While we were busy towing with the 2020 GMC Sierra HD up in the Grand Tetons in August, we were also able to spend some wheel time with the updated 2020 GMC Acadia. The mid-cycle refresh includes a wide variety of important changes, like the addition of the turbocharged 2.0L LSY I4 engine to the lineup, redesigned front and rear fascias, an updated interior, and the introduction of the Acadia AT4 off-road variant to the Acadia mid-size crossover.
It all seems promising, and we were pleased with our initial driving impressions, which we’ll share shortly. But during our time there, we had to ask an important question of GMC: was it a good move to downsize the Acadia?
What we’re referring to is the fact that, compared to the last-, first-generation model – the one that rode on the Lambda platform – the current GMC Acadia is a full size segment smaller than its processor, with its overall length reduced from 200.8 inches to 193.6 inches and width dropping from 78.9 inches to 75.4 inches. The reduction in the exterior footprint also results in a decrease in interior space, along with a 700 pound reduction in weight, thanks in part to its reduced size and also by the move to the weight-efficient C1 architecture.
When compared to its C1 platform stablemates – the full-size Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave – the Acadia now sits squarely in the midsize segment, just above the compact GMC Terrain. The shrinkage allows it to better compete against other midsize crossover SUVs like the Honda Passport, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Santa Fe, not to mention the Acadia’ own corporate cousin – the new Chevrolet Blazer. But unlike some of those models, the current, second-generation Acadia offers a third row of seats on most models, giving it an advantage over its two-row rivals.
We asked Mark Alger, national marketing manager at GMC Canada, if the Acadia’s shrinkage had a negative impact on its sales.
“We don’t believe the downsizing has impacted Acadia negatively. Acadia sales have remained steady even with its new size. We admit it was a bold move, and yes, some consumers may have flocked elsewhere for something larger. But we also attracted a new type of consumer into a GMC showroom along the way. We also believe the Acadia’s slightly smaller dimensions helps the GMC brand further distinguish itself from Chevrolet and Buick.”
Sales Results - USA - Acadia
Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 2,558 | 2,558 | 2,558 | 3,336 | 3,336 | 3,336 | 4,818 | 4,818 | 4,818 | 5,680 | 5,680 | 5,680 | 49,178 |
2023 | 5,315 | 5,315 | 5,315 | 8,068 | 8,068 | 8,068 | 5,133 | 5,133 | 5,133 | 3,591 | 3,591 | 3,591 | 66,322 |
2022 | 3,112 | 3,112 | 3,112 | 5,110 | 5,110 | 5,110 | 4,802 | 4,802 | 4,802 | 4,647 | 4,647 | 4,647 | 53,014 |
2021 | 6,652 | 6,652 | 6,652 | 8,755 | 8,755 | 8,755 | 3,152 | 3,152 | 3,152 | 1,411 | 1,411 | 1,411 | 59,913 |
2020 | 5,895 | 5,895 | 5,895 | 5,081 | 5,081 | 5,081 | 6,077 | 6,077 | 6,077 | 7,126 | 7,126 | 7,126 | 72,537 |
2019 | 10,400 | 10,400 | 10,400 | 9,473 | 9,473 | 9,473 | 6,779 | 6,779 | 6,779 | 6,490 | 6,490 | 6,490 | 99,429 |
2018 | 7,444 | 10,705 | 11,751 | 6,703 | 6,703 | 6,702 | 4,495 | 4,495 | 4,495 | 8,376 | 8,376 | 8,376 | 88,621 |
2017 | 8,899 | 8,781 | 11,432 | 10,164 | 8,835 | 7,884 | 9,722 | 9,497 | 7,564 | 9,012 | 8,649 | 10,837 | 111,276 |
2016 | 5,385 | 6,972 | 6,214 | 7,004 | 6,407 | 6,200 | 7,462 | 6,101 | 6,795 | 8,569 | 9,168 | 12,189 | 88,466 |
