2010 Gmc Acadia
Gazing upon the ultra-vanilla lines of the GMC Acadia is akin to a recent heart attack patient spending the day in a quiet library. The Acadia seems to work under the impression that if it gives you even the remotest bit of excitement or pleasure it will kill you. Finally, it is the SUV that feels guilty for you. And will never, ever as long as it lives raise your pulse on iota.When the GMC Acadia was initially released (what seems like ten years ago) everyone agreed it was handsomely styled and much better looking than the four (!) other GM versions at Buick, Saturn and Chevy dealers. To be honest the GMC just had cleaner lines than the other versions but it underscored the badge engineering problems at GM that eventually led them to bankruptcy.The GMC Acadia comes standard with an adequate 3.6 liter V6 good for 288 horsepower and 270 pound feet of torque. Fuel economy ratings are unexceptional at 16/23. While those power ratings may sound like enough to move the Acadia out with aplomb it simply isn't. This lethargic little worm moans, shakes and vibrates as you try to enter a freeway on-ramp. And I am just talking about the transmission which, hopefully, in the car I was driving was faulty.Starting at $31,890, however, there are just far too many crossovers out there that do a better job of maximizing utility of space and not creating something that handles like a rotten rutabaga. If you want all the toys (everyone wants) you have to spring for the SLT-2 trim level and you are over $38,000. Add in navigation, rear seat entertainment screens, panoramic moonroof and a tow package and you are over $50,000. Are they really serious? For a GMC?That isn't to say there aren't any positive things to say about the GMC Acadia. The middle row of seats folds flat and allows easy access for people relegated to the third row. And a moderately sized adult could actually sit in that row without fear of needing a leg amputation three hours later. Honestly, with how easily the seats fold and arrange themselves, the interior of the Acadia is easily the equal of the class leading Honda Pilot or Acura MDX.But then this leads us to our big problem. Granted, General Motors is always having sales where they are giving them away with super-sweet financing and lease rates. But that's just it. Why buy a car when you are settling for just alright when you can have something that's perfect.Do you need a seven seat SUV but want something better? Here are some of your options: Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Veracruz, Honda Pilot, Ford Flex, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Kia Sorento, Kia Borrego, Nissan Pathfinder or even a minivan like the Honda Odyssey is a better choice. If space for seven really is your priority then a crossover/SUV is never going to give you exactly what you want.
Gazing upon the ultra-vanilla lines of the GMC Acadia is akin to a recent heart attack patient spending the day in a quiet library. The Acadia seems to work under the impression that if it gives you even the remotest bit of excitement or pleasure it will kill you. Finally, it is the SUV that feels guilty for you. And will never, ever as long as it lives raise your pulse on iota.
When the GMC Acadia was initially released (what seems like ten years ago) everyone agreed it was handsomely styled and much better looking than the four (!) other GM versions at Buick, Saturn and Chevy dealers. To be honest the GMC just had cleaner lines than the other versions but it underscored the badge engineering problems at GM that eventually led them to bankruptcy.
The GMC Acadia comes standard with an adequate 3.6 liter V6 good for 288 horsepower and 270 pound feet of torque. Fuel economy ratings are unexceptional at 16/23. While those power ratings may sound like enough to move the Acadia out with aplomb it simply isn't. This lethargic little worm moans, shakes and vibrates as you try to enter a freeway on-ramp. And I am just talking about the transmission which, hopefully, in the car I was driving was faulty.
Starting at $31,890, however, there are just far too many crossovers out there that do a better job of maximizing utility of space and not creating something that handles like a rotten rutabaga. If you want all the toys (everyone wants) you have to spring for the SLT-2 trim level and you are over $38,000. Add in navigation, rear seat entertainment screens, panoramic moonroof and a tow package and you are over $50,000. Are they really serious? For a GMC?
That isn't to say there aren't any positive things to say about the GMC Acadia. The middle row of seats folds flat and allows easy access for people relegated to the third row. And a moderately sized adult could actually sit in that row without fear of needing a leg amputation three hours later. Honestly, with how easily the seats fold and arrange themselves, the interior of the Acadia is easily the equal of the class leading Honda Pilot or Acura MDX.
But then this leads us to our big problem. Granted, General Motors is always having sales where they are giving them away with super-sweet financing and lease rates. But that's just it. Why buy a car when you are settling for just alright when you can have something that's perfect.
Do you need a seven seat SUV but want something better? Here are some of your options: Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Veracruz, Honda Pilot, Ford Flex, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Kia Sorento, Kia Borrego, Nissan Pathfinder or even a minivan like the Honda Odyssey is a better choice. If space for seven really is your priority then a crossover/SUV is never going to give you exactly what you want.
