2011 GMC Acadia

The 2011 GMC Acadia offers four trim levels to choose from, mainly known as SL, SLE, SLT-1, and SLT-2. With the current MY, it also gets the Denali trim that reflects top-notch craftsmanship. The price of the Base SL trim starts from $32,000 and goes up to $39,250 for the SLT-2 trim for the FWD variant. It gets additional features and options increasing with each higher trim.

We Recommend

We recommend you go for the SLT-1 trim as it proves to be more valuable by offering luxury and comfort at a justifiable price. It has premiums like Tri-zone automatic climate control, Variable-assist steering system, 10-speaker Bose stereo with a USB audio jack that were missing in the previous trims. However, the main highlight is the full leather upholstery throughout the interior of the car that makes it more premium, providing the best value for money.

The 2011 GMC Acadia is available in only one engine option. It will carry a 3.6L V6 engine that produces 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The drivetrain is standard FWD with a 6-speed shiftable automatic gearbox which is standard across the entire range of the GMC Acadia. However, AWD is available as an optional extra at $2000. 

The engine is very refined but acceleration is sluggish. Although it is not a full off-roading vehicle, the AWD variant would be great for muddier roads. Now coming to the acceleration, this engine can help the vehicle do 0-60MPH run in 8.1 seconds and a quarter-mile run in 15.8 seconds. These numbers are not great but are sufficient for a family car. When properly, this vehicle can tow up to 5,200 pounds

Ford Explorer is the most powerful of the lot delivering nearly 290hp and it can do 0-60mph run in just 7.3 seconds. It is interesting to note that all vehicles in the competition come equipped with standard 6-speed automatic transmission. The least powerful Mazda CX-9 also performs better than the Acadia clocking 7.7 seconds, while the Chevrolet Traverse that is based on similar underpinnings is also almost half a second quicker. What is noteworthy, however, is that the Acadia punches through the mid-range and dusts all its competitors in the quarter-mile run.

The 2011 GMC Acadia is very impressive in terms of fuel economy. The 3.6L V6 engine returns 17 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway, and 19 MPG combined. Opting for the AWD variant will decrease the mpg a bit. It will provide 16 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on the highway, and 19 MPG combined. The vehicle also gets a 22.0-gallon fuel tank capacity which is sufficient to go 418 miles between fuel stops.

Ford Explorer is the most fuel-efficient of the lot when compared to its competitors averaging 20 MPG. However, it has a much smaller fuel tank capacity than its rivals. This affects its driving range by a huge margin. The GM twins and the Mazda CX-9 offer almost the same fuel economy but a slightly smaller tank on the CX-9 pulls down its driving range below 500 miles.

The interior of the 2011 GMC Acadia is quite simple yet elegant. The space in the front is excellent and even six-footers won’t find any issues. Coming to the dashboard design, it is simple with large AC vents matching the aesthetics of the car. The AC vents are finished in chrome and look premium. The center console has a lot of buttons that are straightforward to use. Standard equipment on the base trim feels bland. Opt for the SLE trim and you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-way power driver seat, and 2-way power passenger seat. The SLT trim adds tri-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats. Optional Leather upholstery on higher trims is another element that adds to the beauty of the car.

Speaking of the seats, you can seat 7 people with second-row captain’s chairs or 8 people with second-row bench seats. The front seats are cushioned and are very comfortable. The rear seats are also cushioned and comfortable for long rides. Overall the entire interior layout of the 2011 GMC Acadia is very well designed with comfort in mind. Even its cargo capacity of 116.9 cu.-ft is class-leading making it an apt family hauler.

The 2011 Acadia has the best interior space when compared to its competitors. The Mazda CX-9 on the other hand has the best-in-class second-row legroom but has the least cargo space available of 17.2 cu.-ft with all seats in an upright position. The Chevrolet Traverse can seat up to 8 people which is a bonus. Meanwhile, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse have the best cargo space than their competitors, while the Ford Explorer’s trunk volume of 80.7 cu.-ft feels disparagingly low.

Standout interior features:

• Tri-zone climate control
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Power adjustable front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Second-row captain’s chairs

How intuitive is the 2011 GMC Acadia’s infotainment unit?

The 2011 GMC Acadia comes equipped with a standard six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo system with satellite radio. Moreover, it has Bluetooth connectivity with which you can connect your smartphone; also USB jack and headphone jack. The audio system can be upgraded to a 10-speaker BOSE audio system that will take the party on the roads. Through optional packages, you can also get a navigation system, a rear entertainment system, a 115-volt power outlet, and Bose surround-sound system. 

Standout infotainment features:

• 6-speaker audio
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Satellite Radio
• USB Connection
• Headphone jacks
• Optional 10-speaker Bose audio

The 2011 MY brought no new changes to the exterior as well. 2011 Acadia has one of the best exterior designs in the market. The car is very bold with curved lines. The chrome grille looks premium and adds to the aesthetic of the car. There are small bits of chrome accents everywhere. The projector headlights and taillights also look cool. 

As standard, you get 18-inch alloy wheels with the base trim which can be upgraded to 19-inch wheels or 20-inch chrome wheels in the Denali trim. Moreover, you also get fog lamps, a power liftgate, and a skyscape sunroof. Overall the exterior of the 2011 GMC Acadia looks exquisite and has similar dimensions as its competitors. It is, however, relatively heavier and weighs 4,656 lbs. 

The GMC Acadia and the Chevrolet Traverse are almost similar as they are built from the same platform. However, Traverse is the heaviest in the segment, while the Traverse is almost 5 inches longer despite sharing a similar wheelbase of 118.9 inches. The Mazda CX-9 has the best ground clearance of 8.0 inches and is also the widest measuring 78.9 inches, while the Ford lies midway in terms of dimensions.

Standout exterior features:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Fog lamps
• Power liftgate
• 19-inch wheels (SLT-1)

The 2011 GMC Acadia performs very well in its crash tests. It got 5-star ratings from the NHTSA and has received ‘GOOD’ ratings from the IIHS. It is packed with a plethora of safety features. Some of the safety features of the 2011 GMC Acadia include four-wheel ABS, stability control, front knee airbags, front second and third-row airbags along with full-length side curtains airbags. 

Standout safety features: 

• Electronic Stability Control
• Front-seat side airbags
• Full-length side curtain airbags
• GM OnStar communications
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

The 2011 GMC Acadia is truly a family car with comfort as its priority. It offers sufficient performance figures usable for daily driving as well as a bit of towing. It has excellent mpg figures which makes it practical as well. The interior and cargo space are also very good. So, the 2011 Acadia is a great option for a family looking for a subtle SUV.