2024 GMC Acadia Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Based on a heavily modified version of the previous-generation Acadia platform, the 2024 model grows significantly. It’s 27 centimeters longer than the 2023 model and stands 8 centimetres taller. Styling further emphasizes the 2024 Acadia’s increased size.

A more upright front end and broad grille are meant to reflect GMC’s full-size SUVs and pickup trucks, and it’s framed by the single-quotation-mark LED headlights that are now a brand-identifying feature for GMC. Big wheel arches add to the puffed-up look of the latest Acadia.

Interestingly, both the wheel arches and door skins have some nice detailing that adds definition to the bulk in the right lighting, but is pretty much invisible in normal sunlight. At the back, the 2024 Acadia sports quad exhaust tips that, according to GMC exterior designer Benjamin Zavala, were inspired by the current C8 Corvette.

For 2024, the Acadia is offered in base Elevation (it replaces both the SLE and SLT trims), off-road AT4, and luxe Denali trim levels. The Acadia Elevation comes standard with 20-inch wheels in Canada, while 22-inch wheels are optional on both Elevation and Denali with exclusive designs offered for the latter. The AT4 gets model-specific 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

Denali and AT4 models also get some unique styling features. From the beginning, GMC Denali models have been defined by glitzy grilles, but this time GMC toned things down a bit in response to customer feedback. The still eye-catching 2024 Acadia Denali grille features intricate detailing inspired by bridge trusswork, a classy touch. AT4 models feature red tow hooks, black wheel-arch trim with marker lights, and blacked-out trim where Denali models have chrome.

Designers also rearranged the interior to accommodate new and bigger screens and create a greater feeling of spaciousness, even moving the front-passenger airbag to get the dashboard lower. This provides a commanding view of the road worthy of the Acadia’s big sibling, the Yukon. Third-row passengers also benefit from a repositioned rear roof pillar that’s further back than before, creating an unobstructed view out. An available panoramic sunroof lets even more light into both the third and second rows.

We drove the AT4 and Denali models and preferred the lower-level AT4 when it comes to interior materials. The Denali features leather seats and a cool stitching pattern GMC calls the “fractal stitch,” but none of the materials felt worthy of the Denali’s billing as a luxe model. The AT4 cabin, in contrast, had a look and feel reminiscent of outdoor gear that seemed totally appropriate for this most rugged of Acadia models.

For 2024, every GMC Acadia is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Shared with the 2024 Chevy Traverse, this engine produces 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It replaces the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four and naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 engines from the 2023 model year — and is more powerful than both.

The lack of a V6 option may seem questionable in a vehicle this big, but the new turbo-four is more than up to the task. It pulls strongly and consistently, hauling the Acadia up to highway speeds with no drama. It also enables a 2,268-kilogram (5,000-pound) towing capacity (with an available towing package) that matches most other midsize crossovers. The one downside is a coarse, unattractive engine note typical of hard-working four-cylinder engines like this. That’s easier to excuse in the lower-level Elevation and AT4 trims, but seemed particularly out of place in the high-end Denali.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board as well. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard equipment. AT4 models also get a more sophisticated twin-clutch system shared with the Chevy Traverse Z71 and tuned for off-road driving.

Other AT4-specific features include a 2.5-centimetre ride height lift, special suspension tuning, skid plates, and a Terrain drive mode that acts like low-speed off-road cruise control. It’ll hold a set speed over uneven surfaces, similar to comparable features available from Ford, Jeep, or Toyota. In a vehicle like this, though, it’s somewhat limited. Even on some small moguls set up by GMC as a demonstration, the Acadia AT4 needed periodic prods of the throttle to maintain enough momentum to avoid getting stuck.

GMC calls the 2024 model the “most capable Acadia AT4 ever,” but that’s a relative term. This is very much a light off-roader with nowhere near the capability of a GMC Canyon AT4 or Sierra 1500 AT4. But it’s just fine for things like the deeply rutted dirt roads we encountered on our drive route. And unlike many other crossovers fitted with all-terrain tires, the Acadia AT4 didn’t suffer from excess tire noise or compromised ride quality on pavement.

Each wheel-and-tire combination for the Acadia comes with different suspension tuning, including a “premium” tune for Acadia Denali models equipped with 22-inch wheels. We sampled that configuration as well, and were indeed impressed by the comfortable, well-cushioned feel of the suspension despite the big wheels. However, both the Acadia Denali and Acadia AT4 wallowed and bounced over road undulations which, combined with slow-and-imprecise steering, made them feel bigger than they were. We almost felt like we were driving GMC Yukons, not Acadias.

