2024 GMC Acadia First Look: Honey, GM Un-Shrunk the Acadia!
The newly bigger Acadia's improved room and cargo space make it a better 3-row SUV.
The Acadia has been completely redesigned, making size a non-factor for GM shoppers looking for a 3-row mid-size SUV with the upscale GMC touch. The first-generation GMC Acadia and its cousin the Chevy Traverse were dimensionally about the same until 2017, when the two were redesigned and the GMC's wheelbase dropped six inches on the then-larger Chevy's. That divergence lent the second-generation Acadia some minor parking and fuel-efficiency advantages, but also slashed cargo space and limited third row usability. Those wrongs have been righted in the 2024 GMC Acadia and then some, with its extra size joined by a new powertrain, more luxury, and better tech than before.
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Just How Big is It?
The new Acadia grows in every dimension, so much so that its wheelbase measures the same 120.9 inches as the one-size-up Yukon and once again matches that of the mechanically related Chevrolet Traverse. That's a big reason for the improved cabin space, even if the Acadia is still shorter in length and height, and narrower to keep the maneuverability buyers expect from a mid-size SUV.
The 10.6-inch increase in length creates nearly 80 percent more space behind the third row, bringing the outgoing Acadia's 12.8 cubic feet up to nearly 23 cubic feet. That's more space than the Ford Explorer's 18.2 cubic feet and the Toyota Grand Highlander's 20.6 cubes. A 24-percent larger first row creates class-leading leg room, and 3.2-inches of height (width is unspecified as of publishing) means more spacious seating all around.
It's not uncommon for those riding in SUVs' third row seats, which often suffer poor visibility and more active vehicle dynamics sitting above the rear axle, to get motion sickness. The 2024 Acadia moves its D-pillar further back, and combined with the lower beltline, it results in a larger rear quarter window and a less submarine-like feel for those peering out of it.
All-New Powertrain is Standard
Choosing a powertrain is a simpler process for the new Acadia; A new 2.5-liter turbocharged I-4 is standard across every trim, from the Elevation to AT4 to the Denali. An eight-speed automatic sends 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque to the front or all four wheels with optional AWD.
Bigger adventures are possible with an increased towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, inviting most campers under 25 feet along for the ride. With more power than the outgoing V-6 option, the turbo 2.5L is expected to be more fuel efficient, but GMC has not announced any estimates yet.
Most Capable AT4
The off-road-ish AT4 is GMC's fastest growing trim level across all models, and its capability is keeping up with consumer demand. An off-road-tuned suspension with a 1.0-inch lift, hydraulic rebound control, and 31.5-inch tires on 18-inch wheels are the underpinnings of a respectable "do it all" package. The Active Torque Control AWD system—exclusive to AT4—distributes torque with a 70/30 front-rear split and shifts to a 50/50 distribution with the Terrain mode adapted from the Colorado and Canyon to make the most of the twin-clutch rear differential.
We never want to see form come before function in an off-road package, and while the Acadia AT4's new equipment doesn't suggest it has, GMC didn't forget the SUV's looks. A unique front fascia with a taller, more truck-like grill finished in Dark Chrome allows for a steel front skid plate that maximizes approach angle. Switch on Hill Descent Control, and you'll find it improves the trip down as well. Wider wheel opening moldings capture the wider track width, with embedded orange marker lights reminiscent of its heavier duty GMC cousins. And of course, the red tow hooks offer a touch of pizazz and match other AT4 models' pieces.
Most Luxurious Denali
The focus of the Acadia hasn't shifted completely to the adventure crowd. The range-topping Denali showcases some of the best GMC has to offer with a luxurious interior and premium features that will contend against any of its competitors. Where we may have seen chrome trim and brightwork before, a more muted, layered mirror-finish chrome replaces it for a more modern look.
The trim-specific grill is a commanding feature, with architectural cues inspired by the steel trusses of skyscrapers. It's outlined by the same C-shaped headlights found across all trims, but the Denali gets animated LED lighting front and rear that "wakes up" and "goes to sleep" when the owner is approaching or departing the vehicle. Animated turn signals swipe outwards from a blue to amber color. For the first time, 22-inch wheels will be available over the standard 20-inch wheels. That can be a hard size to pull off, but they complement the larger and squarer design of the new Acadia perfectly.
