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2024 GMC Acadia Could Grow In Size: Exclusive

The GMC Acadia has been a somewhat peculiar General Motors product. The first-generation model launched for the 2007 model year as a full-size, three-row crossover. A decade later, GM overhauled the Acadia as a midsize crossover that was an entire size segment smaller than the original (both inside and out). However, the next, third-generation model could return to the formula of the original.

First-gen GMC Acadia

First-gen GMC Acadia

Second-gen GMC Acadia

Second-gen GMC Acadia

Product planners are considering making the next-generation Acadia – expected in 2023 for the 2024 model year – larger than the current model, sources familiar with the matter have told GM Authority. Such a move would make the vehicle roughly the same size as the current Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave.

Second-Gen Acadia First-Gen Acadia + / – Second-Gen Acadia
Wheelbase (in): 112.5 118.9 -6.4
Length (in): 193.6 200.8 -7.2
Width (in): 75.4 78.9 -3.5
Height (in): 68.7 72.6 -3.9
Seating capacity 5, 6 or 7 7 or 8 N/A
Max cargo capacity behind first row (cu ft): 79 116.1 -37.1
Max cargo capacity behind second row (cu ft): 41.7 70.1 -28.4
Max cargo capacity behind third row (cu ft): 12.8 24.1 -11.3
Platform: C1 Lambda N/A

Making the second-generation GMC Acadia a midsize CUV was part of a strategy to reposition the model to strike at the heart of the mainstream crossover segment by going after key midsize offerings such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, the plan hasn’t seemed to have delivered the anticipated results, with Acadia sales not keeping pace with the segment.

In 2017, Acadia sales totaled 111,276 units. The figure was artificially boosted by launch sales of the all-new model, along with sales of the last-generation Acadia, which was sold alongside the all-new model as the Acadia Limited at discounted prices, mostly to fleets. In 2018, GMC Acadia sales fell to 88,621 units, rising to 99,429 units in 2019. Putting those figures into context, Acadia sales totaled 96,393 deliveries in the 2015 calendar year, which was before the exponential growth in crossover demand.

Sales Results - USA - Acadia

YearTotal
202449,178
202366,322
202253,014
202159,913
202072,537
201999,429
201888,621
2017111,276
201688,466
201596,393
201483,972
201389,793
201278,280
201179,288
201068,295
*** This manufacturer is now publishing only quarterly numbers for this market. Monthly figures may be averages.

By comparison, Jeep Grand Cherokee sales have outpaced those of the repositioned Acadia, seeing an impressive 224,908 deliveries in 2018 before growing to 242,969 in 2019. It’s also worth noting that the current Grand Cherokee was introduced in 2011, and is therefore a much older product than the second-gen Acadia.

Sales Results - USA - Grand Cherokee

YearTotal
2024216,148
2023244,594
2022223,345
2021264,444
2020209,786
2019242,969
2018224,908
2017240,696
2016212,273
2015196,096
201478,398
*** This manufacturer is now publishing only quarterly numbers for this market. Monthly figures may be averages.

When the next-gen GMC Acadia does show up, it should ride on GM’s new VSS-F platform (vehicle set), which was introduced by the 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. In fact all future GM vehicles built around a front-drive, transverse-engined layout will utilize a variant of the VSS-F architecture.

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Comments

  1. To this day I think they should have done with the Acadia what they do with the Yukon (regular + XL)

    Reply
  2. Maybe it’s not the size but other things — styling, features — and PRICE. You can buy a Traverse for a lot less.

    Reply
  3. Well the reason we went Acadia is we had a Terrain and they got smaller so we went Acadia.

    If the Acadia was larger the wife did not want it as the Taverse is more vehicle than she wants or needs.

    As for Grand Cherokee competitor. It really is not. As long as it is FWD based it really does not compete with Jeep or the FWD Ford,

    The FWD based models are larger minivans with a SUV look.

    Well if they go larger we will have to find a new model to buy.

    As for price with rebates we got $13k off with discounts. It was really a good buy. A fully loaded Denali for $40K is good. We even got the electronic suspension and floor liners included.

