General Motors revealed the 2024 GMC Acadia last week at the 2023 North American International Auto Show, pulling the sheets on an all-new third generation complete with new styling, an overhauled cabin, and new tech features. Critically, the third-gen Acadia is also considerably larger than the preceding second-gen crossover. Now, GM Authority has uncovered the reasoning behind the decision to grow the 2024 GMC Acadia.
In a recent interview with GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, GMC Acadia marketing manager Katherine Weber was asked why the new Acadia grew in size.
“We do a lot of research throughout the years to see what our customers want,” Weber told GM Authority. “We do this throughout a model’s lifecycle, not just during the launch process. We also look at segment trends. And what we see is demand for more room, and demand in the industry overall, and not just in the segment.”
“So we saw a need for more space in customer feedback, hence the larger size,” Weber added.
The bottom line seems to be that customers want something bigger when it comes to utility vehicles. As such, the 2024 GMC Acadia is longer, wider, and taller than the model which it replaces, with a wheelbase that’s 8.4 inches longer, an overall length that’s 10.6 inches longer, and an overall height that’s 3.2 inches taller. This increase to the exterior dimensions provides a good deal more space inside the cabin, including an 80-percent increase in cargo room behind the third row. Passenger capacity remains at seven to eight, depending on the configuration selected.
It’s also worth noting that the first-generation GMC Acadia was roughly the same size as the new third-generation, placing it towards the larger end of the segment. By comparison, the outgoing second-generation Acadia shrunk to more of a midsize model, albeit with three rows.
“It’s hit its objective,” said Global Vice President Duncan Aldred in an exclusive GM Authority interview earlier this year, referencing the smaller second-gen Acadia. “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 [second-gen 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.”
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Comments
More GM management incompetence. They HAD a “bigger vehicle” and stopped producing it then magically discovered ” Oh gosh, guess what ? Customers want a bigger vehicle” ! Duh !
It’s simple, Chevy sells the Blazer (SWB) and Traverse (LWB). GMC is moving the Acadia back to LWB so (I’m sure) they can introduce yet another short wheel base CUV (aka GMC Blazer) to sell to the sheep.
get bigger, go 4 cylinder turbo, BOO, am glad you can at least still get the v6. I do not look to tow, to have a third row, keep it down flat at all times, do not go off road, just want utility when I need it in a vehicle that rides like a nice car on the highway.
You know, not everyone has a bunch of kids and wants a 3-row minivan sized CUV… At the same time, many want something bigger than a Terrain. I get why GM moved Acadia to the SWB platform, to be more aligned in size with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. I just don’t get why they never introduced a long wheel based additional design like Chevy did with Blzer and Traverse.
“I wouldn’t say if it was more or less successful, actually [when compared to the larger, first-gen Acadia].”
It’s political speak and or spin in business for “we made a mistake”.
Does anyone believe they listen to the customers? Big line of Bull squirt. Everything wouldn’t be turbo 4 cylinder if that was true. Give us a diesel with 50% better mileage than a gas engine and stop ripping us off.
You are right I don’t think GM listens to their customers and what they want. They look at everybody else around them and tend to follow suit. The first Acadia was a nice truck I had two and 11 and 14 both Denalis. then we purchased the 17 model too small and with a laundry list of issues that lived in the shop for a year. They finally bought it back.. the first model was great for size. I hope this new model coming out will have a six cylinder engine versus the four-cylinder turbo not that I’m in the market for one. Also, third seat should be optional some customers don’t use the third seat.
What would be even better — a 6 cylinder like the 4.3 using the cylinder shut down technology or even a V-8!! The horror the horror.
Why would you want a 4.3 when the 2.5 will run circles around it? People need to stop with this dated engine size thinking, those days are long gone. A turbo four is a much better choice than a NA 6. They build these things stout, the 2.7 that the 2.5 is based on has been one of the hardest to kill and more durable in torture testing, it is built like a diesel…
I hope they offer the 2.7 in this rig, that would be a game changer
This new Acadia only has a 4-cylinder available. No V6 sadly.
A 4 cylinder with more power and the same max tow as the Traverse had with the V6 (and 1000 pounds more than the 2nd gen Acadia had with the V6). The new 2.5T sees an increase of like 20HP and 50 lbft of torque! Why would you want the V6??
The problem is auto manufacturers sell HP and torque. No longer the biggest engine in it’s class. 4 cylinder turbos are impressive but will they last as long as a v6.
