Consumer Reports tests around 50 or so vehicles a year at its special auto testing facility in Connecticut. However, not all cars will get a chance to strut their stuff on the test track, and it’s usually a GMC truck or SUV that gets left behind. So, why does Consumer Reports decide not to take on a GMC?
Consumer Reports don’t test models that are the same, like the Silverado and Sierra
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate | GMC
According to Consumer Reports, many GMC models are on the market, but some are pretty much the same as their Chevy counterpart. For example, the GMC Sierra 1500 is too similar to the Chevy Silverado pickup. Because of that, the two often get identical scores or ones that are very close to each other.
In this case, Consumer Reports tested the Sierra 1500 and gave it an overall score of 47 out of 100. The Silverado 1500, which has always been pretty much a twin, got an overall rating of 46. When you break both down to road-test scores, you get 78 for both. You also get a 1/5 predicted reliability rating and a 3/5 owner satisfaction score.
When it comes to large SUVs, the Chevy Tahoe and the GMC Yukon are a lot alike. Both have a 73 road-test score, and both happen to have a 1/5 predicted reliability rating and a 3/5 owner satisfaction score.
Another set of vehicles that run neck and neck as far as scoring from CR goes are the GMC Canyon and the Chevy Colorado. Both are compact pickup trucks built on the same platform and both received an overall score of 45. Each model also got 61 on the road test, a 2/5 rating on the reliability section, and a 1/5 score for owner satisfaction.
Then there’s the GMC Acadia, which is similar to the Chevy Traverse. In this case, though, the scores are close, but you see some noticeable differences. Acadia has a road-test score of 80, while the Traverse has a rating of 95. Overall, GMC’s midsize SUV was given a grade of 70, and the Chevy pulled an 83 score.
Some GMC models don’t even get graded by Consumer Reports
2022 @GMC Terrain refreshed, adds AT4 off-road model: https://t.co/6BxCzPdQp3 pic.twitter.com/UW533luU23
— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) March 24, 2021
When two vehicles have minor styling differences but are built similarly and perform alike, one often gets tested while the other never gets graded. For instance, the GMC Terrain has no overall score for the 2022 model year. However, the Chevy Equinox, which offers many of the same features as the Terrain, received a rating of 74 out of 100 points.
However, Consumer Reports gave a rating of 3/5 for both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction for the Terrain. That’s the same as what was given to the Equinox. When you look at the trouble spots for both vehicles, the data seems identical.
Another set of twins, so to speak, are the GMC Savana and the Chevy Express, which are both heavy-duty commercial vans. However, neither of these has been tested as of yet. Usually, in this case, the Chevy model will be the one to get graded when one of them rolls out for CR’s evaluation.
What about GMC’s heavy-duty pickups?
Sometimes vehicles won’t get graded because they’re special edition models of a truck or SUV already scored. The most common examples are the GMC Sierra 2500HD and its 3500HD model. These pickups are in a different class than the GMC Sierra because of the heavy-duty form. Still, both are still basic trim levels you can get with the Sierra model, just with heavier performing equipment.
The same goes for the Chevy Silverado 2500HD and the 3500HD. Neither of those pickups were tested by Consumer Reports either. When it comes to predicted reliability and owner satisfaction, both the 2500HD models for GMC and Chevy received a rating of 4/5. The 3500HD for both brands got a 3/5 on reliability and a 4/5 for owner satisfaction.
GMC and Chevy have models that almost mirror each other, so not all vehicles will get graded by Consumer Reports. They tend to favor the Chevy brand when they pick the ones they will evaluate. If you’re interested in a GMC automobile and don’t see any test scores, check CRs reviews of the closest Chevy vehicle, and you’ll get a good idea of how well your potential car performed.
Keyword: Here’s the Reason Why Consumer Reports Doesn’t Test Most GMC Models