Interior options come in two colorways with an available full black interior, and a stunning two-tone option with dark, neutral brown Very Dark Atmosphere upper seat trim and light gray Sheer seatbacks and bottoms. Front seats are heated and ventilated, and second row outboard heated seats are available. Standard one-touch folding second row seats and a power folding third row makes entry and exit easy for all passengers, with a 7- or 8-passenger option on Denali. Quilted patterns on the door surfaces and a laser-etched wood veneer on the IP and center console complete the "quiet" luxury feel the designers sought to curate.
Active noise canceling keeps the cabin quiet, letting passengers enjoy the available panoramic sunroof and available 16 speaker Bose stereo (AT4 and Elevation get 12 speakers) available on Denali trims without exterior noise getting in the way of a scenic drive or long road trip.
Cruisin' USA With New Tech
For the first time, GMC is offering the Super Cruise hands-free system across all three Acadia trims. Previously it was only available on Denali models across GMC's lineup. Acadia gets the latest and greatest, with new features like trailering assist and automatic lane changes to navigate 400,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada. Even without Super Cruise, Acadia comes standard with 20 driver aids supporting parking, highway, and urban driving with adaptive cruise control, bicyclist alerts, reverse auto braking, and functions like Buckle to Drive. Up to 9 cameras are available to work with the available driver assist features, trailering, and off roading.
Controlling vehicle features and finding relevant driver information is a breeze with an 11-inch digital cluster. The focal point of the cabin is the 15-inch tablet-style infotainment screen, with customizable displays, built-in Google apps, and intricately styled menu icons. And no matter how many manufacturers try to tell us their research says people are ready to ditch physical controls, GMC's says otherwise, and they've included physical HVAC controls under the center screen. We suspect this is going to excite, rather than disappoint Acadia buyers. Both screens are standard on all trims.
When Can We Have It?
The 2024 GMC Acadia will be produced at GM's Lansing Delta Assembly Plant in Michigan, expected to roll off the line in early 2024. Pricing is expected to be announced closer to production, so we may have to wait a few more months before we find out.
Cars should look cool and go fast. At least, that was Matthew’s general view of the world growing up in Metro Detroit in the early ’90s, and there was no exception. Raised in the household of a Ford engineer and car enthusiast, NASCAR races monopolized the television every Sunday and asking, “what car is this?” at every car show his dad took him too before he could read taught him that his favorite car was specifically, the 1971 Chevelle SS. (1970 can keep its double headlights, it’s a better look for the rear!) He learned the name of every part of a car by means of a seemingly endless supply of model car kits from his dad’s collection and could never figure out why his parents would drive a Ford Taurus Wagon and F-150 to work every day when a perfectly good 1967 Chevy Impala sat in the garage. Somewhere between professional hockey player, guitar player, journalist, mechanic, and automotive designer, he settled on the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) with the hopes of joining a NASCAR pit crew after high school. While there, learning about electronics and the near-forgotten art of carburetor tuning (give him a call before you ditch your “over complicated” Rochester Qudarajet) were equally appealing, and the thrill of racing stock cars and modifieds weekly on the school’s dirt oval team was second to none at the time. And then sometime late in 2009, Matthew caught wind of the Tesla Roadster on YouTube and everything changed. Before it, electric cars we not cool, and they were not fast. A budding and borderline unhealthy obsession with technology would underpin a 12-year career at Roush Industries that would take him from a powertrain technician for the Roush Mustang, to building rollercoasters, NVH engineering, and finally to a state-of-the-art simulated durability lab working with nearly every EV startup you’ve ever heard of, and some you never will. And then it was time to go, and by a stroke of luck Nikola Tesla himself couldn’t have predicted, MotorTrend’s test team was looking for the exact kind of vehicle testing background he had to offer. And with it, his love of cars, art, engineering, and writing all suddenly had a home together. At this point in life, Matthew has developed a love and appreciation for all cars and methods of propulsion. He loves reviewing minivans as much as luxury cars and everything in-between, because the cars people need to haul their kids around are just as important as the ones we hang on our bedroom walls.
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