Which GMC SUV Is Best for You?
Deciding on the right model is never an easy task. You need to take a number of different factors into consideration, including price, fuel economy, features, and functions. A driver looking for a commuter vehicle has different needs than someone looking to buy a family car. Sure, both want to get the best gas mileage, but beyond that, their interests diverge. This is why GMC makes four different SUVs—each built to serve different functions, depending on size and design.
If you search for a “GMC dealer near me,” you’ll find the Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, and Yukon XL for sale—but before you decide on the one to help you make your daily commute to Atlanta, you’ll want to know a few things about each one. This info will help you be confident about the GMC SUV that is right for you.
At Jim Ellis Buick GMC of Atlanta, we carry GMC’s full lineup, including these four SUVs. Our staff has the knowledge and experience to walk you through each model, helping you make this important decision. We are a family-owned and -operated dealership, and we are ready to make you part of our family as well.
The GMC Terrain
The smallest model in the GMC SUV lineup, the Terrain, has been called a compact crossover—but does a name really matter? This model delivers solid fuel economy with plenty of comfort and convenience features in a vehicle that is safe and easy to drive. With a base MSRP of just under $29k, the Terrain is also the most affordable of GMC’s four SUVs.
The 2024 Terrain features a standard 1.5-liter Turbo I-4 gas engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission; this delivers 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. While the Terrain comes with a standard front-wheel drive, GMC offers all-wheel drive as an option. The AT4 and Denali trims boast standard all-wheel drive, so you get that added traction at no extra charge here. The key difference is that front-wheel drive Terrains get 26 MPG combined for their fuel economy, while those with all-wheel drive average 25 MPG combined.
Despite its relatively small size, this is a very roomy vehicle. You get 40 inches of headroom in the front row and 40.9 inches of legroom. In addition, the rear liftgate opens to a trunk with 29.6 cu.ft. of space, so if you need to bring anything along for your commute, you will have more than enough room to store it on the way. All trims except the base SLE have a power-programmable liftgate with hands-free operation.
Each Terrain comes with the GMC infotainment system that integrates key vehicle data with entertainment features and smartphone connectivity. The SLE has a 7.0-inch touchscreen, while the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims have a larger 8.0-inch screen. The Denali also has a built-in navigation system, making it easier to find your destination. All models are Wi-Fi hotspot capable and feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SLT, AT4, and Denali trims also come with a heated steering wheel that will come in handy on cold mornings.
The GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia has been redesigned for the 2024 model year, giving it a more rugged look similar to that of the larger GMC Yukon. This three-row, midsize SUV has a standard engine across all trim levels: a 2.5-liter Turbo I-4 gas engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Like the smaller Terrain, the engine on the Acadia exploits its turbocharger to deliver 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
The Acadia’s Elevation and Elevation Premium trims come with front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive, while the AT4 and Denali have standard all-wheel drivetrains. Those with front-wheel drive provide better fuel economy. The previous generation with the I-4 gas engine provided 25 MPG combined for fuel economy, so the 2024 Acadia is expected to be somewhere close to that number.
With the new generation of this model comes an improved interior. The 2024 Acadia features an impressive fifteen active safety and driver assistance technologies that come standard on all trims—a signal that GMC is about to expand the number of standard assistance technologies on its models from the current six. This will make driving a GMC SUV safer than ever.
The interior of the 2024 Acadia has a massive 15.0-inch touchscreen for the Premium GMC Infotainment System—the largest standard screen on any current GMC model. This will make accessing your favorite features easier than ever. In addition, all Acadia trims except the Elevation come with a standard twelve-speaker Bose Premium Audio System specially designed for this model. Finally, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel come standard on all 2024 Acadias, which will make operating in cold weather more comfortable for you.
The GMC Yukon
The Yukon is GMC’s three-row full-size SUV. This model delivers size, comfort, and capability in a hefty unit, and it gives you an impressive 25.5 cu.ft. of trunk space, with the ability to expand to 122.9 cu.ft. by simply folding down the two rows behind the driver. This is why the Yukon makes sense for a driver who needs a vehicle with maximum passenger space that can be easily configured for carrying heaps of cargo.
GMC offers the 2024 Yukon with three different engines, each of which has been paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The SLE, SLT, and AT4 trims come with a 5.3-liter V8 gas engine that can produce up to 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque; this should give you about 17 MPG combined regardless of whether you choose rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.
The Denali and Denali Ultimate trims come with a 6.2-liter V8 that is also available as an option on the Yukon AT4; this provides a very impressive 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. However, the fuel economy on the Yukon with this engine drops slightly to 16 MPG combined. The best fuel economy for the 2024 Yukon comes from the 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6, which is available on all Yukon trims except for the AT4; it has an output of 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and can give you up to 23 MPG combined with rear-wheel drive.
The interior of the 2024 Yukon is spacious and luxurious. It has a standard GMC Premium Infotainment System with a 10.2-inch touchscreen across all trim levels; it boasts Google built-in, allowing you to access all of your favorite Google features while on the road.
All trims except the SLE feature leather seats, with heated and ventilated seats for the driver and front passenger. You also get a Bose Premium Audio System standard on all Yukon trims except the entry-level SLE; this means you don’t have to spring for a Denali or Denali Ultimate to get many of the comfort and convenience features you desire.
The GMC Yukon XL
The GMC Yukon XL is basically what happens if you take all your favorite Yukon features and make them bigger. The Yukon XL is longer than the original model, giving you expanded cargo and passenger space. For example, the Yukon XL provides 41.5 cu.ft. in its trunk, with an incredible 144.7 cu.ft. of cargo space behind its front row of seats. The tradeoff is that a 2024 Yukon XL will not get the same fuel economy as a classic Yukon with the same engine, drivetrain, and trim level.
Simply keep in mind that the Yukon XL is just a larger version of the Yukon, and all features are otherwise the same, including the engine options and trims. So, if you are looking at a 2024 Yukon SLT, you will get the same features if you decide to super-size it with a 2024 Yukon XL SLT.
Make Your Next SUV a GMC From Jim Ellis!
GMC gives you the options you need when deciding on an SUV. Each of its four models has something special to offer—and with distinct trim levels, you can choose the features you want while still getting generous standard equipment across all GMC SUVs. Come by our dealership today, and let us help you drive out with your next GMC!