2015 | 5,898 | 7,061 | 7,410 | 8,767 | 10,498 | 9,421 | 10,671 | 9,050 | 6,647 | 6,928 | 6,776 | 7,266 | 96,393 |
2014 | 5,463 | 6,780 | 8,339 | 6,283 | 6,282 | 8,023 | 8,095 | 8,216 | 6,392 | 6,368 | 6,408 | 7,323 | 83,972 |
2013 | 5,188 | 6,628 | 10,006 | 6,681 | 8,815 | 9,174 | 7,564 | 7,801 | 5,565 | 6,882 | 7,566 | 7,923 | 89,793 |
2012 | 4,870 | 6,630 | 5,649 | 6,087 | 9,128 | 9,796 | 7,390 | 8,148 | 6,159 | 5,613 | 3,631 | 5,179 | 78,280 |
2011 | 5,723 | 7,547 | 6,418 | 6,912 | 6,926 | 6,285 | 10,424 | 6,491 | 5,287 | 5,034 | 4,886 | 7,355 | 79,288 |
2010 | 5,460 | 6,478 | 6,824 | 4,877 | 5,823 | 5,862 | 5,574 | 4,223 | 4,608 | 5,407 | 5,541 | 7,618 | 68,295 |
*** This manufacturer is now publishing only quarterly numbers for this market. Monthly figures may be averages.
Sales have remained steady, indeed: when it was first introduced in 2007, GMC shipped 72,765 Acadias in the U.S. alone. In 2018, that number climbed to 88,622 units. Even more interesting is the fact that the Acadia’s best-selling year was in 2017 when the smaller, second-generation model was introduced, with 111,276 units sold in the U.S.
But that’s not without an asterisk. You see, GMC offered two Acadias in 2017: the smaller, all-new model, and the outgoing, last-generation, full-size model as the Acadia Limited. Production of the full-size, first-gen Acadia (Acadia Limited) ended at the end of March 2017. So it would only make sense that sales volume of two models produced at two different plants would be greater than one.
Sales Results - Canada - Acadia
Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 214 | 214 | 214 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 272 | 272 | 272 | 365 | 365 | 365 | 3,321 |
2023 | 398 | 398 | 398 | 468 | 468 | 468 | 477 | 477 | 477 | 311 | 311 | 311 | 4,961 |
2022 | 136 | 136 | 136 | 411 | 411 | 411 | 331 | 331 | 331 | 262 | 262 | 262 | 3,420 |
2021 | 344 | 344 | 344 | 392 | 392 | 392 | 308 | 308 | 308 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 3,485 |
2020 | 281 | 281 | 281 | 166 | 166 | 166 | 302 | 302 | 302 | 287 | 287 | 287 | 3,109 |
2019 | 371 | 371 | 371 | 398 | 398 | 398 | 296 | 296 | 296 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 3,965 |
2018 | 344 | 350 | 519 | 548 | 618 | 389 | 476 | 505 | 425 | 383 | 351 | 322 | 5,230 |
2017 | 334 | 347 | 390 | 404 | 488 | 395 | 405 | 504 | 541 | 501 | 514 | 557 | 5,380 |
2016 | 299 | 312 | 388 | 620 | 372 | 461 | 178 | 194 | 207 | 276 | 278 | 354 | 3,939 |
2015 | 298 | 317 | 534 | 858 | 690 | 446 | 549 | 692 | 422 | 430 | 650 | 566 | 6,452 |
2014 | 265 | 243 | 558 | 603 | 745 | 431 | 456 | 557 | 408 | 549 | 586 | 572 | 5,973 |
*** This manufacturer is now publishing only quarterly numbers for this market. Monthly figures may be averages.
The GM Authority Take
GM took quite a gamble by shrinking the GMC Acadia and repositioning it into a different segment. But the bet paid off, and GMC Acadia sales remain healthy despite very strong Asian and American competition. That’s the good news.
The not-so-good news is that the GMC brand still doesn’t offer a full-size crossover along the lines of the Chevrolet Traverse or Buick Enclave. In this day and age, where the crossover – and not the sedan – reigns supreme in the mainstream automotive market place, we feel that a carmaker can’t have enough utilities – be they CUVs or SUVs – in its lineup. In that regard, a full-size crossover larger than the Acadia might be in the cards for GMC, but a sub-compact model below the Acadia seems to be out of the question.
