Find Reviews by Make:
Not that one, obviously. That one’s mine, and it’s pretty old. As 2016 finishes itself off, I want to get your take on the best GM vehicle sold this year.
Last week, some of you lost your minds when I spoke ill of the rather awful Buick Encore. Have a look at some choice statements I saw here (and in other places):
“Bias. bias against Ford!”
“GM must be paying for this garbage.”
“This 12 year old can’t write.”
“This car review doesn’t even talk about ride and handling.” (LOL, you guys…)
And my favorite sentiment of them all:
“The Buick Encore is a great car, because they sell so many.”
I guess we can stop with all these reviews and analysis, eh? All we need are sales figures! Tim can run TTAC by himself — it makes perfect sense. Calm down, y’all — some folks are getting way too triggered. This week I’m going to have you tell me what the best GM vehicle sold in 2016 was. I’m obviously too biased against GM (see photo above) to make an impartial judgment, right? But there are rules to this. Rules which will ensure everyone has a good time, and is able to follow the prompt correctly. Strength through joy.
Rule 1: Only address GM vehicles sold in 2016. Here’s a list, for your reference, of all their passenger cars, with commercial vehicles excluded. Look how many things they made in 2016!
CHEVROLET
Camaro
Corvette
Cruze
Cruze Limited
Impala
Malibu
Sonic
Spark
Spark EV
SS
Volt
Colorado
Silverado
Suburban
Tahoe
Equinox
Trax
Traverse
City Express
Express Cargo
BUICK
Cascada
LaCrosse
Regal
Verano
Enclave
Encore
Envision
CADILLAC
ATS
ATS-V
CT6
CTS
CTS-V
XTS
ELR
Escalade
SRX
GMC/DENALI
Canyon
Sierra 1500
Sierra 2500
Sierra 3500
Terrain
Acadia
Yukon
Yukon XL
Rule 2: Don’t vote for used vehicles or those which aren’t on this list. We all know the real hero of GM is a 3800 C-Body from 1995.
And that’s it! Use Those Two Simple Tricks To Enjoy TTAC, as discovered by A Local Mom. Maybe I’ll give you my vote for the best GM of 2016 too, with all my bias.
The 2016 Verano is my vote for the best GM vehicle of 2016. Its blend of quality, luxury, content, fuel economy, and affordability aren’t really matched with other entries across the GM lineup. The value proposition will even grow a bit more now, thanks to the model’s recent cancellation.
Just don’t get the manual variant, as it gave Davefromcalgary too many sads.
200 Comments on “QOTD: What Was the Best GM Vehicle of 2016?...”
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Yes, the Buick Verano Turbo. Of course GM would cancel it and be left with no near luxury reasonably priced compact with a motor. Figures.
I know a Canadian guy looking to unload just such a thing if you’re interested.
Yup. Please!
Caprice PPV
2016 Buick Envision is 2.0T only for this year and are 25-28% off until 1/3/17. Best deal going right now but I can’t find a dealership to absorb my 12 payments on a Terrain…yet.
For me personally it would be a V6 Impala or the new Lacrosse, but I love big sedans designed to gobble up highway miles.
Truthfully though like the BEST that GM has to offer is something BOF with a V8 and proven transmission. That way you can explore the truth of the old adage. “GM vehicles run like $hit longer than most other vehicles run.”
Agree, but not until I’m confident GM has adequately addressed the 3.6L V6 stretched timing chain issue. GM customer service is the ninth circle of Hell.
That was addressed years ago. Do some research.
Silverado/Tahoe/Suburban. Or the GMC versions if you don’t like the grille. Answer has been the same for at least 25 years.
Everything else, even if it’s “good” by some rationalized standard, should never be purchased new.
GM definitely does full-sized SUVs best, although the Expedition and Navigator, with their IRS, are actually more comfortable than even the magnetorheological shocks in the Yukon Denali and Escalade. Plus, I think Ford may have some tricks up its sleeve with the redesigned versions of its full-sizers; keep in mind that the current ones have basically been on the market since MY2003.
Consumer Reports claims that the GMT K2XX Suburban/Tahoe have horrific fit and finish.
I haven’t seen much in the way of durability data on the Colorado/Canyon twins. (Cue BAFO )
I’d definitely say that the Sierra/Silverado trucks are GM’s best products.
I’ll vote Silverado since I like the looks of it more than the Sierra.
Lou_BC, those poor fit and finish units are Nexican built.
They are NOT Mexican built. EVERY GM full size SUV is built in Arlington, TX.
The expedition is better over all and rides better and has a lower load floor.. But gm stacks theirs deep and sells em cheap this time of year.. 15k off
The expedition does ride better. But the GM do truck things better and judging by local resale value the last alot longer, Honestly the expedtions are really cheap used.
