Losing weight and consuming less is a good plan for most people. It’s also good for most automobiles, and the new 2017 GMC Acadia that’s now on sale is an ideal case in point.
It’s smaller, lighter and more manageable than the outgoing model, which will continue to be sold for the time being as the fully loaded Acadia Limited.
Why is the new 2017 Acadia smaller, then? Because the previous version was even larger in most key dimensions than the more rugged body-on-frame Yukon. It made anyone ask what the point of Yukon was when the Acadia was bigger, roomier, had a better ride, cost far less money and used less gas.
Now there is a point to the Yukon; the Acadia is smaller. Although it can still be had with three rows of seats, the 2017 Acadia is 18 centimetres shorter, nine centimetres narrower and shrinks by more than 15 centimetres between the front and rear wheels.
There is a downside to this downsizing, too. The folding third-row seat is more kid- than adult-friendly, cargo capacity has shrunk by quite a bit and maximum towing capacity has been reduced to 1,820 kilograms from 2,365.
With a smaller base powerplant, the new Acadia also weighs about 320 kilograms less. That plus its trimmed-down dimensions places it squarely in the mid-size bracket where the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander jockey for position.
The Acadia’s smaller, lighter platform is also used for the 2017 Cadillac XT5 and will also wind up underpinning the next Chevrolet Traverse.
As you might expect, the 2017 Acadia looks quite different, even though the design is reminiscent of the Explorer from the sides and Durango from the front. In other words, the Acadia doesn’t break new styling ground, but it still manages to look pretty slick.
Inside, the dashboard — especially the touch-screen display — is clearly influenced by other General Motors vehicles. The seating configurations vary when optioned with individually folding second-row buckets that also slide forward to make third-row access a bit easier.
For the new 2017 Acadia there are two engine choices instead of one. The new base 2.5-litre four-cylinder makes 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. Optional is a 3.6-litre V-6 that’s rated at 310 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque compared with 288/270 for the 3.6 the 2016 Acadia. The four-cylinder is the fuel-economy champ of the duo, earning a rating of 11.0 l/100 km in the city and 9.2 on the highway (FWD).
A six-speed automatic transmission is standard for both engines.
All-wheel-drive is a popular staple in this class and is available with both the four- and six-cylinder engines. Under normal driving, AWD disconnects the rear axle to save on gas, or it can be switched to 4x4, Sport, Off Road or Trailer/Tow modes by adjusting the console-mounted selector knob.
Pricing for the base SLE trim starts at $36,800 including destination charges. For that sum you get tri-zone climate control, keyless open and start, rear-vision camera and a front-centre airbag that deploys from the right-hand side of the driver’s seat to separate the driver and front passenger from each other during a side-impact collision.
The SLE-2 and SLT trims add a variety of drivetrain and luxury content, leading to the sporty five-passenger All Terrain model that’s heavy on the black paint and blacked-out trim and is specially equipped for off-road travel.
The pinnacle of Acadia extravagance is the Denali, with a chromed-up exterior trim, hands-free power liftgate, wood and leather-coated interior bits, heated and cooled seats, 20-inch wheels (18s are standard) and a variety of active safety systems to prevent collisions.
With GMC’s full-size tall-wagon bases covered by the Yukon lineup, repurposing the Acadia as a mid-size family hauler makes sense. It now hits a sweeter spot with buyers seeking lots of space and comfort in a more manageable size.
What you should know: 2017 GMC Acadia
Type: Four-door, front- /all-wheel-drive mid-size tall wagon
Engines (h.p.): 2.5-litre DOHC I-4 (193); 3.6-litre DOHC V-6 (310)
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Market position: General Motors’ GMC division does the smart thing and downsizes the full-size Acadia thus bringing it in line with other hot-selling foreign- and domestic-based brands that can carry up to seven passengers.
Points: All-new sheetmetal is attractive and falls into line with the competition. o Dashboard could be from a number of other GM models. o Base four-cylinder engine is thrifty, but for serious towing and hauling stick with the V-6. o New All Terrain model looks cool, adds off-road competency. o Cargo and stowage capacities are reduced, but agility increases, big-time.
Active safety: Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert (opt.); active cruise control (opt.); emergency braking (opt.); pedestrian detection (opt.); lane-keeping assist (opt.).
L/100 km (city/hwy) 11.0/9.2 (2.5. FWD); Base price (incl. destination) $36,800