2017 Acadia Denali smaller, but still versatile
REVAMPED: Well-equipped GMC crossover feels anemic unless you opt for the V-6 engine
The outgoing GMC Acadia had been left hanging on the vine for the better part of a decade, so a revamp was long overdue. The 2017 Acadia sees changes to the manifold; it is significantly smaller and receives a host of safety upgrades. The improvements drag GMC’s mid-size offering into the here and now.
The single biggest change is the outward dimensions. The wheelbase shrinks by 162 millimetres to 2,857 mm and it is 184 mm shorter and 87 mm narrower.
This means it is 318 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. This not only improves fuel efficiency, it helps the driving dynamics enormously. This is particularly true of the Denali and its optional adaptive suspension. Given this is still, in spite of the size reduction, a large ride, it handles adroitly. There is minimal body roll, yet the ride quality is pretty good. The secret lies in the fact the suspension reads the road and adjusts the damping every two milliseconds.
The proof of how well it worked came over a speed bump. The front tires hit the bump and transmitted a jarring to the cabin, but the rearwheel impact was significantly less. The adaptive suspension is a $1,395 option and requires all-wheel drive, but is well worth the coin. Throw in a crisp steering setup and P235/55R20 tires, and the Acadia Denali pushes through a corner nicely.
This Acadia is offered with two engines. The base 2.5-litre four-cylinder has enough power if it’s just the driver aboard — 193 horsepower. Add some weight and it begins to flounder, which is where the up-level 3.6-L V-6 comes into its own. It makes a healthy 310 h.p. and 271 pound-feet of torque, enough for a full complement of passengers and adds the ability to handle a 1,493-kg trailer.
The refinement also takes a big step in the right direction. A modest stab at the gas sees the Acadia step out nicely; tromp it and it scoots to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, pretty quick for a 1,794-kg crossover. The penalty for the added performance is heavy, at 2.3 L/100 km in the city over the four-cylinder engine, but on the highway the difference becomes insignificant at 0.3 L/100 km.
The V-6 drives all four wheels through a six-speed manumatic. It is quick to shift and includes a manual mode. The nit is one must select low (L) before the toggle switch activates and allows gear shifting. It is clumsy and the centre console lid impedes access because the lever is so laid back it makes it redundant. Pity.
The all-wheel-drive system is quick on the uptake and has a number of different modes. The system allows the rear axle to be disconnected for better fuel economy. The modes include two-wheel drive (AWD disconnected), AWD, Sport, Off-Road and Trailer/Tow.
The cabin is nattily attired and the materials are much nicer. The layout also has a cohesive look, rather than the designed-by-committee appearance of yesteryear.
Pride of place goes to Chevy’s IntelliLink infotainment system. It gives access to all media, phone, OnStar, rear climate settings and navigation functions in an easy-touse format with large touch icons.
It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully articulated, heated/cooled front seats are worthy of note — they provided a great deal of long-distance comfort.
Moving rearward, the two centre-row seats slide back and forth, fold flat and have an easy access feature that makes getting to the third row a painless venture. The third row pops up out of the floor when needed (leave it down when not in use because the headrests become a distraction in the rear-view mirror).
The capacity is still generous despite the dimensional decrease. There is 362 litres of space behind the third row and 1,181 with it folded. Folding the middle row opens up 2,237 litres. One neat feature is a switch that allows the power tailgate to be opened fully or just three-quarters of the way in a tight situation.
Another upgrade is the list of safety and crash-avoidance technologies when the Driver Alert Pack 2 is along for the ride. It includes low-speed autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, following-distance indicator, automatic high-beam control, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring, along with cross-traffic alert that recognizes pedestrians and cars.
Adding the Tech package brings adaptive cruise control, automatic front braking and a surround-view camera.
The latest GMC Acadia is smaller, but still large enough to accommodate a family of five, six or seven or the contents of a small apartment.
If you are in the market for this well equipped ride just make sure you tick the V6 box. Without this engine the Acadia feels anemic; with it, well, it has a rewarding drive.