This preview of the 2024 GMC Acadia three-row crossover SUV will be updated with drive impressions closer to its on-sale date in summer 2024.
The redesigned 2024 Acadia brings a fresh look to GMC’s three-row crossover SUV, distinct from the related Chevrolet Traverse. It’s smaller than the truck-based GMC Yukon, but larger than rivals ranging from the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee L to the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander, among others.
We won’t know until we drive it late this year, but the first impression is promising. Longer, larger, wider, taller, and loaded with more standard features, the 2024 Acadia adopts a more truck-like presence to stand out from the Traverse and fit in with the GMC family, but the V-6 gets dropped in favor of a more potent and efficient turbo-4. All of these things should improve on the outgoing 2023 model’s TCC Rating of 5.8 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
Most everything is new for the third-generation Acadia, from its larger, longer, roomier footprint to third-row headrests, which is an Acadia first.
The Acadia takes a big step out of the indistinct shadow of its predecessor, as well as visually demarcating what makes it a GMC and what makes the Traverse a Chevy. With C-clamp headlights bookending a wide slotted grille and a hood bulging down the center, the 2024 Acadia embraces the design elements of the GMC Canyon and Sierra pickup trucks. The pillar covers move to the rear this year, making for a wider rear window opening that combine with a taller height and lower beltline. It also stretches 10.6 inches longer, grows 3.2 inches taller, spreads wider, and rides on a wheelbase that’s 8.4 inches longer, the better to show off the available 22-inch alloy wheels on the top Denali trim.
The AT4 and Denali trims we previewed distinguish themselves on the outside. The AT4 sports black rubber on the rocker panels and rounded wheel arches, and has gloss-black trim accents, whereas the Denali opts for sleeker body-color garnishes and chrome-like accents on the rockers, greenhouse and grille. The AT4 rolls on 18-inch black wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler 265/65R all-terrain tires, and twin red tow hooks stud the lower grille over the steel skid plate. The wheel openings are wider than other models, and it has molding lights on the top of the wheel arch as in other GMC trucks. It has a ground clearance of 7.8 inches, which is a half-inch higher than the Denali and a full inch taller than Elevation models. GMC says the differences amount to an increased approach angle for off-roading but full specs won’t be finalized until some time closer to the January 2024 sale date. Out back, the new Acadias house a wider tailgate, an integrated rear roof spoiler that acts like a hood over the raked windshield, and a light bar that dashes out Morse code between the taillights. Below, every Acadia flexes quad exhaust tips, all functional, we’re told.
The changes become more pronounced inside. A standard new 15.0-inch touchscreen oriented vertically centers the dash and is flanked by C-shaped vents. With a volume dial in the lower center of the screen, it looks like Ford’s screen setup, which itself feels like a Tesla knockoff, but toggles for climate settings on the bottom lends the Acadia that GMC truck feel. Dressed in available leather and cross-stitching, the hood of the dash abruptly ends at the touchscreen, dropping off like a Frank Lloyd Wright roof to the passenger side. GMC says the Acadia showcases the brand’s new interior design language. Wood trim, a panoramic sunroof, chrome accents and other luxury touches define the Denali grade.
The gear shifter moves from the console back to the steering column, which is backed by a standard 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, and Google built-in operating system runs all the apps for the customizable screens. The shift of the shifter to the column opens up storage space in the tiered console, and the armrest console has truck-like depth.
Stepping back into the roomier cabin, the second row can be equipped with a three-seat bench or two captain’s chairs that lower the seating capacity to seven. A latch in the top of the seatback is easy enough to pull, even for smaller, muggier hands, and it tilts and slides the seat forward without any need to remove a forward-facing child safety seat. Getting into the third row is easy by either walking down the aisle with the captain’s chair in place or moving it forward.
The third row 60/40-split bench sits higher, so knees ride higher, but there’s plenty of headroom and legroom to fit two adults, or six adults total. GMC wouldn’t disclose exact measurements, but it said there’s 36% more space behind the second row than last year’s model, and nearly 80% more cargo room behind the third row. Those six adults could all stow a carryon for airport shuttles, and a tiered cargo floor helps the busy family on the go stow an emergency kit or a dump tray for stinky kid sport clothes. The Denali has power-folding third row seats.
What powers the 2024 GMC Acadia?
The 2.0-liter turbo-4 and 3.6-liter V-6 are no longer offered. Instead, a new 2.5-liter turbo-4 produces 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, which is an improvement from the V-6’s 310 hp and 271 lb-ft. That boosts the tow rating from 4,000 pounds to 5,000 pounds, and it should improve the 21-mpg combined rating of the 2023 Acadia V-6 with all-wheel drive.
The 9-speed automatic has also been phased out for an 8-speed automatic this year, and all models can be had with available all-wheel drive, except on the AT4, where it is standard. That model has an electronic twin-clutch rear axle that can decouple on the fly to save fuel while cruising, or in all-terrain mode it will move the 70/30 front-to-rear torque bias to an even 50/50 for greater traction. Two suspension packages will be offered, with hydraulic rebound control on the AT4, but GMC has not disclosed much more than that.
How safe is the 2024 GMC Acadia?
Safety remains a priority, with more standard driver-assist features and more advanced available features. Standard gear includes automatic emergency braking front and rear with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a rear-seat reminder. Options include a rear mirror camera and Super Cruise across the lineup; the hands-free driving system can now be used on more than 400,000 miles of mapped interstates and divided highways in the U.S. and Canada.
The 2024 GMC Acadia has not yet been crash tested by the IIHS or the NHTSA.
How much does the 2024 GMC Acadia cost?
The new three-row crossover SUV starts at $42,600, excluding destination. It’s at least a $5,800 increase from the 2023 model, but GMC reshuffled the trim lineup and added much more content. Last year’s Elevation package on the base SLE trim now replaces both the SLE and SLT trims. The well-equipped 2023 SLT cost $41,100, so the price hike is more like $1,500 for similar content. The 2024 GMC Acadia is also offered in AT4 and Denali trims.
Every 2024 Acadia comes with an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a 15.0-inch touchscreen run by Google built-in for the infotainment software. It pairs with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. Standard convenience features include heated front seats with power adjustments, a heated steering wheel, remote start, a satellite radio trial, two USB ports in each row, and a power tailgate.
The AT4 rolls on 18-inch black wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler 265/65 all-terrain tires, and twin red tow hooks stud the lower grille over the steel skid plate. It has an off-road tuned suspension and an electronic twin-clutch rear axle that can decouple on the fly to save fuel while cruising, or in all-terrain mode it will move the 70:30 front-to-rear torque bias to an even 50:50 for greater traction.
The 2024 Acadia Denali costs $54,300.
Where is the 2024 GMC Acadia made?
At GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly, in Lansing, Michigan.
