GMC Acadia Roadtest (TCC)

[Flybrian]

2007 GMC Acadia Road Test
A notch above the rest—including some big names

by Eric Peters | (2007-07-05) | Link to Original Article @ TCC

GMC is GM's upscale SUV and truck division, up a notch from Chevy, not quite as high-end as Cadillac. And until now, it has only sold trucks and truck-based SUVs.

Of course, not everyone needs or wants a truck - or even truck-based SUV, for that matter. Realizing this, GM decided to broaden GMC's product portfolio by adding the new Acadia to the lineup.

Though it has the hunky looks of a large, truck-based SUV, the eight-passenger Acadia is in fact the first-ever GMC model to be built on what is essentially a front-wheel-drive, integral frame/body passenger car chassis (with an all-wheel-drive system available optionally). That makes it a "crossover," as such vehicles are now called.

You'll notice it rides closer to the ground, for one thing - and unlike a truck-based SUV, its interior isn't crimped up by a huge driveshaft tunnel rising up like a mountain range between the seats, eating up the available real estate. You'll also notice there's no truck-style solid rear axle, no two-speed transfer case or 4WD Low range and as a result, not much in the way of off-road ability.

But that's okay because the Acadia's not meant to tackle rutted backwoods fire roads or to ford mighty rivers. There are Land Rovers (and Yukons) for that. And of course, the price for that kind of capability is usually an evil-handling, over-heavy ride that maybe gets 20 mpg on a good day. Or which is huge on the outside but doesn't offer all that much usable space on the inside, mainly because of the way a truck-based SUV is laid out, including that space-hogging driveshaft tunnel.

Instead of unused off-road capability, the Acadia offers everyday drivability to buyers (especially those with large families) caught between the ungainliness and civility-compromised nature of a traditional truck-based large SUV and the dreadful prospect of a gelding by minivan.

Roulez, Acadia

What makes the Acadia particularly swell is the plus-size accommodations. It's huge inside, with a standard third row and room for 7-8 people (depending on the configuration). That's as much or more interior space/people-carrying capacity as a full-size SUV like the GMC Yukon. But it's much more accessible space, thanks to wide-opening rear doors and GMC's clever "Smart Slide" system that lets passengers get into and out of the third row without a Yoga certificate. That third row's a real third row, too, not there only for advertising purposes. It is every bit the equal, road trip-wise, of a full-size minivan like the Toyota Sienna or Chrysler Town & Country, sans the diaper-duty stigmata.

Buyers can choose second-row captain's chairs or a second-row bench (and three across seating). There's almost 20 cubic feet of additional storage space behind the third row, too. With the second and third rows out or folded down, the Acadia is fully capable of carting home a load of 2x4s, even a dozen bags of cement mix.

Maximum towing capacity is 4500 pounds. That's considerably better than the typical mid-size car or minivan and most any mid-size crossover, too. For example, the Toyota Highlander maxes out at 3500 lb (and its third row is optional and useable only by kids). The Honda Pilot, meanwhile, can seat eight but can't tow more than 3500 lb. And its standard 3.5-liter, 244-horsepower V-6 is much less powerful than the Acadia's standard 275-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. Mazda's CX-9, on the other hand, is sporty, good-looking and comparably powerful (with a standard 3.5-liter, 263-hp V-6). But it only pulls 3500 lb and can't handle more than seven people.

If you cross-shop specs, you'll discover the Acadia's actually not too far off the pace of what a mid-size, truck-based SUV can haul. But no mid-size SUV can carry eight people. In fact, few full-size SUVs can outdo the Acadia when it comes to people (or cargo) carrying.

For example, the enormous (on the outside) Yukon isn't significantly bigger on the inside than the Acadia. It can theoretically seat up to nine people, but unlike the Acadia, its third row is difficult to access, uncomfortable to use (for adults) and doesn't fold flat. In the real world, the Yukon's comfortable for 5-6 adults and maybe a kid or two. And you'll likely agree the second and third row accommodations in the Acadia are more pleasant once you're seated - and much less hassle to get into and out of, too.

The Acadia wins easily on total interior cargo volume, too, with 117 cubic feet of space available vs. the Yukon's 108.9 cubic feet.

Less thirsty, just as roomy

And as far as gas mileage goes, there's a similar gap in the Acadia 's favor. A FWD Acadia carries an EPA rating of 18 city/26 highway; the V-8 Yukon, meanwhile, is a thirsty doggie at 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway. In real-world driving, feeding the Yukon (or any large, V-8 SUV) can be an expensive proposition. While the Acadia's numbers don't seem all that much better, keep in mind its super-sized interior and super-sized cargo capacity. To get appreciably more of either, you'd need a super-sized SUV - something even larger than the standard-issue Yukon , like a Caddy Escalade ESV or maybe a long-wheelbase Lincoln Navigator. And you'd also get the super-sized fuel bills that would come with it.

Other compelling Acadia attributes include its healthy 275-hp V-6 (stronger than any competitor in its segment) and its standard six-speed automatic transmission (most competitors have five speeds; a few still have four-speeds). The six-speed comes with a manual sportshift function and an aggressive first gear to aid off-the-line acceleration. It can scuttle to 60 mph in just over eight seconds, which is enough to feel quick and plenty to pull into traffic with confidence instead of gritted teeth.

Ride and handling are both much improved over even GM's truck-based SUV, which are the current handling champs. And the Acadia's optional AWD system (which can transmit as much as 65 percent of engine power to the rear wheels as necessary) is more than sufficient for dealing with the handful of snow days most of us face each year.

Base models (starting price $29,110) come with 18-inch rims, front and rear A/C, stability control, full-row curtain airbags, and GM's OnStar concierge system with "turn-by-turn" navigation assistance. Higher-end models offer or can be ordered with all the niceties, from a ten-speaker Bose surround-sound stereo to three-zone climate control, a power rear liftgate, a head-up Display (HUD), GPS, a two-panel sunroof, and backseat DVD entertainment system. A 19-inch wheel/tire package is available and looks sharp, but be sure you test-drive a model so equipped before you buy as the ride quality suffers a bit.

GM (and GMC) has come off its 20-year-bender at long last. Vehicles like the Acadia bode well for the future of both. This one's not just practical - it's appealing, too. It won't kill you on gas and it won't wilt your will to live, either.

If you think you need a big SUV but are desperate to avoid a minivan at all costs, the Acadia's a must-see.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Go GMC!!!

It's great to see that GMC can expand into car-like territory (unlike Jeep) and be rewarded for it. I forsee an Acadia SLT AWD in my driveway within a year from now. :AH-HA_wink:

[eldiablobanshee]

They need to talk about it as a better alternative to its foreign competition instead of comparing it to a Yukon/Tahoe.

[Drew Dowdell]

They need to talk about it as a better alternative to its foreign competition instead of comparing it to a Yukon/Tahoe.

Yukon/Tahoe already is best in class.....

[balthazar]

>>"They need to talk about it as a better alternative to its foreign competition instead of comparing it to a Yukon/Tahoe."<<

This is true to a degree, but more to the point; it highlights the grossly outmoded & incessantly prevailant automotive segregation the auto "journalists" CONTINUE to push... that foreign vehicles are predominantly compared to only other foriegn jobs, and domestics are only compared to domestics.

Even a cursory glance at a run of issues from any given mainstream rag will show this handily. There is no legitimate reason to CONTINUE to segregate based solely on corporate origin. Another factor pointing to the "journalists" mindset is still buried in the tar pits with the skeletons of Chevettes & Citations.