Review
Introduction
Launched in 2007, the GMC Acadia is the first crossover sport-utility from General Motors’ GMC truck brand. Built on GM’s Lambda architecture, the Acadia is a large crossover that is nearly the size of a GMC Yukon. The Acadia, however, weighs nearly 1000 fewer pounds than the body-on-frame Yukon. The GMC has three siblings that are also built on the Lambda architecture: the Saturn Outlook, the Buick Enclave, and the soon-to-arrive Chevrolet Traverse. To our eyes, the Acadia is the best-looking of the bunch.
GMC offers only one engine in the Acadia, a 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 with 275 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. A slick-shifting six-speed automatic is the only transmission available. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.
The Acadia features three rows of seating and can haul up to eight occupants; optional second-row captain’s chairs take the people count down to seven. The interior is spacious, subjectively more so than those of the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon twins. Third-row space is good even for adults, and the ingress and egress to the third row is easy, thanks to second-row seats that tumble and fold forward. Unlike many GM vehicles of the past, the Acadia has a handsome interior with rich materials and good build quality. Similarly, the exterior of the Acadia has an expensive and well-executed look that reeks of quality.
Larger than nearly all of its direct crossover competition, the Acadia and the other GM Lambda crossovers are also the heaviest vehicles in their segment. The heaviness saps performance and fuel economy (EPA estimates for the front-drive version are 16 mpg city and 24 highway and 16/22 for the all-wheel-drive version) compared with lighter crossovers.
Major competitors to the GMC Acadia include the Ford Explorer, Ford Taurus X, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, and Volvo XC90.
Verdict
The GMC Acadia is an excellent crossover vehicle that offers lots of passenger-hauling space, a copious amount of cargo room, a refined driving experience, and a handsome interior and exterior. The Acadia is among the heavier vehicles in its segment, but the 3.6-liter V-6 offers enough power to haul the big crossover around. Despite its portly weight, the Acadia is among the best vehicles in its class.
Click here to read our full review of the GMC Acadia.
What’s New for 2008
All-new for 2007, the Acadia has only a few minor changes and additions for 2008. It now comes standard with panic brake assist, which recognizes panic braking and adds brake pressure to decrease stopping distances; the all-wheel-drive system and the stability control system now have increased yaw control. Other changes include a second-row console on seven-passenger SLT models, standard XM satellite radio, quicker-acting traction control, and three new exterior colors: Dark Crimson, Carbon Flash Metallic, and Platinum Ice Metallic. New options include a backup camera available with the navigation system, heated exterior mirrors, a power liftgate, extended range for the remote vehicle-starting system, a Skyscape dual sunroof, a heated washer-fluid system, a head-up display, a DVD-based entertainment system for rear-seat passengers, a Bose stereo system with surround sound, and a touch-screen DVD-based navigation system.
