It is no secret that General Motors has had a few tough years, causing them to lose a little ground in the competitive world of automotive manufacturing. GM can and should be proud of coming through and out of their difficulties and making 2013 a year of catching up with the industry in terms of styling, safety, technology, economy and innovation. The GMC Acadia CUV is a great example of this, a professional grade member of this year’s line-up.
I first drove the new Acadia last fall, just before the opening of the State Fair of Texas Auto Show. I was impressed then, and now I have had the opportunity to test drive one for a whole week. What a pleasure it has been to experience the functionality, refinement and craftsmanship of this crossover vehicle for an entire week. The Acadia has all the comfort of a luxury sedan plus the capability of a Sport Utility Vehicle.
First impressions are important, and the Acadia makes a great one. My test drive was a White Diamond Tricoat in color, and the redesigned exterior combined elegance and functionality with its more upright stance. The interior color scheme was Cocoa Dune, which was warm and inviting. The cabin area was easy to enter with its low step-in height.
Seven- and eight-passenger seating options make this a good choice for the family, but also great for recreation. Fold-flat second and third row seats open up 116.9 cubic feet of cargo room (best in class), complemented by a 48-inch wide cargo area for plywood sheets or other building materials. Of course it will also hold an abundance of camping gear, sports equipment or shopping!
The Acadia is powered by a 3.6 liter V6 VVT direct injection engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. It drives like a dream, responsive and comfortable. All the expected safety is standard, with the addition of a new, industry first, front center airbag. Studies have shown that drivers and front seat passengers can be injured in a side impact collision when they collide with each other. This new airbag puts a cushion between the front seats, protecting those occupants.
Standard on the Acadia are 4-way adjustable head restraints, Bluetooth through OnStar, heated front seats, power lift gate, rear park assist, remote start (I love this fun feature!), side blind side alert with cross traffic alert, and much more!
The top trim level, called Denali, adds 20-inch machined aluminum wheels, cooled seats, dual SkyScape sunroof, power tilt and telescopic steering column and trailering equipment. A head-up display puts important information right into the driver’s field of view, and acoustic package insulation mutes noise for a quieter cabin.
Estimated fuel economy is 17 miles per gallon in the city, 24 miles per gallon on the highway. The standard vehicle price for the Acadia Denali is $45,945. My test vehicle had navigation and rear seat entertainment package plus the White Diamond Tricoat paint, bringing the total to $49,805, including destination charge of $895.
Check out the new Acadia crossover utility vehicle yourself at a nearby GM dealership.
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