It’s bigger and better in every way, but you’ll have to get used to the noise.

The GMC Acadia is all new this yr, marking the third technology of this three-row SUV. It’s a household hauler with extra room than the GMC Terrain and a extra manageable measurement than the Yukon. It is supreme for many who need loads of room for individuals and cargo together with a sexy inside. GMC isn’t a luxurious model, however it’s a premium providing, so even the bottom trim of the Acadia is properly geared up.

This yr, there’s extra of every part. It’s taller, longer, and wider than the prior technology. It additionally has a brand new portrait-style infotainment touchscreen, out there Tremendous Cruise hands-free driver help for the total lineup, and upgraded inside trims that considerably enhance the Acadia’s attraction. There’s additionally a brand new turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the one possibility throughout a variety of simply three trims. GMC invited CarBuzz to Savannah, Georgia, to drive the brand new GMC Acadia and see how the multitude of modifications makes it a greater SUV.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a automobile in a restricted atmosphere below sure time constraints. Keep watch over CarBuzz for our complete Check Drive evaluate which can observe quickly.

Exterior: Unapologetically Daring

The factor in regards to the GMC Acadia, and the model normally, is that it’s not shy. There’s nothing demure or understated in regards to the Acadia. It’s a big automobile that’s technically a mid-size SUV, but it surely seems a lot bigger once you’re standing exterior watching that grille. This Acadia is now 10.6 inches longer, 4.2 inches wider, and upwards of three inches taller (relying on the trim), which makes a giant general distinction. The Acadia instructions consideration, whether or not the elegant styling of the Denali with its distinctive grille or the off-road prepared AT4 with its brilliant pink tow hooks.

The Denali and AT4 are two very totally different trims, every with its personal distinctive feel and appear. The Denali sits on the high of the lineup as probably the most luxurious model of this SUV. Together with the brilliant chrome grille, it additionally has 22-inch machined aluminum wheels that make the aspect of the Acadia simply as eye-catching because the entrance. The AT4 targets somebody who desires a bit extra off-road functionality with darkish chrome accents, a one-inch greater experience peak and a extra rugged design with a singular entrance fascia and built-in skid plates. Whichever you select, the Acadia is a sexy SUV.

Inside: Enormously Improved

Any time a automobile is all-new, there are inside upgrades – however they don’t all the time make an enormous distinction. Within the case of the Acadia, they make an enormous distinction giving this SUV a really premium really feel. It’s not simply the supplies, however the design. The primary leg of our drive was spent behind the wheel of the Denali and the second you open the door you discover the distinction.

There’s laser-etched wooden, chrome accents, and delightful perforated leather-based seats with eye-catching distinction stitching. That very same stitching adorns the steering wheel and dashboard, however manages to not be overdone. Once more, this isn’t a luxurious automobile, but it surely delivers a real premium expertise with the identical daring, sturdy design inside that it exhibits off on the surface.

The AT4 was additionally out there for drives, and it has a markedly totally different inside aesthetic. There are entrance sill plates to guard from scuffs and scratches and a extra rugged inside with material and CoreTec vinyl seating surfaces with a much less ornate design. It’s nonetheless enticing and appears prefer it may deal with the children or the canine or a bit outside adventuring. Particulars embrace an embossed AT4 emblem on the entrance headrests and matching pink inside accents.

Seating: Room To Get Comfy

There’s room for as much as eight individuals within the GMC Acadia with out there second-row captain’s chairs that take seating all the way down to seven; the Acadia will get an honorable point out on our listing of Finest SUVs with Captain’s Chairs. There’s a typical eight-way energy driver’s seat with a six-way energy entrance passenger seat, each with four-way energy lumbar. A heated steering wheel and heated entrance seats are normal with the choice for heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats out there. The seats are roomy and comfy with minimal bolstering – this isn’t a automobile that you just’ll be taking arduous by way of the corners anyway; it’s an SUV for highway journeys and weekend adventures that desires you to chill out.

The bigger dimensions of the Acadia this yr imply there’s extra room for passengers, too. That additional 10.6 inches of size exhibits up as additional legroom for the entrance occupants. The second-row captain’s chairs in our check automobiles had been comfy and straightforward to regulate with loads of headroom and legroom.

No different competitor [in this segment] has extra second-row legroom.

– GMC

The third row, as normal, isn’t the place most adults will likely be comfy for an prolonged time frame; it is meant for brief journeys or for teenagers who do not want as a lot area. How simple it’s to fold these seats relies on the trim. The Denali has a one-touch flat-folding and sliding second row together with a power-folding third row. It’s fast and straightforward to lift or decrease the seats, even along with your palms full. The AT4, nonetheless, has a guide third row. That you must pull a strap on the again of the seats, however that doesn’t absolutely disengage the locking mechanism. You then want to present the seats a great push ahead to get them down. It’s not sophisticated, however you do want each palms free for the job.

Infotainment: Greater Screens

The final technology of the Acadia had an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, which is small, particularly for a premium automobile. This yr, GMC mounted that drawback with a typical 15-inch portrait-style infotainment display inside simple attain of driver and passenger. It has crisp graphics with good responsiveness, and there’s additionally Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google as normal, so that you’re related in no matter kind you select.

The digital instrument cluster additionally grows from eight inches to 11 inches with a totally customizable show. Rounding issues out is an eight-inch head up show, which is 2 inches greater than what was provided final yr. It’s out there on base trims, however normal on the Denali. The trio of shows, all with bigger dimensions, provides to the premium vibe of the Acadia with a tech-forward first impression.

Wi-fi charging is normal, as is Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and USB ports for all three rows, so everybody stays charged. Up entrance there’s a type-A and type-C port, which is sweet, as a result of not everybody has each cables. It’s a small factor that makes a giant distinction. Since this can be a premium automobile, it will get a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system as a typical characteristic. The Denali gives a 16-speaker improve that features a subwoofer, however it’s, sadly, an improve solely, moderately than normal, although that is the highest trim of the lineup.

Cargo: Room For Extra

Along with upping the passenger room, the Acadia’s elevated measurement additionally makes additional room for cargo, with 80 p.c extra space behind the third row and 36 p.c extra behind the second row. This makes it far simpler to hold a full load of individuals and their baggage. With 23 cubic ft behind the third row, 57.3 cubes behind the second, and 97.5 cubes with these two rows folded, the Acadia has extra cargo area than the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade:

There’s a typical energy liftgate that mechanically opens when the important thing fob is inside three ft of the automobile for 3 seconds, which is great when your palms are full. The rear cargo flooring additionally has a little bit of hidden storage beneath, and we love that once you raise the ground to stow issues, it stays propped open so that you don’t have to carry it the entire time. If no matter it’s good to carry alongside is simply too huge to suit contained in the Acadia, then you’ll be able to tow as much as 5,000 kilos of further cargo behind it.

Powertrain: Solely One Engine

The total line-up is powered by a brand new 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automated transmission and a alternative of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It’s a responsive powertrain that simply will get this massive automobile as much as freeway speeds with loads of oomph leftover for passing slower automobiles.

There are as much as seven out there drive modes that allow you to tailor the experience to a wide range of driving situations. Select Regular, Sport, Snow, Off-Street, Tow/Haul, All-Wheel Drive, or Terrain mode relying on the trim. The Acadia has a drive mode to enhance traction and enhance driver confidence for nearly all highway situations.

Drive Impressions: Higher In Each Method

The GMC Acadia exhibits off huge enhancements in type, options, and general drive. The engine is responsive with out being overly aggressive. Press the gasoline and it strikes, but it surely’s not a efficiency automobile, so that you should not count on it to behave like one. The Acadia is extra of a cruiser, so there’s sufficient energy, however not an overabundance. Our chief criticism right here wasn’t the ability, however the noise. Below arduous acceleration, extra engine noise intrudes into the cabin than we’d count on for a premium automobile.

The experience, nonetheless, is great. It’s clean and composed even on tough highway surfaces and dealt with superbly throughout freeway driving. We additionally had the chance to take the AT4 alongside some rutted dust roads with just a few tough spots GMC created simply to point out off the Acadia’s capabilities. Whereas this isn’t a hardcore off-road automobile, it’s no wimp, both. It’s completely able to dealing with dust roads, whether or not packed soil or the free, mushy stuff that tends to kick up a lot of mud. The out there drive modes make off-road surfaces simpler to deal with, and the suspension system did a stable job of absorbing highway roughness, so passengers can merely chill out.

Three Effectively-Outfitted Trims

The GMC Acadia gives extra of every part this yr with a simplified three-trim lineup. The bottom FWD Elevation begins at $42,600, excluding vacation spot, preserving it extra inexpensive. AWD prices $2,000. The mid-range AT4 is priced at $50,000 with an off-road focus (normal AWD) mixed with premium options. On the high of the lineup is the Denali, which is available in at $54,300 (FWD) or $56,300 (AWD). That’s a big value bounce from the bottom trim, however the Denali is beautiful and pushes arduous towards luxurious automobile territory.

It is a fashionable section, however the Acadia stands out for its uniquely daring strategy. Whereas the experience is extra refined, its type is daring and aggressive, regardless of the trim. It combines its luxurious facilities and attention-grabbing styling with versatility for individuals and cargo. The all-new 2024 GMC Acadia is vastly improved this yr with nice type, higher options, and pricing that makes it good worth.