Used 2011 GMC Acadia

Although it is the first crossover SUV ever sold by GMC, the 2011 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, Toyota Highlander, Subaru Tribeca and the Ford Flex.

Thanks to unit-body construction and street-focused suspension, the 2011 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.

Inside, the 2011 GMC Acadia is roomy, versatile and utilizes high-quality materials. An attractive two-tone look is used throughout the Acadia lineup, and a cashmere-color option brightens an already airy interior. 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.

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.

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 SkyScape Sunroof
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.

The 2011 GMC Acadia is a well-equipped vehicle that 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. The Denali trim adds mahogany wood inserts, heated and cooled front seats, dual SkyScape sunroof, perforated leather seating and 20-inch two-tone clad wheels.

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.

The 2011 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)