mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Smaller GMC Acadia Hit Its Objective

General Motors downsized the GMC Acadia for the crossover’s second generation, with the second-gen model slotting in a full segment size smaller than its predecessor. Now, according to Global Vice President of Buick, GMC, and GMC Hummer EV at General Motors, Duncan Aldred, the GMC Acadia “hit its objective” from a business perspective.

During a recent interview with GM Executive Editor Alex Luft, Aldred was asked whether the current, smaller GMC Acadia has performed better from a business perspective than the previous generation, the latter of which was notably larger.

“It’s hit its objective,” Aldred said. “I wouldn’t say if it was more or less successful, actually [when compared to the larger, first-gen Acadia].”

“What I did like about the [current, smaller Acadia] though is that it did give differentiation within the General Motors stable, and I always think that’s a good thing,” Aldred added. “The more differentiation we have, I tend to like that.”

During the interview, Luft suggested that the current GMC Acadia was a better fit for the Buick-GMC portfolio, which is something to consider given most GMC dealers are also Buick dealers.

“That’s exactly right. When you look at Buick-GMC, you know, Buick is the bigger one, GMC is the slightly smaller, much more in line with the Toyota [Highlander], for example,” Aldred responded. “We’ve been very happy with it as it’s gone through its lifecycle.”

Aldred’s comments follow comments made by national marketing manager at GMC Canada, Mark Alger, in 2019, when GM Authority asked Alger if downsizing the GMC Acadia had negatively impacted sales. At the time, Alger responded that Acadia sales “have remained steady even with its new size.”

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.

With regard to exterior dimensions, the second-generation GMC Acadia measures in with an overall length of 193.6 inches and an overall width of 75.4 inches, as compared to an overall length of 200.8 inches and an overall with of 78.9 inches for the first-gen model.

Looking ahead, the upcoming third-generation GMC Acadia will debut with larger dimensions than the current second-gen model, once again returning the nameplate to the full-size segment.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Acadia news, GMC news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

[nggallery id=973]

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. I understand not competing with the enclave, but how about a hard working people mover? Could we have a GMC that’s a Chevy traverse with an extra foot in the rear and 6500 lbs towing and possibly an X31 package? Call it the Teton or something. Yukons/suburbans have gotten redicoulous

    Reply
    1. Agreed. All of this. I’ve been saying the same thing for years.

      My family gets by hauling our ~4,300 lb (loaded) travel trailer with a slightly tweaked 2014 Acadia (HD Bilstein B6 suspension, extra Derale ATF cooler beyond the V92 package), but after everything is loaded up, we’re really close to the GCVW limit — which I adhere to for braking. However, having some extra “oomph” would really be nice. Really don’t want or need
      the size and expense of a Yukon/Suburban.

      I keep clamoring for GM to resize the Acadia (which it sounds like it’s doing), make it longitudinal and RWD, use the full-spec turbo 2.7L L3B with the updated 8-speed, and put a 6,500-7,000 lb tow rating on the 2024’s. It would be same powertrain/drivetrain combo as the new Colorado/Canyon. Absolutely no reason they shouldn’t be able to make the suspension and cooling strong enough to tow that much when Jeep can slap 6,200 lbs on the POS Pentastar or Audi putting 7,700 lbs on the Q7.

      I really hope GM gets this redesign right.

      Reply
  2. So GM says it fits better with the Buick/GMC dealerships, and more differentiation in the line is always a good thing.

    But let’s go ahead and make the 3rd gen larger again…makes no sense.

    Reply
  3. …. um, make up your mind much?

    Reply
  4. We bought the Acadia twice because it was smaller.

    We have no use of the third row and bulk of a Traverse.

    Now if it grows to Traverse size we will look elsewhere for the next model. If it is XL6 size we might stay.

    GM needs to take advantage of the multi brands and use them to fill gaps others can’t fill. The Smaller Acadia did just that. If we needed bigger we would just have bought the Enclave.

    Reply
    1. You can have that in a Buick Envision

      Reply
      1. Envision is smaller than the Acadia. It is closer in size to the Terrain. Seems like GMC should have a version of the Blazer and the Traverse, that would satisfy the 1st and 2nd gen buyers. Could even call them Acadia and Acadia XL, similar to the Yukon and Grand Cherokee. That would help keep buyers coming back instead of saying, they made it bigger or smaller.

        Reply
  5. Let’s see. Looking ahead, the upcoming third-generation GMC Acadia will debut with larger dimensions than the current second-gen model, once again returning the nameplate to the full-size segment. Maybe GM screwed up as usual in discontinuing the larger Acadia.

    Personally I’ve had two of the full size Acadia’s; a 2011 then a 2016 I bought so I didn’t have to have the new smaller 2017 Acadia. I’m close to replacement of the 2016 and it will be a Chevrolet Traverse. Two reasons. I can’t wait for the 2024 model to debut and my Buick GMC store changed hands and the new owner and management teams sucks. The previous dealer still owns a Chevrolet franchise and since I’d had several Chevrolet’s from them prior to my 3 GMC’s, I know they’ll take great care of me. They’ve been servicing my GMC’s since the ownership change at Buick GMC location anyways.

    Reply
  6. I have a 2009 Acadia SLT and a 2019 Acadia Denali. From a business perspective GM may have obtained their goal with the 2nd gen Acadia, but I personally prefer the size of the 2009 as opposed to the2019.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel