2022 GMC Acadia

The crossover market in the USA is fiercely competitive, so the GMC Acadia is up against some of the best crossovers in the midsize segment. Although the American brand is already quite popular, the SUV still tries to stand out by combining luxury and affordability. It's a bit smaller in size than its direct rivals, yet it still attempts to comfortably fit in three rows of seats. Combined with a choice of engines, a turbocharged four-cylinder and a potent V6, its focus seems a bit blurred. Luckily this 'jack of all trades but master of none' is supplemented with lots of comfort and safety tech, which helps the Acadia shore up some of its weak points, like a cramped third row and small cargo hold. With the competition updating at a faster pace, we will have to see if the Acadia continues to earn its place in the market for another year.

Thanks to its 2020 facelift, the Acadia is still a handsome and modern-looking crossover. It sports the traditional blocky GMC grille, bordered by LED headlights and C-shaped signature lighting. The upper trims step it up a notch with LED fog lights in the lower bumper. In its adventure-focused AT4 guise, the Acadia rides on 17-inch alloys with all-terrain tires, but the SLE and SLT have 18-inch items, and the top-tier Denali boasts bold 20-inch Ultra Bright machined alloys. A hands-free power liftgate is installed from the SLT upwards as standard. If the SLE and SLT are a little too tame for you, several appearance packages are available, which helps them to compete with the more aggressive black-accented AT4, which tries to create images of a more rugged off-road vehicle than the Acadia actually is.

The Acadia isn't the largest SUV offered by GMC, but it's far from small. All of its dimensions are shared across the range, starting with the 112.5-inch wheelbase. Overall length measures in at 193.4 inches, while width without the mirrors is set at 75.4 inches. As with most high-riders, the Acadia stands quite tall at 66.7 inches, though its ground clearance of 7.2 inches isn't really conducive to venturing off-road. With several engine and drivetrain combinations available, weight varies from 4,155 pounds for the base FWD versions to 4,525 lbs for the Denali AWD.

The Acadia has lost a color hue from its palette for 2022, but there is a new option, too. The standard no-cost color for the range is Summit White. SLE adds a few extra-cost options. For $495, you can opt for one of the four metallics, namely Satin Steel, Ebony Twilight, Midnight Blue or, new for this year, Light Stone. Cayenne Red Tintcoat will cost you $645. If you like White Frost Tricoat, you'll need to upgrade to at least the SLT or AT4 then pay an extra $1,095, while the Denali gets exclusive access to Hunter Metallic for $495. This year, Red Mahogany is no longer offered.

There are two powertrain options. The old-school 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that came standard on the defunct SL (and the SLE) last year with less than 200 hp has been discontinued for this year.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder develops plenty of power and torque, delivering quick acceleration. Most buyers should be happy with the performance of this turbo firecracker. However, for those that still want a little more oomph when they put their foot down, the 3.6-liter V6 is available to all trims but the base SLE. Whether you opt for FWD or AWD, there is more than enough power to go around with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft on tap. From a cold stop, the V6 moves the Acadia from 0 to 60 mph in under 6.5 seconds.

Maximum standard towing capacity is 1,500 lbs, which can be increased to 4,000 lbs with the optional Trailering Package fitted.

You get a choice of two engines when you purchase a GMC Acadia, but you will need to select a trim that suits your power needs. The standard engine on the entry-tier SLE is the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, which is available with either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive on the bottom three trims - including, from this year, the Denali - but not on the AT4, which gets the V6 engine only. It develops 228 hp and an impressive 258 lb-ft, which helps the crossover feel zippier on the road. You may still need to plan some of your overtaking maneuvers, but you should have enough power to pull them off when you're ready.

The SLT and Denali also get access to the potent 3.6-liter V6 that comes standard on the AT4. You get to choose the drivetrain that suits your needs on all but the AT4, which not only gets just the V6, but is also exclusively AWD. The top powertrain develops 310 hp and 271 lb-ft, giving the Acadia all the power it could ever need to get you where you're going in a flash. It sounds pretty good, too.

No matter which engine and drivetrain combination you select, a nine-speed automatic transmission rows the gears for you. It is well-refined and doesn't struggle to find the right gear for the situation.

The Acadia doesn't have as high a ride height as many of its larger SUV rivals or those that are lifted, so it drives more like a car than they do. However, even with the top-tier V6, you shouldn't expect the driving experience to be fun. This is a comfortable cruiser first and foremost.

To that end, the steering is light, but offers little to no feedback. Combined with a lack of dexterity, this can lead to some unexpected understeer. Luckily, plenty of driver-assistance features come standard to help counteract these issues. The brakes are strong and easy to modulate, too, so you won't have to worry on that front.

