Used 2013 GMC Acadia

Although the 2013 GMC Acadia shares most of its body, powertrain and suspension with the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave, GMC has given its 8-passenger SUV a bit of an edge. Compared to the Enclave, the Acadia’s styling is a bit more "country" than "country club," with a bold grille reminiscent of GMC’s truck line and a new, more aggressive front end. Both front-wheel (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) models are offered. From a luxury standpoint, the Denali trim can easily give the Enclave a run for its money, considered by many owners to be the Cadillac of family-friendly crossover SUVs. Placed against such competitors as the Honda Pilot and Ford Flex, the Acadia fares well, offering a huge cargo hold, an adult-friendly 3rd-row seat and a plush interior adorned with handsome materials and first-rate built quality.

Because it’s built from a single unit body (as opposed to riding on a frame like most full-size SUVs), the 2013 GMC Acadia delivers car-like ride and handling characteristics and an ultra-quiet cabin. We found the Acadia’s steering to be nicely weighted and very responsive. The vehicle exhibits some body lean under hard cornering maneuvers, but the Acadia’s ability to retain its grip on the road surprised even our most seasoned test drivers. The available 20-inch wheel-and-tire package improves the Acadia’s steering feel, but also slightly diminishes its ride quality. The 2013 GMC Acadia’s 288-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine offers good acceleration, but with a full load on board, it could do with a bit more power. If there was one major gripe regarding our time in the Acadia, it pertained to the high beltline that limits rearward views and makes parking maneuvers more difficult.

With seating for up to eight people, including a 3rd-row seat that can accommodate two adults, the 2013 GMC Acadia SUV is about as people-friendly as a standard-size vehicle can get. A clever sliding 2nd-row seat permits easy access to the third row, as do its long rear-door openings. The Acadia’s trump card, however, is the roomy cargo hold that remains functional even with the 3rd-row seat in place. Fold both rows flat and the Acadia offers up a whopping 116.9 cubic feet of cargo-hauling space.

We like the conservative yet powerful styling exuded by the 2013 GMC Acadia SUV. You won’t find any tacked-on body cladding or garish add-ons. Even the Acadia Denali, with its big chrome mesh grille and larger-diameter wheels, resists the temptation to go overboard. Riding on standard 18-inch wheels, the Acadia has a purposeful, wide stance, while chrome and LED lighting demonstrate the Acadia can also be quite elegant. A subtle rear spoiler helps reduce aerodynamic drag, while the chrome exhaust tips and roof-rail accents simply make the Acadia shine.

3RD-ROW SEATS
The 3rd-row seat in the 2013 GMC Acadia is roomy, and the bolstering on the seatbacks makes extended journeys more comfortable. Access to the rear seats is easy thanks to a clever 1-touch mechanism that slides the 2nd-row seats out of the way.

DUAL SKYSCAPE SUNROOF
The optional dual sunroofs add a feeling of spaciousness to the interior. The fixed rear sunroof features a large opening, plus a power sunshade for when the sunshine gets too intense.

The GMC Acadia for 2013 is a well-equipped vehicle that includes as standard GM’s OnStar system with one year of complimentary service, color touch-screen stereo with six speakers and MP3 capability, satellite radio, 7-passenger seating, dual exhaust with chrome tips, rear spoiler, sliding 2nd-row seats, fog lights, rearview camera, rear park assist and 18-inch wheels. Government-required safety features include StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and seven airbags. The Denali trim adds mahogany wood inserts, heated and cooled front seats, dual SkyScape sunroof, perforated leather seating surfaces, 20-inch wheels and more.

GMC offers a variety of convenience and luxury features for the 2013 Acadia. Dual sunroofs and a rear-entertainment system make the drive more enjoyable and, unlike with some vehicles, can be ordered together. The interior can be outfitted with a color touch-screen navigation system (standard on Denali), IntelliLink Bluetooth streaming of apps, tri-zone automatic air conditioning, heated and cooled front seats, premium audio with surround sound, a head-up display, cargo-area audio controls, and 8-passenger seating. Exterior options include a power liftgate, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights and an attractive 20-inch wheel package.

The 2013 GMC Acadia SUV’s capable 3.6-liter V6 uses variable valve timing and direct fuel injection to enhance responsiveness, deliver good engine power and help provide a maximum tow rating of 5,200 pounds. The 6-speed automatic transmission maximizes engine performance and helps the Acadia achieve excellent fuel economy for a vehicle of its size. However, the transmission can be slow to react to throttle inputs, resulting in delayed downshifts when trying to accelerate to pass other vehicles.

3.6-liter V6
288 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg (FWD), 16/23 mpg (AWD)