As noted above, the Acadia’s low dashboard and generous amount of glass create a feeling of spaciousness, one that’s backed up by the specs. Across all three rows, the Acadia has more headroom than a Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Kia Telluride, or Toyota Grand Highlander, three other midsize SUVs that, like the Acadia, are premium but not full-on luxury vehicles. It also has more first-row legroom than those other three-row SUVs, although the Kia and Toyota offer more second-row and third-row legroom, respectively.

The redesigned Acadia now offers 651 litres of cargo space with all three rows of seats in place, 1,623 litres with the rear seats folded, and 2,761 litres with the second and third rows folded. Those are improvements of 80% behind the third row and 23% behind the first row, compared to the 2023 model, GMC claims. That gives the Acadia more cargo space behind its second and third rows than the Grand Cherokee L, Telluride, and Grand Highlander. It’s also tied with the Toyota for most cargo space behind the first row.

Further improving utility is an underfloor storage bin behind the third row, which GMC managed to package along with a spare tire. The Acadia is also available with what GMC calls a “presence based” power liftgate that automatically opens when you approach the rear of the vehicle with the key fob. This provides hands-free access to the cargo area without the need to kick at a specific area, as with the foot-activated liftgates seen in competitors.

Small-item storage space up front is reasonable, with extra space freed up by the use of a small drive-mode switch on the dashboard fascia instead of the large centre console knobs of many other vehicles. It’s too bad GMC wasn’t as logical with the headlight controls, though. The headlights can only be turned on and off via the touchscreen, but switching to high beams still requires pushing a physical steering-wheel stalk.

For 2024, the Acadia gains a standard 11-inch digital instrument cluster and 15-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a standard 12-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless device charging, a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, and at least one USB port per row of seats are standard. An 8-inch head-up display is also available, along with a 16-speaker Bose system.

Like some other recent GMC models, the Acadia’s infotainment system features Google built-in apps, such as Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant for voice control. These apps are native to the infotainment system, and there are no generic versions of navigation or voice control available. Given the auto industry’s long struggle to create usable in-car apps, it’s understandable that GMC has chosen a third-party alternative, especially if you’re one of the many people that prefers Google Maps to Apple Maps.

The touchscreen is easy to use, in part thanks to the familiarity afforded by the Google apps. Icons at the upper-left corner provide access to important menus like vehicle settings and audio without cluttering the screen, while the bottom is taken up by climate control readouts with physical climate control buttons just below. This makes for a very logical setup, enhanced by high-quality graphics.

The instrument cluster graphics were impressive as well, with crisply rendering typefaces that were exactly what was needed for the text-heavy interface. Multiple configurations are available, including a map view. The only issue is small drive-mode icons that can get lost among the other notifications.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2024 GMC Acadia mediocre marks. It gets an Acceptable rating for its moderate overlap front test and collision prevention system and a Marginal score for its headlights. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test results were not available at the time of publication.

Standard driver assist features include: forward-collision warning, a following-distance indicator, automatic emergency braking (both front and rear), automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring (with steering assist), a surround-view camera, and traffic-sign recognition. Like other General Motors products, the Acadia also features a rear-seat reminder and vibrating safety alert seat. For 2024, an optional rearview camera mirror is also available on higher trims.

While it’s not a standard feature, the 2024 Acadia is the first GMC model to offer the Super Cruise driver-assist system as an option on all trim levels. Super Cruise allows for hands-free driving, but it still requires drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Previously limited to divided highways, this feature now works on some surface roads as well. However, it requires the driver to take over at intersections, so its utility outside of highway driving is limited.

Natural Resources Canada rates the expected fuel economy of the 2024 GMC Acadia at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres combined (12.3 city, 9.9 highway). So, even with its downsized four-cylinder engine, the Acadia isn’t the most fuel-efficient vehicle.

GMC offers a three-year, 60,000-kilometre, bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year, 100,000-kilometre, powertrain warranty on new vehicles.

Pricing for the 2024 GMC Acadia in Canada starts at $55,333 for the Elevation base model (all prices include a mandatory $2,000 destination charge and other fees). The Acadia AT4 starts at $60,833, while the Acadia Denali starts at $67,333. That pricing structure is reasonable given the level of equipment, although it’s worth noting that Acadia AT4 shoppers can get the mechanically identical Chevy Traverse Z71 at an MSRP of $56,833.

When it comes to midsize crossovers, new car shoppers have no shortage of choices. The 2024 GMC Acadia distinguishes itself when it comes to interior space and tech, but the design and driving experience fall short. The Acadia drives and looks more like a truck, but that doesn’t make it a better crossover. With its bigger-is-better ethos, the new Acadia is probably most appealing to someone who covets a GMC Yukon but can’t fit one in their garage.

Note: Images and video show a US model.