    Reply
    1. “As for Grand Cherokee competitor. It really is not. As long as it is FWD based it really does not compete with Jeep or the FWD Ford,”

      Very few mainstream (non-enthusiast) customers care or know about the FWD vs. RWD distinction. These are the customers that represent the overwhelming majority of purchases in this segment.

      Moreover, cross-sale reports and Polk data (two different reports) indicate that there is very healthy amount of cross-shopping and cross-consideration between the Grand Cherokee and the Acadia.

      No, these are regular families buying crossovers that they like for the family. Drivetrain and other technicalities are far from the top when it comes to consideration priorities.

      The problem with the second-gen Acadia has been and continues to be the value argument: the base engine on the Grand Cherokee and on other like models like Toyota Highlander is a V6, while the Acadia comes with the 2.5L I4 for the same price. That’s not a winning formula. Now, most people don’t really look at spec sheets in this segment. But they certainly feel the difference between a 4 and 6 behind the wheel.

      Regarding discounts: yes, you may have gotten your Acadia at a steep discount… which is not representative of the incentives available regularly. But when you consider the funnel and vehicle purchase process, most buyers do not get that far. Ironically, your example is exactly the kind of scenario that the “new GM” has been trying to move away from for a decade.

      Reply
      1. Alex on the contrary more care than you think.

        At Jeep that is very important as most FWD Jeeps have done poorly or worse in most cases.

        The FWD Explorer did so well Ford turned back to RWD based.

        I do agree there are people in the market for FWD based SUV models but they are not cross shopping Grand Cherokees.

        The base 4 is a cheap lease model most sold are V6 and Turbo models. The truth is the future of the V6 may be in decline as more and more models are eliminating V6 models. GM is clipping more cylinders than most as most of their models are turbo 4 and now 3 cylinder models. Other MFGs will follow.

        If the election goes to the green agenda people it could get real ugly.

        As for price year end saving are generally $9,000 plus on the Acadia. Add to that dealer discount and my GM car for a grand it is easy to do. That was on the most loaded model you could get the All Terrain and SLT models were in the $30’s.

        I was not lucky or smarter I just know that year end saving are large and in the case of the Acadia selections are good vs the trucks where you take what you get.

        If GM is moving away from this then you had better let GMC know as they do it all the time and you post the stories here on the discounts.

        If I could wait till Feb they generally double the GM card money or more too.

        GM is a creature of habit and these trends are consistent. I have used them on several vehicles.

        Reply
      2. While people don’t care about RWD vs FWD, they do care about how a vehicle looks. RWD looks different than FWD. Cross shopping is nice, but most people are obviously choosing the Grand Cherokee.

        Reply
  4. Hope it’s rwd based this time around, besides if Buick is getting a model between Envision and Enclave wouldn’t GMC get a similar model?.

    Reply
    1. Chevy = Blazer

      GMC = Jimmy

      Back to the future except in FWD platforms

      Reply
    2. I would love for the Acadia to go RWD.

      The current model is basically a modern day Pontiac Trans-Port. It’s just a blocky minivan with very awkward styling.

      Reply
  5. I don’t know why the Grand Cherokee is so popular. The Chrysler employees i talk to say its one of the biggest problem vehicles they sell. I sat in a rental Grand about a year ago and it was very cramped.

    Reply
    1. To me, the GC is an all-around all-star. It does everything relatively well, it looks good, and it’s priced within reach for most. I come into contact with a GC on a weekly basis and I wouldn’t call it cramped.

      Reply
      1. I am 6 foot 5 so im used to not fitting in vehicles, but the GC is so popular i figured it would have more room. As far as an all star, its nice but the electrical systems are junk.

        Reply
    2. The GC is a very good vehicle. Our 2013 model hasn’t had any issues at all. It’s aging design is still better and more appealing than the Acadia minivan.

      I have big concerns over FCA moving the Grand Cherokee to an Italian car chassis. It’s going to take a nose dive in reliability next year when that happens.

      Reply
      1. Why would anyone vote this down? Of course reliability will go way down as the Fiat tentacles get in deeper to Chrysler. Fiat produces junk. Period.

        Reply
    3. “Very cramped”. Yes, it is. Huge console. Yes, I play that broken record often, but it is still the truth. The footwell has some sort of bump in the shape of the floor panel that gets in the way of big feet.

