2023 GMC Acadia Expert Review
Reviewed by Willis Kuelthau
The 2023 Acadia is the middle child of GMC's SUV family, falling in between the Terrain and the Yukon. Six years out from this generation's debut, the Acadia remains a competent family hauler, but younger and larger rivals have stolen its thunder. The Acadia sees only minor changes for 2023.
What's New
- Revised steering wheel on SLT, AT4, and Denali trims
- New exterior colors
What We Think
The 2023 GMC Acadia attempts a delicate balancing act. It's priced above mainstream competitors like the Honda Pilot but below luxury rivals like the related Cadillac XT5. It attempts to balance size, comfort, and price to offer a premium feel at a lower entry point.
In some ways, it succeeds. Feature sets are strong for the price, and its optional V-6 powertrain provides plenty of grunt. The design is attractive, and the Acadia's top-spec Denali trim is predictably upscale.
Elsewhere, the Acadia drops the ball. Interior materials on non-Denali models fail to impress. Compared to most rivals, the Acadia is behind on passenger and cargo space. Rivals like the Kia Telluride offer comparable features and more space, which makes the Acadia a tough sell. Even in a comparison against a fellow GM stablemate, the Chevy Traverse, the Acadia fell behind. Given its age, we expect a redesign for the Acadia in the next year or two.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Acadia is available with two powertrains. The base SLE trim is only available with a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine. A 3.6-liter V-6 is available on SLT4 or Denali trims and standard on the Acadia AT4. Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and are available with either FWD or AWD.
The 2.0-liter engine is good for 228 hp, 258 lb-ft, and an EPA rating of 22/29 mpg city/hwy with FWD. Opting for AWD reduces efficiency to 22/27 mpg. The V-6 offers a significant power bump to 310 hp and 271 lb-ft, but fuel economy drops to 19/27 mpg (19/26 with AWD). That's comparable to V-6 rivals like the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride.
Armed for Adventure
The Acadia may not stand out on the road, but the AT4 trim promises to make amends on the trail. With all-terrain tires, a dual-clutch all-wheel-drive system, exposed cladding, and black chrome details, it looks and acts the part.
In practice, we found the Acadia AT4 to be a competent adventure vehicle but not a true off-roader. The lack of significant ground clearance or suspension flex mean the AT4's off-road goodies are better for all-weather traction than they are for rock-hopping. When the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk comes knocking, the Acadia AT4 runs for the hills—er, pavement.
Safety Ratings and Features
Last year's Acadia earned generally good scores in IIHS testing, but a Marginal headlight rating kept it from winning any awards. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating.
The Acadia also comes with an impressive suite of standard safety tech. Automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, and automatic high-beams are included on every trim. A head-up display, surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control are optional.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Acadia falls in between the usual SUV sizes. It's larger than a Kia Sorento or Honda Passport, but smaller than a Telluride or Pilot. It's priced near the Telluride, which offers significantly more interior space.
Cargo space (behind first/second/third rows):
- 2023 Acadia: 79/41.7/12.8 cubic feet
- 2022 Telluride: 87/46/21 cubic feet
Legroom (first/second/third rows):
- 2023 Acadia: 41/39.7/29.7 inches
- 2022 Telluride: 41.4/42.4/31.4 inches
Technology
An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard on all Acadias, as is active noise cancellation. SLT trims and above get navigation, Bose sound, and remote start. Denali models add a head-up display and wireless charging.
Recommended Trim
The Acadia is available in four trims: SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. Starting prices range from around $40,000 to more than $50,000. The popular Denali does a good impression of prestige badges, but it's priced near them, too.
Our pick is the midrange SLT, which comes nicely outfitted with leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a hands-free liftgate. It's available with the V-6, which doesn't add too much to the starting price. We'd gladly take the extra power and sacrifice some miles per gallon.
