 retained its chunky buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly even with gloves on, and included physical controls for the HVAC system and stereo. The shifter folded down to create a flat workspace, showcasing Ford's understanding of its customers' needs. The exterior saw subtle tweaks in higher trims, with new wheel options and distinctive accents on the Tremor model. Ford introduced a series of earth tones called "Truffle" for the interior of certain models, adding a touch of sophistication.

The 2024 GMC Canyon was a standout in the midsize truck segment, boasting a length of 213.2 inches, making it comparable to the Toyota Tacoma and slightly longer than the Ford Ranger. Its width was in line with competitors, but its height of 79.8 inches made it significantly taller than its rivals. The Canyon's size was attributed to its wider track and impressive ground clearance of at least 9.6 inches across all trims. Sharing components with the Chevrolet Colorado, the Canyon offered four trims: Elevation, AT4, Denali, and AT4X, each catering to different needs from work to luxury and off-road capabilities. The AT4X trim, tested with the AEV package, featured 35-inch all-terrain tires, beadlock-capable wheels, AEV-stamped bumpers, and multiple steel skid plates, enhancing its off-road prowess. The Canyon's interior, especially in the AT4X trim, was impressive with high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish, offering a near-luxurious experience.

The 2024 Ford F-150 came standard with a turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, but the PowerBoost Hybrid was a standout option. Available on the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, this 3.5-liter turbo V6 hybrid delivered 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, always in the right gear and responsive to driver demands. The Tremor and Raptor R variants were highlights during test drives. The Tremor featured a 5.0-liter V8 with 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, off-road-tuned shocks, and a 1-inch lift. The Raptor R, with its 5.2-liter supercharged V8, boasted 720 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque, making it a beast on rough terrain. The Raptor R's suspension, with 3.1-inch Fox Live Valve shocks, allowed for high-speed desert running, achieving impressive speeds even on challenging terrain.

The 2024 GMC Canyon was powered by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque across all trims. This engine, also used in larger trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, provided robust performance. The Canyon's towing capacity maxed out at 7,700 pounds, with a payload of 1,670 pounds, surpassing its predecessor and leading the midsize truck segment in towing. The eight-speed automatic transmission complemented the engine well, and the Canyon handled uneven pavement with ease. The AT4X trim, with its massive tires and lift kit, maintained impressive road manners, aided by Multimatic spool-valve dampers. The Canyon offered rear-wheel drive on the Elevation trim, with four-wheel drive standard on other trims. The AT4X included a Baja drive mode for high-speed off-road driving, though its fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 16 mpg across the board for the AT4X AEV tester.

The 2024 Ford F-150 excelled in traditional truck capabilities, introducing a Pro Access tailgate with a 20/60/20 split swing gate for easier bed access. It featured a rear bumper step and lockable bed storage boxes. The Pro Power Assist allowed for powering accessories, with gas-powered trucks offering a 2.0-kW onboard generator and the PowerBoost hybrid providing 2.4 kW of power. The F-150's towing and hauling numbers were best in class, with a maximum towing capacity of 13,500 pounds and a payload of 2,445 pounds in specific configurations. The hybrid engine offered a towing rating of 11,200 pounds and a payload of 1,755 pounds, while the Raptor R prioritized off-road suspension, reducing its towing capacity to 8,700 pounds.

The 2024 GMC Canyon, with its best-in-class towing capacity, excelled in its core function as a truck. However, its interior space was limited, with snug rear-seat legroom in the four-door crew cab configuration. The 5.2-foot bed offered less cargo capacity compared to competitors, though it was larger than the new Ford Ranger's. The AEV package's spare tire reduced usable space and complicated reversing, despite the high-resolution backup camera. The Canyon's width and height posed challenges in urban areas, making it less maneuverable in tight spaces.

The 2024 Ford F-150 featured a 12-inch touchscreen with SYNC 4, offering a quick learning curve and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It included a 5G LTE wireless hotspot, wireless charging, and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster. A new head-up display provided information on towing, off-roading, and driving assistance. Ford Stolen Vehicle Services offered theft detection and recovery through the FordPass app. The F-150 could back itself up to a trailer coupler and featured Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Smart Hitch tech for safe towing.

The 2024 GMC Canyon came standard with an 11.3-inch touchscreen display featuring Google Built-in, providing access to Google Maps and Google Assistant without needing a phone. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and the Denali and AT4X trims offered a head-up display. The infotainment system had quirks, such as embedding headlight controls in the software, requiring attention away from the road. Off-road performance display pages were standard across trims.

The 2024 Ford F-150 came with the Ford CoPilot 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and cross-traffic alert. A 360-degree camera was recommended for better visibility. The Blue Cruise driving-assist system was available on higher trims, offering hands-free driving with new lane-change assist and lane-repositioning features. The NHTSA awarded the F-150 a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS gave it top scores in most crashworthiness tests, though some areas received lower ratings.

The 2024 GMC Canyon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side-impact tests. It came standard with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-seat reminder system. Additional safety features were available through options packages on lower trims. The AT4X trim included an HD surround-view camera and blind-spot avoidance system. While the Canyon offered impressive safety features, they often came at an additional cost.