2017 GMC Acadia

The 2017 GMC Acadia comes in over 6 trim levels, and 1 single classic Denali variant. The trims are as follows- SL, SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1, SLT-2, and the Limited trim. prices for the same start from around an MSRP of $29,070 for the SL trim and go all the way up to $43,850 for the Limited trim. Available in FWD as standard, AWD Acadia can be had for a $2,000 premium. Come the year 2017, the Acadia has got the trim structure reworked too, as the earlier optional features are now standard. Further additional features like the Continuously Variable Ride Control is also offered with the Denali variant.

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With all of the trims providing the utmost comfort with the list of premium interior features and the latest amenities, there is no point in choosing one over the other. Nevertheless, for a starting price of MSRP $38,350, the SLT-1, with the latest cut of advanced driver-assistance tech, V6 engine looking after the power duties, and plenty more creature comforts is the one to go for.

Overall ride quality is good, even on the optional 20-inch wheels (18s are standard), while road and wind noise are minimal - Car and Driver

2017 GMC Acadia Engine and Transmission

Engine choices to the tune of two are offered with the 2017 GMC Acadia. The standard one being the naturally aspirated 2.5L Inline-4 block, which puts out 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. This is available for the base trims, while the top-of-the-line trims such as the Denali and Limited variants get a ruthless 3.6L V6, which is great for putting out 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.

Moreover standard with transferring power to either the front wheels or all the wheels of the 2017 Acadia is a 6-speed automatic transmission unit, which is effortless in its shifting and better at putting down the power when compared to the rest of the competition. This also allows it to post some competitive acceleration times which are right up there with some of the other sportier heavyweights.

With the 3.6L V6 powering it through, the 2017 Acadia also has a respectable towing capacity of 4000 lbs, which is right within the segment bandwidth. Coming to the competition at hand, the Dodge Durango comes second only to the Acadia with 293 horses, which also helps it to post a competitive 0-60 MPH time, despite its heft.

2017 GMC Acadia 0-60 MPH and Acceleration

With the 2.5L engine running point on the power front, the 2017 Acadia is able to sprint from 0-60 MPH in just about 8 seconds. If that's not enough, the Acadia with the much more powerful 3.6L V6 is able to post a time of 6.5 seconds while sprinting from 0-60 MPH. The quarter-mile barrier is also crossed in a sprightly 15 seconds. This allows it to be the segment leader in its case, following the complete redesign and its weight loss regime that it has been put through for 2017.

Overtaking maneuvers are now more easier than ever, as the Acadia accelerates more assertively now. Coming to the competition, the Honda Pilot, puts out the lowest power figures on the block, and evidently so also is the slowest with a 0-60 MPH time of 8.1 secs, which is pitiful coming from a V6.

2017 GMC Acadia Ride and Handling

Following its dieting course that it had been put through, the 2017 Acadia is now more composed than ever. As such, the ride did use to feel cumbersome to handle in coarse roads and small parking spots, but now it's much more maneuverable. Combine that with the grunt and thrust of the V6 engine, and it glides on the freeway with great might. This ride also gets better when the SUV is full of people and cargo, with a new suspension unit.

Handling and steering weren't as clean as some of its class rivals, probably because of the ride's voluminous build, but that's not the case anymore. Nonetheless, the 2017 GMC Acadia SUV is a great people carrier. The ride offers a smooth, comfortable ride on most roads. Moreover, the cabin is clean and quiet, free from any kind of noises and undesired pain from any bumps.

2017 GMC Acadia Braking

The 2017 GMC Acadia has the largest brake rotor discs in the midsize SUV segment. WIth 17-inch ones in the front and the same 17-inch discs in the rear, the 2017 Acadia is able to come to a dead stop from 60 MPH in just 120 ft, which is miles ahead of the rest of the competition.

Following its weight loss, the Acadia is able to come to a stop with greater traction, as it now has improved control over the rest. Second in line with the Acadia, is the Dodge Durango, with 13-inch discs, which allows it to come to a stop in just 124 ft.

The 2017 GMC Acadia with the 2.5L Inline-4 engine powering it through will deliver 21 MPG in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. This is with the FWD setup in play, whereas with the AWD setup, the figures bow down to 21 MPG and 25 MPG in the city and highway respectively. Then there is the infamous V6 engine which when equipped manages to deliver 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG out on the highway. This is irrespective of it having an FWD or AWD setup.

