2024 GMC Acadia First Drive: This 3-Row SUV Gets It All Right, With One (Possible) Exception 

Two of the three trims are pictured here: AT4 on the left and Denali on the right. Each has its own distinct front grille and trim, though headlights an the overall shape and fundamental features are the same. Both these trims also come in standard all wheel drive, though the base Elevation model has the option of AWD or front wheel drive. And, they have ‘walk up lighting’ which greets you with a patterned flash of the lights as the car wakes up.

How does the GMC Acadia compare to the Chevrolet Traverse?

The biggest news for the 2024 model is the new look, feel and function in the front seat. It’s almost truck-like for fewer features that are bolder in scale. Anchoring the dashboard is a new 15″ multimedia screen. This is where almost all controls are, even the headlights, though there are a few on the steering wheel and on a panel just to the left. Climate controls are a fixed bar at the bottom of the screen and the quick-access buttons across the bottom operate the icon above it. I really liked this setup.

Don’t think you’ll spend all your time hunting around the screen looking for things; you can just say “hey Google” and the voice assistant is there to help you out.

And last, notice how clean and minimalist the center console is: Cup holders, a wireless phone charger and a phone cubby with two USB ports. That’s it. Everything else that may have been there in the past has been moved to free up space here. There’s even a small storage space under the console with a 12V outlet.

How does the GMC Acadia compare to the Toyota Grand Highlander?

GMC really cleaned up the center console by relocating a lot of functions. The gear selector is now a stalk-style lever on the steering column. And drive modes? They are selected by pushing this button on the left of the steering wheel. You can also turn on or off AWD, which will save a bit of gas, as will the auto stop/start button.

How does the GMC Acadia AT4 compare to the Kia Telluride?

This is a feature we’re seeing more of, and that’s a great thing. A camera that allows you to see in front of and beside the car as well as behind it is priceless when you can’t see over the hood, which is a challenge in this large SUV. But with a good camera system, which pops on to show you the forward view at low speeds, you can avoid ‘tapping’ your garage wall. Again.

This may be the first time I’ve seen a digital rear view mirror, which GMC calls a rear camera mirror, standard on a family SUV this price. And it’s a great thing to have. When there are passengers in all the seats, or the cargo space is loaded to the roof, you’ll still be able to see everything behind you. And at night it’s much brighter than the reflective view so it’s much easier to see what’s behind you (and, other car’s headlights don’t glare as much).

The Denali name is synonymous with GMC but it can be confusing. Denali is the highest trim level of all of GMC’s cars and trucks. So, there’s a Denali version of the Yukon, the Sierra and the Terrain.

In the Acadia, Denali has been improved even more for 2024 with even more premium features. But it also includes the things you really need: up to 5,000 lbs. of tow capacity, all wheel drive and a choice of light or dark interiors.

Denali’s seats quilted leather (in all rows!) framed with contrast piping and a ‘fractional’ or cross stitch on the side bolsters. Front seats are heated, vented and power adjustable, and second row seats, which are also heated, are power-tilting for easier 3rd row access. Denali also comes with a standard panoramic sunroof and head up display for the driver.

Second row seats are roomy and recline just a bit, and have a nice pass-through for 3rd row access (can you guess what’s missing here…?). There are air vents in the ceiling and climate controls for temperature and fan speed on the center console, along with cup holders, USB ports and a household outlet.

GMC, which is been known as “professional grade,” sought to add off-roading capabilities to its list of professional features. Think: dirt and gravel worksites, competitive sports on mountain sides or running a ranch. The idea here is to deliver a comfortable ride and a lot of conveniences with a capable drive. The AT4 model has two under-body skid plates, all terrain tires, two additional drive modes—terrain for low-speed four wheel driving and off-road for higher speeds off pavement— front recovery hooks and a trailering package, which allows for up to 5,000 lbs. of towing.

