Narrowed your SUV choices to GM's offerings? The GMC Acadia is the clear standout. While the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse are solid, the Acadia delivers the best value and overall execution. Many midsize, three-row SUVs from several different brands do the job; the Acadia feels special. Normally, that shouldn’t matter, but with today’s prices, it absolutely matters.
The midsize three-row SUV segment is highly competitive, with strong rivals like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Toyota Grand Highlander, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, and the more upscale Infiniti QX60. Most of those have a version that is a near-luxury or entry luxury vehicle. The GMC Acadia feels the most like a QX60 or Lincoln Aviator competitor.
Best of the Bunch
Starting around $45,000 (for the Elevation trim) and reaching roughly $65,000, the Acadia is priced similarly to its GM siblings. There may be a more diverse trim lineup with the Chevrolet, but the $60,000 to $65,000 mark is where they all end up. What sets the Acadia apart are the premium Denali and Denali Ultimate trims, which provide a more luxurious experience without a significant price premium.
All three GM SUVs use a 328-horsepower turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine. While some buyers may miss the old V6, the engine feels most refined in the Acadia, delivering smooth, quiet performance with minimal harshness. Could this simply be extra sound insulation in the GMC? Yes, maybe. Either way, it still provides a noticeably better experience.
A turbo 2.5L four-cylinder engine might not be how you imagine your three-row SUV, but the current setup is more powerful than the previous V6.
Nice Interior Details
Inside, the Acadia Denali Ultimate stands out with thoughtful details such as relief-map seat graphics, premium stitching, a Bose audio system, Super Cruise, metallic floor-mat accents, and nicely finished door sills. These touches give it a more upscale feel than its Buick and Chevrolet counterparts.
Price
A fully loaded Acadia Denali Ultimate can reach about $67,000, but similarly equipped Traverse and Enclave models are priced in the same range. These prices aren’t unique to GM; top trims of the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum can also exceed $65,000. The Toyota, however, offers noticeably stronger acceleration and refinement thanks to its hybrid powertrain.
Here are some GMC Acadia Denali features that come standard. The Acadia Denali isn't just about appearance; it’s about comfort too. Standard equipment includes leather-appointed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a 15-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a Bose premium audio system, adaptive cruise control, HD Surround Vision camera, blind-zone steering assist, rear cross-traffic braking, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and more than 15 standard driver-assistance features. The 328-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers up to 5,000 pounds of towing capability.
Super Cruise is part of the Denali Ultimate upgrade, as are 22-inch wheels. If you’re looking for the most off-road capable version of the Acadia, get the AT4. However, if extreme off-road ability is important, check out the GMC Yukon AT4. But that is about $15,000 to $25,000 more expensive. Looking at the entire GMC SUV lineup, again, the Acadia makes the most sense. With options, a GMC Yukon Denali can top $100,000.
Many of the Acadia Denali's features listed above amount to little more than window dressing in the eyes of some shoppers. However, if you're already spending $65,000 on a nicely equipped three-row family SUV, and that's not uncommon, you might as well have features and trim that make the purchase feel special. The Acadia does that.
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