Poll: Which GMC Logo Do You Like More – Red Or Black?
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The GMC logo has incorporated red letters for so long that the brand has become known as the Big Red among loyalists. The story begins in 1966, when a new GMC logo was introduced. Matching the brand’s values, it was clear and simple – nothing more than the three letters written in red. An update in 2014 gave it a more three-dimensional appearance, but the basic design and color scheme has remained the same for almost exactly half of GMC’s storied history.
Lately, however, General Motors has begun to offer a version of the GMC logo with black lettering. For example, front and rear emblems of this type are included in the Elevation Black package for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck in the Elevation trim level. The package is priced at $1,095, but the emblems can be bought as a stand-alone accessory for $295. The black GMC logo is also available for most other models in the GMC lineup, including the Terrain, Acadia and Canyon, though not the Sierra HD or Savana models.
But now there’s another twist to the story: the all-new 2021 GMC Yukon and 2021 GMC Yukon XL full-size SUVs are offered with an illuminated front emblem as a standalone LPO (dealer-installed) accessory (under RPO code RN2), or as part of the Illumination Package (RPO code RGL). In these cases, the letters of the GMC logo are still the traditional red, but it’s easy to imagine that they could be finished in black in some future accessory.
Even discounting that possibility, there is a clear trend within General Motors towards increased availability of logos with muted color schemes. This ties in with GM’s other brand: the legendary Chevrolet Bow Tie emblem is now available in black as well as the traditional gold (which also has a backlit version sometimes referred to as “Glowtie“), while the Cadillac Crest emblem is offered in monochrome without the usual red, yellow and blue elements; a back-lit version of the monochrome logo should be offered on upcoming range of Cadillac EVs.
But these are side issues. The biggest question is whether it’s acceptable for Big Red to become Big Red, Though Perhaps Black In Some Cases? How important is brand heritage? And does the GMC logo look better or worse with black letters instead of red ones? Let us know by voting in our poll or sharing your views in the comments section.
Whatever your GMC logo color preference, be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Black GMC isn’t bad but I prefer red. The black bow tie, however, is the worst. If they want to get rid of the gold, they should use the flow tie which is hollow in the middle.
I agree, that black bow tie looks so CHEAP! Who wants to pay $65,000 for a Tahoe and have that piece of crap on the front!
The DEALER wants you to have it, with its $110 or so price. A neighbor recently went Tahoe shopping, and every dealer within a reasonable distance – and then some – wouldn’t sell him one without the black bowtie, and various other bits of tack-on, high-markup things he didn’t want or need.
I liked the blue bow tie better than the gold. I don’t mind the black on the right trim level but you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Younger buyers like the black because it looks sporty and meaner. To each his own, but blue is better than gold.
I like the Red GMC better then the Black one the GMC …..however I really like the black bow tie on the Chevy!
I like the black emblems as an option.
It often depends on the vehicle, the color and the trim as to if the black or red is better.
I saw a drag gray Yukon Denali the other day with black and it was spectacular. Now that same emblem on my Maroon Acadia Denali just would not work.
As for lighted I am just not a fan.
My one owner almost perfect 99 Yukon and its Red “GMC” is iconic – just ask any of my son’s friends – when they saw it coming they knew it’s time to behave.
Black as an option is fine but GMC is meant to be in Red!
Chevy needs to go all chrome on the bowtie. The gold is so outdated.
FORD has the blue oval, Chevrolet has gold bow tie GMC should remain red
RED
Black Emblems do work on Pick Ups, if one were to get the Silverado Black Out or Night Ops Edition, that Gold Bow Tie would certainly be a “No-Go”, as we all know, it’s based on the appearance of your vehicle that will determine Alternative Emblems in order to tie it all together.
Red
It needs to stay red….. and the bowtie needs to stay gold….. just the way its supposed to be!
I own a GMC Terrain & prefer the RED letters!!! The black trim trends ,especially. Grilles & wheels SUCKS, black out on vehicles is so 90’s kitsch. The Gold bow tie is the only thing I like about Chevy brand!! Gives brand some class. Infers QUALITY! JR
I like the black bow tie on most vehicles. As for the GMC, I think red looks good on some and black on others depending on the color of the paint.
I have a White 2017 Silverado with black emblems and I think it looks awesome. The dark tint glass, hood protector, side window rain guards and black tonneau cover help set it off perfectly. Chrome bumpers, runnings boards and rims give it the sparkle!
Black, without a question. Time for GM to modernize their logos to black and silver tones, especially Buick.
I like the one fitted at the factory. Not the one the dealer installed as part of an overpriced “pack “.
Over the years the bow tie has been every color in the book. The latest toned down gold bow tie isn’t horrible just not my choice. Gold is way too tacky of a color to be used for your logo. For GMC the real heritage color is orange, let’s bring that back. My Impala and Silverado run black bow ties. My 77 GMC motorhome, orange.
I think it depends on the vehicle color, I’m not the biggest fan of the Gold bowtie, but it does look good on a black truck, Chrome would look even nicer
Personally I like the bowtie logo they used on the Centennial Edition 2018 trucks, that with the color they chose for those models were great together.
Depending on the other aspects of the vehicle, any of the color options may look good. Let the customer decide and if possible design them to allow for ease of change, but please persuade the dealer to not charge an astronomical price to make the swap prior to delivery. If the vehicle is ordered, don’t tie these subtle changes to an option package with a lengthy content list and exorbitant price.
I hate black bow tie,I think it should be blue like first chevy truck!
I definitely want the RED emblem and it should have gloss to the color. And bigger is better! The black might look OK if it was also done in gloss black, but flat or satin black doesn’t look right. Like graying out a license plate protector/cover, it just looks bad like you are trying to hide something.
My old 1998 Chev pick up had a Gold Boy Tie which I switched to “RED”! It stood out better. My new GMC comes with a RED Emblem in the grill and I prefer that. Like many have said, the Black or Chrome looks good depending on the trim of the truck. To each his or her own. Several of my friends “Painted” the Bow Tie to match their vehicles color scheme or preference. I certainly would NOT pay big bucks at the Parts Counter when paint is cheaper. Sorry but the “Lighted” LOGO looks “TACKY”!
Gee, I don’t know. I’m gonna have to mull it over for a few days to be able to answer this important question.