- The 2024 GMC Acadia is bigger than before, with its wheelbase and overall length growing by 8.4 and 10.6 inches, respectively.
- The Acadia’s growth spurt translates to a roomier interior, which gets ritzier with a new design that includes a standard verical 15.0-inch touchscreen.
- Every model now has a 328-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and can tow 5000 pounds with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Entering its third generation, the 2024 GMC Acadia becomes an even bigger three-row mid-size SUV. Not only is it longer, taller, and wider than its predecessor, but the new Acadia has a boxier exterior that makes it look more trucklike—a trend that’s echoed by new competitors as well as its corporate cousin, the recently redesigned Chevy Traverse.
Inside Scoop
The new Acadia’s interior materials don’t look or feel truly luxurious—even on the deluxe Denali model—but the space is still much ritzier than before. The center console has more storage space thanks to the awkward shift buttons being moved to a column-mounted shifter, and there’s also more room underneath the console.
Along with the crisply rendered 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, the dashboard is dominated by a vertically oriented 15.0-inch touchscreen. Both features are standard, and the Google-based infotainment system includes customizable screens and available apps. The bottom of the center display also has static HVAC controls with a mix of touch functions and toggle switches.
Every Acadia has a host of driver-assistance technology, and now almost all of it comes standard. Along with popular aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring, there are also detection systems for bicyclists and pedestrians, automated emergency braking that works at intersections, and up to nine exterior camera views. The new Acadia is available with Super Cruise too, GM’s hands-free driver-assist system, which is available on the Elevation and AT4 trims for the first time.
A GMC Growth Spurt
After growing 10.6 inches overall, the Acadia now measures 204 inches from stem to stern. That makes the mid-sizer a half-foot shorter than the full-size GMC Yukon, and now the two have an identical 120.9-inch wheelbase, after the Acadia’s was stretched by 8.6 inches. The result is a roomier interior that should better serve all passengers onboard. The base-level Elevation trim has a second-row bench seat and can fit eight passengers; the AT4 and Denali have captain’s chairs that cap seating to seven.
The new Acadia’s increased size also contributes to more cargo area. GMC claims there’s now almost 80 percent more space behind the third row and roughly 36 percent more space with the rearmost seats stowed. While the company hasn’t released exact figures, we estimate the new generation will have about 23 cubic feet behind the third row and about 56 cubes behind the second row. Underneath the load floor is a large storage bin, and there’s a spare tire below that.
A Turbo Four for All
Previously, the Acadia’s engine lineup included a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V-6. The four-pot was good for 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V-6 pumped out 310 horses and 270 pound-feet. Now, every Acadia has a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s considerably mightier. It makes 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet. GMC hasn’t yet released fuel-economy estimates for the Acadia’s new powertrain.
An eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the old nine-speed unit, but the Acadia still offers front- or all-wheel drive. Either configuration can tow up to 5000 pounds, which is between 1000 and 1700 pounds more than before. The off-road-oriented AT4 model also has an exclusive all-wheel-drive system with a twin-clutch rear axle.
The AT4 stands about an inch taller than other Acadias, which are already 3.4 inches taller than their predecessors. Other unique AT4 hardware includes 18-inch wheels mounted on Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires and a specially tuned suspension. The most rugged Acadia can also be identified by its red front tow hooks, lower front skid plate, and plastic overfenders with orange reflectors at the top.
No one will have trouble spotting the Denali version of the Acadia. Not only does it boast glossy black lower body trim and a flashy grille (now satin instead of chrome), but it can be had with big 22-inch wheels—20s were previously the biggest opton. Inside, the Acadia Denali has leather upholstery, laser-etched wood trim, chrome accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. A 12-speaker Bose stereo is standard, but a 16-speaker version is optional. The same goes for the massive panoramic sunroof and second-row heated seats.
GMC hasn’t said how much the 2024 Acadia will cost, but pricing will be announced sometime before it becomes available early next year. If we had to wager a guess, we’d say the base-level Elevation will start just under $40K, with the top-of-the-line Denali cresting the $50,000 mark.
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Senior Editor
Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.
