With a wave of its magic marketing wand, General Motor's work horse GMC truck division has a (presto) new up-level trim for its largest family-friendly offering.
The three-row GMC Acadia crossover now boasts a 'Denali' trim adding a chrome honeycomb grille, monochromatic exterior and 20-inch two-tone clad, six-spoke wheels along with heated and cooled driver/passenger seats and a handy heads up front window display of digital speed and other info. The Denali (an Alaska National Park north of Anchorage) name has graced the truck-based, three-row, V-8-powered GMC Yukon sport utility for several years.
Based on the highly regarded Lambda platform also utilized in the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, the Acadia crossover is a car-like vehicle in a division of blue-collar trucks. Other than the new, five-passenger GMC Terrain, introduced in the 2010 model year, GMC remains a division of mid-size and large pickups and truck-like SUVs. The three Lambda-based vehicles have garnered strong, steady sales since their 2007 model year debut thanks in part to three rows of flexible seating capable of accommodating up to eight riders. While GM phased out traditional V-6-powered minivans several years back, these three-row crossovers fill the same family-friendly niche with a slightly 'cooler' image, albeit sans sliding rear doors. Other than the new Denali trim, Acadia updates in 2011 are minimal. All boast a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
General Motors finds itself slimmed down to four remaining divisions (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC) while working its way back into the publicly traded stock market sector after the federal government took a 61 percent stake in the worldwide automaker as part of an intricate 'soft bankruptcy' procedure in 2009.
A long wheelbase (distance between front a rear axle) contributes to a lower center of gravity resulting in a subtle, stable ride for a relatively large and somewhat weighty (4,857-pound) vehicle.
All Lambda-based vehicles offer a 3.6-liter V-6 engine cranking out 288 horses. This powertrain maximizes fuel economy with gas-direct engine technology and a six-speed automatic transmission (no manual offered) while able to tow a respectable 5,200 pounds where equipped. Regular unleaded fuel fills the rather large 22-gallon tank. All-wheel-drive vehicles average 16 miles per gallon in city travel and 23 m.p.g. highway (add one mpg better in each category for front drive), some of the best numbers for any eight-passenger vehicle.
All three vehicles are assembled in Lansing Michigan (a four hour drive from the Windy City) at GM's newest North American assembly plant opened in 2006. In October of 2010, GM announced an investment of $37 million to enhance the plant in part to help with development of the upcoming second-generation Acadia/Enclave/Traverse trio.
Standard design cues built into the new Denali include dual chrome exhaust tips, high-intensity discharge headlamps and Denali badging on inside door skid plates and fender sides. Inside one finds dual SkyScape sunroof, laminated glass helping to deaden sound, instrument panel and center stack wood grain finish, perforated leather seats with matching door panel trim and leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with mahogany inserts (and cruise control and secondary audio buttons). Also expect premium Bose 10-speaker sound system, tri-zone climate control and in-dash Navigation with color rear-view camera display.
Big does not translate into unfriendly. With a low front-door step in of 18.9 inches, Acadia requires a hip-level twist entry, not a step up motion when drivers enter. The 'Smart Slide' feature, standard in the second row, allows very convenient access to the surprisingly roomy third row.
The low gloss dashboard lacks the soft-touch feel of some newer GM models. The deep, long dashboard top includes a shallow, covered storage bin accommodating storage of an IPAS. The busy instrument panel cluster includes five independent circular analog gauges (with attractive red and white nighttime backlighting) and digital message window along the top portion. No push-button start (yet) as the ignition cylinder is on the right-side of the manually-operated tilt and telescoping steering column. The glove box is large with no partitions. A series of push buttons below the navigation/audio screen activate the tri-zone climate. When shifting into reverse, the medium-sized, heated side-view mirrors (with turn-signal blinker bands) tilt down and resume their natural position when the transmission returns to drive.
In addition to dual inline beverage holders between the supportive front bucket seats, front doors include single molded cup catchers while rear side doors sport two. Standard rear wiper controls are found on the center console near the heated/cooled seat buttons.
GMC Acadia now sports more trim levels than ever (SL, SLE, SLT-1, SLT-2 and Denali), all available with either front-wheel or Chicago-friendly all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive Denali trim starts at $45,220 while its front-drive counterpart starts $2,000 less. Our front-drive Denali tester with $43,220 starting price and optional Nav traffic ($1,890), second-row entertainment system ($1,445) and white diamond tri-coat finish ($795) had a bottom line of $48,125 including the $775 destination charge. The lowest-priced Acadia effort, an entry SL front drive, checks in at $31,840.
By comparison, Mazda 's 2011 CX-9 car-based crossover (also sporting the choice of front or all-wheel drive), seating a maximum of seven, starts at $29,135 with a 3.7-liter V-6 cranking out 273 horses.
Denali's large chrome honeycomb grille gets flanked by large, squarish headlight housing. Chrome strap-like handles adorn the four side doors. Thin rearC pillars and large windows help maximize sight lines for drivers. Wide rear doors swing open to provide good leg clearance. Side mirrors in the future could incorporate concave corners for enhanced side views. The standard power rear hatch opens with plenty of clearance for those six-feet, two-inches and shorter.
Row two can be had with two captain's chairs (seven seat version) or a more traditional bench-type seat (eight total). Both designs allow convenient third-row access via second-row seats that easily slide forward on a floor track while cushions accordion forward for a decently wide leg aisle. The elevated-from-the-floor three-person back row boasts surprising head room and comfortable cushioning and ample leg space. When not in use, the seat backs manually fold with a 70/30 split onto cushions. This is best accomplished with the power latch opened and activating a manual release lever atop the seat back. Pull straps help return the seats back to prone positions. With the back row in use, enough room remains behind for groceries or other items. Both second and third rows fold flat for 115.9 cubic feet of cargo storage
OnStar, GM's high-tech, easy-to-use, in-vehicle communication network comes standard in Denali (with new 9.0 edition for 2011). Just push a circular blue button near the rear-view mirror to be connected instantly with a real live person (no tutorial) any hour of the day. XM Satellite radio pre-wiring comes standard (audio sound rises and falls with Acadia's driving speed) as well with optional NavTraffic real-time traffic advising. Other standard safety equipment includes remote keyless entry, anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control, side curtain airbags for all three rows and front side impact bags.
These large Lambda vehicles drive smaller than their size. Independent rear suspension adds to the car-like maneuvering. Expect a more subtle rather than sporty ride as Acadia glides over road imperfections. The non-luxury Mazda CX-9 incorporates a sportier suspension and ride. The brake pedal is responsive; just a gentle push starts slowing down the vehicle with no sudden lurch. Acadia offers no gas-electric hybrid choice as does the truck-based Yukon Denali.
GMC truck showrooms are frequently paired with Buick dealers. With Buick also hawking the Lambda-platform Enclave, GMC now boasts a high-end trim that goes toe-to-toe with the entry-luxury inspired Enclave, giving shoppers a reason to check out both, and maybe spend a few shillings more for the new Denali Acadia.
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