The GMC Acadia is a crossover SUV marketed by the GMC brand of General Motors, and sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East. The Acadia currently spans three generations.
Quick Facts
| First-Gen | Second-Gen | Third-Gen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Years | 2007-2017 | 2017-2023 | 2024 – present |
| Engines | 3.6L V6 LLT, 3.6L V6 LY7 | 2.5L I4 LCV, 3.6L V6 LGX, Turbo 2.0L LSY | Turbo 2.5L LK0 |
| Transmissions | 6-speed auto | 6-speed auto, 9-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
| Production | GM Lansing Township plant, Michigan, USA | GM Spring Hill plant, Tennessee, USA | GM Lansing Township plant, Michigan, USA |
| Body style | Full-size crossover SUV | Mid-size crossover SUV | Full-size crossover SUV |
| Availability | U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Middle East |
First Generation
The Acadia went on sale for the North America market in 2006 as a 2007 model. The Acadia replaced the GMC Safari body-on-frame minivan, the GMC Envoy body-on-frame midsize SUV, and Pontiac Montana SV6 minivan. It is offered with front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive.
| Assembly Location | GM Lansing Delta Township Plant, Michigan, USA |
| Model Years | 2007 – 2017 |
| Body Style | Full-Size Crossover SUV |
| Availability | U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Middle East |
| Layout | Front-Engined, Transverse |
| Engine(s) | 3.6L V6 LFX |
| Transmission(s) | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Platform | Lambda |
| Refresh(es) | 2013 model year |
The first-generation GMC Acadia was available from the 2007 through the 2016 model years (technically through 2017 as the 2017 Acadia Limited). It was a full-size crossover built on the GM Lambda platform which also underpinned the discontinued Saturn Outlook, along with the first-generation, full-size Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse.
The 2007 GMC Acadia was powered by GM’s naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 LY7 gasoline engine producing 275 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to GM’s six-speed 6T75 automatic transmission (M7V for front-wheel-drive and M7X for all-wheel-drive).
Starting with the 2009 model year, the Acadia is powered by GM’s naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 LLT engine producing 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to the same GM’s six-speed 6T75 automatic transmission.
For the 2011 model year, the range-topping Denali luxury trim debuted.
For the 2013 model year, the Acadia received a refresh with a completely redesigned grille and new front fascia and rear, along with major improvements to the interior.
The 2016 Acadia was the last model year of the first generation, but the 2017 Acadia Limited was a continuation of the first-generation model.
Second Generation
For the 2017 model year, GMC completely overhauled (redesigned and re-engineered) the Acadia, delivering the second generation of the Acadia nameplate after selling the first-generation model for 10 years. This generation downsizes from a full-size to a midsize crossover (which GMC says was a good move), underpinned by the regular wheelbase version, narrow track variant of the GM C1 platform (or “Chi”), the crossover variant of GM’s midsize E2XX architecture. The platform is shared with the second-generation, still full-size, Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse. The first-gen, full-size Acadia model was offered as the “Acadia Limited” alongside the second-gen midsize Acadia during the initial year.
| Assembly Location | GM Spring Hill Plant, Tennessee, USA |
| Model Years | 2017 – 2023 |
| Body Style | Mid-Size Crossover SUV |
| Availability | U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Middle East |
| Layout | Front-Engined, Transverse |
| Engine(s) | 2.5L I4 LCV, 3.6L V6 LGX, Turbo 2.0L I4 LSY |
| Transmission(s) | 6-Speed Automatic, 9-Speed Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Platform | C1 |
| Refresh(es) | 2020 model year |
The second-gen Acadia is designed to offer great versatility, and refinement, as well as more advanced safety technologies. It also introduces a new Acadia All Terrain off-road package for the midsize crossover.
The 2017 Acadia is powered by GM’s naturally aspirated 2.5L I4 LCV gasoline engine producing 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, as the standard offering, and an optional naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 LGX gasoline engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to GM’s six-speed 6T70 automatic transmission (M7W for front-wheel-drive and M7U for all-wheel-drive).
For the 2020 model year – the fourth of the second generation – GMC unveiled the refreshed Acadia with updated looks, the latest technologies, a new off-road AT4 trim, and a new available turbocharged 2.0L I4 LSY gasoline engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The LSY joins the LCV and LGX engines, which are all mated to GM’s nine-speed 9TXX automatic transmission. The full Acadia model lineup includes the SLE as the base, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
The LGX is the standard engine for the Acadia AT4 and is paired with a standard twin-clutch AWD system. Unique 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires are also standard, while 20-inch wheels are optional. The off-road-inspired variant of the crossover also features more aggressive exterior styling and darkened finishes.
For the 2022 model year, GMC drops the LCV engine in the Acadia, leaving the turbo LSY and naturally aspirated LGX as the remaining powertrain choices.
For 2024, the Acadia could grow in size to match its full-size siblings, the Enclave and Traverse, and spy photos have confirmed that.
Third Generation
The third-generation GMC Acadia was introduced for the 2024 model year, returning to full-size dimensions of the first-generation model – as exclusively reported by GM Authority back in August 2020. In its move to a larger size, the third-gen Acadia also gets an overhauled exterior along with an all-new interior, which now features increased passenger space with more third-row cargo space and increased front row leg room.
| Assembly Location | GM Lansing Township Plant, Michigan, USA |
| Model Years | 2024 – present |
| Body Style | Full-Size Crossover SUV |
| Availability | U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Middle East |
| Layout | Front-Engined, Transverse |
| Engine(s) | Turbo 2.5L I4 LK0 |
| Transmission(s) | 9-Speed Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Platform | C1-2 |
| Refresh(es) | 2027 (expected) |
Additionally, the 2024 Acadia delivers cutting-edge technology upgrades, including a portrait-oriented 15-inch diagonal infotainment screen with Google built-in plus available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance.
The third-gen Acadia also introduces GMC’s Y-trim level strategy to the nameplate, with Elevation serving as the base trim, followed by AT4 as the rugged model and Denali and the more luxurious one.
All 2024 GMC Acadia trims are powered by a new turbocharged 2.5L I-4 LK0 engine – about which GM Authority was also first to report way before GM announced it. Essentially a smaller version of the turbo 2.7L I-4 L3B, the LK0 is rated at 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, delivering more power and more trailering capability than the previous generation. The new engine is paired with GM’s eight-speed automatic on all trims, which is GM’s nine-speed gearbox with a forward gear removed. Front-wheel-drive is standard, while all-wheel-drive is available. The Acadia AT4 gets an an exclusive off-road-capable Active Torque Control AWD system, along with lifted ride height and off-road suspension.
For the third generation, GM’s C1 platform was upgraded to include the GM Global B electronic platform, making the 2024 Acadia capable of over-the-air (OTA) updates and running the latest technologies.
Sales
See GMC Acadia sales numbers for global markets.
Discussion
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Acadia News
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