Overview & Reviews

Building tough trucks for tough work has been the focus of GMC for years, but even GMC couldn't avoid the onslaught of the crossover SUV revolution. That's where the GMC Acadia comes in.

The Acadia is a large crossover SUV. Mechanically, it's very similar to its platform-mates -- the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and now-discontinued Saturn Outlook. Thanks to its spacious interior, strong V6 engine and competitive price, the Acadia is one of the better crossover SUV choices. Although there were styling updates and a few other minor changes made for 2013, shoppers should know that Acadias from any year share most of the same pros and cons.

Current GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a large crossover SUV that's offered in five trims: SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1, SLT-2 and Denali. Each comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that makes 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard, but all-wheel drive is an option. Although even the base SLE-1 is fairly well-equipped, moving up through the trims brings luxuries such as Bluetooth phone connectivity, leather upholstery, heated seats, a navigation system, smartphone app integration and a panoramic sunroof.

The GMC Acadia is one of the roomiest crossover utility vehicles in its class, with seating for up to eight passengers. The second-row seats are captain's chairs, but a 60/40-split-folding bench is available as an option. Those second-row seats also slide 4 inches fore and aft and easily flip up and out of the way for access to the third-row seats. There's room for adults in the back two rows, though leg support is a bit lacking. With both the second and third rows folded down, the Acadia's substantial cargo space is topped only by minivans and extra-large SUVs like the Chevy Suburban.

In our road tests we've found the Acadia's handling respectable, especially considering the vehicle's large size, and its buttoned-down and quiet ride is particularly impressive. The V6 won't blow you away with its power, but it moves the Acadia out with decent authority. Overall, our editors feel that the GMC Acadia represents a compelling combination of functionality, luxury and value.

Used GMC Acadia Models
The GMC Acadia debuted for the 2007 model year. Its 3.6-liter V6 lacked direct injection until 2009, and hence was rated at a slightly lower 275 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque for its first two years of production. The transmission was reprogrammed for 2010 to address previous complaints of sluggish downshift response. That year also saw new features like Bluetooth connectivity, real-time traffic updates for the navigation system, and available heated and ventilated seats. The plush Denali trim debuted the following year.

For 2013, GMC heavily updated the Acadia. Changes included refreshed front and rear styling, improved interior materials and a new front-center airbag as well as larger, easier-to-use controls for the audio, climate and navigation systems. This year also brought GM's IntelliLink system, with its smartphone integration capability, as well as a slight shuffling of equipment and trim levels.

User Reviews:

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  BEST CAR. period - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By lovegmc1 - June 12 - 2:30 pm

  For our new car, we were going to test drive an edge at ray seraphin ford, but when they wouldnt let us because there was snow on top of the car (:0), we decided to go right next door to Scranton GMC. I fell in love with it as soon as we drove it off of the lot because of all the features as well as smoothness of the ride! A few months later, after driving every other comparable car, we decided on the acadia! Ever since Hallowee 2011, we have taken the beloved acadia everywhere, and racked up 16,000 miles, all without ONE problem(except for one onstar issue, but that wasnt the cars fault). The GMC acadia fits any family like a new member and is the best crossover/ SUV choice out there!!!!

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  In my 5th year - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By hdao - June 12 - 10:24 am

  As I have seen quite many people are disappointed with Acadia. Especially sun roof leak, power steering rubbing noise, water pump leak. I was lucky that I did not buy the one with a sun roof. M Acadia had a water pump leak. It has been replaced at 30k mileage for free under power train warranty. The power steering rubbing noise happened after the bumper-to-bumper warranty. However, after contacting the GMC Social Relation Department, GMC has split the cost. That is a nicest thing of buying this vehicle. It shows GMC committed to customer satisfaction.

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  Soooo many problems - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By lori43 - June 4 - 12:00 pm

  I bought this car used Dec 2010, luckily it had a certified warranty. I love it, when everything is working. The sunroof leaked & was resealed, the navagation/radio display had to be replaced, the transmission dissassembled and 17 parts replaced, parking brake switch replaced, seatbelts installed incorrectly fixed, steering gear replaced, swaybar links replaced. Now the A/C only works (sometimes) on drivers side, blows hot on passenger and rear. Over $1400 to fix (replace evaporator core). All of this in a year & a half. Seriously considering taking a loss and trading it in. I simply cant afford the constant repairs.

