GMC Acadia Crossover. 2nd generation, restyled in 2019
GMC Acadia, upgraded in 2019 is a mid-range SUV, a technical analog of Chevrolet Traverse, yet much more advanced. After the upgrade, Acadia has become faster, more powerful, more reliable. However, it’s still rather boring in terms of dynamics and design, regarding its major competitors.
Body
GMC Acadia 2019 can accommodate up to 7 people depending on the design and trim level. The modification range stays the same: SL, SLE, SLT, AT4 off-road set, and Denali, which is the top version. The stowage changes from 362 to 2237 L regarding the position of the back seats.
The design of the 2019/2020 Acadia has undergone no major changes, besides new rectangular headlights (fully LED with C-shaped running lights), rectangular grille, upgraded bumpers, new rearview mirrors, and large parking lights with LED outlines. Depending on the modification, the car can be equipped with light-alloy wheels of 17 to 20 inches.
Interior
The interior of the updated crossover has been refined with the progress - improved voice recognition system, the list of options has been expanded by wireless smartphone charger, two additional USB-ports, the rearview camera with enhanced clarity and a projection screen on the windshield, and a push-button control 9-speed automatic transmission.
In the Denali version, there are leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats. The front seats slide forward and backward to increase either legroom or cargo space depending on the situation. Denali passengers now have their own climate control, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, as well as a good old electrical socket and a whole slide-out set of cupholders.
Engines and chassis
The main new features of GMC Acadia are, of course, the engine and the transmission: new turbocharged gasoline 230-hp V4 engine and a new 9-speed automatic transmission. Older engine designs, a 2.5-L I-4 engine of 196 hp and 6-cylinder 3.6-L 314-hp are still available for SLT and Denali.
For the upgraded GMC Acadia, the suspension was readjusted for the new AT4 SUV version. Special attention was paid to this version, the 3.6-L V6 engine was finalized for it, and all-wheel drive acquired two clutches with electronic control - the first one to transmit torque to the rear wheels, and the second one to lock the rear differential.
Safety
Besides conventional and curtain airbags, the safety system of Acadia includes blind zone warning system, backward intersecting traffic warning system, rear-seat reminder system, collision warning system, SOS call system, etc.
However, the equipment is considered inadequate in the less expensive models. For example, the SL and SLE versions are not equipped with any frontal collision and pedestrian warning devices, nor do they have automatic emergency braking options, which is a must in 2019/2020.
Advanced automatic emergency braking operates at speeds greater than 50 mph and only on Denali. Lane departure warning and lane-keeping aid are available for SLT or AT4 only.
Acadia is for real patriots
According to the J.D. Power analytics, 46% of owners of GMC Acadia cars are women, meanwhile 44% of people who own crossovers are women. 87% of owners of this crossover are American patriots who find it important that Acadia is an American car. The average statistics of other cars shows only 56% of such patriots.
Most people have stated that they chose Acadia because of its… appearence. Dynamics, engines, and transmissions were mentioned as a reason of choice more seldom. Safety was mentioned even fewer times. Fuel efficiency of the car got a cold reception of the audience as well as infotainment, seats, and climate control. This information may be interesting and useful for those who want to buy an Acadia.
