Buying the Right SUV for You

If you are looking for versatility, dependability, and drivability, then an SUV is probably your best choice for your next vehicle. These great automotive machines combine the storage capacity of pickup trucks, the roominess of minivans, and the performance and fuel economy of sedans. At the same time, they don’t have the drawbacks of each of these three other vehicle types. Sure, you can’t beat a pickup truck for hauling gear and towing trailers, but they have yet to make a pickup that can seat more than six passengers. Minivans are great for carrying passengers and cargo, but they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to overall performance and handling. As for sedans, they just don’t have the capacity to seat more than five passengers comfortably, let alone their limited trunk space. An SUV has none of these deficiencies. However, because SUVs come in so many different sizes, you are probably asking yourself, “what kind of SUV should I get?” That is an excellent question since all of the best used car dealerships will have more than enough options to choose from. However, the actual answer will depend on your lifestyle.

SUVs come in three main sizes: compact or crossover, midsize, and full-size. Midsize SUVs also have two subgroups: two-row SUVs that seat up to six passengers and three-rows that seat up to eight. Most compact SUVs have two rows of seats for up to five passengers, while most full-size SUVs have three rows.

One advantage of buying an SUV is that many automakers make a full-lineup of models, ranging from compact to full-size models. As a result, you will have plenty of models to choose from, with your best value coming from a used or certified pre-owned SUV. If you are looking for the best used car dealership for your next SUV, then you should stop by Rick Hendrick Buick GMC. We are a certified Buick GMC dealership proudly serving the Duluth, Georgia, area, and will be happy to get you behind the wheel of your next pre-owned SUV at a price that fits your budget perfectly. Come in and test drive one today.

Compact and Crossover SUVs

Compact SUVs represent the perfect lifestyle vehicle for young people just starting out or an older couple whose kids have grown up. They provide comfortable seating for up to five passengers while still allowing plenty of space in the hatchback trunk for your stuff. Compact SUVs are also fun to drive while providing exceptional fuel economy in addition to their incredibly affordable price tags.

Two of the finest compact SUVs are the Buick Encore and GMC Terrain. For example, the Encore gets great mileage, estimated to be 25 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. This exceptional fuel economy does not come at the expense of performance as the Encore has a 1.4-liter turbo engine regardless of which year you look at.

The Encore comes standard with front-wheel drive, but you should have no problem finding a pre-owned Encore with all-wheel drive if this is something you feel you need. It also has room for up to five passengers, and 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded down. These two Buick compact SUVs are ideal for a young person living in an urban area where space is at a premium. You’ll find parallel parking a compact SUV like the Encore easier than almost any other vehicle. The Buick Encore also makes for an excellent vehicle for a young family that can use the extra space but isn’t ready for a larger SUV model.

The 2018 GMC Terrain is similar to the Encore. However, if you want to get the ultimate luxury in a compact SUV, there is the Terrain Denali. This features a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine and a premium suspension system, giving it a ride like no other compact SUV on the market. The Terrain Denali is a great choice for an older couple that wants to spend a little more for luxury, ride, and performance, but don’t need the extra row of seats offered by a midsize or full-size SUV. In all, both a used GMC Terrain and used Buick Encore are good choices.

Midsize SUVs

Midsize SUVs may be the most popular vehicles on the road today. They provide larger engines and more space than compact SUVs while getting better fuel economy than full-size models. This is why a midsize SUV is the perfect choice for a suburban family. Two-row models like a used Buick Envision can seat up to five passengers comfortably. For those with a larger family, three-row midsize SUVs like the Buick Enclave and the GMC Acadia make the most sense. It really comes down to family size. If you have two or fewer children, then you should probably purchase a used or Certified Pre-Owned two-row midsize SUV. If you have a larger family or live in an extended family situation, like living with your parents, then you should probably go for a three-row midsize SUV.

The 2018 Buick Envision is an incredibly refined two-row midsize SUV. The engineers at Buick have taken an attention to detail on the Envision that really shows both inside and out. While the exterior of the Envision is very sporty, the interior of the vehicle is amazingly luxurious. But don’t let the Envision’s refined looks fool you. This is a midsize SUV with serious performance, featuring a 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder gas engine with variable valve timing. This improves engine efficiency with the Envision’s engine providing 197 horsepower while getting 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway.

If you need more space, then you can choose from any number of three-row midsize SUVs. A used Buick Enclave seats up to 7 passengers and has room for plenty of cargo with the second and third row of seats folded down. A 2018 Enclave, for example, features a 3.6-liter V6 engine with variable valve timing that produces a robust 310 horsepower. This allows the Enclave to be capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds. This shows why midsize SUVs may be the most versatile vehicle you can drive.

Surprisingly, all this power does not come at the price of fuel economy, with the front-wheel drive Enclave providing up to 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. Buick also offers the Enclave Avenir with more luxury features than the standard Enclave model. You should keep this in mind when shopping for a used or certified pre-owned Enclave SUV.

If you are looking for a more rugged three-row midsize SUV, then a used or certified pre-owned GMC Acadia might be more to your liking. A 2018 Acadia comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission for ultimate performance.

Full-size SUVs

There really is nothing quite like a full-size SUV. With compact and midsize SUVs, you need to fold-down rear seats to maximize cargo space. As a result, you are often compromising between passengers and cargo. There is no need to make this compromise with a full-size SUV. Not only do they have room for up to nine passengers, as in the case of a used GMC Yukon, they also have plenty of cargo space, even with the rear two seats occupied by your friends and family.

The 2016 GMC Yukon truly is an exceptional full-size SUV. Not only is there space for up to 9 passengers, but there is also a full 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. Whether you choose a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive Yukon, you have the peace of mind knowing that you have one of the most powerful SUVs on the road today. GMC also offers the Yukon in a Denali trim if you want the maximum luxury and safety features in your full-size SUV.

Find Your Next SUV At Rick Hendrick GMC Duluth

In life, a great deal is about finding the right thing to match your lifestyle. We see this in the places we live, the homes we choose, and the things we do for pleasure. The same goes for our cars. If you want a vehicle that will fit your lifestyle perfectly, then you should make your next purchase a used or certified pre-owned compact, midsize or full-size Buick or GMC SUV.