GMC tossed another player into the highly competitive field of crossovers, and it's a strong contender. The Acadia first arrived as a 2007 model. It's a third-row-equipped, full-size luxurious sled available in front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations. Apart from several equipment features, the Acadia is substantially unchanged for '08.
Stylish Acadia raises the design bar for GMC
The "pens" at GMC didn't shortchange the Acadia with blasé styling. No, what they came up with is "curb appeal" well outside the norm for the truck-focused segment of General Motors. GMC has never been reputed for flair and elegance; the Acadia changes that.
I was drawn to this attractive crossover by its clean, symmetrical design, aggressive stance and boldly flared fenders. There's nothing weak or poorly proportioned in the Acadia's overall appearance. In fact, I judge it to be among the better looking large crossovers in today's congested crossover market.
Interior flair and practicality sends the design bar skyward
The flair exhibited outwardly is transported inward as well. GM has made tremendous progress in their truck and SUV cabins of late, and the Acadia has benefited from lessons learned along the way. The Acadia cabin is highlighted by a hooded instrument panel flanked by a prominent centre stack that morphs into a beautifully-trimmed centre console housing the shifter, two cupholders and plenty of storage.
Along with visual appeal, the cabin provides outstanding comfort and impressive practicality. The Acadia can be fitted to accommodate seven or eight passengers depending on whether second-row captain's chairs or a bench arrangement is selected.
My tester was the seven-seater. GM has engineered a unique folding mechanism into the second-row seats that enable them to slide forward and collapse in order to provide easy ingress/egress for third-row passengers. When cargo capacity trumps passenger accommodation, second- and third-row seating can be dropped to create a flat, unimpeded load floor. The vast cargo hold provides up to 3,311-litres of usable volume.
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| Apart from several equipment features, the Acadia is substantially unchanged for '08. |
Stylish Acadia raises the design bar for GMC
The "pens" at GMC didn't shortchange the Acadia with blasé styling. No, what they came up with is "curb appeal" well outside the norm for the truck-focused segment of General Motors. GMC has never been reputed for flair and elegance; the Acadia changes that.
I was drawn to this attractive crossover by its clean, symmetrical design, aggressive stance and boldly flared fenders. There's nothing weak or poorly proportioned in the Acadia's overall appearance. In fact, I judge it to be among the better looking large crossovers in today's congested crossover market.
Interior flair and practicality sends the design bar skyward
The flair exhibited outwardly is transported inward as well. GM has made tremendous progress in their truck and SUV cabins of late, and the Acadia has benefited from lessons learned along the way. The Acadia cabin is highlighted by a hooded instrument panel flanked by a prominent centre stack that morphs into a beautifully-trimmed centre console housing the shifter, two cupholders and plenty of storage.
Along with visual appeal, the cabin provides outstanding comfort and impressive practicality. The Acadia can be fitted to accommodate seven or eight passengers depending on whether second-row captain's chairs or a bench arrangement is selected.
My tester was the seven-seater. GM has engineered a unique folding mechanism into the second-row seats that enable them to slide forward and collapse in order to provide easy ingress/egress for third-row passengers. When cargo capacity trumps passenger accommodation, second- and third-row seating can be dropped to create a flat, unimpeded load floor. The vast cargo hold provides up to 3,311-litres of usable volume.
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| Along with visual appeal, the cabin provides outstanding comfort and impressive practicality. |