- Redesigned three-row SUV looks like the Yukon
- A new 2.5-liter turbo-4 and 8-speed automatic could use a recalibration
- The lovely Denali trim has a not-so-lovely price of $64,000
The redesigned GMC Acadia three-row SUV grows larger, looks more truck-like, and now employs a 2.5-liter turbo-4 with an 8-speed automatic transmission. There are some quirks to this powertrain, mostly due to GM trying to improve fuel economy numbers for the third generation of its handsome family hauler.
Here’s the pros and cons I experienced after a week of wintertime testing.
Pro: GMC Acadia looks good
The redesigned 2024 GMC Acadia looks handsome. It embodies the upright look of the larger Yukon full-size SUV and the blocky muscular angles of the brands’ trucks. The Denali trim has chrome-like accents around the grille and windows, and the c-clamp running lights flank a broad vertical grille. In back, an integrated roof spoiler hoods the raked rear windshield, and quad exhaust pipes suggest some power that isn’t there. But it looks good.
Con: Turbo-4 engine strains like a hamstring
The noise of the 2.5-liter turbo-4 invalidates the Denali’s premium ambitions. It’s loud when pushed, and noticeable under easy throttle. The engine makes plenty of power at 328 hp, but peak 326 lb-ft of torque doesn’t come on until 3,500 rpm. The three-row SUV also carries plenty of weight at about 4,700 pounds. To harness that torque and power, you have to lay into the throttle, and doing so makes it strain as if agitated.
Pro: Great interior on the Acadia Denali
The tester had creamy leather upholstery that GMC calls Sheer. It fits the Denali’s top billing as the premium trim, and it looks and feels great. The long, low dash embodies the GMC truck-like ethos, and the center stack consists of a 15.0-inch touchscreen with climate controls and toggles below it. Vents flank the screen like ears. It’s clean and well detailed without trying too hard to do either.
Pro: Acadia has easy-to-use climate toggles
GMC left in fan speed and other climate settings with a bar of up-down toggles at the base of the touchscreen. A dial would be quicker to flick to crank the heat, but the toggles are easy to use with gloves and limit reliance on the touchscreen. Touching the toggles also opens up the lower portion of the touchscreen for more granular climate adjustments. The heated and ventilated seat icons do not get designated toggles, however, so you click the icon on the touchscreen, then it pops up and needs to be pressed again to adjust the setting.
Con: Why is the Acadia’s drive mode selector placed where it is?
The drawback to the clean console on the sophisticated interior is where to put all the controls. Like GM’s Blazer EV and Equinox EV and other crossovers, the Acadia’s drive mode button is on the opposite side of the console, down near the driver’s left knee. Only way it could be more inconveniently placed would be on the ceiling, which may be better. Worse, reaching around to tap it, which definitely takes your eyes off the road, opens up a menu screen on the touchscreen, not in the 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Your eyes literally have to be in two places at once, separated by a steering wheel. A GMC rep said it was the best place to put it with other mechanical functions, such as the stop/start button and electric parking brake.
Con: Part-time all-wheel drive in the GMC Acadia
Like other GM crossover SUVs, the all-wheel-drive system isn’t active unless you make it so, by pressing the inconveniently placed button. It stays in front-wheel drive even during wheel slip, unlike most other brands’ all-wheel-drive systems. It’s a fuel economy play, but at 21 mpg combined, it’s not a good play. Certain modes automatically trigger AWD, including Snow, Off-Road, and Terrain. Otherwise, if bad weather hits or road conditions are slick, push the button.
Con: What is the L mode in the GMC Acadia and why does it unlock paddle shifters?
The Acadia Denali has paddle shifters, ostensibly for the driver to override the 8-speed automatic transmission that replaces the old model’s 9-speed. The paddle shifters don’t activate unless you first hit the “L” button on the steering wheel, to put it into a kind of Low gear to engine brake on a downhill, for more low end power when towing, or to tap into more torque at low speeds to get unstuck. It also lets you use the paddles as normal, to delay shifts for more power when passing. GMC said the reason to not have them always active is for fuel economy and transmission calibration. The Acadia would be better with active paddle shifters, and by eliminating the “L” function and replacing it with the drive mode button.
The redesigned Acadia looks great for a midsize SUV, and the Denali trim turns the interior into a near-luxury vehicle. There are some quirks to the powertrain to get used to, however. The mixed effect is why the GMC Acadia earns a TCC Rating of 6.4 out of 10.
_______________________________________
2024 GMC Acadia Denali AWD
Base price: $43,995, including $1,395 destination
Price as tested: $64,810
Drivetrain: 328-hp 2.5-liter turbo-4 with an 8-speed automatic and AWD
EPA fuel economy: 19/24/21 mpg
Pros: Handsome looks, luxurious interior, good tech interfaces
Cons: Loud engine, oddly placed drivetrain switches, part-time AWD