2026 Chevy Colorado vs 2026 GMC Canyon
Although full-size trucks are great for a lot of situations, there are plenty of times when you do not need all of that power and the capabilities that such large trucks deliver. That is when a midsize pickup is the perfect choice, providing you with an impressive truck designed to help you do some work while also fitting more easily into a wide range of situations. GM makes a couple of remarkable midsize trucks: the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon both have a lot in common and share most of the same engineering. When looking at the 2026 Chevy Colorado vs 2026 GMC Canyon, however, there are some notable differences that make the Colorado a better choice for plenty of drivers.
The clear distinction between these two trucks that you will immediately see is that the Colorado has a much lower starting price. In large part, this is due to Chevy giving you more options: the Colorado has five different trim levels, while the GMC Canyon has just four. This extra trim makes a big difference since the starting WT model for the Colorado is where we find the most budget-friendly option. This is perfect for getting a sophisticated work truck that feels great on the road while keeping your costs down, something we can all appreciate. Beyond that, however, there are a number of other differences that make the Colorado a great midsize pickup.
GMC models are well known for their luxury features and refined details, which is certainly the case with the Canyon. That being said, you still get plenty of remarkable features and impressive technology when looking at the Chevy Colorado, and much of it is comparable to what GMC provides at a higher price. For example, both the Colorado and the Canyon have a standard 11.3-inch infotainment system up front along with an 11-inch color Driver Information Center, yet you can get those impressive displays at a lower price with the Colorado. Similarly, both of these trucks have the same TurboMax engine that is incredibly impressive, but you save money while enjoying its bold performance when you go with the Chevy Colorado.
| 2026 Chevy Colorado | VS | 2026 GMC Canyon |
| $32,400 [a] | MSRP: | $38,900 |
| 1,684 lbs | Payload | 1,640 lbs |
| 19/24 | MPG city/hwy | 17/22 |
| 10.73 in | Ground clearance | 10.5 in |
Performance and Capabilities
One of the most important things to keep in mind when looking at these two trucks and trying to decide which one is right for you is that they have a tremendous amount in common that you can get for less money when going with the Chevy Colorado. There are differences, to be sure, but we would argue that they have far more similarities. This is a point in favor for the Colorado, however, since you can get so many of the same great features while keeping more money in the bank or minimizing your expenses.
For example, both of these trucks have the same remarkable engine: a 2.7L TurboMax engine that delivers an impressive 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission on both pickups, giving you a smooth and responsive drive that handles well and keeps you in control. Similarly, both of these trucks have two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) available, although the Canyon only has one trim with 2WD on offer compared to two Colorado models that let you choose 2WD if you prefer it. In other words, you can get the same impressive performance with the Chevy truck while saving thousands of dollars when looking at their starting models.
When properly equipped, both of these trucks can handle 7,700 lbs of maximum towing capacity, letting you tackle just about any task and get some work done with your pickup. The Chevy Colorado has slightly better payload capacity, however, with 1,684 lbs of maximum payload compared to the 1,640 lbs of payload that the GMC Canyon tops out at. This is not a huge difference, but it can still matter if you really like to load up your truck before you hit the road. That you get such comparable capabilities for pulling a boat behind your pickup or taking care of anything else you need to do while spending less on the Colorado makes it pretty easy to see why so many people choose Chevy's truck.
Off-Road Capabilities
Although there are plenty of good reasons to choose a midsize truck rather than a larger model, we find these are particularly fine picks when you want to head off-road. Their smaller, lighter design can make them easier to maneuver on difficult terrain and handle whatever the trail throws at you, while still giving you great engineering and robust capabilities. GM knows this, too, which is why they offer multiple off-road trims for both the Chevy Colorado and the GMC Canyon. And yet, we find the options available with the Colorado to be better overall, and they present you with a more notable value when it comes to a great off-road truck.
The 2026 Chevy Colorado Trail Boss is your first great option for an off-road version of the Colorado, which comes with an off-road suspension featuring a two-inch factory lift and an ultra-wide stance for superior traction and handling on the trail. For reasons we cannot quite explain, this off-road suspension is standard for the 2026 GMC Canyon, which is a big part of the added cost of the Canyon. While we love this feature for off-road models like the Trail Boss, it is honestly unnecessary for something that you just want to drive around town each day. This also means that the Canyon's first off-road model, the AT4, offers less value for hitting the trail since the starting model has the same off-road suspension.
And if you are looking for boosted performance and capabilities out on the trail, along with more refined features, then Chevy has you covered there, too, with the high-end ZR2 trim. This model features a ZR2 Off-Road package, which includes a three-inch factory lift, high-performance suspension, and DSSV Multimatic suspension dampers. Similarly, the AT4X trim for the GMC Canyon has this enhanced off-road suspension along with plenty of sophisticated features. Looking at the starting prices for the Colorado ZR2 and Canyon AT4X, you can save a lot of money by going with Chevy's truck and get the same incredible off-road performance, which once again highlights why the Colorado is so popular.
Tech and Comfort Features
When looking at the brands that GM offers, Chevy is often seen as the entry-level, with GMC just above that and Cadillac at the top. The prices of their models certainly reflect this perspective, and yet we find Chevy models these days are just as impressive as their GMC siblings. You can get all kinds of impressive technology, convenience, and comfort features on the Chevy Colorado, ensuring you have a truck that you look forward to driving each day. And yet, you get all of this while going easier on your budget than someone who is lured in by GMC's reputation for sophisticated features.
For example, looking at the Chevy Colorado WT, which is its starting trim, you will find some surprising features inside it. There is a large 11.3-inch infotainment display with Google built-in up front, which has support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This big screen is paired with an 11-inch color Driver Information Center display, along with a six-speaker sound system, plus you get Remote Keyless Entry, Cruise Control, and single-zone climate control all standard on this model. Looking at the more-expensive GMC Canyon Elevation (its starting trim), we find the exact same displays, six-speaker sound system, and single-zone climate control. Both models even have the same Jet Black cloth seating.
When you look at higher trims, you find a lot of the same upgrades available with both of these trucks, maintaining our stance that the Colorado gives you great features while keeping more money in your pocket. The GMC Canyon Denali trim, for example, comes with an eight-way power driver's seat, perforated leather-appointed seating, and a Bose Premium sound system. Admittedly, the Colorado Z71 lacks some of those features, but it has a much lower price, and options like the Bose sound system, leather-appointed seating, and Adaptive Cruise Control are all available at a price that still saves you money. This value is simply too good to ignore.
Get More for Your Money With the Chevy Colorado
At the end of the day, we would never say the GMC Canyon is a bad truck; after all, it has so much in common with the Chevy Colorado that they are practically siblings. But if you want to enjoy all of these excellent features while also saving some money, the value of Chevy's trucks cannot be overstated. This is a big part of why so many people choose the Colorado and the rest of Chevy's lineup each year, and it is a big part of why we love getting to offer these incredible vehicles to our customers.
If you are looking for a powerful and reliable midsize truck, then we are ready to show you the Chevy Colorado and everything it has to offer. The Chevy lineup has something for pretty much everyone these days, so even if you are still trying to decide between midsize and full-size pickups, we will make sure you find what you need. We will answer all of your questions and help you find the perfect pickup with everything you have been looking for. Call or come visit us at North Park Chevrolet today and discover what the Colorado can do for you.