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| 369 | Max Torque (lb-ft) | 281 |
| 7,700 | Max Towing (lbs) | 6,720 |
| 20/30 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy MPG) | 18/24 |
Midsize trucks make an excellent choice for city dwellers, off-roaders, and even as daily drivers for families. Their popularity is rising once again, and the 2022 GMC Canyon vs 2022 Nissan Frontier are just two of the options available in the segment. Though they are considered small trucks, don’t let the distinction fool you into thinking either of these trucks lacks capability or performance. Each truck has the power to tow, can be equipped as a formidable off-roader, and both can come with bed-liners and cargo systems for more hauling potential.
GMC arms the 2022 Canyon with generous standard features that include powered accessories, a fuel-efficient powertrain, and vast options for connectivity. Nissan similarly offers up the 2022 Frontier with a new generation that includes upgrades to its suspension, exterior appearance, and interior materials. Each truck has numerous options for upgrading trims with packages that focus on tech, convenience, and performance. Both also offer upper trims with desirable features like leather seats, wireless charging, and premium sound systems. Despite the many similarities, each truck slots into its own lane for features specific to the brands that deliver style and quality unique to each manufacturer.
With seating for either four or five, the 2022 Canyon continues to be a high-selling truck in its segment, with its focus on quality materials, an upscale interior - particularly with the Denali trim. A new Denali Black Edition Package is available with low-gloss black exterior details replacing the typical Denali chrome. Likewise, the 2022 Frontier seats four or five and is rising in the ranks as a more serious contender for buyers in the midsize segment with its new design. Which truck has the features buyers really want? A comparison of capability, space, and convenience should clarify which of these trucks will make the better buy.
When you want a midsize truck for easier maneuvering or to handle light towing duty, it makes a difference if you have certain features to make life in cities or small places easier. This is true for bed access and hauling, just as much as for convenience. The tech found in the 2022 Canyon and 2022 Frontier can help make easier work of managing small spaces, hitching up and towing a trailer, and it can also make long drives more entertaining. Nissan is becoming a brand associated with plentiful technology features on most of its vehicles. Yet, it took until 2022 for the Frontier to gain features like standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; a feature also found standard on the 2022 Canyon. Though tech is integral to modern life, there are other features on a truck that make a difference in daily driving.
Take, for instance, the standard corner steps that GMC fits into the rear bumper of every 2022 Canyon. This is a GM signature feature that changes absolutely everything about bed access. Anyone who owns a truck and secures cargo in the bed knows how frustrating it can be to have to climb into the bed to adjust straps and tie-downs, even in a midsize truck. The Canyon’s corner step is large enough for any foot to fit even with boots, and it makes quick work of being able to reach those tough spots in the bed for securing cargo to the standard tie-down points. In contrast, the 2022 Frontier has standard tie-downs, but getting into the bed will still require awkward climbs.
Other exterior features contrast between the trucks as well, with the 2022 Canyon having standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, a remote locking and damped tailgate, and recovery hooks. Nissan gives the 2022 Frontier 16-inch steel wheels and a damped tailgate that locks, but not remotely, and no heated mirrors or recovery hooks until you reach higher trims. Whether you plan to use your truck for work or play, having the tech to stay connected can be important. Aside from the smartphone connectivity, the 2022 Canyon offers GMC Connect access, which is standard for all trims and allows for numerous features like automated calling for emergency response, remote access and starting, and security. It also allows for WiFi, and none of these features are available for the entry-level trim of the 2022 Frontier.
Though these trucks come in smaller packages, they still offer plenty of capability. Trucks are built for towing and hauling, and that holds true no matter the size. In the case of the 2022 Canyon, buyers have numerous choices for capability with three engines available. The standard 2.5-liter inline-four engine is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and generates 200 hp with 191 lb-ft of torque. With this lighter-duty powerhouse, the 2022 Canyon gets a good fuel economy of 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway and can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Buyers can upgrade to the 3.6-liter V6 engine, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 offers the most horsepower to the Canyon, producing 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, and it can tow up to 7,000 lbs. Even with the more powerful V6 engine, buyers will still get a good fuel economy of 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway with rear-wheel drive.
Upgrading to the available 2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-four engine means you gain the best option for towing with up to 7,700 lbs of capability. Paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, the turbodiesel puts out 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and this engine has the best fuel economy. With rear-wheel drive, you will see fuel economy ratings of around 20 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway.
