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2017 GMC Acadia SLT-1 FWD Review By John Heilig


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2017 GMC Acadia SLT-1

THE AUTO PAGE
BY John Heilig
Senior Editor
Mid-Atlantic Bureau
The Auto Channel


REVIEWED MODEL: 2017 GMC Acadia FWD 4dr SLE w/SLE-1
ENGINE: 2.5-liter DOHC I-4
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 194 hp @ 6,300 rpm/190 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm
WHEELBASE: 102.5 in.
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 193.6 x 75.4 x 68.7 in.
TIRES: P235/65R18
CARGO CAPACITY: 12.8/41.7/79.0 cu. ft. (all rows up/3rd row down/2nd and 3rd row down
ECONOMY: 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/18.5 mpg test
FUEL TANK: 19.0 gal.
CURB WEIGHT: 3,956 lbs.
TOWING CAPACITY: 1,000 lbs.
COMPETITIVE CLASS: All 2017-2018 SUV's $40-$45,000
STICKER: $40,515 (includes $925 delivery, $1,240 options)
BOTTOM LINE: The GMC Acadia is a solid mid-size SUV with a lot of cargo capacity and decent ride quality.

Combined, GMC and Chevrolet have a number of sport utility vehicles, from the tiny Trax to the larger Suburban. The Acadia - and Chevy Terrain - fall somewhere in the middle.

For 2017 GMC has shaved 700 pounds from the Acadia, adding to its efficiency. Fuel economy is listed at 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, which is pretty decent for an SUV. We achieved only 18.5 mpg however. The Acadia has a capless filler for the fuel tank.

Under the hood is a 2.5-liter inline four that’s rated at 194 horsepower. Being a four, it does tend to get buzzy on hard acceleration, but in general it’s fairly quiet.

Ride quality is good. Actually, the Acadia feels like a larger vehicle with a longer wheelbase. This sense is continued when you take into account pretty good rear legroom and cargo capacity that is exceptional. I have mentioned several times my friend who has a son who is wheelchair-bound. They are looking for a vehicle that will give them cargo capacity when they go on longer trips and still be able to carry the chair in the back. The Acadia would fill the bill. With the third and/or the second row seats folded, it would also be a great vehicle for carrying pets.

Our test vehicle was equipped with three rows of seats. Cargo is skimpy wth all three rows up, but lower the third row seats and cargo capacity reached 41.7 cubic feet, big enough for almost anything. But still, if you have more than two extra passengers, the third row has decent legroom for them. Access to the third row is enabled by the right side second row captain’s chair that tumbles forward. There is a compartment under the cargo floor that is convenient for holding packages or objects you don’t want tipping.

The Acadia has all the usual safety equipment. One feature I’d like to mention is the Rear Seat Reminder. Whenever the second row doors are opened before the vehicle is started, the RSR is activated. Shut the engine off, and a message appears on the information panel on the dash reminding you to check the rear seat. We usually only have packages back there most of the time, but it is possible for a parent to leave a child back there and forget, so the reminder is valuable.

I generally tend to just hop in a car and go, but on the day the Acadia arrived, I did that and skidded on a patch of ice. From that time forward I activated the Traction Select knob that has a “snow” setting. I did a much better job after that.

Front seats are comfortable with a little side support. The second row captain’s chairs offer very good legroom, further enhancing the opinion of the Acadia being a longer vehicle. Legroom in the third row is good - for a third row.

Front row passengers have heated and cooled seats. They also have use of a cubby at the base of the center stack with 12-volt, USB and AUX outlets. Second row seats have a USB port and a 110-volt outlet. The third row also has a USB port.

Access to the rear is through a lift gate that can be operated with the key fob or with a button on the driver’s door. It is also possible to adjust the height of the lift gate’s opening.

The front door pulls have bottoms, making them useful for holding keys or phones. The bottoms have a removable cover, which is handy for cleaning.

Overall, the GMC Acadia is a vehicle that appears to be much bigger than it really is. And in a sport utility vehicle, that’s an asset.

(c) 2016 The Auto Page Syndicate

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