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2009 GMC Acadia Bottom Line

March 6, 2009

By Rex Roy's avatar Rex Roy, Detroit EditorRex Roy

TheCarConnection.com's editors read the latest reviews on the new 2009 GMC Acadia to write this comprehensive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the GMC Acadia and have included opinions and details where they aid you in choosing the perfect new crossover vehicle.

Likes:

  • Very roomy
  • Easier to live with than a full-size SUV
  • Luxurious interior
  • Lots of standard features
  • Clever options (heated windshield washers!)

Dislikes:

  • Transmission "hunts"
  • Weighs almost 5,000 pounds and feels it
  • Price is high for a non-luxury-brand vehicle

Buying Tips:


If you're interested in the same mechanicals but a different look, the Saturn Outlook has been a much slower seller than the Acadia, even though they're essentially identical.

The 2009 GMC Acadia is one of the more carlike "crossover" SUVs, offering a very passenger-friendly interior, carlike handling, and a roomy interior. The Acadia can be specified with front- or all-wheel drive, but there’s no two-speed transfer case or four-wheel-drive low range, and as a result, not much in the way of off-road ability. But that's OK because the Acadia's not meant to tackle rutted backwoods roads. Instead of unused off-road capability, the Acadia offers everyday drivability to buyers.

Interior space and well-configured seating are what make the 2009 GMC Acadia especially appealing. A third-row seat is standard, which yields room for seven to eight people altogether (depending on the configuration). The third row's a real third row, too. There's almost 20 cubic feet of additional storage space behind the third row; plus, maximum towing capacity is 4,500 pounds.

The 2009 GMC Acadia comes with a single powertrain, a healthy 288-horsepower V-6 that gets direct injection for 2009, and standard six-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is good, but the transmission sometimes hunts for the right gear and jostles the Acadia's occupants in the process. EPA estimates give hope for 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models.

The GMC Acadia's optional AWD system (which can transmit as much as 65 percent of engine power to the rear wheels as necessary) is plenty for snow days or muddy back roads on the way to the cabin.

The base models come quite well equipped, with 18-inch rims, front and rear A/C, stability control, full-row curtain airbags, and GM's OnStar concierge system with "turn-by-turn" navigation assistance. Higher-end models can be optioned up with all the niceties, from a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound stereo to three-zone climate control, a power rear liftgate, a head-up display (HUD), GPS, a two-panel sunroof, XM NavTraffic, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and backseat DVD entertainment system.

Other Choices:

If you're interested in the 2009 GMC Acadia, also consider:

Reason Why:

In practical terms, the Acadia’s only direct competitor is the Ford Taurus X, a vehicle that also puts the priority on passenger comfort and interior space. Like the Acadia, the Taurus X has a third-row seat that’s good enough for smaller adults. The Taurus X styling is a bit more like a tall station wagon, while the Acadia is closer to a sleek SUV. The Acadia's powertrain outmuscles Honda's eight-passenger crossover, the Pilot. The Toyota Highlander offers a bit more ruggedness, but it can't match the interior room of the Acadia. The Mazda CX-9 is also worth putting on your list, as it comes close to matching many of the Acadia's people and cargo capabilities, while offering a more enjoyable driving experience.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 GMC Acadia is better-looking than most minivans, and a whole lot more useful than full-size SUVs for passenger duty.

