Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

The dash is shown in a 2021 GMC Yukon SLT.

Which Used GMC Models Have the Most Upscale Interiors?

Today, we spend a lot of time in our cars. Between long commutes, being stuck in traffic, waiting in the school pickup line, and enjoying road trips, we might clock more hours in our vehicles than in our living rooms. For that reason, many drivers are looking for cars with interiors that are just about as comfortable as a living room. While the demands of life pull you away from the comforts of home, you can regain a little control, dare we say even a little touch of luxury, by finding a car with premium materials, comfortable seats, and sophisticated design touches.

A beautiful car has a way of lifting your mood, and you almost can’t put a price on that (but that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive). You probably think that all of that must come at a premium price to match; however, if you buy a used GMC, you can enjoy some impressively luxurious cabins at affordable prices. If you’re on the hunt for a car that will make you almost not want to get out, we’ve got you covered. We looked inside some of GMC’s most popular vehicles to find those with interiors that will make you gasp and drop your jaw in admiration. When it comes to stunning interior paneling, soft-to-the-touch seating, and an overall luxurious interior, these are some of the GMC models with the most upscale interiors.

When You Need Maximum Space: The 2021 Yukon and Yukon XL

This powerful full-size SUV has several strong engine options that offer impressive torque, horsepower, and admirable towing abilities. But that’s not what we’re looking at today. We’re going inside to see the welcoming and spacious cabin. Inside, you’ll instantly notice premium materials throughout the cabin. If you opt for the AT4 trim on the Yukon, you’ll get leather seating for the front seats that are both heated and ventilated. You’ll also notice attractive AT4 badging on the front-seat head restraints. The premium Denali trim will earn you leather seating, stunning genuine wood details, and Denali-exclusive Fractal stitching on leather seating surfaces.

The 2021 Yukon and Yukon XL have notably more third-row legroom than previous generations, at 34.9 inches, and extra cargo room behind the third row. This all comes together to create an incredibly spacious and relaxed environment where all passengers feel free to spread out without crowding one another. Plus, if you opt for the available Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, you’ll enjoy an incredibly smooth and quiet rider experience. The second and third rows fold flat in the Yukon, giving versatile cargo options. You can choose between standard fold-flat second-row seats or available power-fold ones.

A close up shows the center console 2021 used GMC Acadia SLT.

A Three-Row Triple Threat: The 2021 Acadia

Another strong and reliable SUV offering, the Acadia, is a three-row SUV with tons of space and a rugged stance. It’s a more affordable option compared to the Yukon, but that doesn’t translate to a cheap-looking or feeling interior (or anything, for that matter). Inside this vehicle’s cabin, you can get seating for six or seven passengers in bench seats and captain’s chairs that conform to the body, pillow-like, comfortable materials, and supportive contouring. The materials look clean and modern, and you’ll notice eye-catching accents throughout.

If you opt for the SLE or SLT trim, you’ll see real aluminum trimming, along with premium cloth seating in the SLE for an interior that looks fresh and is easy to keep clean. Choose the SLT, and you’ll see leather-appointed seating and a luxury leather-wrapped steering wheel for a slightly more upscale look. There’s a bit more range in design choices for the AT4 trim. For that one, you can opt for either black premium cloth or black leather-appointed seating with other trim-exclusive details. The top-end Denali is where you’ll see a truly sophisticated interior. It gets real ash wood accents, eye-catching burnished aluminum trim, and seats donning French seam stitching. Every trim of the Acadia feels a cut above the rest when it comes to family SUVs, but the Denali is where you’ll find a truly exclusive look and feel.

A Classic Compact Contender: The 2021 Terrain

If you’re looking for an SUV with more car-like handling but still houses a comfortable and beautiful interior, check out a used GMC Terrain. This compact SUV enjoys a wallet-friendly price point, sporty handling, great technology, and that all-important breathtaking cabin. The 2021 Terrain comes in three trims: the SLE, SLT, and Denali. Going up to the middle trim, the SLT, will get you upscale details like a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel that not only looks nice but keeps your hands toasty on cold days. The seating surfaces are noticeably soft, and there is attractive real aluminum trim throughout for a vibrant look.

As expected, the Denali takes luxury to the next level. On this trim, expect French-stitched leather-appointed seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and burnished aluminum accents. The dashboard, touch screen, and other controls are beautifully laid out with crisp and clear graphics, and even the cupholders and interior door handles have bright and clean finishes. Though the Terrain is a compact SUV, GMC went out of its way to ensure it didn’t limit your storage abilities. That’s why the entire full back row comes down, as well as the front passenger seat, creating space for items up to eight feet long. So, you can easily take this vehicle on adventures where snowboards and similar gear are essential.

The seating in a 2021 GMC Terrain SLE is shown from the passenger side.

Enjoy a Premium Experience Without Paying for It

If you spend more time in your car than you’d like to admit, you deserve to be in a car that makes you feel comfortable and uplifting to look at. GMC offers several SUVs with spacious cabins boasting premium materials, eye-catching design details, and comfortable seating. They’ll make you miss being at home a little bit less and make long rides more enjoyable for you and your passengers.

Between contoured seats, aluminum and wood accents, leather surfaces, and attractive stitching, there’s much to love about the GMC Acadia, Terrain, and Yukon. Between these three, you have three sizes of SUV options. So you can get the compact Terrain for something easy to handle and city-ready, the larger Acadia when you need a bit more space, or the Yukon when you know you have substantial passenger and cargo needs.

Enjoying high-end features doesn’t have to mean paying high-end price tags. Consider a used GMC if you’re interested in an upper trim but are on a budget. Shopping for a used model from a reliable manufacturer like GMC is a fantastic way to get more out of a pre-owned SUV than just a mediocre vehicle with lackluster features that do everything but impress. A pre-owned GMC SUV gives you the perfect combination of the luxury and modern tech you’re looking for at a price that won’t break the bank.

With the 2023 models already hitting markets, you can enjoy a 2021 used GMC model and get many of the same modern tech features you’d expect from this year’s models at last year’s prices. Shopping used is a smart way to get behind the wheel of a luxury vehicle without shelling out luxury prices, and GMC is well known for its vehicles that are upscale, comfortable, safe, and easy to handle.