Picture Gallery: 2007 GMC Acadia SLT
Day 1:
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The 2007 GMC Acadia is GM’s latest entry into the crossover segment. Capable of seating up to eight passengers in certain configurations, with a starting price of $36,495 and some aggressive styling, this new offering looks to be a real competitor in the seven-to-eight seater crossover market. My test model is an SLT model, which comes almost fully loaded, missing only a select few features such as the DVD-Navigation system.
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Powered by a 3.6L V6 engine putting out 275hp and 251lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic with overdrive, the Acadia is capable of towing 2041kg (4500lbs). The Acadia itself, optioned with AWD system as my tester is, comes in at a hefty 2234kg (4925lbs), and you can feel it.
According to GM’s website, the Acadia is capable of a combined fuel economy of 11.5L/100km with a city average of 13.5L/100km and a highway average of 8.5L/100km. I have yet to come anywhere near these advertised figures for large SUVs. With my driving style and typical driving route, my average is typically in the 15-16L/100km range in most mid- to large-sized SUVs. If GMC would like to market the Acadia as a replacement for the minivan, let’s hope it lives up to its advertised fuel consumption ratings, or at least comes close.
2007 GMC Acadia
MSRP as tested: $54,780
For more information on GMC and the Acadia visit GM Canada
Day 2:
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The interior of the Acadia is a very pleasant place to be. Whether you are a passenger or a driver, there is tons of room available in all directions. Egress and ingress is easy as pie even though the vehicle is high off the ground; GM seems to have hit the nail on the head in many respects with the Acadia.
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The system seems to work really well, although I tend to watch it more often than I would a regular speedometer. The geek in me really loves the XM radio display in the HUD that displays the next song and radio station ID, allowing me to change stations while keeping my eyes on the road.
Besides the fact that everything is well laid out in the Acadia and well put together, it’s in the switches and buttons where you can tell that GM went the extra mile. The auto-up/down window switches don’t click or snap as expected in lower-priced vehicles, but have a satisfying damped action to them, which is reassuring and feels like quality. The chrome accents on the interior are classy and not overly done at all; the only downside is that the chrome accents on the centre stack air vents tend to reflect the sun.
As expected, cargo space is enormous, although it will limit your ability to seat passengers. With my tester, if large items are to be carried, you would have space for only four occupants. The rearmost seats are 60/40 split folding and fold easily with a latch on the seatback. They are also light enough to be returned to their upright position from one side of the vehicle with a flip of the wrist.
For reference’s sake, I was easily able to fit a seven-foot piece of lumber behind the back seats with the hatch closed. By pushing the front seat forward, it might be possible to fit a nine foot object, and possibly something as long as ten feet inside the Acadia with the rear hatch closed.
Day 3:
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Obviously the Acadia is no sports car, and at near 5000lbs, it is not expected to be one. The weight of the vehicle can really be felt while braking and accelerating, although a little less so while turning. The six-speed transmission seems to be geared for reduced fuel consumption, as it tends to shift to a higher gear very quickly when accelerating slowly.
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The large 19″ wheels and tires soak up bumps with ease and even the roughest road may go unnoticed. The ride is comfortable, smooth and quiet, but seems to have a little less bounce in its step than the average SUV. Steering is light but well defined, making the Acadia a very easy-to-drive experience even for someone unaccustomed to driving such a large vehicle.
So far, my fuel consumption is right where I expected it to be for a vehicle of this size. I am hoping that some highway traveling over the weekend and a few more days of driving will bring the fuel consumption closer to the advertised figures.
Day 4:
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Anyone who rode in, or eyed, the Acadia over the past week seemed honestly impressed with build quality, design details and comfort. All passengers were also very much interested in knowing my average fuel consumption over the week, and most were rather unimpressed with these numbers, including myself.
Over the week, I was able to average 15.6L/100km. This is pretty much in line with every SUV I have ever driven over the course of a one week test drive. Certainly this is nowhere near the optimistic estimate of 11.5L/100km combined average as calculated by National Resources Canada.
How does the Acadia do in comparison to a minivan in people hauling? Well, it actually performs really well; the second row seat flips and folds quickly to provide easy access to the third row and comfort is top notch. There is a slight issue with vehicle’s height though, as I found out this weekend entering the parking garage of the Rideau Centre in downtown Ottawa.
Minivans could easily fit in this garage, where as I was cringing as I passed the “Don’t enter if your vehicle is higher than this sign”, sign. Turns out the Acadia almost exactly matched the height limit of this garage as the roof rack grazed the sign on the entrance. Fortunately for me there was no issue inside the garage; hopefully the other Acadia that entered the lot was also able to exit unscathed.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 GMC Acadia SLT
MSRP as tested: $54,780
For more information on GMC and the Acadia visit GM Canada
May 25, 2007, 09:50:44 am
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,46852.80.html
car&driver comparo, CX-9 vs MDX vs Acadia ... finished in that order.
Take that MDX! Just proves you don't have time to read everything - you are human and forgiven. Of course I can always post more....
May 25, 2007, 06:59:27 pm
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/12669/eight-tickets-to-paradise-we-compare-eight-50000-luxury-suvs.html
I can't see the comparo you're talking about ID.
Maybe in Road and Truck ...
