2024 Chevy Colorado vs GMC Canyon: Trim Levels, Towing, Tech, and More

The 2024 GMC Canyon and 2024 Chevrolet Colorado are both tough-looking trucks that appeal to motorists who believe that bigger is better. They’re both on the larger end of the midsize truck segment and made by sister brands owned by General Motors, so there are a lot of similarities between them. But which one offers more bang for your buck? We compare these highly anticipated vehicles to help you decide which one is the better option for you.

New Chevy Colorado For Sale

Trim Levels

GMC offers the Canyon with five trim levels: the Elevation, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and AT4X AEV. Chevrolet gives motorists a little more choice, offering its Colorado in WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison variants. More choices mean there’s more opportunity to find a Colorado that suits your needs at your preferred price point.

Towing Capacity

Both the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado are capable towers. The GMC Canyon’s maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds is equaled by the Chevrolet Colorado Z71 and Trail Boss. That’s more than enough strength for hauling a camper on your summer vacation or a boat with your family or friends out to Carpenter Park or the Shoal River. If you can get by with a little less pulling power, consider the Chevrolet Colorado WT or LT trims, which have a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, or the Colorado ZR2, which can tow 6,000 pounds.

Tech Features

These trucks have comparable technology, including similar-sized touch screens (at 11.4 inches, the Colorado’s is 0.1 inch larger) and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams come standard in both vehicles, while features such as cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera are optional extras on lower trim levels.

Engine and Performance

The 2024 Canyon and Colorado both have the same 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines, but the tuning varies. All trim levels of the Canyon generate 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The engine in the Colorado WT and LT isn’t as feisty, but its standard 237 horsepower is capable enough for most motorists. You can upgrade to a 310 horsepower Turbo Plus variant, however, or get it standard on the Colorado’s Trail Boss or Z71 trims. The same high-output version seen on the Canyon is standard with the Colorado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison.

Fuel Efficiency

Although GMC hasn’t released fuel-efficiency stats at this stage, MotorTrend expects them to correspond to 2024 figures, as the Canyon is largely unchanged. The extra power GMC delivers across the Canyon trim levels will likely compromise fuel efficiency. In 2023, the standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) truck got 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. The mud tires and four-wheel-drive (4WD) system in the AT4 or AT4X saw those numbers drop to 17 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

The 2024 Colorado does better, achieving 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with RWD. While numbers fall to 19/23 mpg with 4WD, these figures still best the 4WD-equipped Canyon. If you want to avoid pain at the pump or you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, the Colorado will be the best option.

Cab and Tailgate Box Sizes

The Canyon and Colorado are both four-door crew cabs with tailgate boxes of just over 5 feet. The cabs are virtually identical, with a generous 45.2 inches of legroom in the front and 34.7 inches in the back.

Features for Local Beach Driving

If you want one of these trucks, you’re probably already planning your next off-roading adventure to the beaches of Florida or Southern Alabama. Before you get too excited, think about which one of these vehicles can handle that loose terrain. Both vehicles have trims made for off-roading: the AT4X and AT4X AEV for the Canyon and the Trail Boss, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison for the Colorado. The Canyon’s AT4X AEV is the best option for beach driving because it has 35-inch all-terrain tires, which will handle the soft, loose surface better than the AT4X’s 33-inch mud-terrain tires.

Chevrolet uses Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud-Terrain tires on both its ZR2 and ZR2 Bison trims. The ZR2 gets 33-inch tires while the ZR2 Bison gets the larger 35-inchers. While all-terrain tires are usually a better option for driving on sand, Chevrolet solves that problem with its new launch control function. This adaptive system, accessible when you drive the ZR2 or ZR2 Bison in Baja mode, helps you get moving on loose terrains such as gravel or sand. That feature gives the Chevrolet the edge here, especially when you consider it’s available on both off-roading packages.

Opting for the Chevrolet Colorado’s Trail Boss trim is another alternative. While it’s not quite as flashy as the ZR2 or ZR2 Bison, it has all-terrain tires, rather than the mud-terrain ones, and high-quality trail recovery tow hooks. The lifted suspension also comes in handy when you’re off-roading on any kind of terrain.

Predicted Pricing

Neither GMC nor Chevrolet has announced prices for their 2024 midsize trucks, but the prices of the 2023 vehicles provide some indication of what we might expect to pay when the new models hit dealerships. The 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation, which is the base trim, has an MSRP of $36,900. The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is much more affordable, with a starting MSRP of $29,200. Even if prices do rise, as experts expect, the Colorado is still likely to be much cheaper than the Canyon at comparable trim levels.

Take the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado for a Test Drive

For a feature-packed new truck that’s great value for money and ideal for driving around Florida and southern Alabama, the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado is the natural choice. But don’t just take our word for it. Visit our Crestview, Florida, dealership to take the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado or any new Chevrolet for sale for a test drive when these highly anticipated trucks arrive later this year. We even have an extensive selection of used trucks for sale! Our friendly team at Allen Turner Chevrolet will happily answer any questions you have and help you organize financing or a trade-in for your existing vehicle. Give us a call!