Unless you have actually had to drive the things in anything other than a wide open field. They shrunk the mirrors and windows and put the back row blocking half the rear window giving it huge blind spots (a GM design feature nowadays), the storage area in the back is raised to make room for a worthless storage compartment, and the vibrating seat blind spot monitor is annoying at the least. If you opt for the factory DVD players that drop from the roof you completely lose any rear visibility. You also can’t fit three kids in the back row like you can in the Expedition. Not to mention the comparable trim Suburban is about $12k more than the Expedition.
My wife was dead set on a Suburban until she drove it. She hated the look of the Expedition but once she drove both she realized how much easier the Expedition was to drive around. As for how reliable it may be compared to the solid rear axle and V8 of the Suburban we will see.
I have had occasion over the past few years to participate in long road trips in the Tahoe and Suburban. Every time I got behind the wheel, I was reminded that the phrase “it drives like a truck” is pejorative. And deservedly so.
“Unless you have actually had to drive the things in anything other than a wide open field. They shrunk the mirrors and windows and put the back row blocking half the rear window giving it huge blind spots ”
Yep, if I had to replace my ’07 Tahoe tomorrow with another Tahoe I’d look for the last year of the GMT-900. I like the tech in the current ones but hate pretty much everything else about them. Pretty safe to say that my current Tahoe is the last FS GM SUV I’ll probably ever own.
The biggest weakness of the Expedition was the 5.4L boat anchor it was saddled with. Fun if you like coil packs blowing out, and incredibly poor fuel economy, even by the standards of the breed.
The 3.5L Turbo and 6 speed tranny is a definite upgrade, and the rest of it is largely unchanged since ’07, so it will likely be decently reliable. My wife still misses the ’05 she lost in a wreck, so I might look into getting a 2014 or later example used in a couple years. They’re frightfully expensive new.
The 3.5 EB has hardly been long term reliable with many owners experiencing timing chain failure, turbo failure, carbon build up, drive-ability issues and even engine failure. A good friend of mine works at Ford parts and says a lot of 3.5 EB’s come through needing work and they are not cheap to fix after the warranty. This is why Ford has recently re-worked the 3.5 more along the lines of the new 2.7EB motor.
The 3.5TT and 2.7TT are VERY different engines.
Current 3.5TTs are very reliable. Most issues have been hammered out already.
I have 3 years, 9 months left of power train warranty , on my EB Mustang. Early fall 2020, i’ll make the call to either keep it, or go back to GM.
No, they reworked the 3.5TT for 207 to eke more performance out of it. And it’s still the same basic engine as before, just with some modifications. It’s not related to the 2.7TT. However, I believe the 2.7TT is a relative of the new 3.0TT in the Continental and MKZ.
Ford says that the 3.5TT is “new from top to bottom” but it is still similar to the old one and other cyclone family engines.
“A friend of mine” cites on the Internet aren’t worth the bytes used to display them on my screen.
yep expedition is the better car for sure. But the scary low resale value makes me nervous as a used car buyer, there must be some reason that they are cheaper then buying a Nissan Armada used.
I still miss the BOF cars – the Caprice and Roadmaster. I would drive one – brand new – today if I could. They were fairly dependable and quite rugged too.
Hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the last one rolled off the line.
The Best is mine ordered new. MY 96′ Caprice with all the option boxs checked. Best road car GM ever made. Sitting in the garage waiting for its next adventure.
I see you’re not bothered with reading the prompt.
Screw the rules. I want one, too! Someone other than GM could make the interior, though.
I bought a ’14 Impala on Monday. I drove a ’96 Roadmaster wagon to the dealer to buy that Impala. The difference between the two cars in terms of comfort is striking. The Impala is going to take me some time to get the seat just right. The Buick, with nearly shot 20 year old butt padding, is still more comfortable. I told the salesman I would buy a new ’96 Roadmaster without blinking. Give me the full size station wagon back. I don’t want to pay crazy money for a Suburban.
I’ll agree on the trucks, but the SUVs have such horrible interior packaging that I think they should be disqualified. All that giantness outside, and you don’t even get a usable third row unless you go whole hog with the Suburban.
GMC Sierra…. GM trucks are very very good. Their cars pretty much belong on the rental lots. Ford is the other way around. Just my .02 cents
its time for a new excursion. everyone i know that has one loves theirs, especially the diesel guys. there are companies out there that rebuild em and make “new” ones too.
I’m not holding my breath but since the Super Duty and F150 have come back together and there is a new Expedition about to drop it is more possible than ever to see an Excursion replacement. More likely it would be a EL HD version of the Expedtion but I’d love to see the Super Duty front end and the Excursion name plate return to a SUV.
Well they’re bringing back the Ranger and the bronco.. If ford continues down that path.. The excursion is next.. Diesel.. Ten speed 8 ton tow rating.. Optional 6.2 gas or v-10.. I’ll take an xlt
Until they get told their “Sick-point-Oh” needs head gaskets. a cab lift on a pickup is bad enough, I can’t imagine having to do a body lift on an Excursion.
