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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2010 GMC Acadia

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 GMC Acadia

Overview

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2010 GMC Acadia Review

By KBB.com Editors

Although it is the first crossover SUV ever sold by GMC, the 2010 GMC Acadia actually shares most of its structure and many of its features with the Chevrolet Traverse and 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 2010 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 2010 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 5,200 pounds may also be a deterrent.

What's New for 2010

For 2010, the Acadia receives a new USB port on its high-end audio systems, available 20-inch chrome wheels and a Yukon Denali style roof rack.

Driving the Acadia

Driving Impressions Thanks to unit-body construction and street-focused suspension, the 2010 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 20-inch wheel and tire package available, which sharpens handling without sacrificing a comfortable ride. The GMC Acadia accelerates swiftly, and the StabiliTrak stability control performs admirably in the most dramatic situations. 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 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.

2010 GMC Acadia Details

Interior

Inside, the 2010 GMC Acadia is roomy, versatile and utilizes high-quality materials. An attractive two-tone look is used throughout the Acadia lineup, and a new cashmere color option is now available. 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' earlier SUVs. The result is a handsome package that looks purposeful 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 2010 GMC Acadia is a well-equipped vehicle that include, 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, heated and cooled front seats, 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 20-inch wheel package.

Under the Hood

The 2010 GMC Acadia's strong 3.6-liter V6 uses variable valve timing and gasoline direct injection technology to enhance responsiveness, deliver good engine power and provide a maximum tow rating of 5,200 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
288 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
270 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 (FWD), 16/23 (AWD)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used GMC Acadia vehicles for sale near you.

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2010 GMC Acadia Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.8

Out of 10

Based on 383 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.1/10

Quality

8.0/10
Reliability

8.2/10

Performance

8.0/10
Comfort

8.6/10

Styling

8.7/10

Excellent choice for comfort and safety

By car trader (VA) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "Exceptionally smooth ride and superb cargo space."

Cons: "Integrity of paint."

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

"I have owned several SUVS including the Durango, Yukon Denali, Honda CRV, Toyota 4Runner, and most recently Cadillac SRX. The Acadia Denali has all the features of these others, plus has much more room and gives a MUCH smoother ride. I would definitely purchase another one if I were considering trading. The only con that I have is the same one I have with all GM products I have owned, that is the integrity of the paint. I'm probably too picky about my vehicles, but seem to always have trouble with light scratches in the paint, in fairness it's black."

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Unexpectedly Amazing!

By momof4 (OH) on Monday, May 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 70,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "comfort, spacious, great price, beautiful exterior"

Cons: "small turning radius"

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

"I am a truck kinda moma. No vans! I wanted a Tahoe and my husband pointed out the Acadia. I said I would look at it, knowing I wouldn't like it. We had a Ford Explorer, and with 4 kids, we were running out of space. After looking at and test driving the Acadia, I was in love! It has way more room for the kids and in the cargo area than our Explorer or Durango (before that) ever did! I LOVE IT! I had to give up 4x4 for the luxury of this vehicle, but it seems so worth it! It doesn't have the turning radius I would have expected, but it still isn't bad! That is the only con I can come up with! Great vehicle!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Loved the Acadia until transmission went out

By SHC (VA) on Friday, April 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 135,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "lots of room, comfortable, smooth ride"

Cons: "Transmission doesn't hold up"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"I own a 2008 Acadia. I absolutely loved this vechile. It's roomy and comfortable. It looks and drives great. I had recommeded it to many others until the transmission went out with no warning at 120,000. While that is not exactly low milage, the transmission shop where I had the new transmission installed said that these vehicles do have transmission problems. I haven't had any other problems from the Acadia and feel that now its has a new transmission I should get many more miles from it."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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We actually call this the Cinderella car

By upset (PA) on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 680

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Good leg room,fun to drive"

Cons: "not safe to drive at night."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"We call it the Cinderella car as we do not feel safe driving at night, as the head lights do not project more than 4 feet high. There is a distinct line where the lights stop. The attached photo has not been photo shopped in any way."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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DO NOT BU THIS VEHICLE

By Sarah (CT) on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 48,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: Not Rated
Comfort: Not Rated

Cons: "Costly repairs just months out of warranty"

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

"This car is a piece of junk. I was stuck on the side of the road with my 3 children in the car with a broken 35R clutch wave plate. Had to have the transmission rebuilt at 48k miles. The car had been driven less than 10k miles a year for 5.5 years. It is just 6 months out of warranty and GM is not honoring it. I would not recommend this car to anyone. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT???"

6 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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stay away

By Dennis (MO) on Tuesday, April 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 70,000

10 3.0

overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 3/10
Quality: 3/10
Performance: 3/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "looks good"

Cons: "waterfall"

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

"We traded in our Chevy Tahoe for the Acadia and loved it at first. First the fuel mileage was not at all what we were told. Second we had leaks or better yet a all out shower inside it. In 8 months it has spent 12 weeks in the shop. I will say the folks at our dealership were top notch and traded us back into a Tahoe."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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See all 383 reviews