Judging by initial reactions, the reception of the 2017 GMC Acadia has been a split one. This is a major redesign and platform shift for a very strong selling product, and it’s time we take the design under the microscope a bit.
We knew the 2017 Acadia was going to shrink, and it has done just that. It’s lighter, shorter and less wide in every specification. The biggest news, however, is the design’s overall profile. The look is a much more SUV one. In fact, we actually really like the angle of the front windshield and lengthy front end. Less bulbous crossover, more sport utility.
The rear won’t offend anyone, that’s for sure. It’s a simple, clean look, but we do like the trick, blacked-out C-pillar to give the impression of a wraparound rear window.
We certainly don’t think the 2017 Acadia is a bad looking crossover by any stretch of the matter, but it has really softened up. The lines look kinetic in nature, and things look  much more fluid than the outgoing Acadia. Though, it is hard to compare the two; the outgoing Acadia and 2017 Acadia are two very different vehicles.
From our staff, we’ve gotten a few mixed impressions. The most vocal one has been the design similarities to a Toyota Highlander, which GMC lists as a main rival to the 2017 Acadia.
So, we’ll turn it to you now. Has the 2017 GMC Acadia gone soft and ugly? Or, is this just what the crossover needed after ten years? Vote in our poll and feel free to expand upon your reasoning in the comment section below.
Comments
We all knew it was shrinking in size to make room for something above this. I really like the lean look. No offence to the previous gen which sold great it looked a bit bloated, this on the other hand looks easy to drive and haul.
There is no plan to slot a new vehicle above Arcadia. You are speaking about Terrain.
I like it well enough. It is very Jeep/Durango. Terrain will probably look a lot like this, too.
Stephen there is a plan for a mid size SUV above the Acadia and the Terrain will be smaller.
They moved the two models they had down a size to make room for the new Mid Size Canyon bases model. This matches up with the competition better.
The only question is pricing here. With them moving down a size will it reflect in pricing too. In other words the Acadia now Terrain size will it be cheaper. Same for the Terrain that will be smaller will it see a price cut.
The pricing will be critical here. To match the competition I expect the changed in price to come.
Soft and boring, yes; but definitely NOT a loser! Like I said in the other thread: the new Acadia is simply a nice improvement on an already nice SUV. Therefore, I see no reason as to why it wouldn’t remain profitable. The 700lb weight loss is incredible, and the new interior design looks great! Yet, the reduction in size from the current model is disappointing! Unless it’s confirmed that GM will indeed offer a new model to sit atop the new Acadia, I don’t see why GM would tamper with a successful formula! The 2017 Acadia is now roughly the same size as the Terrain! GM had better hurry and get the newer, smaller Terrain on the market to avoid the inevitable overlap! Plus the exterior design, while handsome, does seem a bit tame compared to the current Acadia.
Quite frankly, it would’ve been nice to have the new Acadia ride atop the Colorado\Canyon platform! It’d be a breath of fresh air to have a new RWD-based midsize SUV introduced to the segment! Which is why I still prefer the Jeep Grand Cherokee!
“Soft and boring, yes; but definitely NOT a loser!”
Agreed. Americans can really LOVE a car that is soft and boring. Personally I’d have made the Acadia appear to be a Grand Terrain in design cues. That’s because the Terrain has distinctive styling whereas the Acadia could be a Ford, Chrysler — who knows. Yet the customer of this car will likely car more about the redesigned interior and not give one hoot about the exterior.
It’s fine for what it is. But man I am so tired of seeing these CUV’s on the road.
They are simply appliances.
I am at the NAIAS…it is not hot in person at all.
Front end ok…from every other angle it is less than inspiring.
Was expecting far more…hell the Cruze 5 door comes out a real winner with respect to style. I foresee I rapid refresh ala Honda Accord.
Buick should be dancing in the streets. The Envision does just that…envisions the potential to eat GMC’S dominant CUV’s lunch and has done so. Of course, conquesting another division’s brand does not increase overall sales. This one is gunna hurt.
But wait…Want something truly fugly…check out Kia Telluride…!
I think it looks soft. A more truck-like appearance is one of the few things differentiating GMC from its platform siblings. Go to Buick for sleek styling
I think it looks soft. A more truck-like appearance is one of the few things differentiating GMC from its platform siblings. They should’ve doubled down on ruggedness and capability. Go to Buick for sleek styling.
The new GMC Acadia looks amazing. I don’t understand why GM waited so long to engineer a new Acadia The weight loss savings makes sense. But why is GM still using a 3.6 V-6. GM should take a hint from Ford and offer two turbo charged 4 cylinder engines that provide exceptional horsepower and torque as well as gas mileage. Instead of a naturally aspirated 2.5 liter direct injected engine and a 3.6 liter direct injected engine, GM should push to have a standard 2.0 liter turbo four cylinder engine capable of at least 260 horsepower and 270 pound feet of torque and a 3.5 liter twin turbo V-6 engine that is capable of producing at least 310 horsepower and 350 pound feet of torque. With two engine options like that, GM could truly have the 2017 GMC Acadia compete with the likes of the Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Durango, and the Ford Explorer.
