Are Buick and GMC Dependable Car Brands?

It’s well-known that Buick and GMC are two of the longest-operating automakers in the United States, and indeed, the entire world. With individual histories that go back more than a century, both brands have built rock-solid reputations for reliability and customer satisfaction. 

But just because they’ve been around for a while, does that mean that they’re still at the top of their game? Does a long-standing history really equate to the most dependable cars for sale in Columbia, SC? That’s what we’re here to find out.   

The 2025 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study 

When you want to hear the skinny on anything car-related, you consult with the experts, and very few institutions can match the expertise of J.D. Power. Every year, they do an in-depth analysis where they consider most major brands sold in America and rank them on a scale of how many problems they have per 100 vehicles sold. This is their Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). 

According to J.D. Power, Buick actually ranks #1 among all mass market non-luxury brands, and #2 overall, coming in second only to Lexus. That puts them well ahead of the market average, and according to the study, they place ahead of many famously reliable brands like Toyota and Mazda. 

GMC didn’t do quite as well as Buick, but it still ranked significantly higher than the average, coming in at #7 out of 31 brands included in the study. What’s even more impressive is that Chevrolet and Cadillac, which are also under the General Motors umbrella, both ranked above average, too, making GM one of the most dependable names in the industry overall. 

The Most Dependable Buick and GMC Vehicles 

As part of their VDS, J.D. Power also ranks the most dependable specific models in a number of categories. Here’s a look at how Buick and GMC fared for 2025: 

The Most Dependable Buick Vehicles 

• #3 Small SUV – Buick Encore GX: The Encore GX is one of the most affordable models on the VDS list, with a starting price of well under $30k, allowing shoppers near Blythewood, SC, to enjoy a high-end interior without breaking the bank. It comes standard with an 8-inch Driver Information Display and Ultrawide 11-inch HD Color touchscreen, plus additional features like wireless Apple CarPlay®, wireless Android Auto™, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability, making for an impressively tech-forward cabin experience. 
• #2 Upper Midsize SUV – Buick Enclave: The Enclave combines a spacious interior and seating for up to seven people with top-notch tech features, including a massive standard 30-inch premium display, which provides a stylish and intuitive interface for media, navigation, and more. Super Cruise hands-free driving is also available across the entire trim lineup, giving drivers a futuristic way to get around,whether it’s cross-country or just across town. 

The Most Dependable GMC Vehicles 

• #2 Compact SUV – GMC Terrain: Revamped for the recent model year, the Terrain is now available with a new selection of trims, including the off-road-focused AT4 and the premium luxury Denali. You don’t have to spend big bucks to get your money’s worth, though—the base-level Elevation trim comes with a 15-inch center touchscreen display and more than 16 standard safety and driver assistancefeatures, and that’s just a taste of what it has to offer. 
• #1 Upper Midsize SUV – GMC Acadia: With seating for up to eight and nearly 100 cubic feet of available cargo space, the Acadia’s huge interior makes for a dynamic and versatile ride for road trips, shopping missions, and more. Like the Terrain, it also comes with a 15-inch GMC infotainment system, a heaping helping of driver assistance features, and more luxe interior appointments than you can shake a stick at. 
• #2 Midsize Pickup – GMC Canyon: The Canyon may be GMC’s smallest truck, but don’t let its size put you off, because it comes with a torquey standard engine that allows up to 7,700 pounds of towing capacity. It also has some serious off-road chops, especially when optioned with the AT4X trim, which comes with front and rear locking differentials, additional drive modes, a factory lift, and more. 
• #2 Large Light Duty Pickup – GMC Sierra: One of the most iconic pickup trucks to ever grace the streets, the Sierra 1500 offers effortless good looks, tons of tech and comfort features, and a huge selection of trims, powertrains, and body styles. With a max towing capacity of 13,300 pounds, it leaves most competition in the dust, and its available premium trims up the ante into some truly ritzyterritory. 
• #2 Large Heavy Duty Pickup – GMC Sierra HD: If the regular-duty Sierra simply isn’t enough to get the job done, the Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD are sure to impress. The available Duramax® Turbo Diesel engine allows an insane towing capacity of 36,000 pounds in the 3500, and its roomy interior comes with a variety of available features like the 13.4-inch center touchscreen and 12.3-inch driver information display, plus up to 14 exterior camera views to aid in towing and off-roading.   

Explore the Most Dependable Vehicles in Columbia, SC 

At Jim Hudson Buick GMC, we have one of the finest selections of new vehicles in South Carolina, with dozens of models in various trims and colors, so you never have to settle when you shop with us. We also have exclusive lease deals and low APR financing for qualified shoppers. 

Ready to take a test drive? Contact us online or call us at (803) 462-4475 today.