The GMC Acadia was one of the first large three-row crossover SUVs and set a template for many automakers as this class of vehicle exploded in popularity in the 2010s and 2020s. General Motors took a gamble replacing some relatively popular and profitable truck-based SUVs and vacating the minivan category, replacing them with these front-wheel-drive vehicles that could seat up to eight adults in more comfort than vehicles like GMC’s own Yukon and the Chevrolet Tahoe. But these models arrived in time for higher gas prices and increased fuel economy standards, which made them a no-brainer for buyers who didn’t prioritize towing ability.
Now in its third generation, the Acadia continues to grow in popularity and offers luxury and off-road variants to keep it competitive with not only rivals from every company like Ford, Honda, and Toyota, but also luxurious rivals from Acura, Jeep, and Lexus.
2024 - Present GMC Acadia (3rd Generation)
The third-generation Acadia arrived in early 2024. GM decided to revert to the original formula and make GMC’s three-row crossover SUV a large, three-row-only one again like the mechanically similar Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave — the latter of which was usually sold at the same dealership.
Now boasting the same wheelbase as the Enclave and Traverse, the 2024 Acadia used a revised version of the previous model’s platform, but with a roughly 8-inch wheelbase increase and 10-inch bump in length. Seating for up to eight was available again, or up to seven with optional second-row captain’s chairs.
The new Acadia also offered only one engine choice, a turbocharged, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 328 horsepower, up 18 from the old version’s optional V6 engine and way beyond the 230 horsepower from the previous 2.0-liter turbo four. An 8-speed automatic transmission was new as well, with most models offering front-wheel-drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).
Trim levels were also altered, with Elevation replacing the SLE and SLT designations for the mainstream model. Off-road oriented and AWD-only AT4 and premium Denali trims continued, along with specific exterior and interior details for those specialized variants.
New for every Acadia, however, was GM’s Super Cruise advanced driver assistance system that allowed drivers to have limited hands-free operation on highways, in addition to allowing the car to monitor driver attention and perform some steering and braking functions. The system first debuted on Cadillac models, as well as the larger GMC Yukon and Sierra. All 2024 Acadias also received a 15-inch portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system and an 11-inch driver information display.
2017 - 2023 GMC Acadia (2nd Generation)
GMC substantially revised the Acadia for 2017, losing several hundred pounds and several inches in length over the previous generation to make it a midsize SUV and distance it from the related Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave. Prices were also reduced, but the Acadia’s seating capacity was now limited to a maximum of seven passengers, or six with second-row captain’s chairs, or even five on some models.
A 193-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine served as the base model, but most came with a 310-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6. A 6-speed automatic transmission continued to be standard, along with front-wheel-drive. All-wheel-drive was an option. Trim levels were expanded to the SL, SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1, SLT2, and the Denali.
A new All-Terrain package for the SLE and SLT added more rugged styling and all-wheel-drive. Every Acadia gained an optional all-wheel-drive system with various modes for different road surfaces, as well as an option to manually switch the system off and make it two-wheel-drive to save fuel.
The Acadia stayed popular and mostly unchanged until 2020. The existing engine choices remained but were supplemented by a newly standard 9-speed automatic transmission. A 230-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine also joined the lineup on SLE and SLT versions and was the first four-cylinder Acadia to offer all-wheel-drive.
The All-Terrain model dropped for 2019, was replaced with an AT4 model that had standalone all-wheel-drive and revised front fascia and exterior trim, with standard five-passenger seating. New options included a cloud-based navigation system, USB-C ports, and a rearview mirror with a camera option. Every model also boasted a new infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Minor changes arrived for 2021 with the Elevation package that added black design details and different wheels to the standard models, while for 2022, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder was dropped and the turbo four-cylinder was now the standard engine. That also coincided with the base SL model disappearing and all models getting a standard third-row seat, barring the five-seat-only AT4 trim.
And with those alterations, the second-generation Acadia ran out the clock with an updated, and larger, third generation waiting in the wings.
2007 - 2017 GMC Acadia (1st Generation)
The GMC Acadia was introduced for the 2007 model year. It marked a first for GMC as its first SUV that wasn’t based on a truck platform, instead sharing a totally new platform developed by GM specifically for three-row midsize SUVs. It effectively replaced the truck-based Envoy in the brand’s lineup.
The Acadia was similar to the Saturn Outlook that was launched at the same time, and related to the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse that appeared in 2008 and 2009, respectively. All Acadia models received a 275-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6, and 6-speed automatic transmission powertrain combination. Front-wheel-drive was standard, another unusual feature for GMC, while all-wheel-drive was optional.
The Acadia’s trump card over other three-row SUVs such as the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander was its vast interior. A long wheelbase allowed for not only a spacious second row, but a large third-row bench that could accommodate adults in comfort and leave a respectable amount of cargo space. With the second and third rows folded down, there was more space inside than the full-size Yukon and enough to rival minivans.
Seating for eight passengers was standard, while second-row captain’s chairs were optional. Other features offered on the Acadia were leather upholstery and a head-up display. A rollover protection system uses stability control to mitigate a rollover, as well as inflate the side curtain airbags if a crash cannot be avoided.
SLE and SLT trims were initially offered for 2007, while a base SL was introduced for 2008. Apart from a slight horsepower boost in 2009, the Acadia was relatively untouched for the first few years of production. A high-end Acadia Denali was introduced in 2011, featuring a grille that mimicked the Yukon Denali’s, along with chrome wheels, a monochromatic exterior treatment, and more upscale interior trim.
For 2013, the Acadia received a comprehensive revision, although it was short of a complete redesign. Exterior styling was modestly revised, mostly consisting of a new grille and lighting, with subtly altered body panels, but there was no substantial change to the size of the Acadia. Inside, there were upgraded materials and a modestly altered dashboard.
A new safety feature was an airbag that inflated between the front passengers in the event of a side-impact crash. New driver assistance technology features such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning started to become available at this time. But apart from new wheel designs and modest equipment changes, the Acadia would remain the same for a few years.
While a new Acadia design would appear in 2017, the first-generation model would remain in production for one more year as the Acadia Limited. It came similarly equipped with an SLE trim with a few added features and a pared-down list of options. The Acadia Limited was primarily aimed at fleet buyers and rental markets but subsequently appeared on used car lots.