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General Motors redesigned both of its midsize trucks this year, and with a $7,700 price difference (base to base), a lot of people are wondering just how different these two trucks are. If you take a look at the 2023 GMC Canyon vs. Chevy Colorado spec-by-spec comparison (below), there are a couple of stand-out differences, but the two trucks are largely identical.

The engine

The biggest and most obvious difference is going to be the engine output. Though both trucks have the same 2.7-liter I-4 turbo, they are tuned differently. The GMC Canyon comes standard with the high-output version, whereas the Chevy Colorado offers three options. The top-tier option for the Colorado is the same as the base Canyon.

Other than that, the valvetrain, fuel delivery, transmission and gear ratios are identical.

2023 Chevy Colorado

Off-road specs

Another notable difference will be in the off-road numbers. The GMC Canyon at a base level will have 2 extra inches of ground clearance over the Chevy Colorado. Approach and breakover angles are also better for Canyon base to base.

Curiously, the Colorado ZR2 trim has slightly better numbers than the Canyon AT4X trim. You’d have though GM would have swapped that.

Capacities

Another interesting spec comparison comes when looking at the weights, towing and payloads. The GMC Canyon is actually a little lighter than the Chevy Colorado, which means its GVWR and payload are also less. Towing, interestingly, is mostly the same.

