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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  Very Disappointed - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By lexreviewer - June 27 - 12:06 pm

  We have owned our 2007 Acadia for just over a year and it has been very disappointing. The first 2 months we owned it...it lived in the shop. Leaks from the moon roof. Then it was the suspension. Then it was the battery. Then the last straw was the transmission completely going. NOT GOOD. We traded it....took a loss and got out of it as soon as we could.

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  Love it!! - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By jodi0725 - June 20 - 8:52 pm

  We got a new Acadia in March 2011, after a car accident totaled my Equinox. Test drove the Traverse and Acadia and liked the Acadia much more. It drives so smoothly and we love the back up camera. We got the 2 bucket seats in the second row, which is great with 2 small girls. My only complaints are: sun reflection off the air vents and console can be blinding and the windshield wipers located on the same lever as the turn signals take some getting used to. I still turn on my wipers when trying to turn on my signal, and vice versa.

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  Oh My Gosh!! - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By rdwoz - June 13 - 10:50 pm

  Love the look and drive of the 2007 Acadia. Bought it with 30k on in 2008. Started of great. List of problems since we bought it as follows: Sunroof recall-fixed, followed by a severe leak that poured water on my rear seat heated wiper recall, struts replaced at 80k, front seal replaced twice meaning motor was pulled twice, transmission hoses, radio replaced once, and fought for further repairs numerous times before rusted and pinched were found, driver seat slides, but not in for repairs, remote starter barely works at the best of times, and to top it all off, I was driving home recently when I hit a rough patch of highway and my side impact airbags exploded without warning or reason.

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  Sad Sad - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By car_girl24 - June 10 - 9:43 am

  I have had my 2008 AWD Acadia for 8 months. I have stop driving it because it is averaging 11.5 mpg hwy. I traded a 2004 Pacific for this that I loved I just wanted more room. I loved the car for the first month then all of the sudden the gas mileage took a dump. On my first road trip it got 22 mpg Hwy and 16 mpg city. This is the best I have even seen out of it. I am now in the market for a different SUV. I have had no mechanical issues and it has 76,000 mi. But if you dont care about what kind of mileage you get out of a SUV I have to say this is a great truck. Very comfortable ride.

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  Warning GMC doesnt care about customers who buy a used car! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By clesliea - June 7 - 2:20 pm

  I bought a used 2008 (not from a dealer). Pristine condition with 19,000 miles. Quickly, I noticed very faint noise coming from the steering wheel while turning. GMC looked at it said there was a problem with the rack and pinion, steering column and steering stays to the tune of $2,000 w/ labor. My research says this is not uncommon for this model and year. I contacted GMC, they said they would review it for coverage but that because I bought it used they hadnt made any money off me. If I had bought new and it had the same miles they would help since I would have been considered a loyal customer. So much for my customer loyalty. Worried about future since it only has 19,000 miles.

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  $48000 car that does not have a compass - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By buckeye42 - June 7 - 2:00 pm

  Did not find out until after puchase that you can not get a compass on your Denali if you have the Bose entertainment system and the rear entertainment dvd player. Seems kind of cheap of GM to go high end on car but low end on every day useful items.

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  Tried to love the car - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By joev3 - May 29 - 8:21 am

  I liked the external look and interior space. I took very good care of the care, always garage kept and oil changes every 3-5k with synthetic oil. From the day I drove it out the ABS light went on - that was a loose connector. The Air bag light went on all the time. On long trips the A/C would stop and for a while before coming back on. One day after stoping the car and getting out - the radio stayed on - I had to restart the car and move the steering wheel and stop it again before it would finally go off. I could never get close to the MPG stated, usually in my other cars I am close or higher than the stated mpg. I think the Acadia has real electrical problems and overstated MPG. I real

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  Fun to drive - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By benedicttb - May 23 - 10:58 pm

  I have had my Acadia for a month and find it fun to drive. The engine has lots of power and excellent pick up. I have 2500 miles on it and found that after 2000 miles the town milage is about 17. It was lower 14 for the first 1000 miles. On the road I got about 23. I have an all wheel drive one, and I suppose the 2 wheel drive model would do better. The sound system is great, and I will continue with xm radio. The seats are very comfortable. I got the one with 2 bucket seats in the second row which causes less friction on who sits in front. I like the size since I can carry a lot more than I could in 4 runner or the jeep my brother has. When you use the phone the fan stops.

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  Piece of Crap. So MAD - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By cleanair1 - May 16 - 3:38 pm

  Hello. Im from Ottawa, Canada. I have 2008 Acadia SLT loaded. We started to have a problems after 2,5 years owing the car. My boyf and I so freaking mad. Every time its rains car is leaking from the roof. DONT BUY IT. SAFE yourself a trouble

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  Acadia Denali - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By ltdjr - May 1 - 4:19 pm

  I have 6 weeks experience with the Acadia Denali FWD. Overall the ride is quiet and comfortable. There have been no mechanical issues. The six cylinder engine provides adequate power, but not high perforance by any account. The gas milage is quite disappointing so far. I probably would not have made this purchase if I knew how bad the milage would be. Combined driving is 15-16mpg. Dealer says it will get better after 5,000 mi? I doubt that highly. I have seen 20 mpg only on long highway trips. The Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon gets this kind of milage in a substantial SUV as opposed to this disguised minivan.