The 2021 GMC Canyon brings a few light updates to the midsize pickup nameplate, ushering in the seventh model year of the latest second-generation vehicle. Although not technically a full mid-cycle update, the ’21 Canyon is about as close as it comes, with a variety of changes and updates over the preceding 2020 model year. Among the changes is a shakeup in the list of available and standard safety technology features, as highlighted in the following GM Authority Comparison.
The 2021 GMC Canyon isn’t the only 2021-model-year GMC to arrive with revisions to the safety tech features list. As GM Authority covered previously, the 2021 GMC Acadia, 2021 GMC Terrain, and 2021 GMC Yukon also arrive with several changes to the safety features list. However, these three models each come with the new GMC Pro Safety and GMC Pro Safety Plus packages, whereas the 2021 GMC Canyon does not. That said, the Canyon, as well as the rest of the GMC lineup, looks to get the new packages sometime in the future as the automaker revamps its safety tech offerings.
With that, let’s compare the 2021 GMC Canyon to the 2020 GM Canyon with regard to the advanced safety features and availability.
| SL | Canyon | SLE | All Terrain | SLT | Denali | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Automatic Parking Assist | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Following Distance Indicator | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Forward Collision Alert1 | - | - | A | - | A | S |
| Front Park Assist | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Front Pedestrian Braking | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| HD Rear Vision Camera | - | - | S | S | S | S |
| HD Surround Vision | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Intelllibeam Auto High Beams | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lane Change Alert | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lane Departure Warning1 | - | - | A | - | A | S |
| Lane Keep Assist | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Camera Mirror | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Park Assist1 | - | - | A | - | A | S |
| Rear Pedestrian Alert | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Seat Reminder | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Vision Camera | S | S | - | - | - | - |
| Safety Alert Seat | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Side Blind Zone Alert | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Teen Driver | S | S | S | S | S | S |
- Included With Driver Alert Package
| Elevation Standard | Elevation | AT4 | Denali | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control | - | - | - | - |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | - | - | - | - |
| Automatic Parking Assist | - | - | - | - |
| Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking | - | - | - | - |
| Following Distance Indicator | - | - | - | - |
| Forward Collision Alert1 | - | A | A | S |
| Front Park Assist | - | - | - | - |
| Front Pedestrian Braking | - | - | - | - |
| HD Rear Vision Camera | - | A2 | A2 | S |
| HD Surround Vision | - | - | - | - |
| Intelllibeam Auto High Beams | - | - | - | - |
| Lane Change Alert | - | - | - | - |
| Lane Departure Warning1 | - | A | A | S |
| Lane Keep Assist | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Camera Mirror | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Park Assist1 | A3 | A | A | S |
| Rear Pedestrian Alert | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Seat Reminder | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Vision Camera | S | S | S | - |
| Safety Alert Seat | - | - | - | - |
| Side Blind Zone Alert | - | - | - | - |
| Teen Driver | S | S | S | S |
- Included With Driver Alert Package
- Included With Navigation System
- Requires Convenience Package
As we can see, the GMC Canyon offers fewer safety technology features than the brand’s various crossovers and SUVs. That said, the 2021 GMC Canyon offers greater availability for the Rear Park Assist feature compared to the 2020 model year, while the Rear Vision Camera is standard on more trims compared to the 2020 model year. What’s more, the 2021 Canyon offers the HD Rear Vision Camera feature as an available option on most trims, while the feature was standard on most trims for the 2020 model year.
How important are safety technology features on a midsize pickup like the GMC Canyon? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Canyon news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
This safety tech is several years old. No blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert, smart city braking…
Its disappointing how they have let the Colorado/Canyon wither without meaningful upgrades.
I have had these already and leave a few of them off as they are more annoying than helpful.
The forward collision and lane alert is a waste.
Agreed, those are a waste, and those are part of the available “features”. Other newer features are more useful than this older safety tech.
I have the others in my other GMC and they generally are ignored or turned off.
I don’t play with cell phones and I pay attention driving so they are not of much need.
I do like the 360 camera but it need a switch to where you can turn it on off roading.
I think that the Crayon is an after thought. My wife’s 2018 Traverse LT1 has more then my 2020 Crayon Denali. Things like the cross-traffic, LED headlights, blinkers in the mirrors, blind-spot monitor, garage door opener, center console organizer, push-button start, & auto stop/start. There are several things I like but I am amazed at what isn’t on the top trim line. Yes, heated seats & steering wheel are nice but why isn’t push-button keys or LED headlights standard…
Makes you wonder what all they left out?
Full boxed frame, RWD or FWD, larger wheels and tires, locker rear and in som. D cases electronic lockers. higher towing limits etc.
It take much better parts to build a solid truck vs just a large fwd mini van.
Note the truck is getting much of the things you list in the coming model. No reason to invest in the present one with a new one just around the corner.
The standard safety gear on most GM products is absolutely pathetic. They are losing sales to competitors for this.
Somehow the Canyon and Colorado are even worse. You can’t even get some of what comes standard on competitors.
Not only is the safety gear pathetic so is the way they took the knife to this revised Canyon for 2021. The volume Elevation is only offered in a total of 4 exterior colors, one interior color (black of course) and one ugly black rim. If you want normal rims, a different interior color choice or one extra exterior color you now have to move up to a 45K plus Denali in the most common 4X4 configuration. That takes this vehicle right off my list automatically!
I could really use the side blind zone alert mirrors on my 2021 GMC Canyon AT4. I am a veteran and legally blind in my left eye from an injury I suffered in the military. This makes it difficult to see things on the left side. I would have purchased the larger GMC truck, but it will not fit in my garage. I thought these alert mirrors were standard, but they are not. Can I get them added to my truck?
Thanks,
Tim