      Reply
    4. So false its not even funny. The biggest problem vehicle for Chrysler is the Renegade. One of my best friends is a Chrysler tech.

      The Renegade’s have a massive problem with their engines (and trans’s, and electrical system). Most need to be replaced around 27k miles because they constantly burn so much oil (due to a block defect) that the vehicle shuts off around turns. The GC and the 300 are the 2 best vehicles Chrysler makes. The only problem with the GC is the occasional radiator leak.

      I actually drove a GC for a day. its a very nice car, and the 3.6 Pentastar feels a bit peppier than the one in our XT5.

      Reply
      1. Yeah, its a rebadged fiat 500. Complete junk.

        Reply
  6. Bring out a larger fwd based Acadia. Then add a 5 passenger rwd based Jimmy to go against the Grand Cherokee. Put it on the vss-r platform. It doesn’t need to have the extreme off-road characteristics of a Wrangler but give it a AT4 variant similar to the Yukon.

    Share this platform with some cadillacs but give it the 5.3 as top engine with the 2.7 turbo from the trucks.

    Reply
  7. Honestly, GMC is missing 2 segments of Crossovers right now above Acadia and below Terrain. Technically the Buick Enclave and Encore & Encore GX fill those slots, but GMC has room to expand offerings if it wants to. I am still a big supporter of bringing the Envoy name back to fill one of those slots in GMC, either as a midsize or larger crossover depending which route the 2024 Acadia goes.

    Reply
    1. Reply
      1. GMC is making a subterranean SUV?

        Now that’s innovation!!!

        Reply
  8. The Acadia needs to grow in design quality. It’s every bit as “low effort” as the Terrain, which is another joke.

    It’s just not appealing. It’s “truck-looking” exterior found in the latest refresh doesn’t go well with it’s very low slung, front drive proportions. The styling is even more awkward than the Honda and Toyota competition, and that’s saying something.

    The interior might be worst in class. GMC would have been better served if the exterior refresh never happened and more effort was spent on the interior. It’s a joke.

    Too many active safety features are locked away in the highest level trim packages when they are standard on Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mazda etc.

    The 3.6L V6 engine is actually a high point for the vehicle, but the Denali trim level should offer a higher output motor.

    Increasing the size alone won’t correct the Acadia’s problems. It simply needs a better, more appealing design. I think they made it worse with the half-baked refresh they threw at it last year.

    Reply
    1. Totally false.

      Reply
  9. I hope they do a long and short wheel base as sales went up on the new modeL. I would not want to lose the new buyers.

    Reply
  10. The root of the problem is the pathetic front and rear seat legroom. I am 6’2” which is not that tall, and to get comfortable I have to move the front seat back as far as it will go, which eliminates knee and leg room in the back making it a tight fit for even a small child in the rear. They need to do away with the 3rd row (except maybe in an XL version) and give the extra space to the front and rear seat so they have decent legroom.

    Reply
    1. Are you kidding me? I’m 6’3” and if I move the drivers seat all the way back in my 2020 Acadia Denali it is a stretch to comfortably reach the pedals. This vehicle has a ton of legroom in the first two rows.

      Reply
  11. The Acadia is a too narrow I think. Add a little length too but not too much.
    But GM PLEASE oh oh PLEASE offer modern up to date Tech and at least three times better interior materials. You cannot try and sell the Denali version for those prices with the lack of Modern Tech and especially that interior.
    I have tried to get four people I know to get the Acadia and all four complained about all those issues. And I agree with them. I was trying to get them in the GM Family but none went for it.

    Reply
  12. My dad bought a brand new Acadia in 2008. In the 2 years he had it (he bought a 2011 Yukon XL), he put 140k miles on it. I remember the car being very big inside for how small it was outside. the 3rd row had a massive amount of room with some left over behind the 3rd row.

    Car didn’t end up needing that much mechanically either. New trans, 2 new Power steering pumps, and a new front bearing.

    Reply
    1. I consider that too many repairs.

