2011 GMC Acadia

2011 GMC Acadia

For years, building tough trucks for tough work has been the focus of GMC, General Motors' truck division. 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.

Current GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia crossover SUV comes in one body style only. The designers have done everything possible to tie it in with the rest of the GMC lineup of trucks. It looks tough and has a wide track and long wheelbase. The Acadia comes with front-wheel drive in its base form, and all-wheel drive is available as an option.

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. The 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. And there's room for adults in the back two rows, though leg support is a bit lacking. Behind the third row, there is a respectable amount of luggage room.

The GMC Acadia comes in four trims: SL, SLE, SLT-1 and SLT-2. Each comes with a direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 engine capable of churning out 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Standard features include cruise control, full power accessories, front and rear air-conditioning and a full array of airbags. The SLE's additional highlights include a power liftgate, remote ignition, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. The SLT-1 and SLT-2 trims add features that include leather seating, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control and a 10-speaker Bose audio system with a six-CD in-dash changer and USB audio connection.

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. We noted that the Acadia's transmission can occasionally be hesitant to downshift, blunting passing performance somewhat. 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, so those previously produced will be prone to slower downshifts. Acadias from '09 and up also benefit from additional features like Bluetooth connectivity, real-time traffic updates for the navigation system, and available heated and cooled seats.

2011 GMC Acadia

2011 GMC Acadia

2011 GMC Acadia

2011 GMC Acadia