The do listen to their customers, sometimes to their detriment i.e. Chevy Malibu Maxx. That’s what you call design by committee.
They do listen but do not always act out of fear of making a wrong decision, but end up making the wrong decision. It’s called leading from behind. Or better yet management by committee. At some point you use your expertise and instincts to make a decision based on the inputs. Sometimes you disagree with the input.
Rather than consensus, see the market and do what is right. Leadership is tough but spoils go to the bold.
Dave, when they ask customers what they want, the house wife with the 3 kids isn’t saying what engine size or fuel type she wants. All she says is more power, especially down low and better mpg. Only a small demographic actually cares on what type and size engine is in there. This new 2.5 will easily out do the old NA 3.6 across the board. Diesel is dying too. You are seeing an uptick in HD owners switching to gas as the diesel MPG increase is far much less and the cost between the two is far greater. Unless you are regularly towing heavy, a gasser is a much better choice for many with much less warranty issues and maintenance costs to boot.
Now my Buick-GMC dealer will have nothing to sell in the size and luxury level of the 2019 GMC Acadia Denali. I own a 2019 GMC Acadia Denali and it is just right for me. Now I have to look for a non-GM vehicle when I want to replace it. GM should make the 2019 GMC Acadia Denali with a different model name and eliminate the third row.
I think all SUV’s, CUV’s with a third row seat, should have the option of not having it all. I bet they would see even more of a sales increase to these vehicles, if they did such a thing, no matter what the package was.
What’s the problem with a third row? Just leave it down and it’s great if you want more passengers. I have a Tahoe and all the seats are down most of the time. Really nice to put them up and able to have up to seven in the vehicle, can take one vehicle not two.
Did that with my old Enclave, it was down when we brought our kids home from the hospital and it finally came back up just before we traded it in.
The kids were shocked because of in their five years of life they never knew it was there.
I agree. In the all the years I have owned Traverses, from the very first one in the very first year, I have needed that third row only once. But I will say this, when loading bags from the grocery store, pushing them up against the back of those third row seats, and knowing they aren’t going anywhere, is nice.
It’s more GM option for midsize suv : envision and blazer.
Envision is more of a wide compact.
Envision is Equinox with a buick flair
if you need 3 rows, check out Cadillac XT6 – Acadia’s cousin. if you dont need 3 rows, check out Blazer, also cousin to Acadia
when GM did away with the R & D program they lost all their credibility with the consumer , they now use the customer as a ginny pig !
“ginny” doesn’t exactly give you credibility here…
As the owner of a early 2017 Acadia with the larger body style, I was terribly disappointed when the model was downsized. “Finally” the engineers realized that the smaller Acadia was simply completing with the GMC Terrain within its own line of cars and have gone back to the bigger body style. I had a 2015 Traverse and preferred the Acadia over it. When I went shopping this year the 2023 Acadia was too small, the 2023 Traverse too big but the 2023 Buick Enclave was jussssssst right and I drove it home instead. If the larger 2024 Acadia had been available I would have jumped on it.
A Traverse was too big and an Enclave was just right? How is that possible? They’re the same size!
If I’m not mistaken, those two vehicles are on the same platform
Midnight Rider, that’s the first thing I thought when I read Jeff’s comment.
They are both built on the same C1xx platform (Travese – C1YC, and Enclave C1YB).
But there are other versions of the platform:
Cadillac XT5 (C1UL)
Cadillac XT6 (C1TL)
Chevrolet Blazer (C1UC)
GMC Acadia (C1UG)
Plus two for China:
Buick “baby” Enclave (C1UB)
Chevrolet Blazer XL (C1UC-S)
It’s not engineers that decide model size. It’s focus group idiots run by the girlies. Sorry Mary. You don’t know what you’re doing.
Market share in the toilet.
No cars left.
Dumb and dumber.
As others have pointed out, you are mistaken in your understanding of the size differences. Traverse and Enclave have always been the same size. Acadia was, then wasn’t, now is again the same size.
But the bigger issue here is that this very comment thread disproves this notion that GM was crazy to change the size. There are plenty of people here and elsewhere who are expressing their disappointment with this change. There is a market for that size (just as there has been for the Highlander and others of comparable size). GM didn’t sell as many Acadias to that market as they had hoped. That it was the wrong size is only one possible explanation. Styling, feature selection, price point, and most particularly customer awareness of the above are all at play as well. GM is not great at advertising what they have or why people should buy one. (Better with the Sierra line than others. Worst of all with Buicks.) It wasn’t the right size for you but it was for MANY people, and some of them are right here on this page reporting that.
