Dimensional Brief: 2017 GMC Acadia Interior Shrinks In Nearly Every Metric
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As you may have already heard, GMC repositioned the all-new, second-generation Acadia from the full-size to the mid-size space. That translates to shrinking exterior dimensions, from 200 inches (5,101 mm) in length to roughly 194 inches (4,917 mm) while also reducing the width from 78.9 inches (2,003 mm) to 75.4 inches (1,916 mm). But the changes to the exterior dimensions only tell part of the story; the other, perhaps more important part, is how the smaller exterior impacts the cabin.
What should not come as a surprise is that the smaller body also translates to a smaller interior, as nearly every interior dimension is smaller on the second-gen, 2017 Acadia compared to the first-generation model. There are two exceptions to this, however, both on the second row:
- Second row headroom remains the same between both models
- Second row legroom grows almost three inches on the 2017 Acadia
| Metric | 2017 GMC Acadia | 2010-2016 GMC Acadia | + / – 2017 Acadia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seating capacity: | 5, 6 or 7 | 7 or 8 | -1, -2, -3 |
| Headroom | |||
| First row (in /mm): | 40 | 40.3 | -0.3 |
| Second row (in / mm): | 39.6 | 39.6 | 0 |
| Third row (in / mm): | 37.2 | 38.4 | -1.2 |
| Legroom | |||
| First row (in / mm): | 41 | 41.3 | -0.3 |
| Second row (in / mm): | 39.7 | 36.8 | +2.9 |
| Third row (in / mm): | 31.1 | 33.2 | -2.1 |
| Shoulder room | |||
| First row (in / mm): | 59.4 | 61.6 | -2.2 |
| Second row (in / mm): | 58.7 | 61.0 | -2.3 |
| Third row (in / mm): | 54.3 | 57.8 | -3.5 |
| Hip room | |||
| First row (in / mm): | 55.7 | 58.0 | -2.3 |
| Second row (in / mm): | 53.3 | 57.8 | -4.5 |
| Third row (in / mm): | 42.9 | 48.3 | -5.4 |
| Cargo volume | |||
| Maximum behind first row (cu ft / L): | 79 | 116.1 | -37.1 |
| Maximum behind second row (cu ft / L): | 41.7 | 70.1 | -28.4 |
| Maximum behind third row (cu ft / L): | 12.8 | 24.1 | -11.3 |
Note: headroom measurements for models without without sunroof
| Metric | 2017 GMC Acadia | 2010-2016 GMC Acadia | + / – 2017 Acadia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seating capacity: | 5, 6 or 7 | 7 or 8 | -1, -2, -3 |
| Headroom | |||
| First row (in /mm): | 1016 | 1024 | -8 |
| Second row (in / mm): | 1006 | 1006 | 0 |
| Third row (in / mm): | 945 | 975 | -30 |
| Legroom | |||
| First row (in / mm): | 1042 | 1049 | -7 |
| Second row (in / mm): | 1008 | 935 | +73 |
| Third row (in / mm): | 789 | 843 | -54 |
| Shoulder room | |||
| First row (in / mm): | 1508 | 1565 | -57 |
| Second row (in / mm): | 1490 | 1549 | -59 |
| Third row (in / mm): | 1378 | 1468 | -90 |
| Hip room | |||
| First row (in / mm): | 1414 | 1473 | -59 |
| Second row (in / mm): | 1355 | 1468 | -113 |
| Third row (in / mm): | 1090 | 1227 | -137 |
| Cargo volume | |||
| Maximum behind first row (cu ft / L): | 2237 | 3288 | -1051 |
| Maximum behind second row (cu ft / L): | 1181 | 1985 | -804 |
| Maximum behind third row (cu ft / L): | 362 | 682 | -320 |
Note: headroom measurements for models without sunroof
Before we get to the more notable changes, we should say that the following two measurements are smaller, albeit in very negligible ways:
- First row headroom (down 0.3 inches)
- First row legroom (down 0.3 inches)
The largest decreases on the 2017 Acadia are in the third row and cargo area:
The third row is significantly less spacious:
- Headroom is down 1.2 inches
- Legroom is down 2.1 inches
- Shoulder room is down 3.5 inches
- Hip room is down 5.4 inches
There is also less cargo volume, which is down:
- 11.3 cubic feet behind the third row
- 28.4 cubic feet behind the second row
- 37.1 cubic feet behind the third row
And since the new Acadia is narrower, hip and shoulder room suffer as well:
Hip room is down:
- 2.3 inches in the first row
- 4.5 inches in the second row
- 5.4 inches in the third row
Shoulder room is down:
- 2.2 inches in the first row
- 2.3 inches in the second row
- 3.5 inches in the third row
All in all, there is no denying that the 2017 GMC Acadia is smaller overall than the model it replaces. But is the new, second-generation Acadia “too small”, or was the first-generation model simply “too big”? We’ll leave that for you to hash out in the comments section below.
