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:

• 

  2008 GMC Acadia SLT2 - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By kristintemples - June 20 - 2:23 pm

  I would love to give this vehicle an outstanding review but I cant. I love everything about this vehicle except that so many owners have had transmission problems prior to 100,000 miles just months after the warranty runs out. My vehicle is sitting in my driveway after 4 months of owning it and the transmission wave plate has gone out like so many others. GMC is not taking responsibility for their defective transmissions which is costing the consumer $4,000 out of pocket and in my opinion if people have extended warranty insurance they are ripping them off as well. They know it is a crappy design or they would not have redesigned it for the newer Acadias.

• 

  Sunroof leaks - 2013 GMC Acadia
  By bh1008 - June 15 - 8:56 pm

  Only had our Acadia for 3 months rained all day one day while at work, on the way home water was leaking through one of the lights over the third row seats. It has been in the shop for a week now and STILL not fixed, spoke with the service manager today, and he is not sure when it will be ready. I read reviews from past model years that had some leaking problems, and apparently GMC has not fixed them yet.

• 

  ACADIA has major problems - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By sportskidsmom5 - June 13 - 11:23 pm

  Love the body style and interior room. Major problems with transmission, catalytic converter and timing chains. Multiple trips to dealerships and after warranty expired, all of the above did too.GM does not stand behind its products. Too late for us, but read all of the transmission problems noted. Do not purchase.

• 

  Stay away from GMC - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By emclaugh3 - June 8 - 10:57 am

  I have a 2008 GMC Acadia SLT, an expensive vehicle. I leased it, but decided to purchase it because my family liked the exterior styling and interior space. I currently have 84,000 miles and the transmission is failing for the SECOND time. It was rebuilt under the warranty, but now, 22,000 miles later, it is failing again and will cost thousands to repair. I have had no luck with the dealer or GM in helping to fix this problem of bad transmission design, and a faulty repair. I will NEVER EVER buy another GMC !!!

• 

  Beware of GMC ACADIA - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By emclaugh3 - May 31 - 11:19 am

  I bought a 2008 GMC Acadia because I loved the styling and space for my 3 kids. It was great for a couple of years, but then the trouble started. I paid $1,100 to fix a steering problem (not under the warranty), then needed a re-built transmission at 62,000 mi and now at 83,000 mi the transmission is gone again. All the dealer says is "sorry, the warranty expired 4 months ago". This on top of electrical problems with the seats and headlights. This has broken any spirit I had to support American cars. I feel taken advantage of by GMC, who I fell is both unfair and unethical. The newer Acadias are reviewed more favorably, `but lets see in two years - BEWARE!!!

• 

  Refresh Done Well - 2013 GMC Acadia
  By ocbp29 - May 24 - 2:47 pm

  We previously drove a Buick Enclave for 5 years, so we knew what to expect with the Lambda platform which is shared between the Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. The refresh has given this CUV what we consider a more truck like presence which appeals to both the male and female driver in our family. Fit and finish is what one would expect from GM with improvements made to the transmission in the Acadia (no more searching for gears up hills), less flashy wheel offerings and, better integrated telematics (bluetooth, nav, DVD). Overall one of the best values for the content and quality that GM now offers in this segment.

• 

  Dont do it - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By merbeamish - May 17 - 3:34 pm

  Purchased a used (28k miles) 2011 Acadia in April 2012. Test drove and was tempted to buy a Toyota Highlander or VW Touareg but loved the body style and features of the Acadia. DVD player broke after a week of owning it. Fortunately it was just barely covered under warranty. A couple months later, at 300 miles past warranty the back hatch broke (wouldnt open manually or remotely). $600 to fix. May 2013, a year after buying the vehicle were on our 2nd time fixing the air conditioning (approx $1000/time), and theres an oil drip.

• 

  Not a reliable vehicle - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By misc23 - May 14 - 3:45 pm

  The GMC Acadia is an engineering nightmare. The transmission has known issues that GM will not back up when it goes bad. The interior has these large holes in the floor that the seat should slide on but just end up filled with junk. A headlight out on this vehicle is an expensive trip to the dealer because it is not something an owner can change. Do not buy this vehicle or GM for that matter if this is how the stand behind their cars.

• 

  Transmission/power stering/water pump/hvac - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By dtafilaj - May 9 - 11:06 pm

  My Acadia is 2007I was very exited about this new suv back in 2007 when I bought it. At 28000 water pump died/at 42000 transmission died at 60000 ac and power strng died for every single issue i went to the dealer that I bought it and mostly of the issues were not fixed and what ever was fixe I had to pay for it trnsmission was not able to figure out. engine light was on i dropped to the dealer and for days and weeks and would work for couple of the months and again same story would not shift to higher gear.power steering saves me money to dont use the fitness center because I work out by steering my acadia thats how bad it is. I own tahoe Hummer and cadillac srx but acadia was bad choice

• 

  Review of 2009 Acadia @ 75k - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By dgin - May 3 - 10:29 pm

  Were the 2nd owners of this car we picked it up at around 63k. In the last 1.5 years, weve definitely had a few things go wrong with it that were out of the norm. 1) Ignition coils 3 & 3 went bad and had to be replaced along with corresponding spark plugs. 2) 2 of the 3 seat belt housings in the 2nd row seats broke. Seat belt mechanism still worked though. 3) Rough idle due some minor sludging this was remedied with a good fuel injector cleaning and oil change. 4) Catalytic converter kicked back a low performance code and was subsequently replaced. Good thing we bought it from to include an extended warranty which covered it all. Sad, but we really like the car otherwise.