I find the Impala to be a better car overall than the Taurus unless you must have AWD but that brings extra weight, larger tires and worse mileage. Regarding the Fusion and Malibu that is a toss up in many ways with the Ford scoring points for offering a V6 Sport model and AWD but losing credits for mileage and the lower tier engines lack refinement and power. The Malibu scores for refinement, overall driving character, efficiency and some added tech like the 9 speed and a better user interface/infotainment setup. The Cruze is hands down better than the cramped Focus when it comes to regular everyday models but Ford has the advantage in performance with the turbo engines. The little Fiesta and Sonic are pretty much a toss up from I can gather. You wouldn’t go wrong with either brand on there cars.
Yer nuttin without AWD. Hell, even my wheelbarrow has it.
C7 Stingray. Its interior finally is class competitive, and in base form with 440 horsepower and optioned with the multimode exhaust, preferably with the removable Targa roof (which is super light and super easily to remove and re-install), there are no other GM vehicle (the majority of which are also rans, at best, and trash at worst, Tahoe, Silverado, and Cruze excluded), it is finally a truly worthy competitor to European performance coupes, some costing much more.
The sugar on top is that some NEW ones are selling for near the $56,000 mark that have MSRPs of $67,000 and up, without much haggling (buyers of these cars are dying off or switching to more practical,year-round vehicles).
Why anyone would buy an awful Camaro with any V8 over a C7 Stingray defies basic logic.
Camaros with the same equipment/engines as C7s are like $15-30K cheaper. In this price bracket that difference is huge.
Saving $15,000 is, like, “defying basic logic.”
LOL
(People who use “only stupid people buy XYZ car” arguments amuse me.)
“Camaros with the same equipment/engines as C7s are like $15-30K cheaper. In this price bracket that difference is huge.”
Show me.
Buddy bought a new C7 with Targa Top & multimode exhaust for 54k plus TTL. Sticker was 66k.
Show me a comparable drivetrain new Camaro for 39k, let alone 24k (15,000 to 30,000 cheaper).
*I’ll skip for the time being the absolute superiority of the C7 in terms of less bloat, weight, better stuff, and superior driving/handling/balance characteristics even in base trim than the Camaro Pig.
OK, let’s compare the basic V-8 Camaro versus Corvette. Here’s two for sale here in Denver (and this is BEFORE the inevitable giveaway pricing):
2017 Camaro:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/674211311/overview/
2017 Corvette:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/680698173/overview/
Same engine, but the ‘Vette’s makes a touch more HP (460 versus 455 in the Camaro). Performance stats are comparable.
The V-8 Camaro is obviously a LOT cheaper. I don’t even think you could option one up to $55,000 unless you’re talking about a ZL1 or something. Plenty of valid criticisms about the Camaro, but performance ain’t one of them.
I kind of feel like GM is trying to move the Corvette up market so they improved the Camaro just enough to fill the new bigger gap.
Camaro is now an Alpha, and it blows.
Y-body FTW.
The Camaro is open to many criticisms, but it is a very good performance car, and it is certainly not a “pig”.
Ah, but if DW doesn’t use some kind of pejorative, it’s just not DW.
The Camaro with a V8 and the track-oriented kit (Brembo Ceramics), upgraded suspension, etc., makes for a very good track car (better than Mustang, and an awful daily driver.
It also gets to $60k+ MSRP in all-out track version, and is even more brutal (and with a hilariously cheap interior) as a daily driver.
The Camaro is so unbalanced that a superior driving machine like the C7 Stingray is a better daily driver.
Agreed fully as to Vette. I’ve even seen a few dealers with 43k prices in the midwest on base cars. Cheap speed. Vettes are strange in that folks treat them as garage queens so you see older cars with 20k on them…and most of them are NOT collectible in any conventional sense. Still, they tend to be someone’s baby. A recent accident case had a kid in dad’s 1979 vette (peak of malaise) nail my client’s car in the rear, spinning the car. The garageman who pulled the rolled Corvette out of the ditch said dad paid him extra to open the garage on Sunday morning and he was crying when he left. I saw the Vette as part of the investigation and can tell you it wasn’t special in any way other than being a garage queen……but clearly it was to him.
I read somewhere vettes are like boats for most owners. You don’t need one, and when times are tough, it is the first thing you sell, so that is why a lot of vettes are 10 years old, have three owners, and 22k miles. Other cars, this means “run away” but is fairly typical for Corvette owners.
CTS VSport, as an off lease buy for $35k. 420 HP in a competitive sedan, and a tune brings you over 500 (!!!) hp in a dull 4 door Cadillac. I’m seriously considering this one as I’ll have all the HP anyone could want without childish wings, spats or fart can mufflers, and only the Vette, GT-R or a McLaren can get the drop on you. When the Valentine One BRAPS, and you slow hard coming over the hill, the GT-R will get that ticket…Cops won’t look twice at the Caddy.
