Used 2022 GMC Acadia

Drivers who like the idea of a premium 3-row SUV but without a premium price tag should check out the GMC Acadia. It’s on the smaller side of 3-row crossovers — like the Kia Sorento — which means what it loses in seating space, it gains in maneuverability. As a result, this is an SUV for drivers who only occasionally need a third row of seats.

Something like a Chevrolet Traverse or Volkswagen Atlas will better suit shoppers looking for an everyday family vehicle with lots of passenger space. That said, the Acadia is a great crossover SUV for anyone looking for something both premium and rugged without breaking the bank.

One of the things we like about this GMC SUV is the variety within its model range. The SLE and SLT trims are suitable for drivers looking for value. Meanwhile, there’s a rugged, off-road-ready AT4 model and an upscale Denali trim, which both change the personality of this SUV. So if you’re in the market for a midsize SUV, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find an Acadia that suits your tastes.

Driving the GMC Acadia is a pleasant experience thanks to a rigid chassis and agreeable suspension that make it feel like a more expensive SUV. It’s also comfortable for passengers in the first two rows, but it’s a little cramped in the third row. The third row is fine for kids but uncomfortable for adults.

One thing about driving the Acadia that takes a little getting used to is an unusual horizontal layout of gear-shift buttons. It does make the center console area more open and makes it easier to put a purse or briefcase in the passenger seat without a shifter in the way. But, it requires some odd reaching just to put the car in drive.

The Acadia is capable of some mild off-roading when equipped with all-wheel drive. If you want a more adventurous SUV, you’ll enjoy the AT4 model, which is the most off-road capable in the Acadia lineup. However, this is primarily a crossover for everyday street use at the end of the day, and it does that duty well.

If you’re looking for luxury, then you’ll want the GMC Acadia Denali. The Denali is the most luxurious model in the lineup, with a flashy appearance package and premium features like a heated steering wheel and head-up display to make the drive more pleasant for the driver.

There are two engine options for the Acadia in 2022; a turbocharged inline-4 and a more muscular V6. The turbo engine is a practical choice since it’s more fuel-efficient. The V6 is a better option for drivers who will occasionally tow or just want some more power. If your Acadia is fully loaded with passengers or cargo regularly, then you’ll appreciate the extra grunt of the V6.

The GMC Acadia interior follows the brand’s ethos of straddling the line between mainstream and luxury. It’s more premium than what you’d find in some more mainstream competitors, but not quite as nice as more expensive SUVs from luxury brands like the Acura MDX. This interior is practical and quite roomy in the first two rows. However, the third row and cargo area are slightly tight since this is on the smaller side of midsize SUVs.

The interior can get quite luxurious as you work your way up the model range, especially in the Denali trim. The Acadia Denali has premium interior features like heated 2nd-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless charging. However, a few features still cost extra, even on the Denali, like adaptive cruise control and a sunroof.

The exterior design of the GMC Acadia is conservative yet distinct. It looks classy without being too flashy, and the look can change a bit depending on which trim you choose. Every Acadia does a nice job displaying its personality on the outside, like the off-road-ready AT4 model and the luxurious Denali trim.

The styling of the Acadia does an excellent job capturing the brand’s identity of being premium yet rugged.

RUGGED AT4 MODEL
The AT4 trim adds a more rugged personality to the Acadia while retaining its upscale vibe. A few off-road features include standard AWD, all-terrain tires, hill descent control, and an appearance package.

LUXURIOUS DENALI TRIM
The Denali trim makes the Acadia competitive with much more expensive luxury SUVs at a more attainable price point. Features include a unique chrome grille, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and much more.

The base SLE trim has gotten more generous with standard features for 2022 compared to earlier model years. For starters, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine is now the standard engine in the Acadia.

Also newly standard is the GMC Pro Safety Plus package which bundles automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, automatic high beams, parking sensors, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning, a following-distance indicator, forward-collision alert, lane-change alert with blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Acadia also benefits from an excellent standard infotainment system. It’s an 8-inch screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. That means no fussing around with cords to access the smartphone connectivity features you want.

An all but the AT4 model, all-wheel drive is optional. It’s a $2,300 upgrade for SLE and $2,000 for SLT and Denali.

You get an upgraded infotainment system with navigation, advanced voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system on every trim except for the base SLE model. Also standard on all but the base trim is a Driver Convenience Package that adds a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, remote start, and a hands-free power liftgate.

The Elevation appearance package is available for the SLE and SLT trims. This adds color-keyed exterior trim and unique wheels to make the Acadia look a little more interesting.

Upgrading to the AT4 model adds a unique appearance package and a few off-road upgrades. These include standard all-wheel drive with active torque control, hill start assist, hill descent control, unique 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and available hitch guidance with hitch view.

The premium Denali trim pushes the Acadia into luxury territory. On top of the ritzy appearance package, which adds plenty of chrome, you get LED headlights and taillights, heated and ventilated front seats, heated 2nd-row seats, an 8-inch digital driver information center, a head-up display, and a wireless charging pad.

Some additional features available on the Denali model at an extra cost include Adaptive Ride Control, a surround-vision camera, a camera mirror, a dual-pane sunroof, and more.

For most drivers, the lower-end SLE and SLT trims will be the best value. However, if you like the appeal of the more rugged AT4 or more luxurious Denali, they’re worth the extra cost if it works for your budget.

For 2022, the GMC Acadia has two engine options. It used to have a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 as the base engine, but that’s been dropped this year. Instead, the new base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that strikes an outstanding balance of performance and efficiency. This engine — specifically in front-wheel-drive form — gives the Acadia impressive fuel economy for an SUV this size. As usual, adding all-wheel drive comes with a slight fuel economy penalty.

The other engine option is a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. This mill is standard on the AT4 and Denali models and optional on the mid-range SLT trim. The V6 is more powerful and better for drivers who regularly have a full SUV or plan on doing some towing. The max towing rating with the V6 is 4,000 pounds which is okay but a little low for this class.

All Acadia models are equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The AT4 trim has standard all-wheel drive with active torque control. All other Acadia models come standard with FWD with AWD as an option.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
230 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg (FWD), 22/27 (AWD)

3.6-liter V6
310 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
271 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg (FWD), 19/26 mpg (AWD)