The 2024 GMC Acadia starts at $43,995 in the United States and at $54,499 in Canada, freight and delivery charges included.
Solid drive, lots of passenger and cargo space, competitively priced.
Could be more fuel efficient, some first-year production issues to be addressed, small on-screen climate controls.
Introducing the third generation of this midsize three-row crossover, the 2024 GMC Acadia has been transformed with an all-new design, an upscale and tech-rich cabin as well as a new powertrain.
It’s not its first transformation, as the first Acadia was among the biggest in its segment when it launched for the 2007 model year. The second-generation got downsized as production shifted from GM’s Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan to its Spring Hill facility in Tennessee. For the third generation, production has returned to Michigan, and the new Acadia is built on the same line as the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. These three crossovers share the same architecture, mechanical components, and even doors. However, their exterior and interior design distinguishes them from one another.
As was the case with the second generation, the 2024 GMC Acadia offers room for up to seven passengers, or six by swapping the second-row bench seat for two captain’s chairs. An eight-seat layout will be available for the 2025 model year. However, this time around, there’s much more space for third-row occupants, and more cargo room as well.
The Acadia is available in Elevation, AT4 and Denali trim levels, and all receive a new powertrain. The outgoing 3.6L V6 has been replaced with a turbocharged 2.5L inline-four that develops 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. That’s 17 more ponies and 55 more pound-feet of twist. A turbo 2.0L four was also available in the old Acadia, with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet, but it’s gone as well. The nine-speed automatic transmission made way for an eight-speed gearbox. In the United States, a front-wheel drivetrain is standard in the Elevation and Denali, with AWD being optional. The AT4 is AWD-only and benefits from a somewhat more capable dual-clutch system. The Canadian market gets AWD as standard.
Here are the fuel economy ratings for the 2024 GMC Acadia, which can run on regular fuel:
| Powertrain | City / Highway / Combined MPG | City / Highway / Combined L/100 km |
| Turbo 2.5L I4 with FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 | – |
| Turbo 2.5L I4 with AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 | 12.4 / 9.9 / 11.3 |
While the outgoing Acadia with the 2.0L engine was fairly efficient, but low on firepower and its towing capacity was capped at 3,500 pounds or 1,588 kilograms. On paper, the new turbo engine’s fuel consumption is comparable to that of the retired V6 engine, but in a bigger vehicle that’s some 200 pounds heavier. During our test of the Acadia AT4, we managed a decent 22 mpg or 10.5 L/100 km. In addition, tow capacity increases from 4,000 to 5,000 pounds or 2,041 to 2,268 kg.
The 2024 GMC Acadia benefits from a serious interior design and technological reboot. The new infotainment system with a Google built-in interface and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity is presented on a 15-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, almost twice as big as the old Acadia’s eight-inch screen. The driver gets an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, while a Bose 12-speaker audio system with Active Noise Cancellation is fitted as standard on all trim levels, and with a Bose Performance 16-speaker system being available on the AT4 and Denali. USB ports can be found in all three rows to keep handheld devices charged up during the family road trip.
Depending on the chosen trim level, the Acadia’s cabin can be dressed up with CoreTec simulated leather or genuine leather upholstery, along with one of four color schemes— two of which are available for Elevation, with one offered on for AT4 and two choices on the Denali.
Standard features include tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 12-way power driver’s seat and a 10-way power front passenger seat, a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree camera system, wireless phone charging and the complete suite of active safety features. Meanwhile, available options include an eight-inch head-up display, a power-adjustable steering column, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power panoramic sunroof, heated wiper park, rain-sensing windshield wipers and Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving. The Elevation and Denali ride on 20-inch alloy wheels with 22-inch rollers on the options list, and the AT4 gets 18-inchers wrapped in all-terrain tires.
Pricing for the 2024 GMC Acadia ranges from $43,995 to $65,410 in the United States with all factory options checked, and from $54,499 to $73,589 in Canada. Freight and delivery charges are included in these prices, and GMC Canada also mentions a $699 dealer fee on its website.