At $60k, no, but at 35k, hell yeah !
@DW I am going to have to agree with you here – the C7 is definitely one of GM’s best cars simply for the fact that it competes with European exotics that cost 2-3 times more. A C7 Stingray is a super car you can relax and just have fun with. It’s a little over the top on the styling but every kid that sees it just loves it. It’s just a fun, fast, high performance super car for 60k. Incredible car and definitely a contender for best GM car.
100% in agreement, DW. The smile my C7 puts on my face is never ending. Convertible, 7M, Z51, 3LT…all good! An no problems (yet)
Probably one of their “SUV”-truck things, but I don’t believe in truck things for non-work purposes so I dunno. I abstain.
(If forced to choose regardless I’d likely say something with flaws like the ATS-V, just to get you to stop pulling out my fingernails.)
Well stated.
It’s not exactly the stuff that dreams are made of, is it?
I honestly do not see how they could make the ATS-V uglier if they tried. Trying to sell that against an M3? Give me a break.
To make it uglier they could give it a little more Buick?
I don’t totally mind the outside of the ATS, and the performance seems impressive from the write-ups. The inside though….
So I says to the woman “hey it says on this forum thing we should test and look at a ATS-Buick Verano Turbo thingie, it’s good value.” She, hard-as-nails denzien of sporty sedan land, gives me the look. The look says ‘for that amount of money you could buy and fix and maintain a 997 for five solid years, or lotsa other things. Get outta here with that mess.’ But she says out loud “GM? Thanks sweetie, but no thanks.”
If I ever need a truck, I know where to go.
TDi, too many diesel fumes?
Probably. And too much torquey-torque-torque. I’m going to miss my Golf.
Indisputably Ahnkor, wat?
Say wha? You’ve gone too obscure.
I mayn’t name my true love here so I phonixed it.
Ah sheet.
Camaro
“Here’s a list, for your reference, of all their passenger cars, with commercial vehicles excluded.”
You left out the Bolt:
http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2016/dec/1213-boltev.html
Down, boy. I want to test drive one as much as anybody but it sure isn’t a 2016 thing.
Buick Encore.
What else could it possibly be?
Too soon?
I really want to say the Lacrosse. Good looking, competitive, reasonably priced.
+1 one the new Buick LaCrosse.
New LaCroswe would have to be AWD for me. YouTube the videos of guys trying to runs to 60 mph only to have the traction control light flashing!
Don’t know if “best” but “best for me” is probably Verano. When I’m ready to buy again in a couple years, these will probably be a steal on the used market. I also really like Lacrosse but its a bit hefty for my needs. I respect Cruze, and I think Spark is the best vis-à-vis its competitors.
I would assume the Cadillac CT6 is the pinnacle of GM engineering to date. I’m not saying it’s the most desirable car GM has ever produced, but they have put a great deal of effort into it.
That perforated material around the nav screen is a curious design decision, though.
And it’s already a fail, and it’s many GM/Cadillac Loyalists stating this (not me).
From the mismatched interior material colors (particularly between leather and plastics), poor fit/finish, HARSH RIDE (the number 1 complaint by far – go surf the GM Fanboy forums like GMInside News or Cadillac Owners), to a transmission that locks out in 4th gear and has been breaking in reverse), to many other issues..
…the CT6 is going to fail as greatly as the ATS or 3G CTS, or worse (and that’s nothing short of a tremendous, bigly failure).
“I would assume the Cadillac CT6 is the pinnacle of GM engineering to date.”
I’d leave that accolade to the Volt. Both he Gen 1 & 2. I know it was supposed to compete with the Prius which is why it got branded a Chevy, but with all the engineering & technology in it when released in 2011, it should have had a Cadillac badge.
The Volt gets my vote. Pleasant, practical, affordable (after discounts and tax breaks), and still the only car of its kind: an electric without range anxiety.
I will vote for the Chevrolet City Express, just to skew the results :)
Not only is it the worst “GM product” being sold today, I would actually contend it’s the WORST MOTOR VEHICLE being sold today.
(And yes, I’ve driven the Mitsubishi Mirage.)
And by “GM product”, I mean that General Motors builds the badges that they slap on this piece-o-poo Nissan.
I don’t think you read enough of the article. Its best 2016 GM, not worst. And although I hate it, I’d probably take the smaller, Nissan-built $hity Express over the 1990s-era (full size) Express.
Even with very clear guidance and listed rules, some folks have a hard time. It’s the reason there’s a DON’T TOUCH SPINNING BLADE sticker on lawnmowers.
Well like every poll there is going to be someone that just wants to skew the results so that is why he picked what he felt was the worst.
