GMC might be in the higher echelons of truck manufacturers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have any affordable models. Is it time to check your local GMC dealership for a budget option you didn’t know was there?
Canyon
The four-door Canyon leads with its 310-horsepower TurboMax engine, giving it a class-leading towing capacity of 7,700 lbs. Despite the four-door crew cab, the 5.5-foot truck bed keeps the Canyon maneuverable and parkable in an urban environment. To keep things under $40,000, you’ll need to stick with rear-wheel drive.
Many desirable features come standard on the base package. You’ll be getting the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the more expensive trims. You’ll get the full suite of Canyon Pro Safety features, an 11.3″ infotainment screen, and an off-road suspension package with a 2″ lift and ultra-wide stance.
Sierra 1500
GMC’s full-size, light-duty offering, the Sierra 1500, is also available for under $40,000. Its powerful chassis supports four engine options, including a turbo-diesel offering. Single-, double-, and four-door crew cab configurations are available. Bed lengths range from 5.8 to 8.2 ft. The eight-speed, automatic transmission offers overdrive and a towing mode that raises the up- and downshift points to increase acceleration under heavy load and let engine compression help with braking. That engine braking is especially helpful on hills and allows the cruise control to downshift before hitting the brakes, saving wear and tear.
It includes a modern suite of safety and assisted driving features, including cameras to help with hitching up trailers, front and rear emergency brake assistance, and a lane-keep assist system. The crew cab boasts best-in-class head- and legroom. It also uses a 7″ touchscreen to manage the six-speaker stereo system and other vehicle features.
Terrain
GMC’s small SUV, the Terrain, is getting a redesign in 2025, and it’s the real budget winner. It comes in all-wheel and two-wheel drive options, both under $40,000. The interior has gotten a glow-up, and it sports the biggest infotainment screen on this list at 15″. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine sips gas in comparison to the trucks, boasting mileage between 24 and 28, depending on your drivetrain option.
The Terrain rolls premium features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel into every trim option. Adaptive cruise control is standard. It has selectable drive modes, and the front-wheel drive model comes with a continuously variable transmission, the only 2025 GMC model to offer one.
Maybe you’ve been scared off by GMC’s more usual premium price tags. Perhaps you’d never considered they’d be in your budget, but GMC sports some capable, affordable vehicles. It’s time for you to look over some trim packages at Kyle Edwards GMC in Muskogee, OK.