Where the crossover really shines, though, is ride comfort. The suspension does a good job of absorbing most road abrasions, while also keeping the vehicle composed over slippery roads. Naturally, you'll want the all-wheel drivetrain if that's going to be a common issue. However, don't mistake this for 4x4 capability. Even the AT4 trim isn't especially suited to going off-road.

Two engines and two drivetrains result in a bit of variance in the fuel economy ratings. The base 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with the front-wheel drivetrain returns an EPA-estimated 22/29/25 mpg city/highway combined, even better than last year's base engine's 21/27/23 mpg thanks to its lower displacement and turbocharger. With AWD, you can expect 22/27/24 mpg. The V6 engine is the most powerful, but also the thirstiest, returning just 19/27/22 with FWD and even less with AWD - 19/26/21 mpg. To make up for the lower figures attributed to the all-wheel drivetrain, models equipped with it get a 22-gallon fuel tank, while FWD setups can only carry 19 gallons of fuel. This means that the Acadia can cover up to 528 miles.

While the GMC Acadia is still a handsome crossover, at least from the outside, the interior has not received the same degree of attention from the designers, so it's starting to look somewhat outdated. However, good-quality materials are used throughout and the simpler styling may appeal to buyers who like no-frills class. You will need to upgrade to get access to some of the more desirable features like power-adjustable seats or leather upholstery, but the controls for all the standard tech, of which there is plenty, are laid out for ease of access. Part of the reason for this is that the infotainment screen is moderately sized, and the console isn't overly cluttered. More tech-savvy buyers may not be impressed by this, though.

With three rows of seats within the cabin, there is space for a maximum of seven passengers in the base SL. Or at least, there is seating for seven; space is another matter. The first two rows are where you want to be if you're any bigger than a pre-teen. Adults should preferably be seated up front, but they can fit in the second row if they aren't too tall. But once you reach the third row, legroom is reduced to around 30 or so inches - varying slightly by trim - and the roof slopes down, too. This means that only small children should ever be placed back there. However, since standard cargo capacity is quite meager, it may be best to leave the rear-most seats folded down. All the trims by default trade out the second-row bench for a pair of captain's chairs, reducing overall seating capacity to six. However, you are given the option to stick with seven seats at no extra cost, depending on your needs. With the third row folded down, the cabin feels a lot more spacious, but those in the rearmost seats still aren't going to be rejoicing. Four-way manual front seats are the norm on the base trim, but this upgrades to an eight-way power driver's seat with a memory function and heated front seats on the other trims; only the flagship Denali gets standard eight-way power adjustment for the passenger seat too. Heated outboard second-row seats are optional from SLT upwards and standard on Denali.

The base trim level of the new Acadia doesn't quite live up to the expectations that its price tag engenders. The SLE is dressed up in premium cloth upholstery, offered in Jet Black or Cocoa/Light Ash Gray. The more rugged AT4 sticks with the same base upholstery but offers it in black only and allows you to upgrade to perforated Jet Black leather for $1,000. The SLT and Denali get the leather right off the bat, but while the SLT gets the same color palette as the SLE, the Denali trades Cocoa/Light Ash Gray for Dark Galvanized/Light Shale. Even the lower-tier trims sport classy wooden veneer inlays with chrome, justifying the Acadia classification as more than just a budget family hauler. The SUV also boasts higher-quality construction with fewer hard plastics than we are used to seeing from the brand, but again, it's not the most upscale cabin for the price.

Crossovers are prized for their practicality, combining plenty of passenger room with loads of cargo space. However, those with three rows of seats often sacrifice the latter in favor of the former. Thus, the Acadia presents buyers with only 12.8 cubic feet of trunk space behind the rear-most seats. This might be enough for a few grocery bags, but there'll never be enough room for much luggage, and definitely not for that of seven occupants. Whenever you aren't hauling around a soccer team, it would make more sense to keep the third row folded down, which gives you access to a more practical 41.7 cubic feet. This should be enough for a camping trip for the whole family. On the rare occasion that you need to do some real heavy lifting, folding both the second and third rows grants access to 79 cubic feet. In any configuration, the GMC SUV falls quite far behind its chief competitors in the USA, such as the Kia Telluride or Chevrolet Traverse.

At least it's less disappointing in terms of in-cabin storage. Each row of seats gets its own set of cupholders, which is good because the unusually shaped door pockets may not be able to store enough water bottles to keep everyone hydrated. If you have anything larger than some keys or a small mobile device, you would better off using the glovebox or center armrest cubby for storage. The center console includes a rear storage drawer but this isn't offered when the AT4 is specced in the available five-seater configuration.

