2018 GMC Acadia

Pros: New generation Acadia has improved maneuverability and fuel economy; good selection of available technology and safety features, availability of well-trimmed Denali model

Cons: New generation Acadia also has reduced cargo room; 3^rd-row seats are cramped; some safety features restricted to higher-line trim levels

CG Says: After its redesign and downsizing last year, the 2018 GMC Acadia has few changes. Acadias with the All Terrain package are now available with a 3^rd-row seat. A tire-fill alert that provides an audible signal when inflating a tire is a new feature. Acadia is a crossover midsize SUV that offers 5-, 6-, and 7-passenger seating configurations. A 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four cylinder with fuel-saving automatic start/stop technology is the base engine. Also available is a 310-hp 3.6-liter V-6 with cylinder deactivation. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available. An All Terrain package includes a more sophisticated all-wheel drive system than other AWD Acadias. Available safety features include a surround-view camera, a “Rear Seat Reminder” that sounds an alert to check the backseat for passengers before leaving the vehicle, and a forward collision mitigation system with low-speed automatic braking and pedestrian detection. Other available features include OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, heated/ventilated front seats, and power tilt/telescopic steering. Compared to the first generation Acadia, the current version gives up some passenger room and cargo space, but gains maneuverability, fuel economy, and a host of up-to-date technology features. Acadia’s tidier size puts it direct competition with the leaders of the midsize crossover segment, where it stacks up very well.