After receiving a throughout refresh for the 2020 model year, the 2021 GMC Acadia marks the fifth model year of the second-generation crossover, for which it receives a few minor changes and updates. Here’s exactly what’s new and different for the 2021 Acadia.
Model Line
The model line of the Acadia remains unchanged for the 2021 model year. Available models are:
- FWD SL (TNH26)
- FWD SLE (TNB26)
- AWD SLE (TNJ26)
- FWD SLT (TND26)
- AWD SLT (TNL26)
- AWD AT4 (TNC26)
- FWD Denali (TNF26)
- AWD Denali (TNN26)
Note: for the non-gear heads out there, FWD stands for front-wheel-drive and AWD stands for all-wheel-drive.
Exterior
On the outside, the 2021 GMC Acadia sees the deletion of five exterior color options as well as the addition of three new ones.
Deleted exterior color options:
- Quicksilver Metallic
- Carbon Black Metallic
- Dark Sky Metallic
- Red Quartz Tintcoat
- Smokey Quartz Metallic
New exterior color options:
- Midnight Blue Metallic
- Cayenne Red Tintcoat
- Hunter Metallic
- Denali only
The crossover also sees the addition of black front and rear GMC emblems, which are only available on the Elevation Edition (a package available on SLE and SLT). Meanwhile, LPO-level wheel options have been revised for SLE, SLT and Denali models to now include the following three dealer-installed wheel sets:
- 20-inch bright machined-face wheels with Satin Graphite painted spokes and pockets (RPO Code SHA)
- 20-inch Sterling Silver painted aluminum wheels (SH9)
- 20-inch bright machined-face wheels with High Gloss Black painted spokes and pockets (SNV)
Interior
On the inside, the 2021 GMC Acadia sees the addition of a urethane steering wheel, which is now standard in SL and SLE models. In comparison, a leather-wrapped steering wheel was standard on the SL or SLE for the 2020 model year, but is no longer available with this change. Meanwhile, the standard steering wheel for SLT and AT4 models is leather-wrapped with mounted audio and cruise controls, while the range-topping Acadia Denali model features a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls.
| SL | SLE | SLT | AT4 | Denali | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Steering Wheel | NR3 | NR3 | NP5 | N30 | KI3 |
| Standard Steering Wheel Features | Urethane w/ mounted audio and cruise controls | Urethane w/ mounted audio and cruise controls | Leather w/ mounted audio and cruise controls | Leather w/ mounted audio and cruise controls | Leather w/ mounted audio and cruise controls plus automatic heating |
| Available Steering Wheel | N/A | N/A | KI3 | KI3 | N/A |
| Available Steering Wheel Features | N/A | N/A | Leather w/ mounted audio and cruise controls plus automatic heating | Leather w/ mounted audio and cruise controls plus automatic heating | N/A |
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto have been added as standard features across the range. Additionally, the Head-Up Display (HUD) is now standard on Denali models, remains available for SLT models and is now available for AT4 model. Notably, the HUD feature is only available for 2021 Acadia SLT and AT4 models that are equipped with the Technology Package. For the 2020 model year, this feature was included in the Technology Package on Denali models, and in the Driver Alert II Package for SLT models.
An LPO-level (dealer-installed) garage door opener option has also been added for SLE models, though it cannot be ordered with a power sunroof. In comparison, the universal home remote feature installed at the factory, which includes a 3-channel programmable garage door opener, requires a power sunroof, and continues to be an available option on SLE models, and standard on SLT, AT4, and Denali models.
The crossover also sees the deletion of the Jet Black with Kalahari interior color combination, which was exclusive to AT4 models. This leaves Jet Black as the sole interior color option for 2021 GMC Acadia AT4 models.
The following LPO-level interior items have also been deleted:
- Cargo Rail Net Package
- Cargo flex divider
- Rear seat infotainment system without DVD player
Seating configuration availability also sees a few changes. For starters, the 5-passenger seating configuration is no longer available with the following LPO-level packages:
Adventure Package
- Font and second row all-weather floor liner
- Third row all-weather floor liner
- Integrated cargo liner
- Roof rack cross rails
Interior Protection Package
- First and second row all-weather floor mats
- Third row all-weather floor mats
- All-weather cargo mat
Floor Liner Package
- Front and second row all-weather floor liner
- Third row all-weather floor liner
- Integrated cargo liner
Notably, none of the above packages are available on the SL model. Additionally, certain requirements and restrictions apply to the availability of each package for each trim level.
Packages
The 2021 GMC Acadia sees the addition of the Elevation Edition package for SLE and SLT models, which includes:
- Black grille and exterior accents
- 20-inch aluminum wheels with Black accents, Black center caps (PTZ)
- 20-inch all-season blackwall tires (QNU)
- Gloss Black roof rails
Certain requirements and restrictions apply to the Elevation Edition for either trim level:
For SLE models
- Requires Jet Black interior with premium cloth seats
- Not available with the following LPO-level items:
- Bright Accent Package
- Black Accent Package
- Any LPO wheel sets
For SLT models
- Requires Jet Black interior with perforated leather seats
- Not available with the following LPO-level items:
- Bright Accent Package
- Black Accent Package
- Any LPO wheel sets
Prior to the 2020 model year refresh, the Acadia offered the Black Edition as a precursor to the Elevation Package.
Meanwhile, the 2021 Acadia also sees the deletion of the Driver Alert Package I. However, the package’s content becomes standard on all models and includes:
The Rear Park Assist feature is upgraded to Front and Rear Park Assist for SLT, AT4, and Denali models, and the upgrade is also available for SLE models.
The 2021 GMC Acadia also sees the deletion of the Driver Alert Package II, which was only offered on SLT, AT4, and Denali models, and included:
- Head-Up Display
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Front Pedestrian Braking
- IntelliBeam headlamps
- Front and Rear Park Assist
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Following Distance Indicator
- Forward Collision Alert and (HS1) Safety Alert Seat
- For Denali models:
- Also included Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Automatic Emergency Braking is replaced with Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking when Technology Package or Denali Ultimate Package are ordered
Some of the content from this package flows into newly-available packages or becomes part of the GMC Pro Safety Plus package.
2021 GMC Acadia Availability
The 2021 GMC Acadia followed the regular GM model year rollover sequence, and launched in the third quarter of the 2020 calendar year. The crossover continues to be assembled at the GM Spring Hill plant in Tennessee, USA.
Looking ahead, we expect the second-generation Acadia to live on thru at least the 2023 model year. After that, an all-new, third-generation model will come to market. As GM Authority was first to report, the third-gen model will be larger than the current one, and production will likely be moved to the GM Lansing Delta Township plant.
Plus, local market leases on all-new, next-gen three-row crossover. Lighting animation makes the distinction. Acadia News
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Comments
Is this model back tomthe same size as the Chevy/Buick cousins Traverse and Enclave?
No, it is still a smaller a smaller vehicle.
I just think the Acadia Denali should be sold
With all the safety and tech as standard in all Denali model trims.
Mike you need to get the right information, before making statement ! The Acadia is related to the Chevy Traverse and Buick ,But with more higher class !
They are related but at some point they made the Acadia smaller than the Chevy and Buick. He’s right.
Why more of the same?
We and many others would never buy the long wheelbase. The sales of this model did not suffer in the reduction.
Will they be charging extra for paint?