Meanwhile I’m voting for it to show just how flawed Rule #1 is. “Rule 1: Only address GM vehicles sold in 2016. Here’s a list, for your reference, of all their passenger cars, with commercial vehicles excluded. Look how many things they made in 2016!”
Which means that the Express Cargo and City Express shouldn’t be eligible since they are commercial vehicles. Which also brings up the question if the Express Cargo is eligible then why isn’t the Express Passenger as well as both versions of the Savana eligible too?
Thank you for understanding my point when no one else seems able!
Cory.,
Excellent reply. Trying to impose rules on the B&B is like trying to herd cats!
Maybe eventually I’ll give up on them.
Commercial vehicles are designed with the purchaser – a fleet department buyer whose main goal is getting it as cheap as possible – instead of the driver – the employee who has to drive it.
I bought a small cargo van for my ebay/flea market side business – a used Ram C/V, the cargo version of the Caravan. Since they designed the Caravan first, it’s a lot nicer inside than something that had been built to be a commercial van.
I’d say the Malibu, just for sheer improvement over the other one. I also quite like the new Cruze and LaCrosse.
The Cruze is indeed good stuff. I was VERY impressed by how solid and planted it feels. It may be the most expensive-feeling compact out there (it gives the Golf a run for its’ money). Not much fun to drive, though.
You’re right, they’ve done some good work. Buick is feeling and looking more premium with every new model, save the Cascadia.
The Volt, Cruze, Coloraro, Malibu and the epsilon Impala are genuinely good, up-to-date vehicles.
The Equinox is as old as the hills, but the new one looks good. The Traverse needs freshening yesterday. The Bolt seems promising.
The packaging in the f/s SUVs and stumbles like with Cadillac notwithstanding, they seem to be on a roll.
Just curious how they plan to market the next gen Silverado/Sierra after making so much fuss (intended to create buzz) about F-150’s aluminum construction. Its a given that it will have aluminum. I wonder if they will consider a half ton diesel now that Ford has entered that segment (with the refreshed F-150 not yet on sale) with Ram having been there for a while now.
They’ll probably continue to have the Colorado and Canyon serve as their “light-duty” diesel trucks.
The Corvette is the obvious choice. The Cadillac XT5 is the first real good-looking Cadillac since the 1992 Seville redesign.
I like the XT5, too. But I think it’s a 2017 model, and thus does not qualify.
What’s so special about the XT5?
I am judging the XT5 just by the way it looks. Its interior does not look as cheap as some other GM offerings. Trust me I have seen my share cheap GM interiors.
Heck, I’ll go with the Spark. In basic form, with a manual, it’s one of the best city cars you can buy.
Following the rules:
Chevy SS Sedan
Breaking the rules:
Holden Caprice-V
I second the SS despite not liking the redesigned bumpers or hood “vents.”
I prefer the look of the 2015 but would still pick up a 2016.
Corey, after last weeks bru-ha-ha, I think I’m going to refrain from sharing this one with TBS…I’d have to buy a bigger bottle of headache medicine and take a vacation!
Hey, I’m 12 so I’ve already forgot about all those personal insults.
Oh that’s right…you better get back to class there at the middle school…
2017 LaCrosse. Done.
You failed!
Tomorrow’s QOTD: Which leader of the Nazi party was the most cuddly?
.
.
Trump?
Hands down Barack Obama with John Kerry a close second. Nobody hates the Jews more than those two.
Ah, but is either cuddly?
or Hitllary?
but since the other guy won…. ;)
Jews were never mentioned: ” Which leader of the Nazi party was the most cuddly?”
On second thought…..Can’t be Trump.
It would be hard to cuddle anyone with a sh!tty comb-over.
Tila Tequila.
I’m still puzzled how a Vietnamese chick became a white supremacist, but whatever.
The chair of the American Nazi party is a fellow named Rocky Suhayda. With a name and possible origin like that he sounds like some guy who owns a chain of teriyaki restaurants.
Damn that’s an odd turn of events? Well I guess not if the article I just skimmed through was correct about Tequila’s past history.
How about none of the above. The last best GM vehicle I owned was a 96 Grand Prix. Ever since their vehicle lineup has been atrocious as well as their terrible customer support, forcing me finally giving in and going foreign.
I did not originally like paying more for foreign but my horrible GM experience as consumer and a business owner who needs a small set of fleet vehicles has caused me to finally swallow my pride and give in.
Been a happy foreign import owner ever since and a whole lot less issues with maintenance on my fleet vehicles.
After going foreign, even trips to Autozone went from getting some replacement parts every week to just buying the right kind of wax.
Maybe to other die hard fans there is a best GM but with my past terrible experience and constant frustrations there is no such thing as a best GM vehicle.