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  2008 GMC Acadia Transmission - Again! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By jjthk - May 29 - 12:31 pm

  The freshly rebuilt transmission in our Acadia just letgo on us again, leaving stranded for the second time. It was jus rebuilt last Nov (yes, Thanksgiving trip....), so after 6 months it died again. It was REBUILT because GM refused to approve a new unit to be installed, even after being recommended by the dealership. This car has had many problems and only has 64,000 miles. I will be trading this as soon as the latest transmission issue is fixed. No more GM for me. Paid lots of money for a big (certified pre-owned) lemon!

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  Wish I could drive my Arcadia - still in the shop :( - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By paulgueho - May 28 - 3:45 am

  I purchased my Arcadia one month ago & Have only been behind the wheel for only a week - three days after purchasing it I got it home & the DVD player quit working & it had to be replaced then the check engine light came on & I had it checked & the 3rd cylinder wasnt firing then the A/C quit blowing cold- so I took it in & after a bunch of mumbo-jumbo it was fixed so all problems were fixed by the dealership but this has been a very poor car buying experience & I do not think that I will ever get a new or GMC ever again - I just dont feel comfortable or safe with my family in it taking trips & I am waiting for more problems to occour ...............

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  Drove them all... - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By peterfletcher - May 3 - 11:19 pm

  I looked at everything & mean everything! It came down to the Dodge Durango, Jeep GC, Toyota 4Runner & Acadia. I rented a Durango and Jeep for a couple of days. Both of them had driving positions that didnt allow me to read the gauges because the steering wheel blocked it. In the Jeep, the A Pillar is way to wide & the roof line to low to be comfortable. With the rear seats down, the Durangos load floor was so high that my dog was breathing down my neck and could be pitched out the side window. The 4runner was nice, but the rear air vents were blocked when rear seat was folded flat, the passenger seat sits very high and is not adjustable plus no sunroof delete available in my state(Im 63").

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  Nothing but issues - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By unhappy07owner - April 5 - 6:56 pm

  I purchased my 2007 Acadia last May and since that date it has been in the shop a lot. The transmission had a lag so we had it in to get it repaired, they did some computer update and about a month later the transmission failed, so into the shop and a new rebuilt trani was put in, but still had the lag from 4th to 5th. So in again to have it looked at. The company increased the rpms so that there was no more lagging. I have gone trouble free for a few months and now it is my steering. Something to do with the inside mechanism of the steering colomn. I am thinking that GM really made a lemon here. Especially reading everyones complaints about the same things.

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  Constant Problems - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By gbread - March 26 - 9:53 am

  Unfortunately, one week after purchasing my GMC Acadia SLTII, one of the tires blew out and had to be replaced. It has gotten no better. This car gets the worse gas mileage of any vehicle I have ever owned. It gets less than 14 mpg, and is costing me an arm and a leg. The transmission constantly slips, and it has been in the shop for a broken water pump, non-cooling air conditioner and problems with the DVD player. The dealer has been very helpful upon each instance, however, I am sure they are getting tired of having to get me rental cars regularly since the car, still under warranty, is in the shop all of the time. I cant wait to get rid of this car, and will never buy GMC again.

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  Acadia--smooth but flawed - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By reefball1 - March 13 - 9:18 pm

  Smooth, comfortable ride. However: 1. The dealer installed rear DVD players (mounted in the headrests) have a headphone jack but no way to control the volume. Headphones that are plugged in are dangerously loud for children. 2. The rear audio control is horrible: when the radio station is changed by a child in the back seat, it changes the station on the front control panel. 3. USB jack is awkwardly mounted in a box on the dashboard, so my iphone cable gets pinched and hangs down the front of the control panel. 4. Console in armrest is poorly designed and barely tall enough for sunglasses.

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  wow!!!! - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By kimmyac - February 29 - 9:44 am

  I leased my 2011 Acadia in July of 2010, straight off the truck, first GMC I have ever driven. I was at the time driving an Explorer 7pass., that I was in love with and swore by. I was actually going to buy another one. However just paying attention to the different SUVs on the road, I liked the look and test drove a Saturn Outlook first. Then the GMC Acadia caught my eye. I went to the dealer to test drive one, and the next day my mind was made up (actually after I drove it my mind was made up) and I was the proud owner of a beautiful, stylish, comfortable, roomy, well handling, just outstanding vehicle in every aspect and detail. Can you tell I love my Acadia?