The GMC Acadia is a full-sized sport utility vehicle from General Motors that was introduced to the U.S. and Canadian markets in 2007. It replaced the GMC Safari and Envoy models as a three-row, 7- or 8-seat vehicle. The Acadia met with good sales success even as crossovers began to replace SUVs. The premium vehicle remained popular for its entire first generation.
The second-generation Acadia was introduced for the 2017 model year as a smaller, mid-size vehicle that retains the three rows, but not the body-on-frame SUV build. It is a crossover-SUV instead. The Acadia Limited, a first-generation carry-over, remains as a 2017 model year holdover. The sales success of the Acadia has meant that the SUV has been popular as a used car option as well. Most GMC Acadia models have had a good reputation for longevity, even at relatively high mileage on the odometer. The later editions of the truck, however, especially in the 2007-2008 model years, have gained a reputation for breaking down with expensive transmission failures. On the plus side, the Acadia has consistently had top scores in crash testing, including a 5-Star overall rating in most years.
Outside of those problems, though, the majority of new and used GMC Acadia buyers have been happy with their choice. These are strong, well-rounded, premium-level sport utilities with a lot of road-going excellence and capability. The used market thrives with examples of the Acadia. Shoppers looking for a three-row crossover-SUV like the Acadia may also want to cross-shop the Toyota Highlander, Dodge Durango, and Buick Enclave; as well as the higher trims of the Ford Explorer.
Test Drive Reviews
2019 GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a solid-selling, midsized crossover in the premium market. As one of the first sport utilities in the segment, the Acadia became popular for its strong build, interior luxury, and capability.
The Acadia was redesigned in 2017, saw a light upgrade last year, and enters 2019 unchanged from there. This SUV drives well, gets good fuel economy for its size, and has a less busy cabin than some luxury options. It's not as luxurious as its price might bear, however, and some competitors are more daily-usable than is the Acadia.
The 2019 GMC Acadia is refined and comes with a lot of options to meet needs. There are six trim levels for the 2019 Acadia, including the special-order-only base SL trim. Both two- and three-row options are available for the Acadia and two engine options are also offered. Front-wheel and all-wheel drive are also options.
The 2018 GMC Acadia carries on with the long-running GMC crossover, which has been a mainstay for the brand for about a decade. The Acadia drives very well, gets good fuel economy for its size, and is noted for its less busy cabin and comfortable quarters.
The Acadia was fully redesigned in 2017 and enters 2018 with a few important updates that keep it relevant. Most notably among those changes is the availability of the third row with the All Terrain off-road package.
The 2018 Acadia is available in six trim levels. The base SL trim is a special order trim meant for fleet sales while the SLE and SLT trims have a "-1" and "-2" indicator for their trim splits. There are both two-row and three-row versions of the Acadia available and two engine options. Both front-wheel and all-wheel drive are available.
In the classic Depeche Mode song "Just Can't Get Enough," the lyrics speak of not being able to get a sufficient amount of time with a paramour. Well, in this case, when it comes to SUVs we just can't get enough of the 2013 GMC Acadia which is to our eyes, just enough SUV to qualify as a true all you could ever want family hauler. If you need more space for family, might we recommend something in a Motorhome? Not only is the Acadia amazing for being able to haul 7 or 8 passengers, it is amazing that it can haul that many adults comfortably without being a needless parking space hog.
Now we so can't get enough of the Acadia platform that we think there is plenty of room on the market for its siblings known as the 2013 Buick Enclave and 2013 Chevy Traverse if ever there was a trio made in the style of true GM platform sharing. Without question the Enclave is the suave and sophisticated one in the family, the Acadia Denali as was driven here was the stylish workhorse. The Chevy's blandness took points away from it but in the end this every man and woman approach will no doubt win the vehicle more sales from GMC and Buick.
But even beyond its role at GM, does the 2013 GMC Acadia serve its purpose as the modern day 7-passenger family station wagon minus the vomit inducing rear facing station wagon-style "third row" that they had in the "old days" spanning through the 1950's on until the late 1980's. Yes, the 1980's are now considered the "good old days" too and the music from that era like the aforementioned Depeche Mode is labeled "Classic Rock." Feeling old yet?
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