Gmc Envoy 2002 on 2040-cars

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2017 GMC Model Year Preview and Updates

GM's 'professional grade' truck and SUV specialist continues to deliver its utility-with-luxury vibe, optimized in the all-new Acadia, relatively new Canyon and continual updates to its Sierra pickups and Yukon SUVs. GMC ACADIA: An all-new Acadia - pictured above - is aimed at the heart of the midsize segment. In an unusual step, the GMC product team downsized the Acadia, dropping 700 pounds from the earlier platform in the process. The new crossover is available in four trims – SL, SLE, SLT and Denali – and an offroad-oriented All Terrain package is available on both SLE and SLT when equipped with all-wheel drive. For young families, GMC introduces the industry-first Rear Seat Reminder, a prompt which will remind the driver to check the rear seat area before leaving and locking the vehicle. CANYON: The midsize pickup introduces two new variants for 2017. The upmarket Denali adds swag – unique chrome grille, 20-inch aluminum wheels and various interior upgrades – to its swagger, while the All Terrain X provides the adventure traveler with all-terrain tires, off-road suspension, Hill Descent Control and all-weather floor liners. SIERRA: The Sierra's maximum trailer tow rating of 12,500 pounds is the best in the full-size, crew cab segment. New features include Teen Driver, active aero shutters on all models and available tri-mode power steps. Also, GMC adds two new colors to the palette: Dark Slate Metallic and Pepperdust Metallic. SIERRA HD: The big news is the addition of the All Terrain X to GMC's heavy duty lineup. With an offroad-specific footprint provided by its 18-inch aluminum wheels and Goodyear Duratrac tires, ground clearance is enhanced by the Z71 off-road suspension, and an Eaton automatic locking differential keeps you rolling. TERRAIN: While the 2018 Terrain awaits its showroom debut, the 2017 Terrain's new Nightfall edition darkens the Terrain vibe. The one new color for 2017 fails to hit a brighter note; it's Graphite Gray Metallic. YUKON/YUKON XL: Perhaps the ultimate Uber capsule, the big/bigger SUV enters 2017 with a host of refinements, including GM's Teen Driver feature, upgrades to rear seat entertainment, available low speed forward automatic braking, active aero shutters for improved efficiency and one new color: Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic. If you're looking to maximize your visual presence, consider the SLT Premium Edition, which ups the chrome content well beyond the commercial minimums.

2015 GMC Yukon Denali

Automotive enthusiasts often wonder aloud - ourselves included - why General Motors would choose to keep GMC while sending Pontiac (and Saturn, and even Oldsmobile before it) into the great automotive graveyard in the sky. The answer, as is so often the case, is profit. It's much easier for GM to rake in money hand over fist by rejiggering the trucks, crossovers and SUVs that it would already be developing for Chevrolet and making them a bit more luxurious and *ahem* "Professional Grade" with new grilles, badges and unique packaging for GMC.
While it may sound like we're being cynical, we totally approve of GM's fullsize SUV strategy. The least-expensive way to get into the fold is with the Chevrolet Tahoe, which starts at $45,595 with a 5.3-liter V8 engine and a cloth interior. Bumping that same Chevy to LTZ trim and its $59,995 sticker price lands a much nicer leather-clad interior and more techno-bells and whistles than you can shake a stick at. But it still looks like a Tahoe, and it still comes with the smaller 5.3-liter engine. Or, you could do what we'd do: Walk into your GMC dealer and take a look at the Yukon Denali. Here's why.
Driving Notes

Driving the Kia K5 and Mini Cooper JCW GP, plus an interview with Jimmy Chin | Autoblog Podcast #637

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and News Editor Joel Stocksdale. They veer off right away into talking about their dream project garages. Next up is news, including some info on the next Nissan Z car, the Honda Fit being discontinued in the U.S., new Mercedes-Benz EQS details, and some talk about the new, electric GMC Hummer being adapted for the military. Then they talk about driving the new Kia K5 sedan and the Mini Cooper JCW GP, before they opine about the 1966 Pontiac GTO. Autoblog Senior Producer Chris McGraw interviews Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin about his collaboration with Ford for the Bronco reveal, and more. Finally, our editors help a listener in the U.K. pick a used vehicle in the "Spend My Money" segment. Autoblog Podcast #637 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Some thoughts on project cars News Nissan suggests the next-generation Z won't be electrified at launch Fit Is Gone! Honda drops subcompact hatch in U.S. Mercedes-Benz announces the electric EQS will offer over 435 miles of range GMC's electric Hummer could someday serve alongside the Humvee in the U.S. Army Driving the 2021 Kia K5 Driving the 2020 Mini Cooper JCW GP 1966 Pontiac GTO: Love it or hate it? We talk Ford Bronco and other adventures with Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: