^®

why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000

2008 GMC Acadia

change

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 2 photos

1

Select / Browse a Car
2

Configure Your Car
3

See Car Value

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2008 GMC Acadia Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

As the first crossover SUV sold by GMC, the 2008 GMC Acadia shares its structure and many of its features with the Saturn Outlook and the Buick Enclave. The Acadia successfully combines the appearance and capabilities of an SUV with an added measure of practicality and efficiency. It seats up to eight people, has ample room for luggage or cargo and offers good fuel economy. Considering that most SUVs never leave paved roads, GMC expects the Acadia's street-focused ride, handling and available all-wheel drive to make up for its lack of off-road capability. The Acadia's competitors include the Honda Pilot, Dodge Durango and Ford Explorer.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you need lots of room to haul people and cargo but hate the look of a minivan, you'll like the 2008 GMC Acadia. It combines a large, usable interior and good gas mileage with attractive SUV-like exterior styling.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you are one of the few drivers who travel off-road in your SUV, the 2008 GMC Acadia may not be for you. Its available all-wheel-drive system is designed to enhance traction during on-road driving, not during off-highway adventures. A maximum tow rating of 4,500 pounds may also be a deterrent.

What's New for 2008

New features include an available rear backup camera, standard XM Satellite Radio, second-row seating console and enhanced traction control. Panic Brake Assist, which quickens brake response during panic stopping situation, is also new.

Driving the Acadia

Driving Impressions Thanks to unit-body construction and street-focused suspension, the 2008 GMC Acadia drives more like a car than an SUV. Handling is good with precise steering response, controlled body lean and...

plenty of traction during cornering. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, with an optional 19-inch wheel and tire package available, which sharpens handling without sacrificing a comfortable ride. The GMC Acadia accelerates swiftly, but front-wheel-drive models suffer from noticeable torque steer under harder acceleration. Many drivers will appreciate the raised seating position, which gives a clear view of the road. However, a high beltline limits rearward visibility, making parking lot maneuvers more difficult.

Favorite Features

Third-Row Seats
The third-row seats in the Acadia are roomy and bolstering on the seat backs makes extended journeys comfortable. Access to the rear seats is extremely easy thanks to a clever mechanism that slides the second-row seats out of the way.

Dual Sunroofs
The optional dual sunroofs add a feeling of spaciousness to the interior. The fixed rear sunroof features a large opening and a power sunshade for when the sunshine gets too intense.

2008 GMC Acadia Details

Interior

Inside, the 2008 GMC Acadia is roomy, versatile and utilizes high-quality materials. An attractive two-tone look is used throughout the Acadia lineup, with an available "brick interior" adding striking red surfaces for those with adventurous tastes. The Acadia can accommodate up to eight people in three rows, with ample head- and legroom for all. Wide rear-door openings and second-row seats that slide forward make getting into and out of the third row easy. Behind the third-row seats is an impressive 19.7 cubic feet of cargo space and, with second and third-row seats folded flat, cargo room expands to 116.9 cubic feet. The interior's usability is enhanced with numerous cup holders, storage spaces and additional storage beneath the rear cargo area.

Exterior

With the Acadia, GMC smartly avoids the excessive body cladding that plagued some of General Motors' previous SUVs. The result is a handsome package that looks masculine and up-scale. Bulging fenders and standard 18-inch wheels give the Acadia a strong stance, with tasteful chrome accents and LED tail lamps adding a touch of class. A rear spoiler looks sporty and contributes to the Acadia's low aerodynamic drag. Other nice details include dual exhaust outlets with two chrome tips per side, chrome accents on the roof rails and beautifully-shaped headlamps.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2008 GMC Acadia is well-equipped and includes, as standard, GM's OnStar system with one year of complimentary service, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers and MP3 capability, XM Satellite Radio, seven-passenger seating, dual exhaust with chrome tips, rear spoiler, sliding second-row seats, fog lamps and 18-inch wheels. Safety features include StabiliTrak with rollover mitigation, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and six airbags.

Optional Equipment

GMC offers a variety of convenience and luxury features for the Acadia. Dual sunroofs and a rear entertainment system make the drive more enjoyable and, unlike with some vehicles, can be ordered together. The interior can be outfitted with a touch-screen DVD-based navigation system, rearview camera system, tri-zone automatic air conditioning, premium audio with surround sound, a Head-Up Display, cargo area audio controls, rear park assist and eight-passenger seating. Exterior options include a power liftgate, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and an attractive 19-inch wheel package.

Under the Hood

The 2008 GMC Acadia's strong 3.6-liter V6 uses variable valve timing and an electronic throttle to enhance responsiveness, deliver good engine power and provide a maximum tow rating of 4,500 pounds. The six-speed automatic transmission maximizes engine performance and helps the Acadia achieve excellent fuel economy for a vehicle of its size. However, the transmission can be slow to react to throttle inputs, resulting in delayed downshifts when trying to accelerate to pass other vehicles.

3.6-liter V6
275 horsepower @ 6600 rpm
251 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 (FWD), 16/22 (AWD)

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2008 GMC Acadia Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

4.2

Out of 5

Based on 345 Ratings for the 2007 - 2012 GMC Acadia models.

Review this car

Value

4.1/5

Quality

4.1/5
Reliability

4.2/5

Performance

4.0/5
Comfort

4.5/5

Styling

4.6/5

Love this car, Would buy another

By cabingirl (OH) on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 55,000

5 4.0

overall rating 4 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 3/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5

Pros: "Easy to drive.Reliable.Good on gas for its size"

Cons: "Other cars same price range have more features"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"When I was making the decision to buy a new car, this is the last one I tested. That was it. My husband and I both drove this car and knew immediately that this was "the one". We did not have to talk ourselves into it, or make compromises on features. This car is great for families, but is also very stylish, I like being seen in it. My grandkids ride in comfort, are entertained with their DVD's, and they think I'm cool for buying this car. Adults are equally pleased and commonly remark on the smooth ride. It is easy to drive, and handles well in all types of weather. It has plenty of power so I feel safe when having to make quick driving decisions. I am a bit displeased with the number of recalls on this vehicle. They have all been taken care of promptly, but I was very upset when they removed the heated windshield washer feature."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Love My Acadia 2008

By dag (WI) on Friday, February 10, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

5 5.0

overall rating 5 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5

Pros: "Easy to drive, comfortable for long distances."

Cons: "Should have gotten the power passenger seat as wel"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Handles well in traffic and on the highway. Comfortable riding in long distance driving. Confidence in snowy roads. Love the heated leather seats and the captains chairs in the second row. Third row easily accommodates adults comfortably. Good air flow both a/c and heat in winter. Love the air flow from the ceiling of the vehicle; makes it easy to cool and heat as needed. Bought it because we planned on road trips vs flying. Don't regret it!Get really good gas mileage on the highway...up to 28mpg!"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

see all 345 reviews