The Mid-sized Showdown Continues

PineRidge Ford is on a mission -- we want to know once and for all how the 2019 Ford Ranger stacks up against the competition. To crown the king, we’re pitting this capable pickup against some of the biggest names in truck-dom (including Chevy Colorado and longstanding medium truck champ, Toyota Tacoma.) But today we’ll find out just how well Ford Ranger stands up to GMC Canyon -- and it’s lux Denali features. 

Enough with the chit chat -- it’s time to get serious. We’re going to break down how each pickup fares in the worlds of technology, safety and overall power to deem who reigns supreme in the light-weight category. Read on to see who takes it!

Truck Technology 

When it comes to staying connected, both of these trucks step up to the task pretty well. Ranger and Canyon share a long list of techy amenities including touchscreen infotainment centres, Wi-Fi hotspotting, phone access via Apple CarPlay & Android Auto along with apps you can download to your phone that allow you to control your pickup wherever you are.

One difference worth noting is that Ford offers SYNC 3 Applink, which gives you driving apps built right into the truck, itself. The Ranger sneaks past the Canyon by trumping regular nav with Waze, letting drivers outsmart travel obstacles as they go. Also, Ranger lets you connect 10 devices to the Wi-Fi hotspot at once versus Canyon’s 7, but if we’re being totally honest, we’re not sure when that would really be an issue. Still -- it’s worth noting if you plan on carting your family around Northern Saskatchewan from inside one of these mid-sized machines.

Ford's Co-Pilot 360 system wins again

Safety Features

As trucks transition from solely work wagons to versatile family vehicles, road safety has become a major buy factor -- especially for those of us that live in rural parts of the province! Thankfully, both Ranger and Canyon are taking steps to protect what matters most. (It’s important to note that both of these pickups are available as crew cabs, with Canyon offering slightly more legroom and Ranger winning for shoulder and hip room.)

Both trucks feature driver assistance safety suites, but GMC’s 3 collision-avoidance offerings don’t stand up to Ford’s elaborate Co-Pilot 360 system. Ford doesn’t limit which models can have this suite, either, allowing base Rangers to add Co-Pilot to any purchase. A great extra that Ranger and Canyon each bring to the table is the option to restrict certain functions when someone else is driving the truck -- an ideal feature for parents of new teenage drivers!
 

Total Strength

Even though neither of these pickups are heavy-duty towing machines, it’s still nice to know that you can put your truck to work if you need to. Canyon comes in three engine options -- two gas models and a diesel option at the top end of the price range. Ford uses the same 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine in all Ranger models, using the same 10-speed transmission that F150 drivers have come to love. 

Even base-level Rangers lose out only to the top end diesel Canyon when it comes to strength, with Ford bringing 310 lb-foot of torque and 7,500 lbs of towing capacity to GMC’s 369 lb-foot of torque and 7,600 lbs. Worthy to note is that Ranger’s payload capacity outshines at every model size, ranging from 1,500 - 1,860 lbs compared with Canyon’s 1,459 - 1,605 range.

The Verdict:

While top GMC’s premium Denali trimline is something to envy, Ford brings it at every trimline -- something that we think most drivers will appreciate. Ranger has more tech features, a robust suite of safety systems and better power when compared to Canyon gas models. Ranger also manages to stand side by side the diesel Canyon when it comes to fuel efficiency thanks to its Ecoboost engine. 

The GMC Canyon is a great truck if you’re planning on maxing out your budget, but Ford Ranger allows every buyer to access power, smart features and fuel economy, earning this truck the PineRidge champion belt for this round. Want to drive home in a winner? Talk with our Sales Team to get out on the road in a 2019 Ranger or begin browsing for your next pickup online now!

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