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 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.
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.
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 | 2023 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/Start | 2.7L 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 102 | 3.63 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 Management | Dual-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 Management | Direct high-pressure fuel injection with Active Fuel Management | |
Horsepower: | 310 | Base: 237; Mid & High: 310 | |
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): | 430 | Base: 259; Mid: 390; High: 430 | |
Transmission Type: | Hydra-Matic 8L80 eight-speed automatic | Hydra-Matic 8L80 Gen II eight-speed automatic | |
Gear Ratios (:1) | |||
First: | 4.5599999999999996 | 4.5599999999999996 | |
Second: | 2.97 | 2.97 | |
Third: | 2.08 | 2.08 | |
Fourth: | 1.69 | 1.69 | |
Fifth: | 1.27 | 1.27 | |
Sixth: | 1 | 1 | |
Seventh: | 0.85 | 0.85 | |
Eighth: | 0.65 | 0.65 | |
Reverse: | 3.82 | 3.82 | |
Final Drive Ratio: | 3.42 | 3.42 | |
Front Suspension: | 2WD and 4WD: independent coil-over-shock; twin-tube shocks; Multimatic DSSV dampers on AT4X | 2WD 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 AT4X | Solid 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-pinion | Electric 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 / 3337 | 131.4 / 3337 | |
Overall Length (in. / mm): | 213.2 / 5416 – Elevation, AT4, AT4X, Denali; 217.9 / 5534 – AT4X Edition 1 Package | 213 / 5411 – WT & LT & Z71; 213.2 / 5416 – Trail Boss; 212.7 / 5402 – ZR2 | |
Overall Width w/ mirrors (in. / mm): | 84.4 / 2144 | 84.4 / 2144 | |
Overall Height (in. / mm): | 79.8 / 2028 – Elevation, AT4; 81.6 / 2072 – AT4X; 81.7 / 2076 – AT4X Edition 1 Package; 80.4 / 2042 – Denali | 78.8 / 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 – Denali | 62.6 / 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 – Denali | 7.9 / 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 Package | 29.1 – Z71; 30.5 – Trail Boss; 38.3 – ZR2; | |
Off-road Departure Angle (deg.): | 22.3– Elevation, AT4; 25– AT4X, AT4X Edition 1 Package; 22 - Denali | 22.3 – 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 - Denali | 19.5 – 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 liters | 21.5 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 Package | 4716 / 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, Denali | 6250 / 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 Package | 1684 / 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 Package | 7700 / 3493 – WT & LT (available); 7700 / 3493 – Trail Boss & Z71; 6000 / 2722 – ZR2 | |
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.