2012 & 2011 GMC SUV Reviews & Ratings

The SUV line from General Motors Company has always been a popular one, beginning with the iconic Suburban, which was released for the 1937 model year. It was one of the first vehicles to revolutionize itself to become what we now know as the sport utility vehicle (SUV) today. The GMC Jimmy (1969-2005) and the GMC Envoy (1998-2000, 2002-2009) are also very popular non-current GMC models. For the 2012 model year, GMC continues its tradition of SUV excellence with four main models: the GMC Yukon, the GMC Yukon-XL, the GMC Terrain, and the GMC Acadia.

The GMC Yukon is a full-size SUV which has changed to fit its drivers' needs since its introduction in the early 1990s. For example, what was once the two-door 4x4 SUV that held six has now become a vehicle that can hold up to nine passengers with a choice of 2WD or 4WD. It's also become a more on-road focused vehicle, as GMC realized that's where most drivers were spending their time. For the 2012 year, the GMC Yukon has a starting MSRP $39,780 and comes in SLE, SLT, and the famous Denali trim options. There are also a variety of package options that allow the driver maximum customization. It achieves 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, and like all Yukons, it's known for its huge cargo space, body-on-frame construction, and stout towing capacity. The Yukon competes with the Ford Flex and Mazda CX-9. The Yukon XL is based on the standard Yukon (although it was first known as the iconic Suburban!), with a whole lot more room. It has a starting price of $43,250 for this year and comes in several variants and trims.

The GMC Terrain is closely related to the Chevy Equinox and is a midsize crossover that's relatively new to the market. For 2012, it's available in SLE and SLT trim levels (which both come in 1 and 2 variants) and has a starting price of $25,560. The new Terrain SUV gets a standard audio interface featuring a touchscreen that pairs to Internet radios like Pandora. A new forward collision alert and lane departure warning are also new. The Terrain is known for its quiet and well-appoint cabin, smooth ride, excellent safety features, roomy cabin, and great fuel economy (22 city/32 hwy). It competes with such vehicles as the Toyota RAV4, the Ford Edge, and the Honda CR-V.

The GMC Acadia is a full-size crossover SUV that is built in only one body style- one that has been incorporated with the entire current line of GMC trucks. The Acadia boasts one of the roomiest cabins in its class, as it can hold up to eight passengers. It comes in five trims: SL, SLT-1, SLT-2, SLE and the iconic Denali. The Acadia holds a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 288 horsepower and is known for its top safety scores, adult-friendly seating in the third-row, and its smooth ride. The Acadia competes with the Ford Explorer, the Dodge Durango, and the Ford Flex.