Competition is plentiful, including Dodge Durango, the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, the Hyundai Palisade, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the Kia Telluride, the Mazda CX-90, the Nissan Pathfinder, the Subaru Ascent, the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Volkswagen Atlas. The Acadia must also shine alongside its Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave counterparts.
Why You Should Buy a 2024 GMC Acadia
- Subjectively, the Acadia looks good. It adopts GMC’s latest styling cues that give it a chiselled, athletic and upscale appearance. The crossover’s cabin gets a more modern look with richer materials and crisp display screens. There’s good bang for the buck here.
- It’s big. There’s space for everyone on board, and even third-row occupants won’t feel as if they drew the short straw. There’s just enough room for third-row passengers to exit through the second-row captain’s chairs with the six-seat configuration. Meanwhile, cargo space is among the best in its class, with a volume of 23.0 cubic feet or 651 litres behind the third row, 57.3 cubic feet or 1,623 litres behind the second row and 97.5 cubic feet or 2,761 litres behind the front seats. There’s also a handy underfloor storage bin in back.
- The turbocharged 2.5L engine is muscular, with plenty of low-rpm torque, and is well-managed by the eight-speed transmission. Although a six-cylinder engine is usually more refined than a four-banger, this new engine doesn’t sound bad at all and is smooth enough to be a fitting replacement for the old 3.6L V6. The Acadia also serves up a smooth ride, including the AT4 despite its all-terrain tires, although the optional 22-inch wheels might spoil that as they’re wrapped in low-profile P275/45R22 tires.
- The Acadia’s infotainment system is feature-packed and easy to use and there are numerous storage spaces spread across the cabin. The GMC drives well and offers good ride quality as well. Super Cruise is useful in dense highway traffic and on boring stretches of roadway, although it should never replace our own awareness behind the wheel. Not a bad road tripping machine at all.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2024 GMC Acadia
- As GMC is a premium brand and not a luxury one, we must expect some form of cost-saving measures cleverly hidden out of sight in the otherwise chic cabin. Low-rent plastics can be found in some areas, and when we move the second-row captain’s chairs forward to access the third row, they reveal an exposed mechanism and wiring along with carpeting cutlines. Not a dealbreaker, but we’re wondering how owners will be able to keep this clean over time.
- The on-screen climate controls are small and difficult to use while driving. Also, the AWD and drive mode buttons are awkwardly located on the left side of the steering wheel. We’re guessing GM figures they aren’t frequently used controls. Again, we’re nitpicking.
- While we appreciate the extra horsepower and torque from the new turbo engine, it would’ve been nice to see a concrete fuel economy improvement over the old V6. At lease it doesn’t worsen.
- Ever hear someone say that we should never buy a new or redesigned vehicle during its first year of production? While this may not apply to every car or truck arriving on the market, it arguably applies to the Acadia. The crossover has some teething issues to be worked out, such as third-row headrests that refuse to flip down or stay upright, transmission build quality problems, and minor brake issues. As for the engine, it’s too early to tell, although it’s based on GM’s turbo 2.7L I4 engine, which has proven to be reliable in the company’s pickup trucks so far.
Final Word
Compared to the outgoing generation, the 2024 GMC Acadia is a significant leap forward in terms of design, interior space, overall quality feel, driving dynamics and versatility. It’s also pricier, which is to be expected for any new or redesigned crossover.
The Acadia is once again one of the most spacious three-row midsize crossovers on the market, and while the AT4 variant’s off-road capabilities may not be as sharp as those of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it’s still a decent choice for heading to the cottage in utter comfort. The Elevation is fairly well-equipped for a base trim level, and the Denali’s near-luxury finish is also pretty attractive.
Overall, GMC’s three-row utility vehicle has few major shortcomings and should please anyone looking to haul the family comfortably without stepping up to luxury-brand monthly payments, as it’s competitively priced in its segment. It may not be perfect, but it’s worth a serious look.
