2022 GMC Acadia

 We would go with the SLT trim as this trim is also available with the V6. This trim adds heated front leather seats, remote start, power driver's seat, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, navigation system, and safety seat alert. We also suggest buying the $995 Preferred package that adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, and power passenger's seat. 

The GMC Acadia comes in several well-equipped trim levels, though it can get pricey- The Car Connection

Post the discontinuation of the SL trim, the 2022 GMC Acadia is available for sale in four trims- SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The prices have climbed by $900 and the MSRP starts from $34,800 onwards for the base SLE trim which gets the barebones of features in its price. Except for the AT4 trim, both FWD and AWD configurations are available.

The Acadia is also available with several noteworthy packages and individual options. The Driver Convenience package adds an 8-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a hands-free power tailgate for $1,700. A rear-seat entertainment system includes two 8-inch screens and two wireless headphones and is an option for any trim for $$1,750. 

Two engines and two drivetrains result in a bit of variance in the fuel economy ratings- Carbuzz

Owing to its quintessential American nature, the 2022 GMC Acadia is only acceptably fuel-efficient. Equipped with the smaller 2.0L unit in the SLE and SLT trims, you will get 22 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway and 25 MPG combined. This is hooked up to a 19-gallon fuel tank that gets you an overall combined driving range of 475 miles.

Upgrade to the AT4 or Denali with the 3.6L V6 engine and the MPG figures drop further but you get a bigger 22-gallon fuel tank. They return 19 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on the highway, and 22 MPG combined. At full capacity, you will get a driving range of 462 miles which masks the gas-guzzling nature of the bigger engine. 

Compared to the rivals, in its base avatar, the Acadia is the most fuel-efficient. The Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer offer similar MPG figures, but the Highlander inches slightly forward on account of having a better highway mileage. The Chevy Traverse is an all-out gas guzzler despite being equipped with the same V6 engine as the AT4 or Denali.

While we're impressed with the Acadia's long list of features and equipment, we wish the interior had a more premium feel and look- Autotrader

The GMC Acadia offers an elegant interior design with modern ergonomics. The spacious cabin is open for up to seven people. The optional seating configuration enhances the comfort levels for the 2nd row with captain seats. Cloth upholstery is standard but upholstery gets better as we move up the trim levels. The front seats are comfortable and spacious and six-footers won't find any trouble sitting here.

Power-adjustable front seats and steering wheel are available on higher trims. The cabin dynamics will remain the same with the upright seating position and great visibility through its massive windshield. The second row is also decently spaced for adults and the seats are roomy too. Heated rear seats are an optional feature. The third row is tighter for the adults but is relatively comfortable for shorter trips. 

The massive 8-inch infotainment is placed smartly at the center. It features both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment. As expected, the interface is intuitive while the touchscreen's graphics are crisp. You can easily adjust the settings with the physical controls provided. A rear-seat entertainment system is available on higher trims that add two 8-inch screens and two wireless headphones. 

The standard cargo space of 12.8 cu-ft. behind the third row seems small as compared to the rivals. Folding the second-row seats gets you 41.7 cu-ft. of cargo space. You get a maximum cargo volume of 79 cu-ft., which is less than other midsize SUVs. Still, it isn't that bad for an SUV. Some other cabin highlights of the Acadia are:

• Power-adjustable, heated, leather steering wheel
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats with cloth/leather upholstery
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• Heated & ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Dual-panel sunroof
• Power liftgate
• 115V rear power outlet
• 8-inch touchscreen w/ wireless smartphone integration
• 8-speaker Bose sound system
• Wireless charging

The exterior design of the GMC Acadia is conservative yet distinct- Kelly Blue Book

Undoubtedly, the GMC Acadia is the most stylish and rugged-looking SUV in its segment. The muscular pickup truck-inspired design, stylish chrome accents, and a massive grille give it a great road presence. The sleeker LED headlamps look appealing too. Don't get confused with the massive appearance of the Acadia as it is the smallest in its segment.

From the side view, the Acadia's design looks simple with no unnecessary body lines. The squared wheel arches house 17,18 or 20-inch alloy wheels while the latter two wheels get new wheel designs this year. With a higher stance and better ground clearance, the vehicle can get better off-road capabilities. The rear profile looks sporty with the dual chrome tip exhausts. 

The rivals are comparatively bigger than the GMC. The Chevy Traverse has the widest wheelbase in this competition and hence, a roomier interior. At 6 inches, the Toyota Highlander has the highest ground clearance, good enough for exploring rougher pavements. The Ford Explorer is slightly heavier than the Acadia and yet it delivers better performance. Some Acadia's exterior features are:

• LED auto high-beam headlights
• LED DRLs
• LED taillights
• LED fog lights
• Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
• Chrome roof rails
• Dual exhaust chrome tips
• Black chrome grille
• Rear roofline spoiler
• 17, 18 & 20-inch alloy wheels

The Acadia offers several standard driver-assistance technologies- CarAndDriver

Being a carryover from last year, the 2022 GMC Acadia retains the safety standards that its predecessor set. The Acadia procured a perfect 5-star safety rating from NHTSA and an overall 'Good' rating from IIHS. Both of these bolster its stance as a safe, sturdy, and stylish package at this price tag. 

To prove its mettle in the crash tests conducted, the 2022 Acadia now comes with a plethora of safety features as standard right from the base SLE trim. From the SLT trim, the number of features increases while some of them are available as options. Some of the other notable safety features are:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front & Rear Park Assist
• Lane Keep Assist 
• Lane Departure Warning
• Following Distance Indicator
• Forward Collision Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Change Alert
• Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Rearview Camera
• Teen Driver
• 360-Degree Camera
• Head-up display
• Safety Alert Seat

2022 GMC Acadia vs 2022 Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevy Traverse and the Acadia are products of GM but there are a lot of notable differences between them. The Traverse comes standard with V6, which is optional on the Acadia. This 8-seater SUV offers more space in the third row while its cargo space is also better than the Acadia. It also received a light exterior refresh but in terms of safety, both the SUVs are similar. 

2022 GMC Acadia vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer costs less than the Acadia and even its base engine is more powerful and punchier with better towing capacity. The Explorer's optional engines are way powerful than the Acadia. It is also more fuel-efficient and agile in nature. Furthermore, the Explorer's cabin is roomier while its cargo space also beats the Acadia. Overall, the Explorer is a well-rounded package than the Acadia. 

2022 GMC Acadia vs 2022 Toyota Highlander

To take on the Acadia, the Toyota Highlander gets better standard features and fuel economy at a bit higher price. It stands for its capability and reliability. However, when it comes to performance, it feels less agile than the Acadia. Inside, the Highlander offers cramped third-row legroom but excels in cargo space. A well-equipped trim of this GMC can easily take down the Toyota.

GMC did a great job with the Acadia by shifting it to the more competitive crossover SUV segment from the outdated full-size SUV segment. The Acadia comes with modern amenities and advanced features, making it a tough contender to the existing players. If we keep the interior space aside, the Acadia has it all from design, features, technology, and performance. Meanwhile, the Denali trim is next level with its top-notch interior design, high-quality leather, and luxury comfort. The available powertrain options open better possibilities for the Acadia both off and on the road.