2024 GMC Acadia Review and Test Drive

A fresh design and advanced technology highlight this roomy three-row crossover SUV.

Perry Stern | 

Jan 15, 2025 | 7 min read

Perry Stern

The 2024 GMC Acadia is available in three trim levels: base Elevation, off-road-ready AT4, and luxurious Denali. Prices range from the mid-$40,000s to the high $50,000s, including the destination charge to ship the SUV from GMC's assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan, to your local dealership.

For this Acadia review, GMC gave me a 2024 Elevation for evaluation in Southeastern Michigan near Detroit. It had numerous upgrades, including all-wheel drive (AWD), extra-cost paint, a panoramic sunroof, and a Super Cruise hands-free driver-assistance system. In addition, it had the Black Edition, Luxury, and Trailering option packages. The test vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price was $54,690, including the $1,395 destination charge.

Perry Stern

Is the 2024 GMC Acadia a Good SUV?

If you want a roomy three-row crossover but don't want to drive a full-size SUV, the 2024 GMC Acadia is a compelling choice. While there are several SUVs in this class to choose from, including popular models like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Grand Highlander, the Acadia stands out with a spacious second row, an intuitive infotainment system, and GMC's Super Cruise hands-free driving system.

Perry Stern

The Larger GMC Acadia Gets Bold Styling, Roomy Interior

Thanks to its redesign, the GMC Acadia is one of the largest midsize crossovers on the market. Bigger than its predecessor, the Acadia gets fresh styling with a more prominent grille and stylish LED running lights, further enhancing the new, bolder look. My test vehicle featured the Black Edition package, giving the big SUV an almost sinister appearance, as if it should be employed by a secret government agency.

After you climb aboard the Acadia, the large 15.0-inch infotainment screen immediately grabs your attention. An 11.0-inch digital gauge panel accompanies that display, and the upper level of the unique two-tiered dashboard sits above both screens, providing some shade.

While the Acadia's exterior styling helps emphasize the SUV's larger proportions, the increase in size is most noticeable from the inside. With the controls and the gear selector moved off the center console, the wireless charger, cupholders, and storage bins are all within easy reach of the driver. There's additional space below the center armrest, and the large area below the center console can easily handle a large bag or purse.

The improved interior space is also evident for rear-seat passengers, especially those in the second row. The Acadia's generous legroom and headroom are on par with the larger GMC Yukon, and the standard second-row captain's chairs are comfortable. Second-row passengers get automatic climate controls, seat heaters, and dual USB-C ports.

Perry Stern

The second-row seat smoothly folds and slides out of the way for easy access to the third row. Passengers assigned to that location get more space than in the previous version of the Acadia, but it's still a tight spot, especially for three people.

The Acadia also excels at cargo hauling, boasting 23 cubic-feet of space behind the third row — considerably more than the 16.3 cu-ft in the Ford Explorer. Folding the third row is simple, boosting the available space to 57.3 cu-ft. An additional storage area below the floor can keep valuables hidden from prying eyes.

Perry Stern

Google-Based Infotainment Highlights Acadia's Tech

In my opinion, the new 15.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system represents a vast improvement over the outgoing Acadia, boasting a clear display and an intuitive interface. GMC keeps physical controls to a minimum, limiting them to a line of toggle switches at the bottom of the screen for quick access to climate functions and a large volume knob at the center.

While I appreciate the cabin's clean look, I miss the physical controls for common tasks such as turning on the headlights and resetting the trip computer. Both require digging into a menu on the display and even selecting seat heaters on the screen brings up a submenu to activate them, which feels unnecessarily complicated.

The Acadia uses Google-based infotainment, so the native navigation system uses the popular Google Maps, while voice commands go through Google Assistant. One of the better voice recognition systems on the market, the Google Assistant recognizes natural language requests like "Take me to the closest coffee shop" or "I'm cold," providing navigation or adjusting cabin temperature per the request.

You can also access a wide range of apps via the Google Play Store to integrate into the infotainment system. These features require an active OnStar subscription, which GMC includes for the first three years. While the system is Google based, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is standard, conveniently connecting your smartphone without wires.

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The 2024 GMC Acadia has all the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) plus various unique systems, including intersection automated emergency braking and rear pedestrian alert. However, the optional Super Cruise hands-free driver-assistance system sets the Acadia apart from many of its rivals.

I picked up the Acadia at Detroit Metro Airport and hopped on Interstate 94 for the 30-mile drive home. Once at speed, I activated the adaptive cruise control, and the light at the top of the steering wheel turned green, indicating Super Cruise was active and signaling that I could let go of the wheel. I think the latest version of Super Cruise does an excellent job of smoothly staying centered in the lane and maintaining speed and distance from the car ahead. It can also execute a lane change automatically when encountering a slower vehicle.

The system worked flawlessly, and for the entire trip home, I didn't touch the accelerator, brake pedal, or steering wheel until I exited the freeway. Super Cruise works only on limited-access multilane highways that are part of an approved network, so as soon as the SUV takes an exit ramp, the technology turns off.

Perry Stern

The GMC Acadia Is an Excellent Family Cruiser

Every 2024 GMC Acadia has a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Don't be put off by the engine's small size; it packs a strong punch, putting out 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. A smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, and when properly equipped, the Acadia can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The Acadia delivers strong acceleration with plenty of grunt to pass slower vehicles on two-lane roads and to quickly reach freeway speeds, so it never lacks power. In addition, while it may be one of the larger midsize SUVs available, the Acadia proved easy to maneuver, and with the multiple camera views parking is a breeze.

Whether driving out in the country or cruising at 70 mph on the freeway, the Acadia delivers a confident ride. The poorly maintained Michigan roads weren't bothersome, and the cabin was quiet at highway speeds, allowing me to enjoy the SUV's standard premium Bose audio system.

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On country roads, the Acadia will lean a bit in the corners if pushed too hard, but for the most part, the handling is secure. The brakes are easy to modulate for smooth slowing or stopping, with linear response to input.

Leaving the pavement for a drive down one of the scenic dirt roads in my region, the Acadia performed well, with the AWD delivering good traction. The ride was jarring on washboard-like surfaces, but otherwise, the suspension handled the rougher road without issue, absorbing most of the bumps.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the 2024 GMC Acadia should return an estimated 19/24/21 mpg in city/highway/combined driving with AWD. During my evaluation, the trip computer indicated 19.2 mpg.

Perry Stern

With its numerous updates, the all-new 2024 GMC Acadia is better than the previous-generation model. Offering additional power, a roomier interior, more cargo space than many competitors, and the innovative Super Cruise system, the stylish new 2024 Acadia is a worthy choice for people who need a spacious cabin but don't want a full-size SUV.

Perry Stern

As a small child, Perry was constantly playing with toy cars and trucks, and that enthusiasm for anything motorized with wheels never faded. After college, he moved to Seattle and began his long automotive career working in an automotive consulting firm, helping customers choose the right vehicle for their needs. In the late 1990s, Perry joined Microsoft to work on CarPoint, part of the new Microsoft Network (MSN). He went on to become editor of the site, remaining on staff for 20 years before venturing out on his own. Today, in addition to his work on Capital One Auto Navigator, he still contributes to MSN, as well as J.D. Power, TrueCar.com, and U.S. News & World Report. Perry lives in the small town of Dexter, Michigan, with his wife and dog, and he still smiles when he sees his 2006 Mazda Miata in the garage.