Moreover, with a decent 19-gallon fuel tank, the 2017 Acadia is able to stretch out to 494 miles on the go, which places it right in the middle of the competition. Coming to the rivals, the 2017 Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango lead the pack with the best-in-class fuel efficiency figures.

The greatest advantage of the outgoing Acadia was its interior space. GMC gives up that adavantage tp play more in the mainstream this time around - The Car Connection

Following the major redesign, the 2017 GMC Acadia has been put through, the cabin space although small in dimensions, is nevertheless capable enough to accommodate 7 people at once and in utmost comfort. This is better than the Dodge Durango that offers a maximum seating of 5. The previous iterations used bench chairs for maximum practicality, but the captain chairs included in the 2017 iteration are as versatile as ever.

Coming to cabin space on offer, average 6-feet adults can be easily accommodated inside the 2017 Acadia, whereas the third row is hardly adequate enough for children. Moving onto the storage spaces on offer, the 2017 Acadia has a 12.8 cu. ft of cargo space, with the seats upright. Now, as the Acadia has been through a diet regimen, cargo space behind the front row reduces from 116 cu. ft to 79 cu. ft. Further interior storage spaces are plenty, with reasonable and thoughtful amenities in play.

Onto the infotainment front, the 2017 Acadia has a 6.5-inch infotainment system in play with GMC's latest Intellink infotainment interface. it is much more intuitive and easier to use than the previous iterations on offer. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now offered as standard with various other connectivity options.

Some of the other interior features on offer are-

• A heated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• A universal garage door opener
• Ambient lighting
• Heated 8-way, power-adjustable front seats
• Leather upholstery
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• 6-speaker sound system

When it comes to exterior design, the 2017 GMC Acadia looks the part this time around. Riding on the similar Lambda platform, GMC has shrunk the Acadia considerably, nevertheless making it more versatile than ever. Sharing the chassis structure with the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia is now better looking than ever, with a reworked front and rear fascia, along with composing character lines through the side profiles, which give it a much more imposing profile. 

The second-gen GMC Acadia has a 6.4-inch shorter wheelbase, 7.2-inch shorter length, 3.5-inch less wider, and also 700 lbs lighter than the previous 2016 MY iteration. These changes in dimensions will definitely bring about a difference in cabin space, but that is overcome once you get to actually be seated in one with the best-in-class luxury.

18-inch alloys are standard across the Acadia trim levels, whereas GMC has also offered an option of 20-inch ones for the top-most trims. The bulky ride also houses a trapezoidal grille structure instead of the infamous rectangular one in the previous versions. Moreover, with a decent ground clearance of 7.1-inches, the 2017 Acadia is also able to wade through small boulders and big citywide bumps with ease.

GMC offerings have had a dicey reputation in the past concerning their safety prowess, and thus they'll be eager to change that perception with the 2017 Acadia. For this MY, GMC has added a host of new advanced safety and driver assistance features, that has allowed it to fare decently well in crash tests. The NHTSA has awarded it a good 4 out of 5 stars, whereas the IIHS has also honored it well enough in these tests.

Some of the advanced safety features on offer are-

• Tire pressure sensors
• Reverse sensing system
• Stability and traction control
• Rear Seat alert system
• Front pedestrian braking
• Lane Keep assist system

2017 GMC Acadia vs 2017 Dodge Durango

Starting at a price of under $30,000, both these heavyweights are perfect value-based propositions. On the performance front, the Acadia trumps the Durango with the best-in-class power figures and also acceleration times.

Nevertheless, Durango being one of the oldest nameplates in this segment also offers decent performance figures. Although coming onto the interior front, the Acadia offers a true sense of 3-row seating in comfort along with an impressive cargo capacity.

2017 GMC Acadia vs 2017 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is one of those rivals that can give the 2017 Acadia a run for its money. With the Pilot's 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque at disposal, it is one of the most powerful midsize SUVs in the segment. Like the GMC Acadia, the Pilot also relies on a 6-speed AT for precise gear shifts.

Priced slightly higher than the Acadia, there is no denying that the Honda Pilot has merits of its own, with class-leading cabin space and a competitive 0-60 MPH times. Although having said that, it solely depends on the buyer and their preferences as both have their merits.

The 2017 GMC Acadia might not be the cheapest offering on the block but with one of the best-in-class cargo capacity, towing capacity, performance figures, and fuel efficiency, it most definitely delivers the best-in-class value. Moreover, with it being fully redesigned, you are basically getting a brand new entrant in the midsize SUV segment for the $30,000 price tag, which makes it totally worth it.