If you’re planning to visit a GMC dealer to look at the brand’s SUV lineup, it might be handy to know the basics of what they have to offer. GMC offers a solid lineup of three familiar SUV models, from the compact Terrain to the midsize Acadia and the full-size Yukon. Which GMC SUV is right for you will depend on how much room you need and what you need it to do.
GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is the smallest SUV in the GMC lineup. It offers four trims, with the base SLE trim starting at $28,700 MSRP for the FWD version. You can get AWD in all trims, but the lowest SLE and SLT trims come standard with FWD. The AT4 and Denali trims come standard with AWD. Fuel economy for the Terrain is a reasonable 24 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway.
As a compact SUV, the GMC Terrain offers a competitive 63 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seat folded. It has seating for five passengers. The Terrain is quiet, handles well, and includes a number of standard safety features. If you’re curious about the off-road-oriented AT4 trim, much of the equipment here is aesthetic, such as 17-inch gloss black wheels and a heated steering wheel. But it does come with a skidplate and hill descent control as well.
GMC Acadia
As GMC’s midsize model, the Acadia slots between the smaller Terrain and the larger Yukon at your GMC dealer. Like the Terrain, the GMC Acadia comes in four trims. The base SLE and SLT trims offer standard FWD and optional AWD. The base MSRP is $36,800. The AT4 trim comes only in AWD, but the top Denali trim offers both FWD and AWD. The Acadia is a three-row SUV, and it offers 79 cubic feet of cargo space with both seats folded. Fuel economy on the Acadia is a competitive 29 MPG on the highway and 22 MPG in the city.
The GMC Acadia features an optional V6 powertrain and a list of comprehensive safety features. Unlike the Terrain, the AT4 trim for the Acadia is fairly bulked out for decent trail-riding ability. It features all-terrain tires, a dual-clutch AWD system, exposed cladding, and black chrome trim. It may not be a true off-roader, but it can hold its own on light trails and in bad weather. When properly equipped, you can get up to 4,000 pounds of towing ability from the Acadia.
GMC Yukon
The full-size GMC Yukon is at the top of the heap for GMC SUVs. If you need plenty of space and good towing ability, this is the clear choice compared to the other two. The Yukon also comes in way more trims than either of the smaller SUVs. The base SLE 4WD trim and XL SLE 2WD trim start at $61,200 MSRP. At the very top of the trim lineup for the Yukon is the XL Denali Ultimate 4WD, and it starts at $99,555 MSRP.
The Yukon has seating for eight or nine passengers depending on the layout you choose. The interior space can only be described as apartment-sized. It looks and feels huge. Cargo capacity with all rear rows folded is 123 cubic feet. The Yukon’s fuel economy is what you’d expect for a large SUV at 20 MPG on the highway. When properly equipped, the GMC Yukon can tow up to 7,900 pounds, which should be enough for most reasonably sized boats and trailers.
It’s always a good idea to visit your GMC dealer for a test drive, but the choice between these SUVs is fairly clear, depending on what you need.
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