New 2008 GMC Acadia [ 2009 , 2007 ]
GMC Acadia - What the Auto Press Says
The Acadia's high ranking is based on its class-leading seating capacity, cargo space, and ride quality, although it's not as powerful as some may expect.
Built on the same platform as General Motors siblings Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook, the 2008 GMC Acadia is ranked near the top of its class thanks to its affordable combination of functionality and luxury. It also ranks near the top of the Affordable Crossover SUV class. "The Acadia is a sign that GMC has a good handle on what makes a crossover utility vehicle competitive with the best in the segment," says the Kansas City Star. New in 2007, GMC's first crossover vehicle features three rows of usable seats, competitive cargo capacity, and practical all-wheel drive. For 2008, it gets a few new features and options, including standard satellite radio. Motor Week named the new model its "Best Crossover Utility."
The Acadia comes in three trims -- SLE-1, SLT-1 and SLT-2 -- which come with varying degrees of features and a 3.6-liter engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional.
- "It is no small trick to combine functionality, polish and a good load of safety equipment at a reasonable starting price. But that's precisely what GM has done with the all-new GMC Acadia." -- New Car Test Drive
- "A week spent in each model showed the Acadia and Outlook to be competitive in virtually every respect with a pair of benchmarks, the Pilot and Toyota Highlander. And since the G.M. siblings performed as well - and in some areas, better - buyers who put a premium on passenger and cargo space may give them the edge." -- New York Times
- "While the Buick Enclave is undeniably the most deluxe of the trio, the Saturn Outlook and the GMC Acadia, tested here, are similar." -- Orlando Sentinel, in a comparison test drive
- "My Bottom Line -- The Acadia is a very capable mid-size SUV with a great engine and plenty of room. Similarly equipped, it's about $10,000 less than the almost identical Cadillac SRX, but more than the almost-identical Saturn Outlook, which has less content." -- The Auto Channel
Acadia Performance - 8.0 (Very Good)
The 2008 GMC Acadia ranks just within the top half of its class for its performance, which falls short when compared to some of its quicker, more fun-to-drive rivals such as the Nissan Murano. The New York Times says the Acadia is "good for 0-to-60 miles an hour in a reasonable 8.1 seconds" -- a time that's "a bit slower than some competitors." Continue with our full Performance Review to learn if you can live with the V6 engine -- or even learn why the Acadia may not be for you if you plan on towing and off-roading. continue
Acadia Exterior - 8.9 (Very Good)
The GMC Acadia ranks near the top of its class for its exterior, beating out the sleek Mazda CX-7 but bested by the retro-styled Toyota FJ Cruiser. U.S. News' Rick Newman calls it "Hot, especially when compared with most of the frumpmobiles that are capable of holding seven passengers." To see exterior photos and learn which major media outlet describes the Acadia as one of the best-looking crossover SUVs, continue with our full Exterior Review. continue
Acadia Interior - 8.6 (Very Good)
The 2008 GMC Acadia ranks near the top of its class for its interior, bested only by the more luxury-minded Buick Enclave. Unlike most similarly sized SUVs, the Acadia's third-row seat can comfortably fit even tall adults. Continue with our full Interior Review to see interior photos and learn about the Acadia's fun interior options, including a dual sunroof and rear entertainment system. continue
Acadia Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)
The 2008 GMC Acadia does extremely well in federal government crash tests. It comes with a comprehensive set of six standard air bags and innovative safety options such as a heads-up display and a backup camera. Continue with our full Safety Review to learn whether those features are really worth the dough. continue
Acadia Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)
The 2008 GMC Acadia reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2008 GMC Acadia comes with GM's three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. Continue with our full Reliability Review to learn why one news publication says maintaining the Acadia should be easy. continue