May 26, 2007, 11:43:45 am I bought a Jeep Liberty 2006 in June of 2006 and it has been in the shop more than we have had it home. It only has 7000 KM on it. Everything under the hood has been changed and some twice. The dealer has given up and we went to abitration for them to buy it back and they want to give us $3000.00 Big deal. The reason being that we are leasing but we traded a 2005 PT cruiser in on it at Southtown Edmonton and they don't even take that into consideration. We are now going to another dealer in Edmonton, Derrick Dodge hopefully something will happen good. The Jeep is missing bad and it is a deasel. So there is no way that it can miss.
FED UP:
May 26, 2007, 12:23:50 pm Arrrrrg, article was from Moootor Trends ... so should be taken it for what it is and where it comes from.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0706_audi_mdx_gmc_acadia_mazda_cx_9
May 26, 2007, 04:12:20 pm Where I live I see plenty of the GM utes, but am also noticing more CX-9's in the area as well.
I think Mazda is doing their best to try to advertise the CX-series and I hope it pays off. They need a wider audience for their products.
May 26, 2007, 04:39:19 pm
May 28, 2007, 02:08:02 am Well Wing, in your opinion, is this vehicle worth the AS TESTED PRICE?
May 28, 2007, 08:52:21 am If you don't mind the fuel economy and have the coin, sure. It is very nice.
May 28, 2007, 11:41:14 am
Thank you for the Politically Correct Answer.
May 28, 2007, 04:35:51 pm
Would the base model be worth it?
May 28, 2007, 06:43:35 pm Any minivan
May 28, 2007, 07:19:29 pm Acadia FWD: 13.0 / 8.3
AWD: 13.5 / 8.9
TOYOTA SIENNA fwd 11.7 8.1
AWD 13.3 9.5
HONDA ODYSSEY fwd 13.3 8.5
HYUNDAI ENTOURAGE fwd 13.2 8.8
KIA SEDONA fwd 13.2 8.8
Mileage rating from GM wedsite and http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/tools/fuelratings/ratings-results.cfm?attr=8
mileage looks about the same to me
May 28, 2007, 07:28:05 pm In the real world though the Minivans get great mileage, but the Acadia does not. The FWD Acadia may be better, the Sienna AWD pays a rather large penalty as well.
It cost me $50 to drive 286km in the Acadia
May 28, 2007, 07:29:15 pm
It cost me $50 to drive 286km in the Acadia
Don't you get reimbursed?
May 28, 2007, 07:33:17 pm
May 28, 2007, 07:34:21 pm 50% OFF from Revenue Canada?
May 28, 2007, 07:37:58 pm
It cost me $50 to drive 286km in the Acadia
The sounds great to me
May 28, 2007, 10:39:56 pm
That article annoyed me. They talked very little about the Acadia. All I learned was that it was spacious (no kidding), heavy and heavy-feeling (not a surprise), and had a transmission that tended to hunt. The last was the only thing that I really learned from it.
The CX-9 came off sounding like a very nice vehicle, especially considering the price.
May 31, 2007, 07:52:51 am The open road is where minivans get an edge in fuel economy : my MPV netted 8.9 l/100km coming back from Ottawa (in the 120 - 140 km/h range) and the Odyssey managed 9.8 l/100 km loaded for a Maine vacation (at a more reasonnable 100 - 120 km/h pace).
A friend of mine has a 2005 Ody EX-L with VCM and he creeps below 8 l/100 km on highway trips !
Mixed urban driving is in the 12 - 15 l/100 km range, depending on season and driving style.
June 08, 2007, 12:39:58 pm Finally drove an Acadia. Was marveling at the heads-up display than I thought I'd be! Would use that all the time.
When you took a turn, you knew you were piloting something long, think due to the long wheelbase, but it felt really planted on the road. I was pleasantly surprised. Everything about the drive was smooth, smooth, smooth, including the engine and transmission.
Which brings me to the negative. Engine power. Even with everyone saying it would be underpowered with a load, I expected more. The engine/tranny are smooth and satisfying with normal driving, but when I dug in for more realized there wasn't much of it left. No sense of urgency. But if you're not a power hungry person, it really is an impressive piece with loads of room.
June 08, 2007, 01:01:07 pm
No sense of urgency. But if you're not a power hungry person, it really is an impressive piece with loads of room.
The 95% of the people on the road the power will be just fine, and would not notice it untell someone told them
June 09, 2007, 11:35:41 am Hey if it's good enuf fer a Geriatric Racer than nearly totalled Giant Dwarf...I'm ALL FERRET!!!!
June 11, 2007, 10:34:41 am Just noticed too that when you turn on the turn signal, the front DRL on the same side goes off a-la-Chrysler.
August 27, 2007, 11:25:04 am I've seen a lot of negative posts concerning the gas mileage of the Acadia. I bought mine at the starting of June and have put 7000K on it this summer. So far I get about 28 Mpg (Imp) when travelling on the 401/400 ( so that's around 120-130 km/h) This is with a full load (6 people, luggage etc) When i just putter around town with hard acceleration, stop and go I still manage 21 Mpg. Not bad for a vehicle this size. So far couldn't be happier with the vehicle.
August 27, 2007, 12:06:18 pm
Welcome, and thanks for the report