…and my only Honda was a ’85 Civic, which I didn’t keep because it was no good on the Interstate. The Fit I drove last month was even worse. Plus, my neighbor’s best friend had problems with his Odyssey. Therefore, Hondas suck.
It is not fair to judge GM by a 20 year old car. The current Corvette, ATS and CTS-V are past North American Car of the year winners. In terms of basic engineering they are the best America has to offer.
Hmmm..? The best 2016 GM, for me personally? I would have to say 2016 V6, stick, Camaro, convertible. Drop the top, and your visibility issues vanish.
iirc the 2016 verano was not offered with a mt.
despite the issues that davefromcalgary has had (or is it had? i cannot recall if he still owns that car) i do miss the fact that buick no longer sells a 6mt in the regal or verano.
they are getting harder to find in the used car section of the web.
I do still have it. 16 months left on the lease. Been running ok since about August. I think this is the longest trouble free stretch I’ve had with it.
80,000 kms at this point.
She’s behaving because she’s trying to lull you into keeping her… then BAM she’ll throw a rod or something.
Oh God no. That shiny blue turd goes back the second I’m able.
And honestly, we ARE buying an RV and the lady drives stick only as required, so I’ll be trucking in April 2018 (or sooner if say, a dumptruck hit the parked car for me)
Trucking to where?
Buying a truck as my next vehicle.
Ford? Dodge? Toyota? Chevy? Nissan?
Hoping to find a 2015 6.2L Sierra All Terrain at the time. Wont be buying new.
But thats my feeling as of right now. Lets see what happens in the next 1.33 years.
I know it was you, GMC. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.
I like GMC… am I missing a reference?
Easy. 2nd Gen Chevy Volt. GM made some substantial improvements on an already great car.
What are you towing with that ‘Hoe?
I really liked the one I drove a month or two ago…just not for $40,000 (and that was with employee pricing, since a friend of mine is the manager at the Chevy store).
Ouch! I may have to test drive a Gen 2 this spring just to see how it compares to my Gen 1 even though I have no intention of getting rid of it at the moment.
$40,000 BEFORE the tax credits or after, Kyree?
Before.
Haven’t towed anything yet, just put large items in it.
I know, I’m just giving you $hit!….LOL
It’s already tired enough, lol.
If a meteor came down and hit my car, a Volt would be #1 on my shopping list.
Volt gets my non-tallied vote as well. GM delivered a top notch car to a segment that mostly ignores D3 products.
CITY EXPRESS.
[mic drop]
The criteria was GM not rebadged Nissans ;)
I’m going to go with the Buick LaCrosse. It’s a nice design and does what it’s supposed to do quite well (that is, be quiet, smooth and amazingly good for road trips). My wife and I rented a 2016 LaCrosse earlier this year when our CX-5 was in the body shop after being rear ended by a Camry. And that Buick was unbelievably smooth, powerful, and comfortable. Good stuff. Maybe I am just getting old, but there’s something about a car that is just big, comfortable, and solid. It averaged like 28 MPG with us, too, and I didn’t exactly drive it slowly as it just ate up the highway miles. Several times, I’d look down and realize I was going 80-85 without realizing it.
Y’all know what I’m gonna say.
The one that doesn’t make you sadz.
Davefromcalgary needs to updates us.
Davefromcalgarys…..Story makes a great case for going “the leasing route”
So glad its a lease. Would be impossible to sell and nerve-wracking to own.
Best GM I owned was a 2002 Regal LS w/3800, natch. Good looking, lotsa gadgets, fast w/30+ mpg attainable. But the car that served me best was a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. Yes, dorky to look at from the rear, but better looking than its Aztek sibling, my FWD 3-row Rondy did many things OK; none of them great. The prototypical CUV. It’s current successor, without the 3 row option is the Equinox.
So a 2002 Regal is the best 2016 GM vehicle?
No, that would be the ubiquitous Suburban/Tahoe/Escalade black cars infesting midtown, replacing the old Town Cars.
For folks who won’t tend to spend large on a vehicle, I really like two Buicks: the Regal and the Verano. I recently purchased a Regal, but didn’t buy new. Was looking for a deal after my SAAB died.
i misread that as “its BLAND of…”
The GM car I would choose to drive if given my pick of one GM car for free? CTS-V. But it’s clearly not the best for most people, on the basis of fuel economy alone.
The GM cars that are the best relative to others in their categories? The new LaCrosse and the non-supercharged Corvette C7, which are the only GM products that clearly lead their categories (or, in the case of the C7, create a category of one). But these are small and inconsequential categories.
The GM “car” that meets the needs of the widest variety of consumers while having the fewest obvious flaws? The Silverado and Sierra. The extremely-high-volume categories in America today are full-size pickups, three-row CUVs, medium two-row CUVs, and midsize sedans. GM’s offerings in all of those categories except full-size pickups have some issues.
2017 Buick Lacrosse
C7 Corvette.
