GMC Canyon vs Toyota Tacoma: Specs Compared
Also searched as Toyota Tacoma vs GMC Canyon specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The GMC Canyon is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 25 mpg combined versus 24 mpg for the Toyota Tacoma, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Toyota Tacoma leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
GMC Canyon
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 74 configurations
2015–2026
Toyota Tacoma
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD · 90 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | GMC Canyon | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 25 mpg ✓ | 24 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 22 mpg | 23 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 30 mpg ✓ | 26 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,800 | $2,550 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 396 g/mi | 379 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, 2.8 | SIDI & PFI; 3-mode(Sport/Normal/Eco), w/SS, SIDI & PFI; 2-mode(Power/Normal) TM, w/SS, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; 3-mode (Sport/Normal/Eco) TM |
| Transmissions | Automatic 8-spd, Automatic 6-spd, Manual 6-spd | Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Diesel | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 74 | 90 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
GMC Canyon vs Toyota Tacoma dimensions and size
The Toyota Tacoma is 0 inches longer than the GMC Canyon on a wheelbase 0.4 inches longer, and 388 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | GMC Canyon (2026) | Toyota Tacoma (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 213 in | 213 in | identical |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 74.8 in | 76.8 in | 2 in |
| Height | 79.9 in | 74 in | 5.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 131.5 in | 131.9 in | 0.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4,716 lbs | 5,104 lbs | 388 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
GMC Canyon vs Toyota Tacoma: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Toyota Tacoma burns about $2,550 of fuel annually against $2,800 for the GMC Canyon. That $250 yearly gap compounds to roughly $1,250 over five years and $2,000 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Toyota Tacoma is the stronger commuter at 23 mpg city, while the GMC Canyon pulls ahead on the interstate at 30 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the GMC Canyon is recorded with 2 distinct engine configurations (SIDI, 2.8), the Toyota Tacoma with 4 (SIDI & PFI; 3-mode(Sport/Normal/Eco), w/SS, SIDI & PFI; 2-mode(Power/Normal) TM, w/SS, SIDI & PFI). Across 74 recorded GMC Canyon configurations and 90 for the Toyota Tacoma, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the GMC Canyon is offered with 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, the Toyota Tacoma with Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD and Small Pickup Trucks 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Toyota Tacoma emits 379 g/mile of CO2 versus 396 g/mile for the GMC Canyon. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Canyon vs Tacoma: common questions
Which is better on gas, the GMC Canyon or the Toyota Tacoma?
The GMC Canyon is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 25 mpg combined versus 24 mpg for the Toyota Tacoma, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota Tacoma runs about $2,550 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,800 for the GMC Canyon — a difference of roughly $250 per year.
What engines do the Canyon and Tacoma offer?
GMC Canyon: SIDI, 2.8. Toyota Tacoma: SIDI & PFI; 3-mode(Sport/Normal/Eco), w/SS, SIDI & PFI; 2-mode(Power/Normal) TM, w/SS, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; 3-mode (Sport/Normal/Eco) TM.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the GMC Canyon as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD and the Toyota Tacoma as Small Pickup Trucks 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Canyon comparisons
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