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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  Acadia is a great family vehicle - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By toxner - August 24 - 7:25 am

  I rate this vehicle very high. It is a joy to drive and it is very comfortable for the family to travel in. To me it is very responsive and drives really nicely. It is a bigger SUV but the room inside is amazing. I love the styling and look of the vehicle.

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  Transmission and power steering - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By kimba71 - August 23 - 7:10 pm

  I have a 2007 Acadia with 70,000 miles on it. I am having major transmission problems. It slips all the time. Some times it will not go into gear. It is very dangerous when exiting onto a highway. In addition, there is a cover that apparently does not cover the power steering fluid/belt? they did not fully explain this well. The issue is when it really rains, the car does not steer. So I have ended up in a median and some other odd places. Luckily no one has been hurt... yet. I get endles repairs on this car. I see others are having the same issues. [violative content deleted]

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  piece of junk - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By risas - August 19 - 1:18 pm

  i have a 2008 and its been a piece of junk the service air bag stays on its been at the dealer 3 times they fix it, and a couple of weeks after ,it comes back . check engine light is been on for a couple of years something to do with emission. i have to fix it once a year to pass inspection.front end knocks when turning sounds like an old truck.and it doesnt stop there every time i put gas, it has a hard time to start back up. really dissapointed.

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  My take on Mileage and Interior Design - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By sood02491 - August 12 - 11:45 am

  Bought Acadia Denali 2011 - Have 1800 miles on it now. Mileage: I drive on Highway 5 Los Angeles back and forth to work. I leave home around 6.30 A.M - Get 22-24 MPG Leave work around 4 P.M -Get 16-17 MPG City : 14-17 MPG Do not go by the on board computer that shows how many miles per gallon you are getting - Calculate yourself - Fill Tank - Note mileage - Drive and put some miles on it and then Fill again to see how many gallons you used. Interior: I have owned Navigator, Audi A6 before. I traded Accord to get this - Accord had way more leg room than this - Find it hard to rest left foot when driving - Get very frustrated because of poor design - Not enough leg room.

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  Extremely Concerned Customer - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By jaeh1984 - July 28 - 12:59 pm

  I purchased my 2010 Acadia in August of 2009. It has 30,000 miles on it. It has never been wrecked. It is currently sitting in the shop for transmission repairs. I would appreciate it if someone could contact me about my car. I am beyond upset about my "new" car needing such serious repairs.

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  Mileage is a Joke! - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By jftripp - July 24 - 7:31 pm

  This vehicle was sold with EPA estimate of 17 city and 22 highway. We have about 10,000 miles on the vehicle, and are averaging around 14 or 15 city (have never gotten close to 17), and have yet to get over 19 MPG on the highway. Dont believe the EPA estimates on this vehicle! In addition, on the highway, its under-powered. If you have cruise set at 75, it will slow down to around 70 before it downshifts. This results in a constant "leap frog" with other vehicles on the highway. Looks decent, but other than that, I regret this purchase.

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  Bad Engines stay away - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By hurley325 - July 19 - 5:37 pm

  I have a 2007 acadia with 66,900 miles and I had to replace waterpump at 50,000 miles and now the engine light has come on. I took it to the dealer and they said that the engine will need to be removed do to a bad camshaft. It seems to be a big issue with the 3.6 engine just google camshaft-timing chain problems.

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  trans &gas milage - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By ralph59 - July 17 - 9:19 am

  i only get 13mpg around town,not like gmc says 21mpg on highway. with towing package and running empty the transmission down shift as soon as you take your foot the gas peddle.

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  Mixed Emotions - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By notadummy - July 14 - 3:57 pm

  I bought my 07 Acadia in 2008 with 12,000 miles. It wasnt long before I had to replace the water pump (covered under warranty). And then the sunroof started leaking. It has been in the shop 8 times for the sunroof and now the headliner is damaged and I am having electrical issues, which I attribute to water damage. The backup sensor light is staying on (which they said was normal!), my rear brake light assembly is fogged up internally and doing the "fast blink", my front blinker on the mirror is malfunctioning, and my AC quit working. I was told the AC was unrelated, and its the evaporator core, and its $1700 to fix. I love my vehicle, but not the problems! I am torn about trading!

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  slush factor & interior faux pas - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By mundocovar - June 28 - 3:25 pm

  amidst looking for a good crossover for my size 6-5... while i am an avid fast driver, we need the room to lug around at least 4 big people without having to get a mini van or a suburban monster. we test drove the car but the title of crossover is not there. the car feels like a small truck. handling is slushy and feels a bit delayed. the room inside has with great features. but the quality of the finish turned us off. the sun roof(s) were covered with a flimsy slide cloth that did not close well and that would be torn off at the first fight between my children, sunroof hardware was exposed were tie rods would lead to finger stubbing cleanup .unlike the toyota HIGHLANDER clean desig