You’re correct!
What do I win?
28-Cars-Later – Jack will mail you Big Al’s Truck of Texas badge.
s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/13/999/2999013.jpg
LOL
My friend has a Tahoe that bodystyle. 300k+ on it. Been a great, reliable truck. Her previous vehicle was a 00’s Grand Cherokee, and it was always a basket of problems, and sold long before this mileage.
Best 2016 GM? The new Cruze, Malibu, LaCrosse and Volt are collectively proclaiming that GM can build good product when it puts its mind to it. Hard to choose between them. But, GM cars aren’t where I would be spending my money.
If I chose a 2016 GM vehicle for *me*, it would be a Canyon crew cab with diesel power and 4×4. No, I’m not trolling BAFO. Just my choice. I think it would suit me well.
Excellent choice.
A colleague at work has a 2016 Colorado crew cab diesel and loves it to death. Even with 4X4 and Winter driving he is getting mid 20’s mileage with it.
Corey, when they say Best and Brightest they were talking about you. Agree the Encore is horrible. But disagree on the Verano. Maybe it’s just my personal ergonomics but left elbow against the B pillar and the center console armrest is behind the seat. I get it’s a compact. I drive a compact car now. I can’t pick a best GM because they’re all so damn skinny.
I loved the Verano 2.0T, with Trifecta of course, that we leased a Encore. Nice and easy and plenty quick enough after a Trifecta ecu tune. Perfect size for DINKs with dogs. But it was not as refunedband quiet as the Verano.
The only 2016 model year GM car that I would buy (or more likely, lease) with my own money is the Cadillac ATS coupe, so I guess I have to choose that by default. Tough choice between the 2.0T with a manual that doesn’t exist in real life, or the 3.6 auto.
I don’t get all the hate on the Encore. I would never buy one for myself, but they are great for their target demographic. I know two people who bought an Encore in the last year, and they both love it. They are ridiculously cheap to lease, too.
CTS VSport
I love it so much…
I feel like there is blasphemy in there somewhere with Johann, magic suspension, devil’s OHC and all…
It is full of all sorts of sin.
Johann – check
Magic Magnet suspension – check
OHC V6 – check
Twin Turbo – check
Alpha platform – check
CUE – check
Ridiculously priced – check
Don’t care. Don’t even care. I’ll have to do penance, but it’ll be worth it.
This is entering mortal sin territory, I may have to insist you purchase and fully restore a 3800 C/H-body as penance.
As long as I don’t act on my sinful thoughts…
I am looking for a winter beater. I don’t know that an H-Body is the right choice though. I’m thinking GMT330. I couldn’t make a deal on the one I wanted, but it was too nice to be a winter beater anyway.
In your heart you know what is always the Right choice, however I do see the argument on a GMT330/4.3 combination for beatery.
I’m surprised Corey hasn’t weighed in here.
4.3L is church approved, correct?
Indeed, Brother Adam. Thy motor is of the correct form but is not made in the exact image of our salvation.
The 4.3L is an apostle of our Lord and Savior 3800. It spread the gospel of torque for many years.
So sayeth the LORD.
I much approve of GM330 4.3, with later well-equipped versions and special editions to be sought after, as in their image the Lord is near.
So sayeth the Lord, thou dost wear diamonds to grow closer to thee.
CTS VSport – Aisin transmission = UNCHECK. There is no aftermarket support for TCU tuning for the Aisin. I believe this is the only GM car that uses it.
Diamonds are forever.
Norm-
I wouldn’t tune a CTS VSport. 420 HP is enough in my Cadillac sedan.
The only thing standing between Norm and a tuned 600hp 60mpg 600K-miles-and-counting Cadillac sedan is a damned Japanese transmission.
Figures.
A very good Japanese transmission too.
‘Lotta sixes there.
The 016 Silvarado 4X4 I just bought, I hope :)
The Volt. It has been at or near the top of owner satisfaction surveys since it came out. The Corvette has also done well on owner satisfaction surveys even when the critics didn’t like it. I also like the Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze.
I’m shocked by all the love for Buick. I had to visit the Buick website for the first time ever to see what all the fuss is about. You guys have to be kidding surely? They are just gussied up Chevrolet’s and I don’t see much wrong with the Chevrolet’s they are based on.
HiPer struts. Pretty much the best torque steer management on the market, and not available (yet) on the Chevies.
Also considerably nicer interiors, especially in terms of material quality.
The Regal is very different than the new Malibu, the Verano is not the same as the Cruze and doesn’t even have the same engines, the Envision is a China variant, the LaCrosse is only loosely based on the Impala and the Cascada has no Chevy equivalent and the Enclave is an entirely more upscale vehicle than the Traverse. About the only Buick that is really close to it’s Chevy counterpart in the little Encore and even that is more upscale and has a newer more powerful engine than the Chevy.
