When it was first introduced, the first-generation GMC Acadia hit the market as a full-size crossover, but by the time the second-generation model was introduced for the 2017 model year, the Acadia was shrunk down to a midsize offering.
Making its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the second-generation GMC Acadia is smaller than its predecessor in every way, losing 3.5 inches in terms of overall width, 3.9 inches in overall height, 7.2 inches in overall length, and 6.4 inches in wheelbase. Built on the GM C1XX platform, the second-generation GMC Acadia is also 700 pounds lighter than the model that came before it.
The move to a midsize offering was a bit of a gamble, but in the end, it paid off. Sales have remained steady, and the GMC Acadia’s smaller size helps it to compete with other midsizers, such as the Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, and Hyundai Santa Fe, among others. However, unlike some of its competition, the Acadia still offers three rows of seating, with five-, six-, or seven-passenger configurations, which helps to set it apart from rivals.
Nevertheless, ever since the GMC Acadia shrunk to a midsize offering, rumors have persisted that GMC would return to the full-size crossover segment with a new GMC Acadia XL model. As such, we decided to break out our digital crayons and have a go at rendering exactly that.
While the fascia should be somewhat familiar, the body on our GMC Acadia XL rendering is bigger and bolder, definitely looking the part of a full-size model. If General Motors actually produced this thing, it would be about the same size as the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, utilizing the same long-wheelbase version of the GM C1 platform. To note, the lengthened C1 platform was first introduced with the second-generation 2018 Chevrolet Traverse and 2018 Buick Enclave.
From what we know, GM isn’t actually planning on building a GMC Acadia XL model, but if it did, this is what it would look like.
Are you a fan of our GMC Acadia XL rendering? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Acadia news, GMC news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
GM doesn’t have a full size CUV because the Tahpe and Yukon exist right?
A 3.6 AWD Traverse is not much better on fuel than a 5.3 V8 4auto Tahoe and certainly a larger CUV would offer even closer MPG, and be less useful for towing and hauling than the V8 BOF Tahoe.
What engine would a full size CUZ use? The same 3.6 from the Traverse? So down on power and torque by a wide margin than the Tahoe too.
For GM, as popular as their SUVs are, they don’t need a full size CUV unless only for price point? But even then it would likely be within spitting distance of a comparably equipped Tahoe
It has a full size CUV… it’s called Traverse and Enclave.
Actually Traverse and Enclave are now classed as a midsize for their second generation. I believe they are more like a midsize+ as they ride on the long wheel base C1XX architecture
I assume that you’re referring to GM’s internal classification of the second-gen Traverse (and Encalve) as midsize utilities. If so, that does not align with reality.
Yes, GM did attempt to label the Traverse and Enclave as midsizers. At the same time, it labeled the Tahoe and as a full-sizer… despite thew Traverse/Enclave being longer and having more interior room than the Tahoe.
No, the Traverse and NA-market Enclave is the literal definition of full-size.
The Acadia, Blazer and XT5 are literal definitions of midsize.
That leaves us with the in-between “midsize plus” – the XT6, 3-row Blazer and the new Enclave for China. These are a bit bigger than midsize but much smaller than full-size.
Anyway, to try and categorize the Traverse and Enclave as anything short of full-size does not correlated with reality. That is all 🙂
IMO, I think part of the reason is because some auto journalists and industry analysts haven’t done a great job defining the CUV/SUV segments. Not to the level sedans are.
Heck I still see some publications using “CUV” and “SUV” interchangeably.
It actually the industry and MFG’s that keep changing things trying to find the next new things in size shape and type of CUV and SUV.
Every MFG is looking for an advantage and are trying all options.
The journalists and analysts are just trying to keep up.
I would be interested in the XL . I had a 2012 & 2016 GMC Acadia Denali. This April 2019 I left Acadia for the Chevy Traverse High Country just because of what GM did by making the Acadia smaller.
I do like the Traverse. I don’t like the Enclave. I lease cars every 3 years. Time will tell what I get in 2022.
Your render is better looking than what GM sells.
Yeah if will be under 60 grand but it wont, I have a enclave its a perfect size, 3.6 a great motor, GM is getting very carried away with there prices, go price a 6.2 half ton truck to pull your boat, $$$$$$$
Half ton truck with 6.2 can be configured in the $40s for a crew cab 4×4 with automatic transfer case
And really, if your comparing to that 3.6 the Silverados 4.3 or 2.7 are closer in comparison yet still stronger truck engines
1/2 cant haul my boat, let alone my car trailer.
1/2 ton is not much more than a grocery getter, some bags of potting soil shovels racks. Oh well.
???