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you can still purchase the enclave or traverse as a similar 16 and older acadia !
Neither of those cars look the same or have the heads up display
EWWW .. to both of those, Come on really, you would have us purchase BUICK or CHEV instead of a GMC.
Seriously fail. Like how is that any different than asking a Cadillac loyalist to purchase a traverse or a enclave
Went shopping today just to see the 17 Acadia and could immediately tell it was smaller than my ’14 which I love but I am coming to the end of my lease. I just assumed the new body style would be same size just a litttle different style! Well wrong about that!! I may end my lease early and get a ’16. Sad to see the major changes and I am not paying for Buick or Yukon. Really liked this Acadia more than my previous Traverse. May have to go back?.
I ended up leasing a new 17 Acadia after my 14 lease was up and I am still disappointed with the size issue. My salesman showed me the Acadia limited which is the same body style as my 14, but the sticker price was almost 50k. It was a sad situation as I said goodbye to my old Acadia and not really loving my new one. The only perk I will say about the new style is that it is very easy to drive and maneuver around small spaces and fuel economy is better, but I would trade both of those aspects to have my old car back. I even contemplated buying a used Acadia in the old style just to have it as an extra vehicle: I loved it that much…hopefully they will realize the error of their ways and GM will bring back the Acadia we love…good luck on your car buying!
As a midsized suv owner of a 2012 Acadia. This was a terrible decision by GMC. I had a loaner 2017 acadia and it was almost exactly the same size as the Terrain. I would assume I will not be the only old Acadia owner not buying a new Acadia.
This totally sucks they shrunk the suv! We have 2012 Acadia Denali and was ready to get a new one this year. We loved the captain seats and 3 seats in the 3rd row. Especially with 3 kids two of which need a car seat. The 48 inch width allowed me to haul material from our local hardware store w/o needing a truck or paying over 10k more for Tahoe or Yukon. Which significantly larger and have marginal difference in high way mileage with v4 active and city might as well forget it. They put themselves in position to cut material cost and keep or increase MSRP which is money their pocket. But Put buyers in a position where it inconvenience parents putting kids in the back and someone who’s a jack of all trades that don’t want to truck for simple jobs. It also forces people to search else where seeking full 3rd with captain seat. This size of market is shrinking not only physically but available options on the market. We don’t want a mini van we like the mid SUV and sporty/rugged look that comes with it. So disappointed
We were so glad we bought our Acadia Denali in late 2016. This year our son was looking at getting a Denali like ours . They have 2 small children in car seats and need the size like ours, but that’s no longer available. They went to Ford and got a great deal on a 2017 Ford Explorer. It’s almost identical to our Acadia, with a few perks our GMC doesn’t have. Just a suggestion.
Robert
Bought a 2016 GMC Acadia for its size ( seats and cargo). Just drove past a 2017 GMC Acadia, looks good on the outside but inside looks to be to small for my needs. I have kids in college and need all that room when I go back and forth. I guessed I will look elsewhere when I need to replace. Big disappointment.
Look at the 2017 Acadia limited! Same interior size at the 2016.
Yeah just a little over priced..
One of the main reasons I leased my 2015 Acadia because of its size. Love it can carry 8 people comfortable and carry almost everything I threw at it. I was certain I would get a new Acadia when my lease ends later this year until I saw how small the new body style is compare to the my 2015. Now the new Acadia is just like any other mid size SUV out there. Gone is the unique competitive advantage. Why GM would kill a winning formula is beyond me.
Now I might just go with a Mazda CX9 which has a much nicer interior or something else.
Bad move GM/GMC
If I would have wanted a smaller GMC SUV I would have purchased a Terrain. I probably have bought my last Acadia and got the 2016 before they reduced the size. Loss of the cargo room is a loser for me.
they left the traverse and enclave both with the same amount of room as the old acadia. the terrain is wayyy smaller than the new redesigned Acadia!!!!! totally different set ups and vehicles….
If GM wants to make the new Acadia work, they should get rid of the third row of seats altogether. Just make it a two-row SUV instead of a three-row vehicle and it’ll be a winner.
I hate the smaller size. I have a 13 Acadia and I absolutely love it. I looked up upgrading to a new one but I hate the smaller size. HATE IT. bad move GMC.
I just bought a 2014, I refuse to buy the new one that’s smaller. I needed the space. It is just what I need without having to buy a more exspensive Yukon.
Just bought a 2016 Acadia SLT….the BEST vehicle for long journeys with our 3 dogs and 2 cats since my 1992 AWD Aerostar. Purchased from Carvana. WHO buys an SUV and worries about 1 or 2 MPG? Fantastic in the snow. Ground clearance is adequate for the country roads we sometime take. Rides like a car but FEELS like an SUV! Test drove new 2019 2020 Cherokees, Explorers,Acadias etc…..nothing but a modern day station wagons.