When people discuss certain model years, it usually focuses on the time period that people consider nostalgic, vintage, or antique. Normally a period that begins with the two digits “20” is still too firmly ingrained in recent memory that many would not consider this era to have any sort of nostalgic appeal. However, the year 2019 seems like a far-off distant memory, existing within a time that almost feels like an eternity ago. In 2020, the pandemic completely shifted the paradigm, and the zeitgeist of the modern era was permanently altered in the form of quarantine, social distancing, and a mad dash to snatch up every bottle of hand sanitizer one could carry. Before all the chaos, GMC dealers across the country had an impressive array of 2019 models that demonstrated new innovations in power and comfort.
While events have returned to a state of relative normalcy since then, the life we all knew beforehand seems more distant than it should be. Before so many drastic changes were implemented, 2019 was a year that seemed like any other, particularly if you strolled on the lot of any GMC dealer. However, 2019 was also a year where GMC surpassed expectations regarding quality, and the entire fleet seemed to be granted the powers and prestige of Mt. Olympus. Today, we’ll be looking back at the fleet that once was and might be found at your local used GMC dealership.
The 2019 GMC Yukon
There’s no doubt that the SUV has become the ideal vehicle for millions of American families who need both storage space and an engine that’s conservative in terms of fuel consumption. However, for those who needed something to run over the competition and boast the kind of performance that makes others feel intimidated, the 2019 GMC Yukon was the big bully many could rely on.
Equipped with a high-grade ten-speed automatic transmission, the 2019 Yukon boasted two earth-moving powertrains. A standard 5.3L V8 offered a sizable dose of strength with a horsepower rating of 355. Of course, GM has always believed in a philosophy that more is always available. To this end, a larger 6.2L V8 was available, and as one could easily assume, it boasted phenomenal power in the form of a horsepower rating of 420. When properly equipped, the Yukon could effortlessly tow up to 8,500 lbs. By all accounts, the interior made for a quiet commute that blocked out engine noise and allowed drivers to enjoy the ride.
The 2019 GMC Terrain
While the Yukon was ideal for some, others preferred the crossover and subcompact style of an SUV that had become popular on the market. The GMC Terrain was the perfect option for those who wanted the quality of GMC but needed it in a smaller, more convenient package. While the Terrain seated five adults comfortably and offered three unique powertrains for the 2019 model year, it was the 1.6L 4-cylinder diesel engine that gave the vehicle highly effective fuel management. On average, drivers got 28 MPG while in the city, and that number expanded to 39 while on the highway. When properly equipped, the Terrain could tow up to 3,500 lbs., making it a versatile vehicle that proved once and for all that big things did indeed come in small packages.
The 2019 GMC Canyon
The Terrain wasn’t the only GMC vehicle trimmed down in size yet capable of tremendous feats. The sibling of the Chevy Colorado, the GMC Canyon could have easily been named the GMC “Compromise,” as it combined the fuel economy that smaller pickups were known for but with the steadfast determination and ability to take on heavy workloads that GMC was known for.
Much like the Terrain, the Canyon had a trio of differing powertrains, and it was the diesel-fueled option that presented the most advantages, both in fuel consumption and towing capability. Drivers who chose the diesel-powered canyon that year were plenty surprised with the ability to achieve 19 MPH while driving in the city limits and a staggering 28 MPH whenever they had to take a highway to their destination. For those who had larger than average workloads to take care of, a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs. was more than capable of accomplishing what others might see as impossible. Aside from impressed consumers, the Canyon received high marks from Kelly Blue Book and Car & Driver, who were too eager to extol virtues upon the smaller pickup.
The 2019 GMC Acadia
The SUV’s current place in the industry as the ideal family vehicle has been well documented. Here’s the burning question: What do you do if you have a slightly larger than average family? Sure, some people have the typical 2.5 children, but others have done a great job of multiplying further. For this reason, the 2019 GMC Acadia was an economical SUV that seated seven comfortably. Of course, a family vehicle is only as good as its safety rating, and in 2019, the Acadia was awarded five stars from the NHTSA.
While the comfortable interior made for calm family road trips, the Acadia offered two unique powertrain features that year that were well suited for the family who was more rural and the one for those who were more oriented with the suburbia setting. For those who drove within an urban environment, a 2.5L four-cylinder engine capable of 193 horsepower was conservative when it came to fuel consumption, achieving 21 MPG in the city and 26 on the highway. For those whose family adventures involved the great outdoors, a 3.6L V6 boasted 310 horsepower and could tow up to 4,000 lbs. when properly equipped. By offering these two options, the GMC Acadia that year was the perfect and practical SUV for family use, whichever location your family resided in.
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500
We’re ending our list with a vehicle that never ceases to impress both consumers and critics. The sibling to the ever-popular Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC’s offering for the 2019 model year was versatile, dependable, and left nothing to chance in terms of being a workhorse in every sense of the word. While the Sierra and Silverado will always be linked to one another, many consider 2019 the year Sierra found its own identity.
A wide variety of powertrains launched the Sierra into a league that outshone many of its competitors. When properly equipped, its towing capacity of 12,200 lbs. was quite impressive, and a payload capacity of 2,240 lbs. made 2019 the year that workloads got a lot easier to carry. For those who were more interested in playtime than endless toil, the AT4 off-roading option for the Sierra 1500 included a 2” suspension lift, making those pesky obstructions in the road easier to avoid.
2019 Was Yesterday…but GMC Is Still Great Today
A great deal has changed since the 2019 model year. However, the standard of quality that was present before the turmoil of the pandemic set in hasn’t changed one bit. GMC still manufactures vehicles of the highest quality that provide unparalleled service to consumers, whether on the job site or at playtime. With so much unpredictability in the world around us, any foundation that can be relied upon provides peace of mind that’s priceless.