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Comments
When they down sized the Terrain we went to the new Acadia from our old Terrain.
We could not be happier.
If they had not down sized the Acadia we would have gone else where as we have no need for anything larger. In fact we wished there was a third row delete for additional under floor storage in the Denali like the All Terrain.
The Acadia looks like it might be a little bit larger than the Blazer. Does it have a larger area for storage in the back, even with the third row seating? Was the extra room a selling point, or did you prefer something else over the Blazer?
Guess I gotta go check out an Acadia now. This platform is growing on me, I think it has much wider appeal than a bof suv.
The Blazer has more space in the back compared to the Acadia with the third seat open. With the third row down it is much larger in the Acadia Cargo area.
You need to look at both and weigh what you need most cargo or third row.
For us the third row went down when we bought it and we never use it so cargo was more important.
You’re lucky to have a car with such sleek lines. It’s a subtle thing that can be missed the first few times you look at it. I bet you look at it all the time now.
Sure. But the updated front end on the 2020 model looks goofy.
Does everyone here think that GMC could use an Enclave sized CUV in their lineup and that also Chevy could use an Acadia sized vehicle in theirs as I do?
I just think that Brands today cannot have enough CUV choices. I would prefer for Chevy to get like a
4-Runner/Grand Cherokee vehicle but we know that won’t happen. Not with the current top Brass running the Auto Maker.
What does everyone think? I am intrigued to see everyone’s opinion.
Side note…Jeep, Mercedes, Land Rover, and soon Ford all have Wrangler type of vehicles, where is GM’s answer?
It’s true that Jeep ,Ford Mercedes have rear wheel drive bias vehicles but only Jeep has a Wrangler type vehicle no one else comes close to that vehicle and only GM had something close to that but they killed it that being the H3 Hummer
Actually there is the Toyota Forerunner as it is still a body on frame design.
I see GMC and Chevrolet as basically the same thing. The less overlap they have, the better.
I think that Buick-GMC dealers have the excellent Buick Enclave to sell, so there isn’t a very pressing need for a second XXL crossover there.
But Chevy does have a gap (albeit a narrow one) between the sporty mid sized Blazer and more family oriented XXL Traverse. Chevy could use the sporty 3 row Blazer Carryall that was shown last year – which is Acadia sized and looks amazing.
As a side note: I wish the Acadia was a match for the Grand Cherokee. The front drive proportions, low slung suspension, and obvious “compromise chassis” make the truck like styling look weird on the GMC. The Grand Cherokee offers excellent proportions, a good rear drive chassis, some serious off road hardware, and solid reliability (which may not be the case with the next gen Italian- influenced Grand Cherokee).
Another underpowered mini station wagon ! Of course GM needs vision !!!
It’s hard to hide the front drive proportions of the Acadia. The upright front end draws attention to the lower slung proportions and minivan-ish chassis.
Ford moved the Explorer to rear wheel drive. GM’s next generation crossover chassis needs to do the same.
I had a 2012 Acadia Denali I Loved it. This year it was time to get a new car so I went to the GM dealer the 2019 Acadians are beautiful but I got disappointed when I noticed that it was smaller. Across the street there is a Toyota dealer and ended buying a Highlander it has lots of room like the 2012 Acadia. I just want to say that they lost a sale because of the size, the interior space is very reduced. Since kid I been a GM fan and wanted to stick with GM.
The Highlander is smaller than the current Acadia – especially noticeable in the 3rd row.
Yes my Acadia is larger than my buddies Highlander.
Then go get a traverse not a d*mn Toyota
First we need to stop comparing these to a Jeep. These are not and never were marketed directly to the Cherokee.
These product line at GM is directed to the heart of the CUV segment. That is the area of greatest volume and profits.
Few people go off road in the market as a whole so they are targeting the street drivers with better ride, handling and mpg. That is where the money is at.