When we shine the spotlight on the 2022 Frontier, despite its numerous upgrades for this model year, it still only has one powertrain. Nissan puts a great engine into the Frontier with the 3.8-liter V6, but both fuel economy and towing capability trail behind the 2022 Canyon offerings. The Frontier’s V6 only gets 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway with rear-wheel drive. Towing capability only reaches a max of 6,720 lbs, almost a full thousand pounds less than what the Canyon offers, and only the Canyon offers a diesel option.
Another side of capability outside of towing is the off-road prowess each of these midsize trucks can offer. Both the 2022 Canyon and 2022 Frontier come standard with rear-wheel drive, and both offer the ability to upgrade to four-wheel drive in every trim. Each truck also has an off-road trim with specific equipment dedicated to off-roading, with features like standard four-wheel drive, an electronic locking rear differential, skid plates, and off-road shocks and suspension. Hill descent control comes standard with four-wheel drive on both trucks, as does a two-speed transfer case.
Where the two trucks differ most boils down to ride quality, with the AT4 trim in the Canyon having a better foundation and suspension than the PRO-4X of the Frontier, again, despite the Frontier’s 2022 upgrades. The type of driving you face on back-country trails is better with the well-sorted suspension in the 2022 Canyon, and that goes for driving on the pavement as well. In addition, the 2022 Canyon AT4 trim comes standard with towing equipment and hitch guidance, while the PRO-4X has a 360-degree camera system. Depending on which you prefer, both are equally useful.
A lot of midsize truck buyers use their vehicle for daily driving, and it often means your truck needs to serve as a family vehicle. Whether you only drive the kids to school on occasion or you take long trips with family, the interior needs to accommodate passengers comfortably, starting with legroom. If you have tall kids or you plan to go off-road with friends, you will want to choose the larger cabs on both the 2022 Canyon and 2022 Frontier. With that said, the Canyon definitely has more space inside, with a very roomy 45 inches of legroom in the front and 35.8 inches in the back. The Frontier only has 42.3 inches in its front seat and 33.2 inches in back at its largest. Even in the smaller cab, the Canyon has more legroom at 28.6 inches compared to the Frontier’s tiny 26.2 inches.
Roominess isn’t the only thing that matters, however, when you consider the quality of the ride, the materials, and the comfort of the cabin. GMC is a premium brand, and the hushed interior of the Canyon speaks for itself. While both the Canyon and Frontier offer packages to add leather seats, lumbar control, and heated front seats and steering wheel to the second trim level, only the Canyon offers the luxury of the Denali trim. Even with the “zero gravity” bucket seats in the Frontier, the bolstered comfort of the seats in the Canyon continues even for the rear-seat passengers who also gain heated seats in upper trims, a feature not available on the Frontier.
Even with its upgraded soft-touch surfaces and leather-trimmed steering wheel, the Frontier just can’t compare to the quality of the Denali at any level. The Bose audio system, open-pore wood trim, and auto-dimming rearview mirror are just a few of the features you find in the Denali that you won’t get with the Frontier. Interior cargo storage is another part of daily driving that makes a big difference in comfort, and both the 2022 Canyon and 2022 Frontier have rear under-seat storage that comes in very handy for tucking away small items out of sight. Both trucks also offer a rear-seat folding armrest with extra cup holders and space in the center console for small items.
Keeping your kids safe is another aspect of the offerings from both manufacturers, and GMC makes Teen Driver standard for all trims so you can set limitations on speed and stereo volume, among other settings. Nissan gives a rear door alert to the Frontier so your kids can’t open the door into oncoming traffic. In either case, safety features are welcome, but if you want the most comfort and a premium feel in any trim, you want the 2022 Canyon with more space, a better ride quality, and a quieter cabin.
Are you ready to buy a new 2022 GMC Canyon? Come to Rick Hendrick Buick GMC of Duluth to discover a team focused on the community and the service to our customers. That’s part of what makes our dealership special. We are proud to be part of the family of the Hendrick Automotive Group that has become one of the largest automotive organizations in the US. Our location in the local community motivates us to serve every person in the same welcoming way we greet our friends and family, and we invite you to experience the friendly service we provide while we share our knowledge to make buying your new truck easy and enjoyable.
Here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC of Duluth, our sales team can walk you through the details of all the configurations, trims, and packages available for the 2022 Canyon so you get the exact truck you need. Once you build the perfect truck, our experienced financing team takes over to provide you with competitive rates for budgeting your auto loan. Then our service techs will keep your Canyon in top condition with routine maintenance and servicing when you need it. Come to Rick Hendrick Buick GMC of Duluth today for your 2022 GMC Canyon and drive away in the truck of your dreams!
*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.