Just compared pictures of the 2024 Acadia with pictures of my 2023 Buick Enclave. I can see where the Acadia designers got their inspiration!
The truth here is much like offering the crew only mid size truck. It is cheaper to use one platform.
This guy just spewed a bunch of BS. The seconfd gen Acadia sold as well or better most years then the first gen.
We moved to it because it was the right size. We have no use for the Traverse size or a third row. Te rain is too small.
As of now GM really offered nothing that we like but the Blazer but we are a GMC family.
Not sure what we will buy as a larger Acadia is not what we want or need.
The truth is the Traverse sells more so that is the platform that did not get cut.
Here is the trouble with GM. They let divisions compete vs letting them compliment each other. So now we are stuck with the same version of the same model over 4 divisions. Chevy always gets what it wants.
Imagine had GM let the Corvette and Fiero compliment each other it would have been a one two punch to the others. It became a major problem internally at GM.
After many years of owning well made Cadillac(s), I was forced by poor quality American made vehicles, to convert to Mercedes in the mid-80’s. After much study, & positive feedback from family, I purchased a new Acadia Denali in April. This vehicle, hands down, is the worse example of current automotive engineering I’ve ever experienced. From the absolutely useless “skyview” moonroof, the incredibly awkward transmission buttons, the lag in the autostop, to the even more useless third row seat, I tried to order a new Cadillac XT5 in July… An exercise in futility, to be sure… I can get any color I want, as long as I want white, black, or silver… the dealer just informed me that he’s been allotted 11 new XT5 slots, but still can’t guarantee the emerald green that I ordered… looks like I’m going back to Mercedes.
The pic actually looks really good !
The profile, great. The Denali grill has always been over-the-top for me but that’s just me.
Yes, it looks good but how does it perform with a four-cylinder turbo if it’s going to be the same size as the first generation and weighs pretty much the same it will need a V6 engine . anytime you force an engine to perform with a turbo you don’t get the longevity out of it
Having driven Peterbilts and Kenworths for close to 50 years, I’ve never understood a size issue when buying a personal vehicle. Our last 5 vehicles have been Suburbans, my wife and I really like the comfort especially on long trips. But now that we’re getting older (a lot older) we’ve decided we need to downsize somewhat. The only acceptable option for us was the Traverse but now we’re going to take a really good look at this new Acadia.
There was probably way too much overlap at the Buick-GMC dealerships with the Lambda based Acadia and Enclave and their high margin Yukons. Full disclosure – I love my Yuke but the new car price rate was too high so I bought mine used a few years after the K2xx SUV’s were released and would have probably opted for the Acadia though it was the Outlook from Saturn that could have had the most potential for the Lambda SUV and leave the body on frame trucks/Utes to GMC.
There has been too much General Motors overlapping models and brands for years. It’s nothing new, but when do you think they will wake up?
I leased a 2017 Acadia Denali and a 2020 Acadia Denali. I thought the size of those vehicles was perfect.
I’m going to hold off my opinion, until I can actually drive one. Of course, there will not be any available to test drive, for a VERY long time (with the state of things as they are currently). I have never bought a 4 cylinder vehicle! I don’t believe the “turbo” will win me over. But, I’m going to keep an open mind. It should have at least the option of a V6! Downsizing from a Yukon XL Denali to an Acadia Denali will not be as painful, with the new larger size of the 2024 Acadia. I agree with many of the other comments about offering the 3rd row as an “option”. I’ve been driving SUVs for 45 years, and have only used the 3rd row once! I wonder if the “refreshed” version of the Acadia will actually happen for 2024. Not to mention they are moving the manufacturing of it from Spring Hill, TN to Detroit, MI. All of the other SUV’s “refreshed” models have now been delayed until 2025 or later.
They made a 5-seater Acadia, called the All Terrain. It Did Not Sell Well. We had one that celebrated a birthday on the lot before I sold it. Now the Blazer fills that slot and GM is doing a better job marketing it than they did the Acadia All Terrain.
I suspect you’ll be able to drive one fairly soon. I’ll be surprised if the demand is anywhere near as high as the Yukons, and you can actually find some Yukons to drive these days (we have two right now).
Streamlining their parts supply chain is key to overcoming the inventory shortage. Part of that is having fewer variations, and what variants there are should use more common parts. Thus the 2.5L based on the 2.7L. The V6 is getting phased out. And it has not been the reliable workhorse people keep talking like it is. Lifters, water pumps, and many other issues have plagued them across the GM lineup. I won’t miss it one bit!