GM does have the Tahoe and Yukon that dominate their segments.
My only concern is GM makes too many versions of the same thing. Make each model special and unique.
Keep the styling apart and options varied. The different wheel bases drive the message home they are not competing with other GM models.
I still would like to see them do a RWD based model on the Colorado or Alpha. Keep it to Chevy GMC and maybe Cadillac only.
I am glad to see the Blazer and Acadia not competing. Used the number of divisions and models your advantage to compete against the other brands not your own.
The Grand Cherokee looks better, rides better, handles better, and can be taken off road.
There is no downside to using a good, well engineered chassis for the Acadia. I wonder why GMC chose not to use one.
Looks are subjective.
My Acadia with the electronics 5 link suspension and lower center of gravity is much better on a winding twisting back road than the Jeep. But that should be expected as it was built for the road where 95% of CUV models spend their time.
The Jeep is not as good on the road as it is compromised for off road but that is th3 choice owners make for the better off road as most never do in this model. Let’s face it if a Jeep owner is going off road they have a Wrangler.
There is a down side to off road ability and that is lesser road manors. Nothing wrong with that if that is what you seek but it is a compromise.
GM chose what people buy the most of. Now if they want to do a GMC Jeep that would be fine but do it on a proper chassis.
The Acadia is a very stiff platform but they really pulled out the weight. I get great mpg for the size.
But if I want off road it will be a proper set up with RWD based AWD like my truck. I also rather have a full frame.
I’ve spent thousands of miles behind the wheel of both the Acadia and the Grand Cherokee. The Jeep gives up nothing in ride and handling the Acadia. It’s an older but far superior chassis in every way. The Grand Cherokee is well rounded – exactly what an SUV should be. The Acadia is not.
And now the Ford Explorer has switched to a chassis that is very similar to the Grand Cherokee while GMC is still peddling a shoddily built “also ran” product. That is enough to sell crossovers to fat, lower middle class house wives….but it doesn’t stand out in any way.
Now what year Acadia? The pre 17 was not much of a handler or good ride. Also the Electronic suspension is a game changer in sport mode. The 17 and later is a whole different product.
The Grand Cherokee is closer to a Tahoe or Yukon in what they are targeting.
FYI I have two GMC models with no issues other than the 8 speed in the truck and the recent TSB has corrected the issue.
It’s not like Jeep has a flawless record. Even the Gladiator is now on recall.
In the segment most don’t stand out as so many are sold. But few people buy a CUV to stand out and if they do they are spending $85k or more.
Note what you have said. Older and what a SUV should be. Well you are a traditional SUV buyer. You are I bet one of the few who really goes off road. Today’s market you are now the minority in the segment. You have been infiltrated by non off road buyers who want AWD just for rain or snow. That is where most of the money is.
Trail rated is not what most buyers look for anymore.
Mall rated may have started as a joke but it is a real thing.
We actually were talking about this at work and most of what we see are drivers 28 to 50 years old good looking blonds in affluent areas with 2 kids in Crossovers.
It might just depend on where you live.
It is ok to not like the Acadia if you want off road ability. It is not that kind of vehicle and makes no claim to be. Though the All Terrain pretends to be. The fact is there are more on roadies than off and GM is going for the bigger segment. The Acadia is doing the Job it was given.
Never buying a gmc again trouble after trouble terrible car terrible customer service went back to ford after that nightmare beware buying those Acadia’s
Ford’s Explorer has a lot of problems as well. I applaud their move to a proper chassis for the 2020 model year though.
The Acadia is very poorly built and is becoming known for poor reliability and shoddy quality…..but let’s not pretend that Ford hasn’t had a long list of problems with their Explorer.
Let me guess: the updated interior includes an even bigger center console, cramping the driver ever more tightly into the seat?
Stop guessing as the console is the same size with additional storage since the shifter is moved.
Just how Much room do you need? I am six foot and have plenty of room.
Interior space isn’t really an issue in the Acadia. It has faults, but that isn’t one of them unless you need a massive 3rd row.
