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Starting at
Starting at
| 181-308 HP | Horsepower | 285 HP |
| 20/30 MPG | Optimal Fuel Economy | 17/23 MPG |
| 191-369 lb-ft | Torque | 260 lb-ft |
If you’re looking for a new compact pickup truck, you’ll have plenty of exciting options to choose from. Two vehicles that have been commonly compared upon their release are the 2019 GMC Canyon vs 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The Canyon has lead the compact pickup truck class for years, while the Gladiator is an all-new model that boasts exclusive performance features. So, can the Gladiator live up to the hype and outperform the reliable Canyon?
The 2019 GMC Canyon is both affordable and versatile. Whether you’re looking for a powerful truck to join you on the worksite or a comfortable and efficient truck to serve as your daily commuter, the Canyon can be configured to your exact needs. Like in its previous model years, the Canyon remains one of the most powerful, capable, and efficient compact trucks available on the market. Meanwhile, the Canyon also offers one of the most generous standard entertainment suites available.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is very different from the 2019 GMC Canyon. It is incredibly expensive and offers a very specific set of strengths. Instead of serving as a capable daily driver, the Gladiator is designed with only its off-road performance in mind. Despite costing over 10K more than the Canyon, the base model of the Gladiator lacks power windows and locks and features less standard technology than many of its competitors. The Gladiator is also unable to live up to the Canyon in terms of performance specs, offering less horsepower, fuel efficiency, and a lower maximum towing capacity. Essentially, the Gladiator is a unique truck for drivers who go off-roading every week but is not suitable for much else.
Still not sure whether or not the 2019 GMC Canyon or 2020 Jeep Gladiator is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at how they compare in terms of performance, entertainment, and safety.
Prior to the release of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, there was quite a bit of hype built up around its performance specs and capabilities, and while the Gladiator does have some impressive off-roading features, it does not outperform vehicles like the 2019 GMC Canyon in terms of horsepower, towing capacity, or efficiency. Drivers prioritizing those specs will appreciate the Gladiator, but ultimately the Canyon leads the class in this space.
Drivers of the 2019 GMC Canyon will have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to customizing their vehicle for performance. The Canyon offers three engine options, as well as two drivetrains options. The standard configuration of the new Canyon is a 4-cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission in rear-wheel drive. This engine is capable of producing up to 200 hp and earns fuel economy ratings of up to 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. However, drivers can also choose from a more powerful V6 engine and a more fuel-efficient turbo-diesel engine.
The available V6 engine is capable of producing up to 308 hp, while the turbo-diesel impresses with 370 lb-ft torque and fuel economy ratings of up to 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Drivers can also opt for four-wheel drive across the Canyon’s various trim levels. When properly equipped, the 2019 GMC Canyon offers one of the highest maximum towing capacities in the compact pickup truck class at up to 7,700 LBS. The Canyon also offers the All Terrain model, which is designed for its specialty off-road features. Overall, the Canyon is incredibly versatile and can meet the needs of nearly every driver.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offers only one engine option and one drivetrain option, so you won’t have much room for customization in the category of performance. The standard engine is a V6 engine capable of producing up to 285 hp. This is paired with a manual transmission, but drivers can upgrade to an automatic transmission if desired. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offers some of the worst fuel economy ratings for the compact pickup truck class, offering up to 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway at most. This is in part due to the truck’s limited drivetrain options, as its standard configuration of four-wheel drive often results in lower fuel economy ratings. When properly equipped, the Gladiator is capable of towing up to 7,650 LBS, which is high for its class but does not meet or exceed the towing capacity of the Canyon. The Gladiator does offer excellent off-road performance no matter which trim level you choose, but the Rubicon model offers the highest level of off-road capabilities. In terms of ride quality, the Gladiator offers a smooth performance across any type of terrain, yet competitors like the Canyon offer a more comfortable ride for everyday driving.
Like many GMC vehicles, the Canyon comes with a long and impressive list of standard entertainment features. This makes it a tough competitor for any vehicle in the compact pickup truck class, including the Gladiator which offers a nice selection of onboard technology but can’t quite match that of the Canyon. It is also important to consider that the 2020 Jeep Gladiator comes with an incredibly high sticker price - over 10K more than the starting price of the Canyon.
The 2019 GMC Canyon is an incredibly affordable compact pickup truck with a starting MSRP of $21,500. Yet, it still manages to offer an upscale interior packed with standard entertainment technology. On the base model of the new Canyon, drivers will find a long list of standard features including a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth, and a 6-speaker sound system. Meanwhile, the Canyon also offers plenty of optional entertainment features including an 8-inch touchscreen display, satellite radio, wireless device charging, navigation, additional USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a Bose premium sound system.
The infotainment system onboard the 2019 GMC Canyon has received positive feedback among drivers and critics for its intuitive interface and easy-to-use design. Physical controls are also available throughout the cabin to make the system even easier to navigate while driving. With the Canyon’s low starting MSRP, the standard features that are provided on each model are incredibly impressive and upgrading to any of the optional features remains affordable.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offers a few nice standard entertainment features onboard its base model, including a 5-inch touchscreen display, two USB ports, and Bluetooth. However, the Gladiator lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as a standard feature, forcing drivers looking for connectivity to upgrade on this already expensive vehicle. The standard touchscreen on the Gladiator is also much smaller than that of the Canyon; however, this truck does offer a wide selection of available entertainment features. These include an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, a removable Bluetooth speaker, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, drivers should be aware that basic technology, like power windows and locks, are absent from the Gladiator’s base model which can certainly come as a shock for a 2020 vehicle. The Uconnect infotainment system onboard the Gladiator is a highly rated system with sharp graphics and an easy-to-navigate interface, and unfortunately, upgrading to its larger touchscreen sizes will add substantial cost to an already high starting MSRP.
Both the 2019 GMC Canyon and 2020 Jeep Gladiator come with a nice selection of standard and available safety features, including many of the consumer-favorite driver assist features. If you’re looking for a safe vehicle, either the Canyon or Gladiator is an excellent choice. However, the Canyon offers a much higher reliability rating from J.D. Power.
The 2019 GMC Canyon comes standard with a rearview camera, and offers forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, and lane departure warning as available features. The Canyon performed well during crash testing with the NHTSA and IIHS, and earned the highest score of ‘Good’ in five out of six tests with the IIHS. The Canyon also earned one of the highest reliability ratings in the compact pickup truck class, making it an excellent option for drivers looking for a vehicle that is both safe and reliable.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator also comes standard with a rearview camera and offers available features like rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Drivers can also opt for features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control; however, upgrading to the Gladiator’s more advanced safety features adds a substantial amount to its high starting MSRP. The Gladiator also earned one of the lowest reliability ratings in the compact pickup truck class, making this expensive investment even more of a risk. Drivers looking for a safe, reliable, and reasonably priced vehicle will want to choose the 2019 GMC Canyon over the 2020 Jeep Gladiator.
At Rick Hendrick Buick GMC of Duluth, GA, we are passionate about each and every vehicle we have for sale on our lot. Whether you’re interested in purchasing a new, used, or CPO vehicle, we’ll have you covered with a variety of high-quality and affordable options. Our valued customers can also enjoy flexible financing options and regular specials and incentives to improve their shopping experience. And when you need routine maintenance or complex repairs, you can always return to our on-site service center for high-quality automotive care. So, if you’re looking for a dealership you can trust, be sure to shop with Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth for your next vehicle!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
