Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A red 2020 certified pre-owned GMC Acadia is shown parked outside of a modern home.

Your Certified Pre-Owned GMC Shopping Guide

Did you know that every new car starts depreciating the moment you drive it off the lot? This means that you’ve already overpaid for the vehicle before you get it home, ultimately exchanging a significant loss in value for that new car smell. After one year on the road, your new GMC Sierra or any other model will lose around 20 percent of its value for a total loss of 60 percent after five years. There’s an easy way to avoid this, however, and that starts by shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned GMC instead.

Held to a Higher Standard: GMC Certified Pre-Owned

There’s a significant risk when you buy a used vehicle, most of which are sold as-is. While a CARFAX report can tell you something of a vehicle’s history, highlighting past accident involvement, a salvage history, title issues, or previous maintenance, even the best report can’t tell you everything. This requires you to take a huge leap of faith and use your best judgment to determine if a used vehicle is worth your time and investment.

GMC mitigates this risk by holding its Certified Pre-Owned models to a higher standard. For a GMC to earn its Certified Pre-Owned badge, it must be less than six model years old, have a clean title, and have fewer than 75,000 miles on the clock. If it meets these requirements, it must then pass a comprehensive 172-point inspection where certified technicians look over every inch of the vehicle, from the owner’s manual to the engine and transmission. All needed repairs are completed, and the vehicle is reconditioned to as close to its original condition as possible.

Once a GMC earns its certified badge, GMC goes the extra mile to give you greater confidence in your purchase. With the CARFAX vehicle history report in hand, you know the GMC’s history before you sign on the dotted line. Every Certified Pre-Owned GMC comes with a 6-year or 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and a 12-month or 12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. You’ll also enjoy 24-hour roadside assistance and courtesy transportation for the duration of your powertrain warranty, giving you the VIP treatment. Other benefits include a 3-day or 150-mile satisfaction guarantee on your Certified Pre-Owned GMC, a complimentary scheduled maintenance program for 24 months or 24,000 miles, and free trials of OnStar and SiriusXM All-Access on compatible models.

GMC’s Top Certified Pre-Owned Picks

A black 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali is shown parked in an empty lot.

Sierra (2016-2019)

A legendary workhorse in the GMC lineup, the Sierra is currently in its fourth generation, which debuted in 2019. This means you’ll find both third and fourth-generation Sierras on the Certified Pre-Owned lot. Both generations offer exceptional versatility, capability, and performance. So, where should you start your search?

The 2016 and 2019 Sierras mark the beginning of the third and fourth generations. The 2016 Sierra introduced an all-new front-end with LED lighting as well as new wheel designs, a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display with GMC’s IntelliLink infotainment system, conveniences like a remote locking tailgate, and safety features like Lane Keep Assist. These modern features make the third-generation Sierra a great buy, especially if you’re on a budget.

The newest iteration in the Sierra lineup is replete with innovative technology, cutting-edge safety and driver-assist tools, and premium materials that live up to GMC’s reputation for offering affordable and luxurious trucks. The 2019 Sierra Denali is an exceptional find on the Certified Pre-Owned lot because it comes equipped with GMC’s revolutionary MultiPro Tailgate, the first multifunction tailgate in the industry that’s designed to make accessing the bed easier and more convenient. You’ll also find the fourth-generation Sierra offers a host of trailering technology along with intuitive features like the industry’s first rear camera mirror and multi-color head-up display.

Acadia (2017-Present)

The Acadia is a great option if you’re looking for a spacious midsize crossover that’s both opulent and functional. Introduced as a full-size crossover in 2007, the Acadia joined the midsize segment with its second-generation debut in 2017. Because of this and the generation’s numerous updates, you’ll want to keep an eye out for an Acadia built since 2017.

Lighter and more efficient than its predecessor, the second-generation Acadia ushers in a host of updates. For example, the 2017 Acadia boasts more powerful engines, a variety of available safety features like a Surround Vision Camera, and new trims like the adventure-ready Acadia All-Terrain Package. If you’re in the market for a newer model, keep an eye out for a 2020 Acadia since GMC restyled the SUV for its mid-cycle refresh and made several upgrades and new introductions with trims like the first-ever Acadia AT4. Other improvements to the Acadia include a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and an updated GMC infotainment system with an intuitive user experience.

Yukon (2016-Present)

Sharing a platform with the best-selling Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC’s Yukon is a spacious, full-size SUV that’s been a staple in the lineup since the early 1990s. GMC introduced the fourth-generation Yukon to widespread acclaim in 2015 because the automaker focused on making the SUV more capable, versatile, and refined. These fourth-generation models boast new design features like inlaid floors and a standard rear spoiler, as well as an enhanced ride quality thanks to options like the Yukon Denali’s magnetic ride control. This premium feature dampens the shocks in real-time to deliver the smoothest ride possible.

GMC debuted the fifth-generation Yukon in 2021, which means these models are rare but exceptional finds on the Certified Pre-Owned lot. For 2021, GMC added more luxury to the Yukon Denali and introduced the first-ever Yukon AT4, which is ideal for adventurous families looking to get a little mud on the tires. Among a long list of improvements, the 2021 Yukon also boasts class-leading technology, an all-new Active Response 4WD System for greater capability, and the most camera views in the segment (9) with available tools like the HD Surround Vision and Rear Camera Mirror. All of this only adds to the Yukon’s value as a Certified Pre-Owned model!

A red 2019 GMC Canyon SLT is shown from a rear angle near a body of water.

Canyon (2016-Present)

Just as the Yukon shares a platform with the Chevy Tahoe, the GMC Canyon is the more opulent and refined sibling to the Chevy Colorado. Introduced in the new millennium as a compact truck, the Canyon took a brief hiatus before returning to the GMC lineup as a midsize truck in 2015. Today, the Canyon may be the smallest truck in the GMC fleet, but it proves that you should never discount size for capability.

You’ll find the Canyon is a capable road warrior that can easily hold its own, whether that means cruising at highway speeds or hauling a modest load. Depending on year model and configuration, the Canyon offers a maximum trailering capacity of up to 7,700 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,580 pounds. This, along with its size for nimble handling, makes it an ideal commuter truck that can handle all those DIY projects around the house. The truck’s exceptional suite of safety, driver-assist, and connectivity features range from smartphone integration and navigation to an HD Rear Vision Camera, making the Canyon an attractive option and a remarkable value.

The Confidence You Deserve

As one of the top automakers in America, GMC has always held itself to a higher standard. Those standards are easily seen in GMC’s Certified Pre-Owned program, which is engineered to give you the confidence you deserve to have in your purchase and when you’re on the road. When you shop for a Certified Pre-Owned GMC, you know exactly what you’re getting, and, above all else, you know that GMC has put its seal of approval on the vehicle. Add in the money you’ll save on your purchase, and there’s no reason not to shop from GMC’s expansive Certified Pre-Owned inventory.