Here’s Why GM Made This Key Change To The 2024 GMC Acadia: Exclusive
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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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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.