2023 GMC Canyon vs. Chevy Colorado complete specs

2023 GMC Canyon2023 Chevy Colorado
Price range: $38,395 - $56,995$30,695 - $48,295
Engine Type:2.7L I-4 Turbo DOHC VVT DI with Active Fuel Management and Stop/Start2.7L I-4 Turbo DOHC VVT DI with Active Fuel Management and Stop/Start
Bore & Stroke (in. / mm):3.63 x 4.01 / 92.25 x 1023.63 x 4.01 / 92.25 x 102
Valvetrain:Dual-overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, tripower valvetrain with continuously variable valve timing, variable valve lift and Active Fuel ManagementDual-overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, tripower valvetrain with continuously variable valve timing, variable valve lift and Active Fuel Management
Fuel Delivery:Direct high-pressure fuel injection with Active Fuel ManagementDirect high-pressure fuel injection with Active Fuel Management
Horsepower:310Base: 237; Mid & High: 310
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):430Base: 259; Mid: 390; High: 430
Transmission Type:Hydra-Matic 8L80 eight-speed automaticHydra-Matic 8L80 Gen II eight-speed automatic
Gear Ratios (:1)
First:4.55999999999999964.5599999999999996
Second:2.972.97
Third:2.082.08
Fourth:1.691.69
Fifth:1.271.27
Sixth:11
Seventh:0.850.85
Eighth:0.650.65
Reverse:3.823.82
Final Drive Ratio:3.423.42
Front Suspension:2WD and 4WD: independent coil-over-shock; twin-tube shocks; Multimatic DSSV dampers on AT4X2WD and 4WD: independent coil-over-shock; twin-tube shocks; Multimatic DSSV dampers on ZR2
Rear Suspension:Solid axle with semi-elliptic two-stage multi-leaf springs; twin-tube shocks; Multimatic DSSV dampers on AT4XSolid axle with semi-elliptic two-stage multi-leaf springs; twin-tube shocks; Multimatic DSSV dampers on ZR2
Rear axle:Open differential (std. Elevation); Limited-slip differential (std. AT4 & Denali); Power-locking front and rear differentials (std. AT4X)Open differential (std. WT and LT); G80 limited-slip differential (std. Trail Boss & Z71); Power-locking front and rear differentials (std. ZR2)
Steering Type:Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinionElectric power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Brake Type:Power-assisted four-wheel discs with Duralifeâ„¢ long-life brake rotors; standard ABS; hill descent control available (std. AT4 & AT4X)Power-assisted four-wheel discs with Duralifeâ„¢ long-life brake rotors; standard ABS; hill descent control available (std. Trail Boss & Z71)
Brake Rotor Size (in / mm):13.4 / 340 (front); 13.3 / 337 (rear)13.4 / 340 (front); 13.3 / 337 (rear)
Wheel Size:17 x 8-in. aluminum (std. AT4X); 18 x 8.5-in. aluminum (std. Elevation & AT4); 20 x 9-in. aluminum (std. Denali)17 x 8-in. steel (std. WT); 17 x 8-in. aluminum (std. LT); 17 x 8-in. aluminum (std. ZR2); 18 x 8.5-in. aluminum (std. Trail Boss & Z71)
Tire Size:P265/65R18 all-terrain (Elevation & AT4); LT285/70R17 MT (AT4X); P275/60R20 all-terrain (Denali)P255/65R17 all-season (WT); P255/55R20 all-season (Z71); LT285/70R17 mud/terrain (ZR2); P265/65R18 all-terrain (Trail Boss & Z71)
Wheelbase (in. / mm):131.4 / 3337131.4 / 3337
Overall Length (in. / mm):213.2 / 5416 – Elevation, AT4, AT4X, Denali; 217.9 / 5534 – AT4X Edition 1 Package213 / 5411 – WT & LT & Z71; 213.2 / 5416 – Trail Boss; 212.7 / 5402 – ZR2
Overall Width w/ mirrors (in. / mm):84.4 / 214484.4 / 2144
Overall Height (in. / mm):79.8 / 2028 – Elevation, AT4; 81.6 / 2072 – AT4X; 81.7 / 2076 – AT4X Edition 1 Package; 80.4 / 2042 – Denali78.8 / 2001 – WT & LT; 79.6 / 2021 – Z71; 79.9 / 2029 – Trail Boss; 81.9 / 2078 – ZR2
Track – front (in. / mm):66.1 / 1680 – Elevation, AT4; 66.3 / 1684 – AT4X, AT4X Edition 1 Package; 66 / 1676 – Denali 62.8 / 1594 – WT, LT; 62.6 / 1590 – Z71; 66.2 / 1679 – Trail Boss; 66.3 / 1684 – ZR2
Track – rear (in. / mm):66.1 / 1679 – Elevation, AT4; 66.3 / 1683 – AT4X, AT4X Edition 1 Package; 65.9 / 1675 – Denali62.6 / 1590 – Z71; 62.8 / 1594 – WT, LT; 66.1 / 1679 – Trail Boss; 66.3 / 1684 – ZR2
Ground Clearance (in. / mm):9.6 / 245 – Elevation, AT4; 10.7 / 271 – AT4X, AT4X Edition 1 Package; 10.5 / 267 – Denali7.9 / 200 – WT, LT; 8.9 / 227 – Z71; 9.5 / 242 – Trail Boss; 10.7 / 272 – ZR2
Off-road Approach Angle (deg.):33.3– Elevation, AT4, Denali; 36.9– AT4X; 32.8 AT4X Edition 1 Package29.1 – Z71; 30.5 – Trail Boss; 38.3 – ZR2;
Off-road Departure Angle (deg.):22.3– Elevation, AT4; 25– AT4X, AT4X Edition 1 Package; 22 - Denali22.3 – Z71; 22.4 – Trail Boss; 25.1 – ZR2
Off-road Break-Over Angle (deg.): 20.9 – Elevation, AT4; 24.5– AT4X, AT4X Edition 1 Package; 20.8 - Denali19.5 – Z71; 21 – Trail Boss; 24.6 – ZR2
Headroom (in. / mm):40.3 / 1023 (front); 38.3 / 972 (rear)40.3 / 1023 (front); 38.3 / 972 (rear)
Legroom (in. / mm):45.2 / 1147 (front); 34.7 / 881 (rear)45.2 /1147 (front); 34.7 / 881 (rear)
Shoulder Room (in. / mm):57.4 / 1458 (front); 56.1 / 1426 (rear)57.4 /1390 (front); 56.1 / 1426 (rear)
Hip Room (in. / mm):54.7 / 1390 (front); 53.1 / 1348 (rear)54.7 / 1390 (front); 53.1 / 1348 (rear)
Fuel tank capacity (approx.)21.5 gal. / 81.4 liters21.5 gal / 81.4 liters
Curb Weight (lb. / kg):4430 / 2009 – Elevation 2WD; 4630 / 2100 – Elevation 4WD; 4670 / 2118 – AT4; 4970 / 2254 – AT4X; 4860 / 2204 – Denali; 5210 / 2363 – AT4X Edition 1 Package4716 / 2139 – WT & LT; 4971 / 2255 – Trail Boss & Z71; 5298 / 2403 – ZR2
GVWR (lb. / kg)1:6100 / 2767 – Elevation 2WD; 6250 / 2835 – Elevation 4WD, AT4, AT4X, AT4X Edition 1 Package, Denali6250 / 2835 – WT & LT; 6250 / 2835 – Trail Boss & Z71; 6200 / 2812 – ZR2
Max Payload (lb. / kg)2:1640 / 744 – Elevation 2WD; 1590 / 721 – Elevation 4WD; 1550 / 703 – AT4; 1250 / 567 – AT4X; 1360 / 617 – Denali; 1010 / 458 – AT4X Edition 1 Package1684 / 764 – WT & LT; 1587 / 720 – Trail Boss & Z71; 1151 / 522 – ZR2
Max Trailering (lb. / kg)3:7700 / 3493 – Elevation, AT4, Denali; 6000 / 2722 – AT4X; 5500 / 2495 – AT4X Edition 1 Package7700 / 3493 – WT & LT (available); 7700 / 3493 – Trail Boss & Z71; 6000 / 2722 – ZR2

The bottom line

This just goes to show even though you have two identical platforms, you can trim them out differently with some interesting results. In the 2023 GMC Canyon vs. Chevy Colorado competition, the Canyon is meant to be more off-road ready – and it shows.

If you’re trying to decide between the two trucks and wanted to see the exact differences, hopefully the above chart will help.

The full review of the 2023 GMC Canyon will post on May 8, but you can read our first-drive review of the 2023 Chevy Colorado now.

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Jill Ciminillo

Jill Ciminillo is the Managing Editor for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk as well as a Chicago-based automotive writer, YouTube personality and podcast host, with her articles and videos appearing in outlets throughout the U.S. Additionally, she co-hosts a weekly radio show on car stuff for a local Chicago station. Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for both newspaper and broadcast media conglomerates. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization. Jill is also currently a juror for the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY).

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