With the look of a power uniform, the seats in the AT4 combine perforated and smooth leatherette with woven cloth panels and contrast stitching for a suited look. Side bolsters on the seat backs and seat bottoms really keep you planted as you drive but are comfortable, too. The AT4 logo embroidered on headrests add a bit of a reminder: This should be fun.

Here’s what you need to know about the Acadia’s center row seats: Seats are on rails to slide forward and back; they recline just a bit and they are ideally suited for both forward and rear facing kids car seats. In fact, rear facing seats will nicely fit in either outboard seat. I measured 34″ seatback to seatback behind my seat and I’m 5’8″; then, I moved the center seat set forward a bit to make room for a 3rd row passenger and measured 31″, still enough space for a rear facing car seat. And behind the front passenger seat, which was set to for a 6′ tall passenger, I measured 29″, again, enough for a rear facing seat.

But there is no center row bench option.

So, buyers who need 2 or 3 rear facing kids car seats may need to keep looking. And if you need two rear facing car seats, the 3rd row is probably inaccessible without removing one of the car seats. The center row captains chairs, though, are great for full-time 3rd row use. So for families who need seating for 5 and have a child old enough to sit in the 3rd row regularly, it’s a great choice.

I can’t love this feature more. The shape of the seat in the GMC Acadia doesn’t change at all when you push the button or pull the shoulder tab to slide and tilt the center seat forward. The seat releases, tilts and slides forward a bit and can be pushed forward even more. This made it really easy to get into the 3rd row.

It’s worth noting that center row seats have full LATCH sets, but 3rd row seats have upper tethers only; kids car seats in this row must be seatbelt installed.

With the center seats pushed all the way back I had no legroom. But with the seats set at the middle position (between all the way back and all the way forward) I was fine. I liked that I had the option of using the pass-through or tilt and slide to get into the 3rd row. I also liked that the 3rd row, which seats 3, has a headrest for the center seat passenger, so you can sit there and extend your legs between the center seats. And I liked that the 3rd row had air vents in the ceiling, USB ports and phone and bottle cubbies.

Overall cargo space behind the 3rd row is 23 cubic feet, which is sizable. And it includes this: A bin under the cargo floor which adds enough space for … a bunch of soccer balls? A coupe of beach chairs and a beach bag? A few totes? The day’s fishing catch? You can put that in there too; the bin can be removed for cleaning.

There are 3 trims: Elevation, AT4 and Denali. Here’s how they’re priced:

• Elevation starts at $43,995 and includes the 2.5 L turbo engine that generates 328 HP, has front wheel drive, leatherette seating, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, surround view camera, 15” multimedia screen, 11” driver display, wireless charging, blind zone assist, digital rear view camera and auto sense lift gate; add AWD for $2,000
• The AT4 model starts at $51,395 and has has AWD, trailering, rear view camera with trailer hitch guidance, performance suspension, recovery hooks, all terrain tires, hill descent control, black roof rails, terrain and off road drive modes and under-body skid plates
• The Denali trim starts at $57,695 and includes leather seating, head up display, powered second row with heated outboard seats, trailering package for up to 5,000 lbs. of towing and aluminum roof rails
• Add the Denali Reserve Package with a panoramic sunroof, 22” wheels, and Bose surround sound audio for $3,130
• Super Cruise can be added for $3,490
• A panoramic sunroof can be added for $1,500
• Destination and delivery is $1,395

Overall, this may be the nicest Acadia ever. It’s larger but still easy to drive. It’s more comfortable in every row. And the finishes are more elegant. I really like the center screen, which sets this car apart from other SUV built by GM that mostly have linear center screens; the 15″ vertical screen just feels the part, it feels “professional grade.” I do wish there was a center row bench; with all the added leg room and flexibility for installing car seats, a bench would be a great option. But even without it, this SUV will be able to accommodate most families of 4, 5 or 6. And it’ll be worth it; the redesign of the GMC Acadia gets everything else right.

Disclosure: I was a guest of GMC for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own.