The 2022 Acadia is starting to look a little dated inside, and that extends to its list of features. Nevertheless, GMC has done a pretty good job of keeping it modern, especially in terms of safety features. Along with premium cloth upholstery, the SLE is outfitted with four-way manual front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry and ignition, cruise control, and a 4.2-inch driver information display. As mentioned, the safety suite is even more comprehensive this year, with eight airbags, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, following distance indicator, a rearview camera, front and rear park assist, and a teen driver system all standard, even on the base model.

The SLT also upgrades to perforated leather upholstery and adds an eight-way power driver's seat, along with heating for the front seats, remote engine start, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a universal home remote, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The AT4 shares the SLT's interior appointments, except for the leather upholstery. The top-of-the-range Denali adds heating to the rear outboard seats, too, along with an automatically heated steering wheel, driver's seat memory functions, ventilated front seats, an eight-way power front passenger seat, a larger eight-inch driver display, an electrically adjustable steering wheel, and a head-up display.

The Acadia makes use of a slightly smaller infotainment touchscreen than most of its competition. However, the eight-inch display comes programmed with plenty of features, including AM/FM Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. The SLE trim comes with a six-speaker sound system. The SLT adds navigation and a premium eight-speaker Bose audio setup. From the get-go, five USB ports are spread around the cabin, but the SLT adds a 120-volt outlet, and the Denali a wireless charging pad. If you want to spoil your back-seat passengers, you can opt for the rear-seat entertainment setup which equips two eight-inch screens at the back, two sets of wireless headphones, and more.

In J.D. Power's review of the Acadia for 2022, the crossover managed an overall score of 80 out of 100 and 76/100 for quality and reliability, which rates it below the likes of the Honda Pilot (82 and 79) and well below the Kia Telluride (85 and 85). The 2022 Acadia has already been recalled once for an inactive sensing diagnostic module that could disable the airbags. Last year's Acadia was recalled for improperly installed fuel lines.

Despite its reasonable dependability score, the GMC crossover comes with a rather average warranty plan. This includes three years/36,000 miles of limited coverage, and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain cover with roadside assistance. A single visit for complimentary maintenance is allotted within the first year after purchase.

In every safety review of the GMC Acadia by US authorities, the crossover rates highly. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Acadia a rating of five stars out of five, with only the rollover test receiving a lower four-star ranking. The IIHS was just as generous with its 2021 review, giving the GMC Acadia a rating of Good in each of the five crashworthiness categories tested. Similar results are expected for the 2022 model.

The Acadia's safety rating is well earned, with even the entry-level model equipped with a full suite of standard safety features from this year. These comprise an HD rearview camera, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, following distance indicator, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, and a teen driver system. There are all the expected mechanical safety measures, too, including ABS/EBD brakes, stability and traction control, and eight airbags: dual front, driver knee, front side with a driver in-board side-impact bag, and side curtain. All trims except the SLE get a safety alert seat and can option on an HD surround-view camera.

Due to their enormous popularity, there is no shortage of crossovers on the US market. That doesn't mean they're all successful, though, and competition is fierce. But, if you're searching for a comfortable and practical family car, the Acadia might be worth a closer look.

It has enough power to get you around town in a timely fashion, but it never handles particularly well and it definitely isn't fun to drive. But since it is designed to be a comfortable family hauler, this can be overlooked as a weakness. What we can't ignore is the fact that the third-row seats are barely usable and the trunk is far too small with all the seats in place. Slightly larger rivals like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride are much more capable in this regard for the same money.

The Acadia's smaller size does make it a bit easier to live with if you often deal with heavy traffic or crowded parking lots, but it simply isn't enough of a pro to outweigh the cons. Even all the standard comfort, infotainment, and safety features aren't enough of a value proposition, since most of these are now included on many modern economy crossovers.

The GMC Acadia SUV may once have been competent and competitive, but it just hasn't done enough to move with the time. Nowadays, it is easy to find half a dozen alternatives that do what it does, only better and for less money.

GMC is known for creating upscale automobiles, but it doesn't quite break into the luxury segment. While the price of the GMC Acadia is a bit higher than that of the more budget-friendly crossovers, it isn't exorbitant. The base-model FWD SLE will cost you $34,800, while the FWD version of the SLT equipped with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine will set you back $39,100. Switching to AWD increases the price of the SLE to $37,100 and the SLT to $41,100. The AT4 is available with the all-wheel drivetrain and the V6 engine only, also with a starting price of $41,100. The Denali asks for an investment of $46,600 if you want the 2.0-liter turbo with FWD, while the cost of the Denali with the V6 and AWD is close to $50k at $48,600. These are MSRP prices and do not include tax, registration, licensing, and the $1,195 destination charge.

