2009 GMC Acadia Safety Review

February 22, 2009

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front impact test; five stars, side impact test
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety Pick
IIHS

Standard safety features are generous
Edmunds

The 2009 GMC Acadia is a true class standout when it comes to the safety category, earning rave reviews from all sources researched by TheCarConnection.com.

One of the most intuitive measures of a vehicle's safety is how it performs in crash tests, and in that regard the 2009 GMC Acadia is flawless. In NHTSA tests the GMC Acadia earns a perfect five-star rating in every category, including front and side impacts on both the driver and passenger sides. The IIHS reports similarly high scores for the GMC Acadia, which earns the highest possible rating, "good," in both the frontal offset and side impact tests. The IIHS also awards the 2009 GMC Acadia its prestigious Top Safety Pick award for 2009, citing the Acadia's "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control."

Overall safety involves a whole lot more than simply excellent crash-test ratings, and the GMC Acadia offers a wide range of safety features to complement its strong frame. Edmunds reviewers find that the standard safety features on the 2009 GMC Acadia include "antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags and the OnStar communications system." In addition, Consumer Guide reports that "traction control" and an "antiskid system" come standard, as well as an "antiskid system w/rollover sensors [and] tire-pressure monitor."

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that driver visibility, at least out the windshield, is not a concern in the 2009 GMC Acadia. According to The New York Times, "front visibility is excellent, though the tall rear glass makes it especially hard to find the vehicle's rear end while backing up." Consumer Guide agrees, noting that the "high beltline in back makes the available rear obstacle detection and rearview camera worthwhile options."

Conclusion

The new rearview camera option for the 2009 GMC Acadia corrects what is the only real safety concern for this crossover.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front impact test; five stars, side impact testNHTSAGood," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety PickIIHSStandard safety features are generousEdmunds The 2009 GMC Acadia is a true class standout when it comes to the safety category, earning rave reviews from all sources researched by TheCarConnection.com. One of the most intuitive measures of a vehicle's safety is how it performs in crash tests, and in that regard the 2009 GMC Acadia is flawless. In NHTSA tests the GMC Acadia earns a perfect five-star rating in every category, including front and side impacts on both the driver and passenger sides. The IIHS reports similarly high scores for the GMC Acadia, which earns the highest possible rating, "good," in both the frontal offset and side impact tests. The IIHS also awards the 2009 GMC Acadia its prestigious Top Safety Pick award for 2009, citing the Acadia's "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control." Overall safety involves a whole lot more than simply excellent crash-test ratings, and the GMC Acadia offers a wide range of safety features to complement its strong frame. Edmunds reviewers find that the standard safety features on the 2009 GMC Acadia include "antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags and the OnStar communications system." In addition, Consumer Guide reports that "traction control" and an "antiskid system" come standard, as well as an "antiskid system w/rollover sensors [and] tire-pressure monitor." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that driver visibility, at least out the windshield, is not a concern in the 2009 GMC Acadia. According to The New York Times, "front visibility is excellent, though the tall rear glass makes it especially hard to find the vehicle's rear end while backing up." Consumer Guide agrees, noting that the "high beltline in back makes the available rear obstacle detection and rearview camera worthwhile options." ConclusionThe new rearview camera option for the 2009 GMC Acadia corrects what is the only real safety concern for this crossover.  2009 GMC ACADIA STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "Well-rounded nature and handsome design" Kelley Blue Book: "A handsome package that looks masculine and up-scale" New York Times: "A bit more tailored and masculine" The 2009 GMC Acadia boasts some of the most attractive exterior ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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.

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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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