Comment about the 3.6 engine I had three of those in Acadia Denali’s over 100 K they were fine the early ones were the issue and people must change the oil with this motor. I think that’s were led to a lot of issues.
Sorry Jeff. I work at a dealership. I see these with issues (Traverse, Acadia, Enclave, Impala, whatever) on a regular basis. The service departments love that engine because it represents steady cash flow, including current warranty work.
Put yourself in GM’s position: If you’re paying out that much on warranty work, are you going to keep it going because some customers have an unhealthy attachment to the notion of large displacement? Or are you going to explore other avenues?
Yes, I understand. Are used to work at a dealership to the early ones had timing chain issues transmission issues. A lot of it was because of poor maintenance. I know it wasn’t the best engine out there but that’s what we were blessed with. I had good luck with mine, except for the 2017 model which camped out in the shop for one year until GM bought it back.
Very familiar with the transmission issue, my 08 Enclave had its transmission fail because the wave plates were improperly installed (i.e. backwards) which caused the transmission to fail.
My repairs were covered by the warranty and a week after I got my Enclave back I had received the official recall for that problem.
This is an old thread, but wanted to see how you got GMC to buy back your vehicle? I currently have a claim open with them and am considering a law suit if they don’t offer me something reasonable on my 2016 acadia that has had nothing, but major issues since I purchased it. Including a transmission rebuild with unresolved issues continuing to happen.
Good afternoon about your 2016 Acadia I don’t think General Motors is going to buy it back it’s too old mine was less than a year old 2017 model it lived in the shop for a year I had engineering involved could not figure out what the issue was the auto braking would come on by itself my wife almost got rear ended because of it along with a few more issues as far as taking legal action against them. I don’t know if it’s worth it questions you should ask your attorney.
A couple spots further down I mentioned my ’17 Acadia and the 4 transmissions. (Original, rebuilt once, replaced twice) I tried to get GM to buy mine back, but it was during 2020 covid and most of the customer service folks were non-GM “minions”. Despite the issues and a problem so weird my service department didn’t even believe me until they test drove it, GM declined a buyback. The customer service parrot actually told me “You have a powertrain warranty, just keep having the transmission replaced. Seriously?!? GM has nearly $20000 in parts & labor tied up in this thing and you want me to keep taking it back?!?
I traded it in.
Production is coming back to Lansing Delta Township where the Traverse and Enclave are built. It’s the same location where the first generation Acadia was built.
I bought the (then redesigned) ’17 Acadia and really liked it. (for the most part) Admittedly, I’m single and the vehicle usually only carried me, so the back row was folded down almost the entire time I owned it. The size for me was great but It was unfortunately a lemon. FOUR transmissions in 38000 miles, the well documented shifter issue, and forgive me for venting, but GM’s chrome plated plastic looks good when new, but its JUNK. I lived in a state where Mag Chloride is used and after only one winter, all of the chrome/plastic trim was permanently blemished. Oh yes, and the moonroof shade rattled almost continuously. I had a folded business card jammed in it to silence it.
I might consider this Acadia, but I’ve had more than my fair share of 1st year vehicles (and their associated problems) and I’m staying away from that new turbo 2.5
I remember when I bought my truck. There was older couple and the wife had the original Acadia then the refreshed one both Denali trim levels. She was dead set on getting the newest one. The lady was appalled lol. This was GM made the long version and the new shorter version at the same time for a little while. Listening to her complain how the short one wasn’t worthy of the Denali badge. She didn’t want to trade w.e year it was for essentially the same one. But she also hated the short one. She wanted the latest and greatest. The dealer then told them to check out the enclave. She seemed happier but she was pretty set on having another Denali.
Idk if they bought the new one or just kept what they had lol. I just remembered thinking GM did a pour job doing that. They should have done the regular version and then an XL version… I think they are doing the same mistake again or hoping they just go and buy a blazer
I enjoyed our 2017 Acadia Denali. Perfect size in my opinion. My only gripe was the interior was a pathetic excuse and should never have been called/in a Denali. Will say, it looks like they corrected that in the new one.
Lot of good here, but am I the only one that looks at the profile and sees a Honda Pilot past the B pillar? And I wonder why they decided to have the center stack more like an Explorer than the new (and well received) dash in the pickups?