It’s not like every other manufacturer doesn’t do the exact same thing such as the Acura ILX and the Civic as an example.
Buick Regal GS. A competent Euro bred sport sedan with a 2.0 Turbo and optional AWD. You can haggle one at a dealer for around $33k. Plus it gets a all important check mark from Consumers Reports.
What a Chrysler 200 could have been, though a loaded 200c AWD with the Pentastar comes close.
CR best quite, skip the Benz, BMW, buy the Buick!
The only GM vehicles unique enough to even consider buying a GM vehicle are the Corvette, convertible Camaro and the Volt. I’ll put my vote on the Volt, just because no one else will.
There’s nothing on the lists that is so attractive that I would want to take a test drive.
Having driven a total of zero 2016 GM vehicles, I can’t say there’s anything there actually worth buying for full new price, or necessarily so awful it should be discontinued. The same applies to most of the commenters here.
Imagine each of these vehicles at ten years old, with 115,000 miles on them. How many of them will have held more than 15% of their new cost? How many rattles, discolored plastic panels, peeled fake chrome, grenaded transmissions, recalls, electronic gremlins, curled dashboards, and broken plastic components will plague them? Judging from past GM quality, it won’t be a pretty situation.
@Click….Right , because Honda transmissions have been perfect in the past. A ten your old Mazda with rust ? A rare sight indeed . Most of them have been pulled off the road . . %15 for a ten year old GM.? How about a 10 year old Kia..? Depends on what the scrap yard is paying by the pound, on that particular day..
The high end German stuff..Oh yeah, highly reliable, never need fixing, Trade in a 10 year old BMW , I’m sure you will recover 5-10 percent of your original cost.
Better yet lets go real “high end” a Rover ,drive one for 10 years , and crank a 115000 miles on the odo..I’ll go pick up a 2016 Malibu do the same thing. I will Guarantee you that the Malibu will still look good, and run good.and with regular maintenance not have been too costly.
The Rover ? Nearly three time initial cost of the Bu…Staggering repair bills, and a resale of zilch.
Sorry about going off topic. I just couldn’t read another GM hate comment. Especially when the question was., what is the best 2016 GM vehicle ?
mikey: SOSDD.
For those of you not in the know: Same Old Sh!t, Different Day.
geo…These days , i just ignore all the GM hate here.
I just mistaking believed that Corey L presented a pretty good question. We did get some objective answers. Even DW picked his choice .
Others just used it as another excuse for a GM bash.
Your right …SOSDD
As someone who owns and drives regularly a 9.5 year old GM Suburban with 99.2k on the odo as of today. I know not what you are referencing Click to Reply. Drives like new, stops like new, looks like new inside and out. Everything works, including the drop down DVD and the wireless headsets; which if I am being 100% honest I did not expect this to be the case when I purchased it used 7 years ago next month.
The only GM that I’d look twice at is the SS and with no advertising, no inventory and no incentives they clearly have no interest in getting those looks. I actually did look at it twice, and if they’d done it up less race car (and less $50,000 OTD) along the lines of the G8 instead of the GXP I’d have bought one instead of a new truck.
I don’t like the high dash ergonomics of the K2XXX trucks, I can’t see out of the Camaro, I’m not balding enough to want a Corvette, and if I needed an appliance I’d buy it from a reliable company.
For me Suburban as it still stands alone also really like the full size trucks. On the cars I would give props to the sonic and camaro since no one else will.
It’s the truck, like it or not. Everything else GM does is to amortize support, advertising, and parts costs for it. They are comprehensively engineered for 250k+ hard miles. They burn 1/2 to 2/3 the fuel that a comparable “simple golden era” truck does, and even GMT-800s are eerily difficult to find in junkyards; they’re all still working.
I’d say the Bolt is a greater accomplishment, but the trucks paid for it.
Agreed.
Trucks.
Like a Rock.
They should bring back those commercials.
Sierra 1500. It just does its thing without drama.
I would have voted for Volt or Malibu, except:
1. The Volt is still very small inside, and the 3-wide back seat remains a bad joke.
2. Apparently Malibu 1.5T engines can eat themselves to death:
This is news about the new 1.5T Malibu engines eating themselves. Care to substantiate that?
It’s difficult to pick a “GM best”, after all, aren’t they all rather splendid vehicles? ;-}
Anyway, I’m enjoying my vacation, and really don’t care about cars right now, except mine.
I vote for the Spark.
I wouldn’t mind a 2016 Epsilon Impala as my last 3, a 2000, a 2008 and now the current 2013 have all been very solid choices and very reliable.
Me too, but with retirement 90 days away, I doubt I will ever buy new again. My 2012 Impala had better last a very long, long time!g
Cadillac CT6 if I won the lottery and had to buy GM.
I wouldn’t trust it a mile outside the warranty, but it is a beautiful sedan.