GMC’s All-New 2017 Acadia Goes Smaller, Lighter, Better

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
1/12/2016

GMC has announced an all-new 2017 Acadia that is about seven inches shorter in length, three inches narrower, and four inches lower in height. The new Acadia is an amazing 700 pounds lighter than the outgoing model. Downsizing a vehicle at GM is an extremely rare occurrence. GM is also introducing a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and revised, more efficient and more powerful 3.6-liter V6 for the Acadia. The goal here is obviously to make the Acadia more fuel efficient. However, the vehicle also has new safety technology and a new All-Terrain option, meaning this is a crossover that will continue to be a serious contender in its segment.

The 2017 Acadia will still offer third-row seating in most trims. Five, six, and seven-passenger seating arrangements are available. Usability is still an emphasis, and the second row of seats will fold flat for cargo hauling. Rick Spina, executive chief engineer for compact and crossover SUVs at General Motors, said, “It’s a vehicle that offers the functionality Acadia is known for while delivering big advantages and balance to customers’ everyday lives.”

Acadias with AWD will have an off-road mode, but the new All-Terrain trim will replace that with an All-Terrain setting that has enhanced hill-climbing abilities. GMC is emphasizing its Active Twin Clutch all-wheel drive technology. The All-Terrain is only to be offered in five-passenger seating if we read GM’s specifications correctly. Trailering up to 4,000 pounds will be possible with the Acadia when equipped with its trailer package.

The mid-size crossover segment is all about family needs, and thus, the new 2017 Acadia will have a long list of passive and active safety features. GMC specifically designed the new Acadia to do well on the IIHS’ small frontal overlap test. With its advanced active safety suite, the new Acadia should earn the Top Safety Pick Plus rating. Here is a list of some of the safety features that will be available:
• New Front Pedestrian Braking
• New Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking (standard on SLT-2 and Denali)
• New Forward Automatic Braking (available on Denali)
• New Following Distance Indicator
• New IntelliBeam automatic headlamp high-beam control
• New Surround Vision camera system
• New Safety Alert Seat
• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Front and Rear Parking Assist.

 

Clearly GMC wants to continue the success of the Acadia. Downsizing is an interesting move by the company. There have been no fuel economy projections yet for AWD vehicles but expect significant improvements over the 2016 model.

 

Update:

Chevrolet provided these photos of the official reveal of the 2017 Acadia at the Detroit Auto Show

 

GMC introduces the 2017 GMC Acadia (All Terrain, left) and Acadia Denali Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Acadia offers more-efficient powertrains, while continuing to offer three rows of seating on most models. The premium Acadia Denali returns, along with a new All Terrain model with enhanced off-road capability. (Photo by John F. Martin for GMC)

General Motors Executive Vice President Product Development Mark Reuss 2017 GMC Acadia (All Terrain, pictured rear) and Acadia Denali (on screen) Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Acadia offers more-efficient powertrains, while continuing to offer three rows of seating on most models. The premium Acadia Denali returns, along with a new All Terrain model with enhanced off-road capability. (Photo by John F. Martin for GMC)

GMC Vice President Sales and Marketing Duncan Aldred (left) and General Motors Executive Vice President Product Development Mark Reuss with the 2017 GMC Acadia (All Terrain, pictured rear) and Acadia Denali Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Acadia offers more-efficient powertrains, while continuing to offer three rows of seating on most models. (Photo by John F. Martin for GMC)

 

 

 

[robvas]

Good. Those things were tanks with horrible MPG, might as well get a Yukon.

[cev103]

I think I just threw up a little.....it looks like an upgraded Ford Freestyle

[sti]

Good. Those things were tanks with horrible MPG, might as well get a Yukon.

You are definitely correct on the fuel mileage. My wife has a Traverse and my Silverado gets better mileage.

[sahls01gmc]

Had I known my Traverse had this mileage, I would have bought my wife a Yukon instead. Now that the new model is getting smaller, definitely getting a Yukon...probably the XL at this point!

[IlliniST]

You are definitely correct on the fuel mileage. My wife has a Traverse and my Silverado gets better mileage.

 

 

Good. Those things were tanks with horrible MPG, might as well get a Yukon.

 

 

We have an Enclave and while the MPG is NOT as good now 7 years later as it was, it's still ahead of Tahoe territory.

 

And, one of the best things about the car for my wife was that it was nearly the size of the Tahoe, but was front wheel drive, drove like a car, and didn't intimidate her. We're not small people, so the reduction in size of these will push to the Tahoe/Suburban in the future. Or <gasp> a mini-van.

[sahls01gmc]

 

 

 

 

We have an Enclave and while the MPG is NOT as good now 7 years later as it was, it's still ahead of Tahoe territory.

 

And, one of the best things about the car for my wife was that it was nearly the size of the Tahoe, but was front wheel drive, drove like a car, and didn't intimidate her. We're not small people, so the reduction in size of these will push to the Tahoe/Suburban in the future. Or <gasp> a mini-van.

Jeffrey, your reasoning behind getting the Enclave was the same for my wife. She's not a fan of driving my truck, it's "too big". Our 3 kids are only getting bigger, and so is the crap they take with them!

 

DON'T get a minivan.....you've been warned!

[Quadrasteer]

All they need to do now is lower their prices across the board to bring them in line with their quality and reliability ratings.....not to mention their dealers and 36k warranty.

[IlliniST]

Jeffrey, your reasoning behind getting the Enclave was the same for my wife. She's not a fan of driving my truck, it's "too big". Our 3 kids are only getting bigger, and so is the crap they take with them!

 

DON'T get a minivan.....you've been warned!

 

We only have one kid, but you're exactly right - She feels comfortable with the shorter front, overall length, etc.

 

She doesn't want a mini-van, but the just make so much damned sense. The Enclave is essentially a pregnant car, as is a Minivan. It's no more truck than an Impala. Plus, the sliding doors on a van are MUCH easier to get kids and their crap in and out of and they ride great for our 2,000 mile round trips from Houston to Illinois and back....

['91 Formula]

Looks a little like an Envoy from the side.

 

You are right about that fuel economy. All city driving, my 6.2 Sierra reads 10.6 average fuel economy. The Acadia reads 12.7. Woof.

[ewbldavis]

We've wanted an Acadia to replace our Trailblazer EXT (which went away for my Sierra).

 

I'll have to see one in person to make proper judgement, but may end up with a 2016.

[truckofwinandawesome]

and the BEST part about the 2017 Acadia: it will be imbued with TENNESSEEAN Craftsmanship! Yup, a Lambda Crossover is COMING BACK To Spring Hill! (let's just hope it doesn't end badly like LAST TIME...*Cough*TRAVERSE*Cough*)

[Daryl LBZ]

Looks sharp. These definitely needed some weight loss. Had one as loaner, and it was gutless. All it did was downshift for more power constantly.

[BigBadSierra]

Loosing over a 1000lbs of towing capacity is a mistake That was the main reason I bought two vehicles on this platform. It might as well be a Ford now as it towing is just as sucky!!!!!!

[Nargg]

I'm shocked GM hasn't put the surround camera on the pickups yet. That's a mistake.