The 2021 GMC Acadia performed well in a recent crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with the mid-size crossover receiving the best-possible rating of ‘Good’ in all of the organization’s crashworthiness evaluations.
With a rating of ‘Good’ across the board, the 2021 GMC Acadia received an expected overall safety rating of ‘Good’ from the IIHS, although it did not qualify for the coveted Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards, which are only given to vehicles the organization considers to be the among the safest on sale today.
The 2021 GMC Acadia missed out on the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to its headlights. The Acadia’s standard LED headlights received a rating of ‘Marginal’ due to inadequate visibility on road curves with both the high beam and low beam settings. The available upgraded LED lights, which come on SLE trims with the GMC Pro Safety Plus package and the SLT, AT4 and Denali trims, also received a rating of ‘Marginal’ due to inadequate visibility on road curves.
Without improved headlamps, the GMC Acadia will continue to fall short of the IIHS’ expectations for vehicles worthy of its Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ designations.
While its headlights fell short, the IIHS gave the Acadia’s available Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking and Optional Forward Collision Alert safety systems a best-possible rating of ‘Superior’. The system performed as designed in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, effectively reducing vehicle speed and protecting vehicle occupants from a major front-end collision.
The 2022 GMC Acadia will receive a major safety improvement, as it will come standard with all the equipment that was previously offered in the optional Pro Safety Plus Package. This includes a wide variety of active safety tech, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking and Front and Rear Park Assist, among more.
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Comments
I get so tired of these folks and others complaining about lights.
#1 all lights sold more than meet DOT regulations. #2 they are more than adequate to see more than safely to drive j def most conditions. #3 are there better lights yes but generally they are a much added cost. Most folks want better lights till they have a fender bender that cost them a $1500 headlight assembly.
Look I had a Acadia with HId and now LED and I have no issue seeing where I am going.
You want bad lights drive a 6 volt car and see what bad lights are,
The IIHS pushes auto makers to improve safety. Their small-overlap test was once widely protested by auto makers before they finally learned to adapt. I doubt better lights would substantially add costs since the inexpensive Honda Civic Touring gets the top rating. All GM needs to do is improve the angle and intensity and they will join many other auto makers in getting a Top Safety+ award.
The IISH is just another group looking for funds. If they do not fail most vehicles they get no funding from insurance and government agencies.
For the most it is a con.
They’re more than funded by insurance companies. They were created in 1959 by three insurance associations making up 80% of the insurance market at the time. I was suspicious too when I first heard about them, but then I delved into their work found they were neutral and very professional.
How the hell do you design and equip a vehicle as expensive as the GMC Acadia with headlights that don’t merit the top safety pick + rating. There are vehicles that cost half as much that get the top safety pick + rating. The bean counters are still in control at gm.
Another reason for customers to walk past gm when looking for a new vehicle. gm customer loyalty has slipped below 50% with Toyota and Honda at 80%.
It is not accountants but the corrupt agencies like this trying to get more government grant money.
If they said al, is hood no grant money.
They passed the Traverse but not the Acadia. Both light equally well but not in their opinion.
The government likes to try to say trust science yet they are working hand in hand for grants that often end up wasted tax money. Just how many times was Pluto planet and then not a planet?
I’m not saying they don’t have merit, but I’d be very curious to know how many consumers actually look at these reports before making their purchase. Some people could have aircraft landing lights on the front of their vehicle and still couldn’t see where they were going.
IIHS by publishing test results, has forced vehicle manufacturers to make safer vehicles via crash worthiness, driver and passenger safety,, better headlights, and more standard safety features.
My neighbor travels on business extensively and rents high end cars. He says he has noticed some vehicles have far better/brighter headlights.
Many of these safety changes manufacturers would not have made voluntarily. I hope NHTSA and the IHSS keep manufacturers feet to the fire.