Price
Winner: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
The Colorado starts at $20,200, which is a lower base price than most compact pickup trucks. However, it doesn’t offer many features and it doesn’t have rear seats. If you’re seeking capability and comfort, you should plan on stepping up to at least the $23,700 WT trim. It comes with rear seats and offers some option packages. The most expensive ZR2 trim costs around $40,400.
The base Canyon SL has a starting price of $21,100. Like the Colorado, it’s light on features and has no rear seats. For $24,600, you can get a Canyon that’s better equipped and available with an extended or crew cab and a 6-foot-2-inch or 5-foot-2-inch bed. The top-tier Denali trim starts at $39,600.
Reliability
Winner: Tie
Both the Colorado and Canyon earn a three out of five for predicted reliability score from J.D. Power. This is considered an average score compared to all new cars.
The trucks are covered by three-year/36,000-mile basic warranties and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Seat Comfort
Winner: Tie
Seating accommodations in the Colorado and the Canyon are virtually identical. Extended Cab models seat two or four people and Crew Cab models seat five. The front seats are roomy and supportive in both pickup trucks. The rear seats in the Extended Cab are cramped, but adult passengers can fit comfortably in the Crew Cab’s rear seats.
Interior Refinement
Winner: 2018 GMC Canyon
The Colorado offers a well-built, quiet cabin. However, it’s not considered upscale and is full of hard plastics and other low-rent materials.
The Canyon provides one of the most upscale cabins in our compact pickup truck rankings. It’s stylish and composed of high-quality materials.
Cargo Space
Winner: Tie
The Colorado and Canyon offer a 6-foot-2-inch Long Box and a 5-foot-2-inch Short Box. The longer bed is available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab models, while the shorter bed is only an option in Crew Cab models. Both trucks offer an available EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate that can be operated with one hand.
Interior Technology
Winner: Tie
A 4.2-inch display screen, Bluetooth, and a USB port come standard in the Canyon and Colorado. You can opt for many extras, like a user-friendly 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, satellite radio, Bose premium audio, and wireless phone charging. Upper trims come with an 8-inch touch screen.
Engines
Winner: Tie
The base powertrain in the Colorado and Canyon is a 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission, though an automatic is available. Other engine options include a 308-horsepower V6 and a 181-horsepower turbodiesel. The base engine delivers sufficient power for daily driving. The V6 provides strong acceleration and good towing and hauling capacities. However, the turbodiesel has the highest towing capacity and returns the best fuel economy.
Fuel Economy
Winner: Tie
Being that the Colorado and Canyon share the same powertrains, they also get the same gas mileage. According to the EPA, with the base four-cylinder and manual transmission, the trucks return a best-in-class 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. The turbodiesel fares even better, at 22 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. Even the V6 configuration is highly efficient with EPA estimates at 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.
The only other pickup truck that comes close is the Honda Ridgeline.
Ride and Handling
Winner: Tie
Rear-wheel drive comes standard and four-wheel drive is available in the Colorado and Canyon. Both compact pickup trucks offer a smooth ride, composed handling, and respectable maneuverability. Additionally, these truck twins provide responsive steering and strong braking.
Towing
Winner: Tie
The Colorado and Canyon top the class when it comes to maximum towing capacity. The available turbodiesel engine churns out a whopping 369 pound-feet of torque and can tow an impressive 7,700 pounds when properly equipped with the optional Trailering Package. With the V6 engine, both pickup trucks can tow 7,000 pounds. The base engine is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds.
Off-Roading
Winner: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
Both of General Motors’ compact pickup trucks perform respectably off the pavement. However, if you plan to use the trucks for any significant off-roading, there are options available. These compact trucks both offer optional off-road suspension and hill descent control. In addition, off-road models are available with more features, including all-terrain tires, a two-speed transfer case, a transfer case shield, and a locking rear differential.
The Colorado Z71 and ZR2 (pictured above) are specifically configured for off-road use. Similarly, the Canyon All Terrain trim is the best choice for off-road enthusiasts. However, the Colorado trims are more capable off-roaders than the Canyon All Terrain.
Safety
Winner: Tie
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Colorado and Canyon four out of five stars in overall safety. Both received five stars in the side crash test, but only earned four stars in the frontal crash test and three stars in the rollover test.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives both compact pickup trucks a top rating of Good for Crew Cab models in all crash tests. Front crash prevention is basic and headlights receive a Poor rating. For Extended Cab models, both trucks earned a Good in three crash tests, but only an Acceptable in the small overlap front and side crash tests.
Both trucks come standard with a rearview camera and GM’s Teen Driver safety system, which lets you set individual limits for speed and audio. Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are available.
Critic’s Score
Winner: 2018 GMC Canyon
When automotive journalists reviewed the two vehicles, they gave high praise to both compact trucks. According to reviewers, both vehicles are smooth-riding are great alternatives to their full-size counterparts. However, the Canyon’s luxuriousness gives it the edge here.
The Winner Is ...
Tie
The Chevrolet Colorado offers impressive off-road capabilities and will cost you less than the GMC Canyon, but the Canyon offers a much nicer interior and has the backing of critics. Aside from these two categories, these compact pickup trucks are practically twins. You’ll have to take a look at your priorities and decide if the extra money is worth the nicer cabin.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
To learn more about the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, check out their reviews. Then, see how they stack up against the competition by exploring our compact pickup truck rankings.
When it comes time to buy, use our U.S. News Best Price Program to get the best deal on your new truck. Shoppers who use the program save more than an average of $3,000 off their new car.
2018 Chevrolet Colorado vs. 2018 GMC Canyon: Head to Head
- Price - Winner: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
- Reliability - Winner: Tie
- Seat Comfort - Winner: Tie
- Interior Refinement - Winner: 2018 GMC Canyon
- Cargo Space - Winner: Tie
- Interior Technology - Winner: Tie
- Engines - Winner: Tie
- Fuel Economy - Winner: Tie
- Ride and Handling - Winner: Tie
- Towing - Winner: Tie
- Off-Roading - Winner: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
- Safety - Winner: Tie
- Critic’s Score - Winner: 2018 GMC Canyon
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Colorado vs. Canyon: Which Compact Pickup Truck Is Right for You?
The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon both fare well in our compact pickup truck rankings. In fact, they’re tied for the third spot and are mere decimals behind the top two, much more expensive rivals: the Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline.
The Colorado and Canyon are similar in many ways, but they’re built to appeal to a different audience. GMC focuses on more upscale vehicles for professionals and executives, while Chevrolet is a brand that intends to appeal to the masses. So, the Canyon will cost you a bit more, though you’re getting a nicer cabin.
Using U.S. News Best Cars scoring data, let’s take a deep dive into what sets these vehicles apart in the categories that are most important to compact pickup truck shoppers. Keep in mind that our scores and rankings are constantly changing as new data and research becomes available. For this reason, the scores mentioned on the following slides may not match those listed in our new car reviews.
The decision between General Motors’ compact pickup truck cousins comes down to your priorities regarding minor details. Continue reading to learn more, so you can make an informed buying decision.