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    2. They need to bring back the size in Acadia, I have a 2010 and was looking to buy a new one, went to dealership and left after I saw how tiny it is. Can’t imagine they would have a third seat with no way to get into it ! Cargo space was like my compact car the Astre of 1977. Started looking for an older model or another car altogether as the current Acadia is not going to be purchased by me . When I saw the tiny Acadia on road I assumed it was a cheaper model, not the new ones. No thanks. The original size was perfect. Meanwhile I ll stick with the one I have and save time looking .

      Reply
  13. Small, lackluster 4 cylinder engine and high price. Not a good combination for the Acadia.
    And try finding a dealer in the San Francisco Bay Area!… miles apart/away. Toyota and Honda dealers are plentiful – with selection – and don’t even really have to discount; the Highlanders and Pilots fly off the lots with barely a discount.

    Reply
    1. All those folks in the bay area predominately buy foreign. My guess is that the only US car manufacturer that is increasing sales in that area is Tesla.

      Reply
    2. California is in the US?.

      Reply
  14. The Acadia should never have been downsized as the Terrain has this sales area covered. The Acadia needs to be bigger and have more powerful engines available as it’s sister the Chevy Traverse. Basically the Terrain and Acadia are to close in size right now. Hopefully this will change sometime in the near future.

    Reply
  15. The Terrain has been compact since 2018 (like the Equinox), but I agree that it was an odd move by GM to downsize the Acadia.

    Reply
  16. I have had 3 Acadia’s- 2010SLT & 2014Denali 2020Denali, the 2020 size wise is no comparison and I will not buy another one. Why on earth would GM make it smaller…they had smaller vehicles??? I have owned 2 Yukon’s and a Tahoe and wanted smaller. I wanted the size of the Acadia. Its the biggest mistake I have seen GMC make. People aren’t getting smaller these days. I weigh 115 lbs and it fits me butt not my husbands…REALLY! I like many of the new amenities but this vehicle is not going to cut if for us previous Acadia owners. How could GM want the Traverse to be their flagship model? Its even bigger and nothing at all like an older Acadia in classiness. It’s even gotten bigger too. I don’t want bigger and I don’t want smaller. Make a new vehicle if they wanted something smaller. The Acadia was the perfect size in 2014. I will never understand this move. Sure people love it, that had something smaller but not those of us that had the PERFECT SIZE already. GM will lose me as a customer of 36 years.

    Reply
  17. I hope they do make it ‘bigger’ like the 1st gen era again.. We love our 2016 Acadia SLT.. Actually looked at upgrading to the latest and greatest for the creature comforts of all that’s new and shiny. Went on a test drive and we kept saying “this feels smaller”, dealer shrugged it off, said maybe the ‘fancier’ interior is thicker, less warn.. Things like that. Left (un-satisfied with the smaller feeling vehicle left at the dealer, went home and googled it only to find that GMC “responding to overwhelming demand and requests to make the Acadia smaller answer the consumers request”. ROFL.. I don’t know ANY Acadia owner who wanted it to be smaller. There were other models (the Chevy and Buick equivalents come to mind) that were ‘smaller’.. And I believe, they even made the Chevy one ‘larger’ this year while shrinking the Acadia.. ROFL. Until it gets back to it’s normal size, we’re not buying one..

    Reply
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  19. I’m on my 2nd second-generation Acadia. I had a 2017 and now have a 2020. Both Denalis. For me the size is perfect. I just made a 1,300 mile road trip with an overall 26.5 mpg average and the vehicle was fully package with vacation gear. I drove an 11 hour day in full comfort. 2nd row searing is excellent with lots of legroom. Third row space is better that many. No real complaints with this vehicle other than some minor fit & finish issues. To me it’s a rather handsome looking SUV with its Steel paint. My lease ends in 2023 and I would be game for another.

    Reply
  20. I’m on my third Acadia. Went to replace it and it is too small to haul our golf clubs, trips, ice chests, etc. WHY did GM ruin the Acadia by making it smaller? So now I’m looking at a Tahoe. Didn’t want that huge vehicle, but what else can I do? Now I see GM is coming out with a 2024 ‘larger’ Acadia. I’d like to see the size specs. Maybe I’ll wait on the Tahoe. And btw, what’s with the humongeously UGLY grills GM puts on these? Is that a guy thing? Bad enuf on the Silverado, but on the SUV/Xovers, makes them look like they will flip over on their fat face. Tone it down people.

    Reply

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