2021 GMC Acadia

History/Overview

The GMC Acadia is the brand's largest crossover, offering the most seating, towing, and cargo space before you step up to the even bigger, body-on-frame Yukon. It offers a more car-like experience than its larger sibling, as well as a footprint that's easier to park and uses less fuel.

What's New

After a significant refresh to the Acadia for 2020 that included a new nose and refreshed interior, changes are small for 2021. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available now, there are new colours, and a new Elevation package is offered.

Available Trims

GMC offers the Acadia as front-drive in SLE trim, or all-wheel drive in SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali trim levels. All get a nine-speed automatic, while front-drive SLE gets a 2.5L four or a 3.6L V6. AWD models pick from a 2.0L turbo-four or that 3.6L V6, with AT4 and Denali offering AWD standard.

Standard Features

18-inch aluminum wheels are standard on SLE as are brushed aluminum roof rails, LED headlights and signature lighting, and deep tinted glass. The driver seat is eight-way power adjustable with both front seats heated and the hatch is power-opening and hands-free. The infotainment screen is 8.0-inches with 4G LTE hotspot and there is a 4.2-inch colour dash display. Keyless entry and start are included. Active noise cancellation is also part of the equipment. Driver assistance features include forward collision alert and following distance, front pedestrian braking, park assist front and rear, automatic headlights and high beams, and lane keep assist with departure warning.

SLT adds traction select with off-road mode, leather first and second-row seating, LED fog lamps, navigation, Bose audio, and safety alert seat.

AT4 is an off-road oriented trim that returns to cloth seats but adds 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, hill descent control, and hill start assist. It also has black trim in place of most of the chrome or brushed accents on other models and special AT4 accents around the interior.

Denali returns to chrome with a special grille as well as 20-inch alloys and other Denali markings. It has a heated steering wheel and heated second-row seats (all seats are leather with Denali embroidery) and adds ventilation to the front seats. Steering wheel adjustment is power and there are a larger digital dash screen and head-up display.

Key Options

A GMC Pro Grade package on SLE adds panoramic roof and surround-view camera, on SLT, AT4, and Denali also adds power passenger seat, and on Denali also includes adaptive ride control, rear camera mirror, and radar cruise. Elevation adds 20-inch wheels and gloss black trim and there are other appearance packs available.

Fuel Economy

Front-Drive four-cylinder Acadia is rated for 11.3 L/100 km city, 8.9 highway with the V6 offering 12.2/8.8. AWD 2.0L four Acadia is rated for 10.6/8.7 with the V6 at 12.5/9.0.

Competition

The GMC Acadia competes with a large range of models including the Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Chevrolet Traverse, Volkswagen Atlas, Buick Enclave, Honda Pilot, and the new Nissan Pathfinder. Denali trims even open up competition with the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 as well as the Lexus RX three-row model.