TheCarConnection.com's editors read the latest reviews on the new 2009 GMC Acadia to write this comprehensive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the GMC Acadia and have included opinions and details where they aid you in choosing the perfect new crossover vehicle. Likes:Very roomyEasier to live with than a full-size SUVLuxurious interiorLots of standard featuresClever options (heated windshield washers!)Dislikes:Transmission "hunts"Weighs almost 5,000 pounds and feels itPrice is high for a non-luxury-brand vehicleBuying Tips: If you're interested in the same mechanicals but a different look, the Saturn Outlook has been a much slower seller than the Acadia, even though they're essentially identical. The 2009 GMC Acadia is one of the more carlike "crossover" SUVs, offering a very passenger-friendly interior, carlike handling, and a roomy interior. The Acadia can be specified with front- or all-wheel drive, but there’s no two-speed transfer case or four-wheel-drive low range, and as a result, not much in the way of off-road ability. But that's OK because the Acadia's not meant to tackle rutted backwoods roads. Instead of unused off-road capability, the Acadia offers everyday drivability to buyers. Interior space and well-configured seating are what make the 2009 GMC Acadia especially appealing. A third-row seat is standard, which yields room for seven to eight people altogether (depending on the configuration). The third row's a real third row, too. There's almost 20 cubic feet of additional storage space behind the third row; plus, maximum towing capacity is 4,500 pounds. The 2009 GMC Acadia comes with a single powertrain, a healthy 288-horsepower V-6 that gets direct injection for 2009, and standard six-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is good, but the transmission sometimes hunts for the right gear and jostles the Acadia's occupants in the process. EPA estimates give hope for 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models. The GMC Acadia's optional AWD system (which can transmit as much as 65 percent of engine power to the rear wheels as necessary) is plenty for snow days or muddy back roads on the way to the cabin. The base models come quite well equipped, with 18-inch rims, front and rear A/C, stability control, full-row curtain airbags, and GM's OnStar concierge system with "turn-by-turn" navigation assistance. Higher-end models can be optioned up with all the niceties, from a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound stereo to three-zone climate control, a power rear liftgate, a head-up display (HUD), GPS, a two-panel sunroof, XM NavTraffic, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and backseat DVD entertainment system. Other Choices:If you're interested in the 2009 GMC Acadia, also consider:Ford Taurus XHonda PilotMazda CX-9Toyota HighlanderReason Why:In practical terms, the Acadia’s only direct competitor is the Ford Taurus X, a vehicle that also puts the priority on passenger comfort and interior space. Like the Acadia, the Taurus X has a third-row seat that’s good enough for smaller adults. The Taurus X styling is a bit more like a tall station wagon, while the Acadia is closer to a sleek SUV. The Acadia's powertrain outmuscles Honda's eight-passenger crossover, the Pilot. The Toyota Highlander offers a bit more ruggedness, but it can't match the interior room of the Acadia. The Mazda CX-9 is also worth putting on your list, as it comes close to matching many of the Acadia's people and cargo capabilities, while offering a more enjoyable driving experience. The Bottom Line:The 2009 GMC Acadia is better-looking than most minivans, and a whole lot more useful than full-size SUVs for passenger duty. TheCarConnection.com's editors read the latest reviews on the new 2009 GMC Acadia to write this comprehensive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the GMC Acadia and have included opinions and details where they aid you in choosing the perfect new crossover vehicle. ...

Other Choices:

In practical terms, the Acadia’s only direct competitor is the Ford Taurus X, a vehicle that also puts the priority on passenger comfort and interior space. Like the Acadia, the Taurus X has a third-row seat that’s good enough for smaller adults. The Taurus X styling is a bit more like a tall station wagon, while the Acadia is closer to a sleek SUV. The Acadia's powertrain outmuscles Honda's eight-passenger crossover, the Pilot. The Toyota Highlander offers a bit more ruggedness, but it can't match the interior room of the Acadia. The Mazda CX-9 is also worth putting on your list, as it comes close to matching many of the Acadia's people and cargo capabilities, while offering a more enjoyable driving experience.

Next Steps:

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See the GMC Acadia in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (2 total)

  1. By abbas #1, Posted: 6/17/2009

    i 'm owner of shop sale spairparts of cars germany ( BMW, OPEL ) and italy cars , please i lkie to register with your company every time that i have acadia car GMC canadaian made i like to buy from your company rear cover of defend , please it is broken , thanks if you reply me

  2. By Brian Ball #2, Posted: 9/9/2009

    I love my new Acadia "BUT" the MPG's are no where near what the sticker has posted. Sticker reads 17cty/24hwy not even close try 13cty/17hwy actual.

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