Genesis G80
!
The Genesis G80,
previously known as the
Hyundai Genesis, delivers
just about every feature
and luxury attribute a
buyer could imagine for about
$10,000 less than its competitors.
Offered with a smooth and refined
3.8-liter V6 or a potent V8, the G80
also has responsive handling and
a comfortable ride, though some suspension noise at low speeds hurts that
impression. Our tested all-wheel-drive V6 returned a competitive 20 mpg
overall. The controls are refreshingly straightforward except for the gear
selector. Rear-seat passengers are pampered with amenities, including seat
heaters, and space is plentiful. Standard advanced safety features include
forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and blind spot
warning. A Sport version with a turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 is also available.
OVERALL
SCORE
89
$42,550-$60,000
RELIABILITY
4
SATISFACTION
5
ROAD-TEST SCORE 89 MPG 20
Genesis G90
!
The flagship sedan from
Hyundai's luxury brand,
Genesis, is the G90, which
features a 5.0-liter V8 or a
3.3-liter turbocharged V6,
the better choice of the two. Both
are mated to a smooth eight-speed
automatic and are available with
either rear- or all-wheel drive. The
spacious cabin is decked out in soft
materials and trimmed in wood and chrome, but it comes up short on wow
factor. We like that the controls are user-friendly. The ride is cushy and cosseting,
and the cabin is super-quiet. Handling is responsive though not sporty. As is
typical for this oft-chauffeur-driven class, the backseat is really the place to
be. Those in back even get controls in the rear armrest to manage audio and
climate settings. A complete suite of advanced safety features is standard.
OVERALL
SCORE
82
$72,200-$78,200
RELIABILITY
3
SATISFACTION
5
ROAD-TEST SCORE 89 MPG 18
GMC Acadia
The Acadia is a very
pleasant three-row SUV,
particularly in the Denali
trim. The ride is steady and
composed, and handling
is responsive. The smooth 3.6-liter V6
returned 19 mpg in our tests. A less
powerful but still capable 2.5-liter
four-cylinder is standard. A 230-hp
turbocharged four-cylinder joins the
ranks for 2020. All engines get a nine-speed automatic transmission. This
family-friendly SUV is very quiet, the front seats are comfortable, and the
infotainment system is easy to use. The outboard second-row seats can slide
and tilt forward, even with a child seat in place. The Acadia gets an unintuitive
push-button gear selector for 2020. Forward collision warning and automatic
emergency braking are optional; blind spot warning and rear cross traffic
warning are standard.
OVERALL
SCORE
70
$29,800-$48,300
RELIABILITY
3
SATISFACTION
3
ROAD-TEST SCORE 83 MPG 19
GMC Canyon
GM's small pickups,
the Canyon and its
Chevrolet Colorado twin,
are more maneuverable
than full-sized trucks and
are better equipped than their Nissan
and Toyota competitors. In our tests,
the V6 version got 18 mpg overall
and the four-cylinder diesel bumped
fuel economy to 24 mpg. V6 versions
feature a tow-haul mode. A four-cylinder gasoline engine is also available.
The ride is rather choppy, but handling is responsive. Rear- and four-wheel-
drive versions are available. These small trucks offer optional forward collision
warning and lane departure warning but not automatic emergency braking
or blind spot warning. Updates for the 2020 model year include a new
infotainment system and an available locking tailgate.
OVERALL
SCORE
$22,200-$44,300
RELIABILITY
1
SATISFACTION
2
ROAD-TEST SCORE 60-61 MPG 18-24
GMC Sierra 1500
The Sierra is essentially
a Chevrolet Silverado.
Power delivery is smooth
and responsive, and fuel
economy is 17 mpg overall
for the 5.3-liter V8 engine crew-cab
four-wheel-drive version. A new
3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder
engine got an impressive 23 mpg
overall. The ride is steady, and the
cabin is very quiet. Handling is sound and secure. The infotainment system
is easy to use. Rear-seat room in crew-cab versions is immense, but the high
step-in requires a climb. Helpful options include a power liftgate that can be
opened using the key fob, a tailgate that can be configured into a workbench,
and power running boards that can shift back to help reach the bed. The
luxurious Denali version has a 6.2-liter V8 mated to a 10-speed automatic.
Blind spot warning and automatic emergency braking are optional.
OVERALL
SCORE
$29,600-$58,500
RELIABILITY
1
SATISFACTION
4
ROAD-TEST SCORE 76-78 MPG 17-23
GMC Sierra 2500HD
The redesigned, next-
generation Sierra HD's
exterior is more visually
distinguished from
the Sierra 1500. Aside
from its roof, which is shared with
the light-duty Sierra, all other visible
elements are unique to the work-
focused HD truck. The standard
engine is a 401-hp, 6.6-liter V8 with
a six-speed transmission. A 445-hp, 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine with a
10-speed transmission is also available. The new truck is 10 inches longer than
the previous one, which translates to more legroom. GM claims that the new
HD, when properly equipped, can tow up to 35,500 pounds. Available safety
features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking,
lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning.
OVERALL
SCORE
NA
$35,600-$63,900
RELIABILITY
2
SATISFACTION
4
ROAD-TEST SCORE NA MPG NA
GMC Terrain
The Terrain is a corporate
cousin of the Chevrolet
Equinox, but a few critical
differences compromise it,
even though it is positioned
as a more premium offering. We
found it to be loud and stiff-riding,
with severely hampered visibility. The
base engine is a lackluster 1.5-liter
turbo four-cylinder. The uplevel choice
is a significantly stronger 2.0-liter turbo mated to a nine-speed automatic
that's neither the swiftest nor the smoothest. The Terrain's gear selector
is controlled by unintuitive-to-operate dash-mounted push buttons.
The infotainment system is one of the easier ones to use. Starting with the
2020 model year, forward collision warning, city-speed automatic emergency
braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance are standard
on all trim lines. The diesel engine has been dropped.
OVERALL
SCORE
69
$25,000-$39,900
RELIABILITY
4
SATISFACTION
3
ROAD-TEST SCORE 67 MPG 22
GMC Yukon
This near-twin version
of the Chevrolet Tahoe
uses a 5.3-liter V8 and a
six-speed automatic that
returns 16 mpg and doesn't
feel particularly energetic. Ride and
handling are not stellar, though the
magnetic ride suspension on the
Denali version improves ride comfort
and handling response. The 6.2-liter
engine that comes on the Denali is also a meaningful upgrade, but it raises
the price considerably. Proper optional equipment gives the Yukon a towing
capacity of 8,500 pounds, about the only advantage it has over a car-based
SUV. Just as in the Tahoe, the third-row seat is low and tiny. Automatic
emergency braking, blind spot warning, and lane keeping assistance are
optional. A redesigned Yukon arrives this summer.
OVERALL
SCORE
68
$50,600-$70,700
RELIABILITY
4
SATISFACTION
4
ROAD-TEST SCORE 67 MPG 16
60 CR.ORG APRIL 2020
NEW CAR PROFILES GENESIS — HONDA