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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  GMC Acadia unreliable - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By gulfking2 - November 15 - 3:19 pm

  I purchased used 8/2013. 25,000 miles. We have had two recalls and one power steering pump failure notice. My steering felt like manual steering like the gmc letter described. Dealership and gmc agreed that my power steering boot tips broke and all power steering fluid leaked which caused my pump to seized. They didnt pay for my repairs. Lastly my driver side power window doesnt work and dealership technician told us the motor sometimes jams and to slam the door but not to hard to fix the problem and it works to my disbelief. I regret buying this car and hate all the problems and money it has cost during my 14 month of owning. I have 50,000 miles.

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  meh - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By ghostface2009 - November 14 - 6:01 pm

  My wifes vehicle, she likes it, its safe and good in snow with AWD, looks nice, lots of interior room, etc. Im a little more picky - gas mileage pretty bad, the head rest leans too far forward, so not comfortable for me in drivers seat, and at 58K we had to get the timing cover resealed because it was leaking oil. Luckily, covered under powertrain warranty so did not cost me a penny. Also, very minor, but the rubber footing on the emergency brake popped off. I popped it back on and its been fine ever since. I have a 2005 Camry with 270K miles and no issues (knock on wood). Starting to worry about this vehicles longevity, dont think it will hold up as well as the Camry.

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  GMC $129 month! - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By serafino - November 1 - 7:08 am

  $129 a month lease with no money down since I used my GMC points on credit card...bumped up to $3000 plus other incentives such as conquest cash, and change of styling for 2013. So, Ive been driving a the AWD SL model the cheapest model made, but it has the same drivetrain as the Denali $40K+ model. 30 months later not one problem, no squeaks or rattles, great in snow as RWD BMWs couldnt get out of their way. MPG average 17 mix on regular gas. Rides smooth and feels heavy, absorbs potholes. Dislikes: Plastic body works too much. The brakes starting to show wear at 24K feel vibrations. Seats not too comfortable lack support. Steering not precise. $129 cant complain.

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  I will never buy a GM again - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By elh512 - August 18 - 2:26 pm

  I bought my 2008 GMC Acadia brand new. I have serviced my vehicle at the GMC dealership by the book. I always take it in for service when it is needed and always complete any service or repair the dealership has suggested. I have ONLY 58,000 miles on my vehicle and my 3-5-Reverse wave plate broke (which is a $10 part) and now the dealership is telling me I need a whole new transmission and it is going to cost me $4,000. It took the dealership 3 days to even look at my vehicle. I have researched this issue online to find out that a large number of other 2008 GMC Acadia owners have experienced this exact same problem and GM is doing nothing about it. I will NEVER buy another GM vehicle.

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  Had to give it up - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By 2practical - August 1 - 9:40 pm

  Purchased it used as a family car in 2011. Loved it. The look, its features. It fit my family of six well. I have performed all routine maintenance. But after a little less than three years of ownership and over a dozen trips to the dealership for repairs not under warranty and thousands of dollars spent and four major repairs in a matter of two months this year, could not justify keeping it and loosing another dime. Its a shame. Its like a good looking person with an ugly attitude. Who wants that?! I will never own a GMC vehicle ever again.

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  Nice but buggy - 2014 GMC Acadia
  By soutex - July 29 - 9:55 am

  First off I like everything about this car. Ok, well not everything. I have owned it for 10 days and on day 3 it was back to the dealer to get a massive oil leak fixed. Cheap Chinese oil filter housing cracked and allowed oil to leak past the filter seal. The remote start works maybe 50% of the time. The gas gauge wanders from 1/8 tank to just under 1/2 full which causes the distance to empty to wander from 50 to 120 miles. The drivers seat moves back for easy exit even though I turned that feature off. Now, my main gripe is I am only getting 13.8 mpg in town. I have been driving this car like an old lady and I can not improve on that number after two tanks of gas.

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  Good & bad points - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By chickaroo - July 7 - 7:51 pm

  Overall, while I like many of the practical, daily-use aspects of the Acadia, which is why I ended up buying this car (see fave features below), the mechanical unreliability would probably cause me not to buy a GMC again. I was hoping American car manufacturers had figured out the quality-thing. In the past, weve owned several Toyotas & Hondas and, while Im "all American", next time Ill go back to the more reliable brands.

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  Nicest Car Ive Ever Had! - 2014 GMC Acadia
  By tjdr47 - July 5 - 4:18 pm

  I picked up my 2014 Acadia Denali a little over a month ago and have put approximately 800 miles on it so far. It is the quietest car Ive ever driven as well as the most comfortable and luxurious. It has some great safety features that most newer cars have available now like blind spot monitoring and a back-up camera. My last car was eight years old, so this is all new to me. When it was less than a week old, I took a 280-mile round-trip and got about 22 mpg on regular gas. My last SUV barely squeezed-out 16 on premium fuel on a trip.

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  Waste of my money - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By wilsonmom - June 30 - 9:39 pm

  I purchased this vehicle with 30,000 miles 2 1/2 years ago with all of my savings. I wanted a vehicle that was sturdy, built well and going to last me at least 4 years. Now, 2 1/2 yrs later the transmission is blown, it needs a timing belt (which requires dropping the engine), rack and pinion needs replacing, both rear control arms are bad, and the catalytic converter is bad. This is besides the 10 other times its been into the dealer or repair shop in the 2 1/2 years for other problems. Now this vehicle is worth nothing for trade in and I have no choice but to pay over $6,000 in repairs. I spent $28,000 on this car, for what?!?! Two years of nothing but trouble. Never again GMC

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  Pleasure Ride - 2014 GMC Acadia
  By drivetrain1 - June 10 - 4:35 pm

  Only have had my new Acadia for less than a month but have thoroughly enjoyed the ride! Smooth ride but wish it would come in rear wheel drive instead of front wheel drive. The jury is still out on the mileage however I only have less that 1,000 miles on it but for city driving I am averaging about 16-17 mpg. Exterior design is better than the ugly Terrain. Why cant whitewall tires be an option? It really adds some style. Black wall tires tend to make vehicle look bland and cheap. The same is true about pin striping. I added pin striping and WOW what a difference. I remember when cars came with pin striping and whitewalls.