Does anyone else find it odd that the monthly sales numbers for 2019 are exactly the same for 3 months, Jan thru Mar and again from Apr thru Jun?
@Cliff,
It depends on who the data source is. They have not disclosed the data source. If the data source is GM directly, it could simply be GM’s record of vehicles shipped to dealers, as opposed to vehicle registrations (R.L. Polk data). Vehicles shipped to dealers can very well be a constant number. Might also explain why Canada shows -0- units in January – March, then 398 each month April – June.
That makes some sense, though I don’t recall ever seeing sales numbers shown like that before.
The GMC Acadia is wonderful size wise but it is very poorly made. So many issues to be repaired before the vehicle is even 10 years old. My A/C has been repaired 3 times because it keeps blowing cold on driver side and hot on the passenger side and in the rear. I live in Louisiana with 100 plus days and I’m riding with 4 kids with the windows down. I reached out to GM and chatted with someone. I’ve read so many reviews about people who are complaining about this issue. Why hasn’t the A/C and heating issue been recalled?! My truck is only 6 years old and I am very disappointed with the GMC Acadia. Kudos to everyone who got one that wasn’t defective. You got lucky!
I chose the GMC Acacia over the Enclave and Traverse because of its body style and size. Now that GM has reduced the Acadia to a less than vehicle, when the time comes I will look elsewhere for a new vehicle. GM needs to bring back the FULL-SIZE ACADIA not this less than imposter.
Reduction from 200.8 inches to 193.6 inches and width dropping from 78.9 inches to 75.4 inches with a drop in weight of 700 lbs; the team that did the work should be considered to work on the new 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette,
It’s the exact same console as before, but with a terrible new pull/push button gear selector. If you drove a Honda Pilot recently- just imagine that level of annoyance, but with cheaper feeling buttons.
Less car for more money. GM was copying Jeep strategy but Grand Cherokee is unique.
Offering a new SUV to fill the segment is dumb with Yukon and unsure gas prices given the Saudi fires.
Under pressure from my wife, I reluctantly was drug into the SUV arena in 2017. I leased a new style Acadia Denali. Even though it has some nice features, it was very disappointing to see some expected features for a $54,000.00 not available on this Flagship. No power folding outside mirrors, no adjustable front shoulder/seat belts, hands free tail gate that only works sometimes, and a trip to the Dealership Service Center every other week for at least a two or three day repair. Even though the dealership has been absolutely great, it is still annoying. Also, why does GM, an american car company, build and design vehicles for people who are 4 feet 3 inches tall and weigh 63 pounds soaking wet. GM used to make vehicles that had comfortable seats with hip and shoulder room. Now the seats are made to only cover 1/3 of your back, 1/4 of your butt, and have about 4 inches of thigh support. This Acadia is my ninth GM vehicle. My lease is up in November 2019 and they are trying to get me into another GM product. The 2020 Blazer and Traverse have the on/off engine which is a total and absolute pain (no cut-off switch available). The 2020 Acadia at least has the cut-off switch on the V6 Denali. However, once again, do I want to shoe-horn myself into a miniature child seat on the GM products or go back to a Mercedes Benz GLE suv that actually has a decent size seat for grown-ups. Come on “bean counters” you add the price to the vehicles anyway; get some decent seats for vehicles sold in the USA.
The 2020 Acadia will have a disable for the engine start-stop. There was an article here about that subject. They will also have power folding mirrors. GM has listened to you and many others that have cried out for those features. Not so sure about the push button tranny, though.
I’ve seen ads for 12-14K off of the 2019 Denalis, so I recently test drove on and found them comfortable at 6’2″, 240. Hardly a waif. And I’ve been driving K-Blazers and a Yukon since 1981. My 2001 Yukon seats are great. But seat comfort is a highly subjective issue.
It depends on who the data source is. They have not disclosed the data source. If the data source is GM directly, it could simply be GM’s record of vehicles shipped to dealers, as opposed to vehicle registrations (R.L. Polk data). Vehicles shipped to dealers can very well be a constant number. Might also explain why Canada shows -0- units in January – March, then 398 each month April – June.