Despite the grumbling associated with a smaller vehicle, GMC got the second-generation Acadia spot on. So much so, that the crossover has set sales volume records for the last eight months straight. Having gotten the product right, GMC is giving the Acadia a few minor updates for the 2018 model year, which represents the second year of the second-gen model model.
On the outside, the 2018 GMC Acadia deletes two colors and gains one new color:
Deleted Colors
- Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic
- Sparkling Silver Metallic
- Blue Steel Metallic
In addition, the 2018 Acadia replaces the 20 x 8-inch SN9 wheels with a new design of the same size, which is included in the the SLT-1 All Terrain model.
Inside, the 2018 GMC Acadia replaces the heated steering wheel with an automatic heated steering wheel. It also gets Tire Fill Alert feature, which provides visual and audible alerts outside the vehicle when inflating an under inflated tire to the recommended tire pressure.
Finally, the optional 3.6L V-6 LGX engine is now available on the SLE-1 trim level with AWD (which was not the case in 2017) and the All Terrain package is now available with 5, 6 and 7 passenger seating (it was available with 5-passenger seating only in 2017).
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.
For the North American market, the 2018 GMC Acadia is assembled by GM U.S.A. at the GM Spring Hill plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, USA.
More Information & Reporting
- GMC Acadia info
- 2018 GMC Acadia info
- 2018 GMC Acadia changes, updates, new features
- 2018 GMC Acadia order guide
- GMC Acadia sales numbers
- GMC Acadia news
Comments
Pretty disappointed with the ’18 model not getting the 8 speed. I know the 6 speed is good enough, but if we’re talking good enough then the car in my garage right now is good enough.
It would be a 9 speed, but I totally agree. Especially since the Chevy Traverse is getting the 9 speed for 2018.
Why would it be the 9 speed and not the 8 speed that the sister Cadillac XT5 has? The XT5 shares the exact same engine.
The 8 speed is sourced from Aisin. It is a stop gap measure, to get the XT5 a high feature transmission befitting a luxury brand, if you will. The 9 speed is GM developed (with some help from Ford) and will replace the 8 speed in the XT5 and the Malibu at some point soon (I think those are the only two vehicles using it). If GM didn’t bother to develop the Acadia with the 8 speed for launch, I don’t see them making two transmission changes in the next 2-3 years.
Thanks for the answer, but it still leaves me wondering why the ’17 Malibu can be had with the shiny new 9 sp. but the ’18 Acadia can’t. It just doesn’t make sense to continue delay it.
And the Traverse has the updated 3.6 engine. The torque come in 400-500rpm sooner than the GMC Acadia and even Cadillac XT5. The Acadia from late 2000s that replaced the Envoy after 2009 was horrible with torque curve at high RPM only (not normal to drive at 4000rpm in daily driving. Old Acadia was shifting constantly due to poor torque and poor gear transmission. If you have driven the 4.2 low end torque on old Envoy/Trailblazer you know how much better it was than the 2010 Traverse. They have experiments all over with the new SUVs. The Acadia is also much shorter than the Traverse. Low end torque is perfect. How do they let Chevy had the 9 speed and lower end Torque motor without updating the Acadia Professional Grade?
They need a second interior color option for the all terrain. Even flipping the color scheme would work. It’s either a love it or hate it colour scheme in there.
Personally I love it, but the flip would look good too. Why can’t we get some interesting colors into the Denali models? This brown would be great to see. The Denali’s are mostly all black or a horribly bland neutral.
For the money they are charging for these there should be 3 interior color choices in all but the cheapest model. No excuse on this
I would like to see a 5 seat version for all models. I have never required 7 seats in my 2015 SLT. It would save some weight and perhaps be less expensive.
I too would like to see a different color option on the interior of the All Terrain model . It seems that GM doesn’t offer as many color choices as in the past . The Denali is a good looking SUV , but not a fan of the wheels though .
Smartest move they made is to put v6 on SLE-1. This finally could make the pricing competitive with its closest rivals. Power to the people!
The title is misleading; the availability of All Terrain has not been expanded. It is still only available in two trim levels. What has been expanded is the availability of 7 passenger seating. Another note; All terrain cannot get adaptive Cruise.
Yah they nailed everything except the transmission. A 6 speed in this is like a 4 speed in a new Sierra. Sure it’s fine. In this $ range? Hard pass.
Even with the Denali trim no LED headlamps? Traverse seems to be a better choice within the GM linup.
Wow tire fill alert! Way to keep up with technology GM. No wonder the imports outsell American all day everyday. I’m ready to buy an Acadia but GM again saying I don’t want your money, when I want to give it to them.
Acadia All Terrain, the better AWD option, but with no features or technology thrown in, pass…
Denali, top of the line but without the twin clutch AWD, pass…
And everyone including grandma is going hid or led but GM let’s stick with good ol halogens
So I just tried to build a 2018 Acadia SLT1 with All Terrain and 7 passenger seating.
The picture even shows 7 passenger seating in Kalahari brown, which is only available on the All Terrain.
However, when you get to the interior tab, if you select 7 passenger, it removes the All Terrain package. Right now, the build tool does not let you build an All Terrain with 7 seats.
I did a chat with GMC online, and showed her where the order guide said it was available. She seemed to think that the order guide was wrong, and that I should follow up with my salesman.
Alex, do you have any contacts to confirm the situation and get the web site fixed, or the order guide fixed, whatever the case may be?
Thanks.
I have had the 6 speed transmission in a 2011 TerrainSLT2, a 2015 Terrain Denali and now a 2017 Acadia Denali. It is horrible. It doesn’t know what to do. Start out on a gradual grade at low rpm and the whole car shudders. Interesting that the old 4 speed automatics never had these problems. The v6 also changes to a 4 cylinder at a loafing speed. The whole engine- transmission thing doesn’t know what to do. If you step on the gas hard at any speed don’t expect to get instant acceleration. The transmission is still figuring out what to do. Love the car, hate the running gear. Won’t make the same mistake again.
I have not had any of the drivetrain issues that Dallas M has experienced. We have two 2017 Acadia SLT2’s, both FWD. Mom ordered hers and took delivery in Oct 2016, a Sparkling Silver. We test drove a SLT1 and liked the ride, the new size was also perfect, running boards no longer required. We wanted all of the driver assist systems and memory seats so we ordered the SLT2. We were disappointed in the ride going from 18 inch wheels on the SLT1 to 20’s on the SLT2 but the rest of the vehicle was great especially the V6/6 speed auto. This new V6/6 speed auto is a dream compared to her 2008 Acadia SLT2 that she traded. I purchased my Acadia in Oct of ’17, a White Frost finish, except I had the dealership swap my 20’s with 18’s from a SLT1 that had just arrived. This change from 55 series tires to 65 series makes a huge difference in ride and quietness. We have taken both vehicles on 800+ mile trips, SW New Mexico to the Salt Lake City area. Both vehicles get the same gas mileage, 32/33 mpg and very little down shifting even going through the mountains. I have seen an article that when the Acadia gets the 9 speed transmission it will also get the auto start/stop system. This would be a deal breaker for me unless GM offers a way to turn off the system or an after market company has a plug in to defeat this auto start/stop system.