2013 Yukon Denali 4dr Suv Awd on 2040-cars

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Poor headlights cause 40 cars to miss IIHS Top Safety Pick rating

Over the past few months, we've noticed a number of cars and SUVs that have come incredibly close to earning one of the IIHS's highest accolades, the Top Safety Pick rating. They have great crash test scores and solid automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems. What trips them up is headlights. That got us wondering, how many vehicles are there that are coming up short because they don't have headlights that meet the organization's criteria for an "Acceptable" or "Good" rating. This is a revision made after 2017, a year in which headlights weren't factored in for this specific award. This is also why why some vehicles, such as the Ford F-150, might have had the award last year, but have lost it for this year. We reached out to someone at IIHS to find out. He responded with the following car models. Depending on how you count, a whopping 40 models crash well enough to receive the rating, but don't get it because their headlights are either "Poor" or "Marginal." We say depending on how you count because the IIHS actual counts truck body styles differently, and the Infiniti Q70 is a special case. Apparently the version of the Q70 that has good headlights doesn't have adequate forward collision prevention technology. And the one that has good forward collision tech doesn't have good enough headlights. We've provided the entire list of vehicles below in alphabetical order. Interestingly, it seems the Volkswagen Group is having the most difficulty providing good headlights with its otherwise safe cars. It had the most models on the list at 9 split between Audi and Volkswagen. GM is next in line with 7 models. It is worth noting again that though these vehicles have subpar headlights and don't quite earn Top Safety Pick awards, that doesn't mean they're unsafe. They all score well enough in crash testing and forward collision prevention that they would get the coveted award if the lights were better.

2025 GMC Terrain fully revealed in spy photos

A couple of months ago, GMC teased the 2025 Terrain compact SUV and said there'd be a reveal sometime this year. We're still waiting on the official reveal, but in the meantime, a spy photographer caught the GMC out and about without any coverings. So this is an early look at the Terrain, both in AT4 and Denali trim levels. Being a mechanical twin to the recently revised 2025 Chevy Equinox, there are some similarities in the roofline, the prominent C-pillar and the window lines, but beyond that the Terrain continues to be solidly distinguished from the Chevy. The front has GMC's more vertical headlights and tall grille, with the latter getting a unique black surround. The fender flares are given more prominence, particularly from the signature amber marker lights over each wheel, and there are subtle taillight and bumper changes. There are design differences between the AT4 and Denali, too. The AT4 has black contrasting flares and bumpers, whereas the Denali has body color pieces. And the AT4 has tow hooks and smaller wheels with all-terrain tires. The Terrain really differentiates itself from the Equinox inside, though. It trades the more organic, trapezoidal Chevy design for the crisp, rectangular looks of larger GMC models. Complementing the look is the touchscreen in portrait layout compared to the Chevy's landscape unit. We don't know for sure whether this screen will be standard across the lineup (the photo is of a Denali), but considering GM's willingness to include big screens in all its models, we wouldn't be surprised if this is included even on base Terrains.  Underpinning the Terrain will be the same new platform as Equinox, and almost certainly the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 175 horsepower. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive should be on offer, with the former getting a CVT and the latter an eight-speed automatic. The AT4 model clearly has reworked bumpers for better approach and departure angle than the standard Terrain, and probably has some additional light protection. We'll be curious if GMC offers a twin-clutch rear differential for some locking and torque-vectoring functionality to help it stand out and potentially compete with the likes of high-end Bronco Sport. But that's more in the realm of speculation. We should have confirmation of many of these details and much more soon when GMC officially reveals the Terrain itself.

GMC to get own model not shared with Chevy?

For years, GMC has existed as a brand without a single unique product, reconstituting Chevrolet trucks, SUVs and crossovers with more frosting in exchange for a few extra dollars. The Sierra is a Silverado, the Acadia a Traverse, and the Terrain an Equinox, although admittedly the latter pair are visually differentiated to a significant degree.
GMC could be set to expand beyond its Chevy-based roots, though. During last week's Detroit Auto Show press days, GM's product boss Mark Reuss was asked whether there'd ever be a GMC that wasn't taken from Chevy. "Oh, yes, you will," Reuss told the media. "The health of GMC is astonishingly good from a consideration standpoint." Reuss wouldn't elaborate on what the model could be, although we're quite happy to make some guesses. GMC has its bases fairly well covered, with a mid-size and full-size crossover, as well as a mid-size, full-size and HD pickup. We doubt GMC will be building a family sedan, sports car, or hatchback, so really, the only place we can see the brand going is into a smaller crossover.
Automotive News points out that the most recent small GMC showcar, the 2010 Granite concept (shown above), won't see production according to General Motors. That vehicle likely would have rode on GM's compact vehicle architecture, known internally as Gamma II, which underpins the Chevy Spark and Sonic, as well as the Buick Encore (and its overseas Opel/Vauxhall/Chevy counterparts).