General Motors’ aging Lambda-platform utility vehicles—which include the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and the now dead Saturn Outlook—have always been practical as big, three-row crossovers. Their extra-large dimensions, though, positioned them a bit too close to full-size SUVs for the tastes of those who might prefer, say, the Toyota Highlander. Although the all-new 2017 Acadia has shrunk considerably both in size and feel, our brief first exposure reveals it to be more capable than ever, as well as much better to drive.
Sales of the second-generation Acadia start later this spring, and the first-gen model will continue to be sold alongside it for a while as the Acadia Limited. Compared with the older model, the 2017 version has a shorter wheelbase (by 6.4 inches) and overall length (7.2 inches) and is 3.5 inches narrower. Claimed curb weights are about 700 pounds lighter. Much of the weight loss comes from the smaller footprint, but the chassis it shares with the 2017 Cadillac XT5 also makes use of more high-strength steel and advanced sound-deadening materials to pare mass.
Lighter Is Always Better
We’ll confirm the true result of the Acadia’s diet once we get an example on our scales, but we can say the new version felt significantly smaller and more composed on our initial drive through the congested traffic of Washington, D.C., and over undulating country roads in neighboring Virginia. Less mass helps the Acadia stop with greater stability, accelerate more assertively, and change direction with improved control. Overall ride quality is good, even on the optional 20-inch wheels (18s are standard), while road and wind noise are minimal.
The GMC’s electrically assisted steering feels tight and precise for a big crossover, the firm brake pedal offers good modulation, and the chassis is nicely tuned to minimize body roll in corners. Michigan’s broken roads no doubt will provide a greater challenge for the new Acadia’s front strut and multilink rear suspensions, but the available driver-adjustable dampers should help. A $1200 option on higher trim levels, they work via a new terrain-selector dial on the console, which adjusts the steering effort, throttle response, transmission shift points, and drivetrain settings for various on- and off-road modes. We didn’t get to experience any serious muddin’ on our route, but the selector also adjusts the new All Terrain model’s Active Twin Clutch all-wheel-drive system, which can distribute power to the rear wheel with the most grip for improved traction on slippery surfaces.
GMC expects the Acadia’s optional 310-hp 3.6-liter V-6 ($1095 on SLE and SLT, standard on All Terrain and Denali trims) to be the volume engine, but the newfound lightness also allows a 2.5-liter four-cylinder to serve as the ute’s base powerplant for the first time. Both engines are backed by six-speed automatic transmissions and are available with all-wheel drive for $2000 extra; the V-6 also can tow up to 4000 pounds. The 3.6 rarely feels stressed moving the Acadia’s bulk, and its refined character better suits the GMC’s demeanor than the four. The 2.5-liter has to work harder and doesn’t sound as sweet doing it, yet it’s adequate for day-to-day city driving and should return close to 30 mpg on the highway in EPA testing. The V-6 models carry EPA city/highway ratings of 18/25 mpg—2 mpg better on both counts than those for the previous Acadia. Acceleration should also benefit from the weight loss, with V-6 examples likely hitting 60 mph in the high-six-second range and four-cylinder models closer to nine seconds. We’ll confirm those estimates as soon as we can affix our equipment to Acadias at the test track.
Shoppers will have no trouble distinguishing the carryover Limited model from the 2017 edition. The new Acadia’s smaller size and new ovoid grille are obvious, while its proportions are actually closer to those of the smaller GMC Terrain, only much more handsome. GMC branding means lots of chrome adorns most models, while the darker-trimmed All Terrain offers a welcome alternative for those seeking to avoid the flash. The relatively low beltline opens up the Acadia’s greenhouse, and, aside from chunky D-pillars that obstruct the rear quarters, outward visibility is good. An available array of GM’s latest safety tech includes its Safety Alert Seat, a surround-view camera, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic collision mitigation.
Cargo volume behind the front row drops from 116 cubic feet to just 79, but clever packaging retains lots of usable space. The second- and third-row seats both fold flat with little fuss, and there are two underfloor storage bins for smaller items. Second-row captain’s chairs are available in place of the standard bench seat, and they both recline and slide for maximum versatility. A simple fold-and-slide mechanism on the passenger’s side allows surprisingly easy access to the third row, which, although tight, also reclines and will accommodate two actual adults; three six-footers can sit behind one another in reasonable comfort. Thoughtful amenities dot the cabin, including lots of storage cubbies, five USB ports, climate controls, and a 110-volt outlet for the second row. Because, sadly, forgetting to remove children from cars is a real thing, the new Acadia features an industry-first rear-seat reminder, which flashes and sounds a warning to check the back rows when the vehicle is shutting down. (It activates a warning only if the rear doors were opened within ten minutes of the vehicle being started. It can be turned off.)
Smarter Technology
The purposeful yet classy interior design incorporates numerous soft-touch points, the brushed-aluminum trim really is aluminum, and Denali models are dressed up with real-wood inserts. Electronic gadgetry includes a large configurable display in the instrument cluster of Denali models, as well as 7.0- or 8.0-inch center touchscreens for GMC’s IntelliLink interface. The latter includes standard OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with a Wi-Fi hotspot, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces. Also new is GMC’s SHOP feature, which allows owners to download and sync GMC-approved apps both to the vehicle and to mobile devices.
While we expect the redesigned 2018 Chevrolet Traverse to offer a longer wheelbase and even more space than its Acadia sibling, the revised GMC appears to lose little if any capability in its shedding of mass. We look forward to our upcoming tests of the new Acadia, in which we’ll determine exactly how big a dividend this downsizing delivers.
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