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Our experts dug in and tried out the 2021 GMC Acadia. We consider the options available on the Acadia, the trim levels, and more.
What’s New in the 2021 GMC Acadia?
The Acadia has a few changes related to how trim levels work. The feature packed Pro Safety Plus Package is now included standard on the AT4, SLT, and Denali. A new trim in the Elevation Package is available for the SLT and SLE with 20-inch wheels and a black exterior. The Acadia is now a bit more family movement friendly with captain’s chairs standard on all but the base trim which can help people find their seats.
2021 GMC Acadia – media.gmc.com | Shop 2021 GMC Acadia on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Handsome for a large SUV
Easy to use infotainment
Spacious interior for cargo
Fun 6-cylinder engine
Push button shifter takes getting used to
Interior isn’t up to the price level
Smaller than expected third row seat
Larger interior space, especially third row
2021 Acadia Specs
- 193 horsepower from base engine
- 188 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 12.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 79 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 1,000-4,000 lb towing capacity
- Easy infotainment system
- Exceptional 5-star safety rating
- 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty
2021 GMC Acadia Powertrain
GMC provides the 2021 GMC Acadia with three different engines. Let’s start with the basic, rather basic 2.5 liter 4-cylinder capable of 193 hp and 188 cu-ft of torque. This engine is not compatible with available all-wheel drive in GMC’s world. Compared to other Acadia engines, this is the least fun to drive considering the size of the vehicle – though it also of course costs the least.
We would start with the upgraded 2.0 liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine capable of 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. While we don’t often use the word fun to describe a large SUV engine, the turbocharged engine adds at least a little bit of the torque that pushes you against your seat.
GMC knows that some buyers of the 2021 GMC Acadia aren’t looking to save all the money and all the fuel and want hefty power. They also include a 6-cylinder with 310hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. They don’t quite offer the power of some class competitors’ 8-cylinder engines, but the 6-cylinder is still appreciable quick.
All engines are paired to a 9-speed transmission to help on fuel economy. It’s quick, and isn’t overpowered or even jumpy with the biggest engine available.
The Acadia drives more like a crossover SUV than a large one, and can be paired with front wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Towing & Payload
The 2021 GMC Acadia can tow a minimum of 1,000 lbs. The lowest trim level with the 2.5 liter engine starts there – which isn’t really that great for a large family SUV – but makes sense for people who don’t tow much. Upgrading to the 6-cylinder engine gets you to tow 4,000 lbs, which is better for the family when you are bringing a trailer or more.
Fuel Economy and MPG
The base engine gets up to 21 city and 27 highway, which isn’t bad for the vehicles size, though the engine itself isn’t that exciting. Upgrading to the 2.0 liter turbocharged engine gets to 22 city and 29 highway, which you’ll notice is actually better mpgs than base – but for more money – and absolutely worth it. The larger 6-cylinder engine achieves 19 city and 26 highway.
The Acadia gets a bit better gas mileage than the class competitors Dodge Durango. If you are looking for better mpgs but less space, look at the GMC Terrain too.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The 2021 GMC Acadia offers space and comfort for the passenger and driver- as well as some nice interior materials. Some dashboard materials like the infotainment surround look simple, but seem a bit cheap. Our biggest problem is the lack of real third row space for passengers – sure it’ll fit the kids well, but adults might not like sitting back there for extended periods.
The Acadia doesn’t compare well with in class competitors in regards to cargo space either. The Dodge Durango fits twice as many adult suitcases and back and a couple more overall with the seats folded.
Overall, the Acadia is an odd combination of storage and people friendly movement, which doesn’t work all that well for family favorites. The price and value of the Acadia third row aren’t our favorites for this class of SUV, though most families will be able to fit in – there just might be better options for the price.
We have a different angle in terms of comfort too: The shifter is odd. In an attempt to describe this as fast we can imagine having a touch or pull shift instead of a column or floor shifter. It’s not the worst shifter – but it takes a little getting used and certainly encourages some thought the first few times you get in.
Entertainment & Technology
Entertainment and technology have become a must have for big SUVs. Nowadays, the Acadia’s 8” touch screen sounds big, but it isn’t as immersive or well presented as the Dodge Durango. Overall, GMC’s infotainment system is easy to use though – which is a big deal whether it’s the driver, passenger, or a kid trying to make it work.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, which is great for smartphone uses who wish to integrate Google Maps or Waze for navigation, stream music on the road, or make a safe phone call.
The Acadia also has a Wi-Fi hot spot built in. This is great if you want to work on the road using a higher speed connection than yours, or don’t want to drain your phone or tablet battery creating a Wi-Fi hotspot – it costs a little more but could be worth it.
Safety Features
Are you willing to either compromise or spend a bit more? The Acadia has safety features – and the vehicle earned a 5-star overall NHTSA crash test rating, but you’ll pay more for the features not involving a nice safety cage. You’ll need at least an SLT model to get automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring. Would we pay more to get these options? Sure. Does it mean that the base Acadia offers barebones technical safety features besides a backup camera? Yes.
Read more about how safety features work here.
2021 GMC Acadia Trims and Pricing
SL $30,995
The SL starts with the 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine, cloth seats, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 17” wheels, LED headlights, and a backup camera.
SLE $35,095
The SE model allows an upgrade to all wheel drive. You can also get selectable drive modes, 18” wheels, Bose radio, heated and cooled seats (unusual for a just above last trim level), and either the base 2.5 liter engine or the turbocharged 4-cylinder.
SLT $40,295
You’ll get the 4-cylinder turbocharged standard here, standard leather seats, heated seats, and a power driver’s seat.
AT4 $42,595
AT literally stands for All Terrain and is the first trim available with the powerful 6-cylinder engine. You also get all terrain tires, standard cloth seats, and an off-road mode.
Denali $47,795
The Denali is the most well known Acadia, and adds everything include the standard 6-cylinder, available heated and ventilated seats, and all the safety features including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, heated second row seats, and wireless phone charging. The Denali comes closer than other trims on the cool features to know.
Warranties
The 2021 GMC Acadia gets the standard General Motors warranties with a 3-year, 36,000 mile limited warranty and a 5-year, 60,000 mile powertrain warranty.
What we think
2021 GMC Acadia – gmc.com | Shop 2021 GMC Acadia on Carsforsale.com
As a family vehicle, the 2021 GMC Acadia isn’t the first vehicle we would choose. Fitting in two or three kids plus luggage might start to get cramped. Safety-conscious buyers will like the overall NHTSA rating, but wonder why the Acadia isn’t equipped with more standard safety features. We do, however, like the SLT trim for it’s inclusion of base luxuries like the 2.0 liter turbocharged engine which makes the Acadia fun while not requiring frequent visits to the pump, and the addition of leather for families that want the easier to clean seats.