1St off they would never use the 3.6 tt. …1 It’s in the new ATS-V @ 465hp 450tq, BUT they do have a really nice (supposedly for jus Caddy, in a 3.0 tt capable of 400/400. Which I thought if Camaro couldn’t take full advantage of a gap filler 5.3 (less tq cam) & be 380hp 390tq IF NOT USE THE DAMN 3.0 tuned for 400/400, if in Acadia retune to 350/370tq & could easily tow 6000lbs+
The old triplets were actually mini-vans . This new Acadia looks much more like an SUV / truck , which out of the old triplets the Acadia looked more like a truck also . I’m mixed on the look of the new one but will see it in person next week so maybe my opinion will change . News is it will be built down south at the Springfield plant . Lansing will loose the new production Acadia .
The grill looks like a carry over , the blacked out c-pillar IS a carry-over and the wheels aren’t that impressive . It does look more modern in its shape . To me its more like a mid-year refresh than a brand new model .
It doesn’t matter – it’s just another f-ing CUV.
It looks more like a traditional SUV vs the last one. The last one looked like a large Minivan crossed with a SUV. It had a softer look than this.
I think they struck a compromise with the Terrains styling and Acadia that is neither off putting or polarizing.
This will compete with the Edge as it is the closest in size.
You must keep in mind we have one more new mid size SUV coming. This is the one that will compete with the Jeep Cherokee and Explorer not the Acadia.
You need to keep in mind the new sizes.
Smaller CUV TBA at GMC
Escape = Terrain
Edge + Acadia
New GMC mid size SUV =Grand Cherokee or Explorer
Envoy and EXT will match up as normal.
Like em or not the companies are making a ton of money off of them and they are not going to go away.
Well as I said before, I hope that Grand Cherokee fighter is based on the Canyon/Colorado platform. GMC deserves a rugged, capable family hauler.
I believe that you will see that.
I would not say Hummer H1 rugged but at least Canyon Rugged. It could even be based on running gear like a Colorado but still be uni body as most of the segment is today.
GM got very lucky with the last Arcadia, Enclave and Terrain.
They were unusual, looked nothing like anything done by Ford, for example. That bulbous look have them a bit of personality.
Can’t help but worry that GM will be chasing Explorer with this new line up.
I like it. Looks like a 2017 Envoy
I agree that it looks like the Envoy has been reincarnated. But not thinking that is going to be a good thing.
The outgoing Acadia was a clean fresh start from the old GM. If a customer had issues with that old line of vehicles, they may not go for this.
While the looks are okay and the new features are useful., I think GM is making a mistake going smaller. They were in a niche where the old lambda was a clear choice for people looking for more cargo space but not wanting to step up to the massive Yukon. Cargo space will no longer differentiate the Acadia, Enclave from the rest of the pack.
I hate that it’s smaller and loses the second row captains chairs. Hopefully there is a new cuv in the works to replace the Acadia at its current size otherwise this could be a huge mistake.
Captains chairs will be offered.
I’m confused; GM remakes the Acadia into a Early 2000s Envoy and everyone is happy?
I guess.
LOL
I like the look of it. Befitting of the GMC badge and the precision image.
Any vehicle redesign where 700 lbs is removed has got to be sexy and it’s interesting that the 2017 GMC Acadia CUV will have two naturally aspirated engines a 2.5L 4-cyl and a 3.6L V6; one would almost expect to see a 250-275 horsepower turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl engine as an option as it would give the new Acadia some power without sacrificing mileage.
Thanks for getting rid the skinny half wood steering wheel in the Denali! It was slippery and dated. It , also, seems like the wheel options are much improved. Can we finally be rid of the low budget looking chrome clad plastic wheel covers over the cast aluminum wheel? Is this 80″s K-Mart, Wal Mart, styling..oh did I mention expensive option…a thing of the past? Come on GM! A plastic wheel cover option for $900.00 on $50,000.00 plus trucks and suvs!
Big improvement IMO. But why the old school antanae on an “all new” vehicle?
I do not like the way the back cargo window flows with the 2nd door window at all. It does not flow well at all and looks like a puzzle mismatch. While not shown here, I have seen the interior pictures on other web sites, and I really do not like the new interior dash- looks weird and cheap IMO. Hopefully, it looks better in person.
The ’16 Acadia set sales records so GM makes it smaller like 50 other cars already on the market? WTF?
I really wanted the room of the 2016 Acadia with 2, 2, 3 seating. I have had two of the Yukon XL and love the car. We’re just looking for something smaller like the 2016 Acadia with three row seating. The 2nd row captains chairs are tremendous, our three kids love the layout.
The new ’17 is just another car in an already very crowded space. Count me as a disappointed GMC owner.