In the next 12 months, GM says we’ll see four new trucks for GMC—and presumably Chevy, too—and two new sedans for Buick. Later, GMC will get a new Canyon mid-size pickup truck, based on the all-new Chevy Colorado. Here’s what you can expect of the new models.
Buick LaCrosse
For the 2014 model year, the LaCrosse will move into its third generation and onto the latest iteration of GM’s front-wheel-drive Epsilon architecture. It’ll be mechanically similar to the new Cadillac XTS and introduced-but-not-on-sale-yet Chevy Impala, offering a hybrid four and a 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 and either front- or all-wheel drive. Once fairly suave, the current LaCrosse’s interior hasn’t aged well; for 2014 it’ll be all new, and judging from the XTS and Impala, modern and high-quality.
Buick Regal
Unlike the LaCrosse, which will be all new, the Regal just gets a big face lift next year. Figure on some shuffling of the powertrain lineup, which is now out of sync with the rest of GM’s fleet. The Regal eAssist with a 2.4-liter four and small hybrid system probably will remain the base car, but don’t be shocked if a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four shows up beneath it.
The real changes could happen in turbo territory. Where the current Regal Turbo is rated at 220 hp, a newer version of that car’s engine—different turbocharger, altered intake and exhaust—delivers 259 ponies in the Malibu Turbo and 250 in the Verano Turbo. Sure, Buick has a 270-hp Regal GS, but why set up the middle child of this premium brand get trounced at stoplights by Mom’s Chevy?
If the Regal Turbo does hop to 250-ish hp, the GS still could carry over its powerplant. The horsepower advantage would be small, but beyond that the Regal GS is supposed to be a full-on performance car, with a sportier suspension and extroverted styling compared to the Regal Turbo. In fantasyland, the 2014 Regal GS would get the drivetrain from its European twin, the Insignia OPC: all-wheel drive and a twin-turbo V-6 currently rated at 321 hp, rumored to be climbing even more when this refresh goes global.
GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Canyon
GMC still is the money factory for GM, selling similar cars to Chevy at higher—or in the case of Denali models, much higher—prices. But the new Sierra and Yukon won’t just be pricier clones of their bow-tied brethren.
Last January, GM’s North America president Mark Reuss promised that the next big trucks and SUVs will be more cosmetically distinct from each other. The Yukon may have some significant interior upgrades, not just in aesthetic and materials but in functionality, too, Reuss told us then, which we’ve read to mean better packaging for folding seats and better passenger space.
GM also quietly, suddenly confirmed that, yes, GMC will get a new Canyon mid-size pickup spun off of the all-new global Chevy Colorado that’s also coming to the U.S. Both mid-size trucks will target both fuel-conscious truck buyers and also the Toyota Tacoma’s substantial audience for lifestyle sport trucks. Figure on V-6 engines for the Canyon and Colorado, but there’s an outside shot that the diesel four being prepped for our Cruze also could be slotted into the trucks. Don’t get your hopes up yet. Too late? Yeah, us too. Be prepared to be disappointed, though.
- Comparison Test: 2012 Buick Regal GS vs. 2012 Volvo S60 R-Design
- Comparison Test: 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LTZ 4WD Crew Cab vs. 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty King Ranch 4×4 Crew Cab, 2012 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4×4 Mega Cab
- Comparison Test: 2013 Ford Escape SEL 4WD vs. 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD, 2012 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD, 2012 Kia Sportage EX AWD, 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD, 2012 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4×4
The mid-size truck news is significant unto itself but also for the rest of the brand’s lineup. Mr. Reuss has said it’s far easier to design a mid-size truck to be efficient from the start than to try to “lightweight” a Silverado or Sierra. GM doesn’t want to risk durability for its big trucks by bringing in expensive, lighter-weight materials or using lighter components. With that in mind, don’t expect more than incremental fuel-economy improvements for the Sierra and Yukon (or Chevy equivalents). In fact, GM may not need to offer a V-6 in the Sierra or Silverado, as Ford and Chrysler have done with their full-sizers.
Naturally, every new GMC will be available in fully loaded Denali trim, from the Sierra HD to the 4-by-8-sheet-of-plywood-hauling Yukon XL.