We bought an Acadia Denali in April 2022. We have had it now for almost a year and a half and we love it. Of course, we went for the 3.6 V6. It’s a great size, lots of cargo if the third seat is down. As my other half likes to cart lumber, mulch etc. home, he bought a 5 x 8 aluminum utility trailer to haul materials, keeping the inside of the SUV pristine. (We did get the trailer package. I don’t think the new size would make much of a difference as it isn’t wide enough to carry a 4 foot wide object. The lack of the 6 cylinder engine would make it difficult to carry much weight or haul a loaded trailer. The hamsters would have to make it work too hard!
You obviously have not driven the new turbo engines. I have the 2.0t in my 2019 Terrain and it tows great no issues at all and the engine never feels like its struggling. I towed 2 waverunners from ohio to tennesse and still got about 20 mpg both ways.
People need to forget about the old turbo’s these new ones are not anything like the old ones. If this 2.5 is based on the 2.7 it will be just as good and reliable.
The towing is going to be the same as the current Acadia at 5000lbs.
I have the turbo 3 (1.3L) in my Trailblazer (RS AWD) and it squirts around town like $h!t through a shot gun. I have had for a little while now and it is as solid as it was when new.
And I beat the living hell out of my cars so I know if it is good or not.
I’m not thinking about the Turbo, its the idea that it automatically MUST be good because its based on a larger, proven original. I worked for a small aircraft company where we were the launch customer for a new jet engine which was just a 25% smaller version of a larger, excellent original. (Based on the larger engine) During the design of the smaller version, many issues developed with the smaller components and packaging. The original engine was, and is today, excellent. During the time I was there, I don’t think the smaller version we had was EVER FAA certified. MANY problems. I truly, truly hope I’m wrong, but being based on the larger engine doesn’t necessarily mean this one will be good too.
One more thing, with respect to ‘joe” and “Cap’n Jack’s Revenge” I taught turbochargers in an aviation maintenance trade school. This is a “wear item” with a little wheel inside turning 60 to 80,000 rpm, and in many cases, MUCH more. (Plus, being exhaust driven, it gets EXTREMELY hot) Eventually, it WILL wear out, and replacement will be non-warranty and $$$$$.
8% smaller is not 25% smaller. This is more like the Japanese motorcycles that were modified after the Harley tax was introduced on bikes over 700 CCs. ~750 CC Japanese bikes got cylinder sleeves and slightly smaller pistons to make them ~690 CCs (nominally 700 CCs), and correspondingly slightly smaller counterweights. That’s it. No other changes were made on most of them.
I understand what you’re saying, and I agree. The jet engines I referred to were just an example. 25%, 8%, or even 1%, I absolutely hope you’re right, because I have high hopes for this engine, just as I have high hopes for the new Acadia. I’m just saying that being “Based on a bigger engine” doesn’t give it an automatic pass.
FOR ME, I really like the Yukon Denali Ultimate with the 3.0 Duramax, but if this has similar performance, similar economy (while burning regular gas) and is slightly smaller than the Yukon (Supposedly 6″ shorter, 6″ lower, 1.5″ narrower all while at the Yukon wheelbase, plus a LOT less money) I’ll give it a serious look.
It was a stupid idea to shrink the Acadia in the first place.
Except for all the people who loved it, several of whom took the time to tell you about that right here in the comments on this article. Just because you weren’t the target market doesn’t mean there wasn’t one. Just didn’t prove to be a large enough market to keep it around. Or, as some have argued, it’s just cheaper to build the Traverse, Acadia, and Enclave on the same platform.
It’s because they are switching the Spring Hill plant to a Cadillac EV plant, so they are moving the Acadia back to LDT where it used to be built, along side the Traverse & Enclave. Getting larger is just a by-product of the move.
I wonder if you can flat tow that behind a Motor home? Would it be the same size as the old envoy?
I’ll start looking for a 2023 right now. Don’t want or need a larger vehicle. The second generation is perfect for us. Besides, who wants a dinky undersized turbo engine? We have one in our Sierra and it barely gets out of it’s own way around town and uses more gas than our 5.3 did when cruising at highway speeds.
GM is saying this 2.5 Turbo will have a better power to weight ratio, and better fuel economy than the 3.6 V6 it replaces. (And I had that 3.6 in a 2017 Acadia…GOOD engine) So, I guess, time will tell.
“We do a lot of research throughout the years to see what our customers want,” Weber told GM Authority. “We do this throughout a model’s lifecycle, not just during the launch process. We also look at segment trends. And what we see is demand for more room, and demand in the industry overall, and not just in the segment.”
From the article. “We do research”? Why l-4s and not v6s.