Chevrolet and GMC can be partially credited with bringing life back to the midsize truck segment. With the launch of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, consumers found new reasons to fall in love with a truck again.
But, the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier never left. They stuck around while Detroit abandoned the segment. Naturally, it was time for a comparison test. Off-Road gathered the Tacoma, Frontier and Canyon for a midsize truck shootout to see which would come out on top.
The 2016 GMC Canyon represented here was equipped with the new 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine, good for 181 hp and a whopping 369 lb-ft of torque. The two competitors arrived with gasoline powered V6 engines. Judges loved the refinement found in the Duramax diesel over the Toyota’s new V6, but the Nissan found love for its truck-like, brash characteristics in its old 4.0-liter V6, too.
When it came to towing and suspension, the GMC also surpassed with its diesel engine. A tad like comparing apples to oranges, we’d say. But, the GMC is no winner here. Nope, because of its price. The Toyota was seen as a greater value proposition here. Fair enough, but there’s a Chevrolet Colorado to do the same work at the Tacoma’s price point.
Comments
The GMC is also the least reliable by far. Hard for some around here to imagine but you can really go 200k miles in the Toyota without five recall letters, without annoying sounds, and without seeing that check engine light.
You can’t go 300k as the frame rust in half on the Toyota.
Actually, once the imports fall in line with the big 3 for the new recall versus technical service bulletin changes, you will see the imports having constant recalls as well. The big 3 have basically all but abandoned the “technical service bulletin” for a full out recall notice, even on the smallest of issues. Whereas imports still use TSB’s so you never know there’s an issue; they just fix it whenever you come in for an oil change or other service. The only recalls most imports do is when it is a safety recall forced by the regulations.
The Taco has only been out for a very short time and it already has a seat bolt recall. There are likely other TSB’s coming as there have been some constant issues popping up. Vibrations through the floor have been a common issue. There are numerous complaints about a delay shifting into drive in cold climates too. There is also a supposed software upgrade coming for an issue of upshifting too early leaving the truck lugging.
So learn how to drive a stick people!
Could you please prove your reliability claim. As always you’re spouting off when you have no idea what you’re talking about. There has been no reliability issues thus far with the Colorado/Canyon and they are still too new to know of any long term issues. From everything I’ve read and learned about the 2.8 Duramax is that it is a fairly solid engine. Once again magirus you prove only that you are lame and a complete joke.
And recalls have nothing to do with reliability for the most part. It is usually a proactive quick fix the automakers utilize to show goodwill to their customers no matter who the manufacturer is. All manufacturers have had their fair share of them.
Your comments appear to be based on the reliability of the 10 year-old previous generation Tacoma. Yep, Toyota should have their truck perfected within that time. Any manufacturer would. The new Tacoma? It has a bunch of issues as well, as previously stated in these comments. Please try to compare apples to apples.
My 2010 Toyota Tacoma has 97,000 miles and has had twelve recalls done. It has also been the worst mid size truck I have had. (I had a canyon previously). I will never buy Toyota again.
Everything toyota make is STUPID UGLY & GARBAGE
Where’s the article link Sean?
This has got to be the 50th time I’ve had to say this here. Zero reference to original content/source! Should be ashamed to piggyback off the hard work of others and not source it.
this review is like saying apples are cheaper than oranges so you should buy apples. It’s a pretty worthless review
Toyota must of give them lots of money to get the Tacoma the first place lol
What’s the hype or beef dealers can’t even get the baby diesel? Though Ram is rolling with with their 3.0 and GM sits on its thumb. Both of these engines were developed at VM Motari yet GM’s old slow motion red tape gets left in the dust! If you can’t build the 2.8 buy Rams 3.0 and put it in the canyon
I love Toyota’s, every model, but presently drive a 2015 Tacoma 4X4. Under no circumstances would I consider buying any UAW made vehicle, since I loathe the Democratic Party. Buying UAW products is a vote for DimoRats!
I feel the same way about unions and the democrat party, but you cannot punish the American worker who is forced to pay union dues in order to have their job. Most union bosses are the democrat supporters since the dues pay for them to live high on the hog. If you go to many of the average line workers, they are usually pretty evenly split about political affiliation if they have an affiliation at all. Just remember buying non UAW products is a choice to give money to a foreign entity making it more expensive for the US auto makers to produce here and compete. I know the foreign makers don’t have unions for the most part and employ thousands of Americans, but once they are paid all the money goes somewhere else out of the American economy. Having driven all the small trucks in this article, I can easily say the Colorado/Canyon is far more refined in every way than the others. Smoother and quieter on the road, more cabin space, better interior quality. The Wentzville folks are doing a fantastic job.
Funny you people hate union bosses (who work to improve wages and working conditions for American Labor), but love Corporate CEO’s who make their millions by screwing us..
Chevy and GMC rig their builds so that the diesel can’t be purchased for under $40,000. Too expensive.
Pour moi qui n’est jamais eu de Pickup, je ne vois d’abord que le look de la voiture et la motorisation avant, et je peux dire d’après les réflexions de certains que le GMC et le F150 ont une certaine attirance à mes yeux.