The enclave USED to be the same as the Acadia. We have a 2016 and test drove a 2019 awhile back and did NOT like it. I doubt many existing owners feel different. The smaller model is a big disappointment imo.
That is, we have a 2016 Acadia in case that wasnt clear rofl..
IMHO this looks better than the real Acadia.
Nice Photoshop.
I hope they do make it. I traded my old GMC Acadia for a Chevy Traverse due to the smaller size of the newer Acadia. The back end cargo was way too smaller & 2 adults in 3rd row was a joke. Smartest thing they could do it make it bigger & ride like a luxury suv not a truck.
Now we were the opposite and bought the Acadia because it was smaller moving up from a Terrain.
The sales numbers are now the same to a little better now too.
The new one does not ride like a truck.. we did not need the third row and wish it could be deleted in the Denali. Moving up from a terrain the cargo area is an improvment .
I worked at GM for 32 years and the people are the best. I enjoyed my time at GM as my fellow employees did. I have a 2013 Acadia Denali and we love it. We want another just like it, but the wheelbase was reduced 7 inches. So we looked at the Chevy and Buick products. My wife said no. So I need a GMC ACADIA with a 119 inch wheelbase or we maybe looking at foreign shit.
I totaled my 2009 Acadia SLT-2, 2 weeks ago. It rolled over at least 3 times. At 6’5″, the walk away was without any injuries or bruises. God bless.
That Acadia must have had airbags tucked inside of it in every corner and above every window. They were hanging everywhere!
Since, I’ve been in a rental, a 2019 Acadia. Yes, I like Acadias. However, I don’t prefer this one. Talk about tiny. Also, I don’t care for how it looks. Did I mention it is tiny. I mean small, miniscule. It’s like something masquerading as an Acadia. It feels as if I’m getting cheated because I know better, my 09′ was better, bigger, roomier, better with gas mileage, more cargo space, more, more, more. I purchased the Acadia because it was a better choice than the big Tahoes, Suburbans, Yukons etc.
I am searching for and will be purchasing a 2016 or older model because 2016 is before the body changed. I always found a reason to drive my 09′ Acadia. I really enjoyed driving it. I have driven the 2019 as needed. I do not look for a reason to drive the 2019 Acadia. The 2019 is not as fuel friendly as my 09′. The 2019 almost feels like a prank, a gotcha. IMO
Had issues with our acadia motor we t at 80000 miles put new in at 6000 in three accidents front airbags didnt deploy now we still owe 6000 after it was totaled on a 2012 acadia Denali I will not buy another
I have a 2011 GMC Acadia the engine went out. I replaced the with the brand new crate engine because I like the size the style the room the new ones are just too small. Please bring back the full size. One more thing, smaller vehicle for the same ptice of the bigger one! Not good.
Here is the problem. For everyone that thinks the new Acadia is too small there is someone that thinks it is the right size for them.
Also most GMC dealers are also a Buick dealer with a larger Buick SUV sitting in the same show room. They compliment each other and duplication would cost more money but would it bring anymore profit?
The mix and matching of the Buick and GMC lines should compliment each other and not duplicate one another. GM went bankrupt doing that in the past in the same show rooms.
You want to make a showroom work as one not as a confusing mess of many of the same vehicles competing for the same customers.
We went to the Acadia as the Terrain went down in size. To us the new Acadia is the perfect size for us. The old one was just too large as we have no need for a third row. The wife uses it for work and it hauls all her needs.
Price was not really much more than we paid for the 2012 Terrain as GMC did lower the price for the new smaller Acadia. Yes it can go up in price with many options that have been added. But the rebates and all brought our Denali to just a couple thousand more than we paid for the old Terrain.
Models from GM are not to be one model fits all like it used to be. Today they are focusing many models on specific segments and let other models compliment other customers not interested in the other. All things need to work together like a well stocked tool box. If all you had was a tool box of hammers it would not accomplish much.
Chevy covers the value lines comprehensively.
Cadillac covers the Luxury market. Though they try to reach the low end of the segment too.
Buick and GMC are more specialized models that target hot spots and gaps between the Cadillac and Chevy lines. GMC has proven very profitable with the Denali lines. Buick is still trying now with the their lines. The SUV lines are proving profitable, Cars not so much sadly.
Moving forward it will be important that GMC and Buick move and work in harmony. Don’t waste money in duplication.
I had three GMC Acadia, then they blew it and down sided it. I got a new Buick, because they stayed big, I just dislike Buick’s, next time I will try Chevy or leave the corporation after 50 years. They have no idea what they are doing.
am looking to gat another GMC Acadia but I do not like the way they made it smaller I have looked at both the Traverse and Eclave but if GMC goes back to the bigger size I will get one I have owned a 2007 2010 and now a 2016 so come GMC let’s go big