With last year's base SL trim dropped, the 2022 GMC Acadia lineup now comprises four trims: SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The old naturally aspirated 193-hp base engine is no longer offered, so the base engine on all trims save for the AT4 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine can always be paired with either FWD or AWD. A naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 hp is also available, but not on the base SLE. It's the only engine option for the AT4. Regardless of the configuration, all models use a nine-speed automatic transmission. A six-seater layout with second-row captain's chairs is used, but a seven-seater layout with a second-row bench is a no-cost option.

The base SLE trim runs on 18-inch alloy wheels and has LED headlights. Standard equipment includes four-way manually adjustable front seats, premium cloth upholstery, cruise control, three-zone climate control, a digital compass, keyless access and start, and a 4.2-inch driver-information display. There is an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen and the system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM, five USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Standard safety features include eight airbags, a backup camera, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, a following distance indicator, and a teen driver system.

The SLT adds to these features LED fog lights, brushed aluminum roof rails, and a hands-free power liftgate. Inside, perforated leather upholstery, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a 120-volt power outlet, remote engine start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a universal home remote are added. The infotainment system is upgraded with standard navigation and a premium Bose eight-speaker audio system.

The AT4 gets different exterior detailing such as blacked out exterior styling accents and mirrors. It runs on 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires to go with its adventure vibe. In terms of standard equipment, it mostly follows the SLT's example, but without the leather upholstery, defaulting to the SLE premium cloth. It can only be had with the V6 engine and all-wheel drive.

The Denali is the flagship and on the outside, it's distinguished by its 20-inch alloy wheels and auto-dimming exterior mirrors. Inside, it has the SLT's leather upholstery and also adds eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, an automatically heating steering wheel with electrical adjustment, an eight-inch digital driver-information display, a wireless phone charger, and a head-up display.

Each trim offers several customization options in the form of packages. For $1,750, the Driver Convenience Package equips the SLE with an eight-way power driver's seat, remote engine start, heated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Elevation Edition gives the SLE or SLT larger 20-inch alloy wheels and blacked-out exterior accents for the wheels, grille, and roof rails - this upgrade costs $1,495. The SLT and AT4 can get some of the Denali's features when you option on the Technology Package. This adds the HD surround-view camera and head-up display - on the SLT, this upgrade totals $1,000. The Denali Technology Package ($1,795) adds the HD surround-view camera, as well as adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera mirror, and enhanced automatic emergency braking.

Thanks to some shuffling of the tech, several desirable safety features are now standard on the lower-tier trims. The SLT has always been an excellent value-for-money offering that balances comfort, power, and safety without asking for a huge cash investment. Now, the mid-tier trim is safer than ever with last year's added safety features bolstered even more with rear parking sensors added this year, all included without the need to pay extra. Equipped with the turbocharged four-pot, it also offers the best mileage figures and pretty lively acceleration around town. If you need to tow heavy trailers regularly, you may need to aim for some higher specs, such as the V6 engine and all-wheel drivetrain.

Slotting in beneath the Acadia in the GMC crossover lineup, the Terrain has many of the same priorities. It has a lackluster 170-hp engine, with no option to upgrade to a more powerful engine. It isn't fun to drive either but it is comfortable, just like the Acadia. Since it is smaller, it doesn't try to squeeze in a third row of seats, but this also means that it has more space to spare for cargo - 29.6 cubic feet, to be exact. Since the third row in the larger SUV is barely usable, this actually makes the Terrain more practical. But, if you fold down the rear-most seats and treat the Acadia as a five-seater, it offers more space for both passengers and cargo. Honestly, neither are great choices, but we'd opt for the larger GMC if we had to choose.

Although the pricing of the Acadia virtually matches the Traverse at entry-level, the two SUVs are quite different. The Chevrolet doesn't even bother with weak four-cylinder engines, instead opting for a V6 right from the get-go. With 310 hp on tap, it gets around quite easily, despite being larger and heavier than the Acadia. However, this extra size also means extra practicality, with more passenger space and a standard 23-cubic-foot cargo hold on offer behind the third row. Tech-wise, their list of features is pretty similar, but if you look at the top-tier trims, the Chevy will cost you a little more. However, the best value for money is not found on the most expensive model for either vehicle. Aim a little lower, and the Traverse proves itself to be the smarter choice.