2009 GMC Acadia Trims and Specs

The 2009 GMC Acadia SLE-1 is the base trim for this SUV, but at an MSRP of $30,950, you wouldn’t expect it to be a stripped-down base, and it isn’t. First, the SLE-1 shares the same drivetrain as the more expensive trims – a 3.6-liter V6 with 288 horsepower mated to a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. It also shares all the safety features of the more expensive trims, including the StabiliTrak stability control system with traction control.

The SLE-1 features 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, double-dual exhaust with chrome tips, remote keyless entry, power windows, heated driver and front-passenger seats, eight-passenger seating with a 60/40 split and flat-folding bench seat, a theft-deterrent system, a three-month trial of XM Radio and NavTraffic, and an AM/FM stereo with MP3-compatible CD player.

The 2009 GMC Acadia SLE-1 AWD has all the same amenities as the base SLE-1 (from heated front seats to a full range of safety features) and also has GMC’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Without any input from the driver, this AWD knows when to redistribute torque from the SLE-1 AWD’s 3.6-liter V6 between the front and rear wheels, depending on slippage. The AWD system adds about 200 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight, but barely affects mileage. The FWD SLE-1 gets 17 city/24 highway mpg and the AWD version gets 16/24.

The 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-1 is about $4,500 more expensive than the base SLE-1, which seems like it should get you a lot of extra features. Happily, It does. The SLT-1's additions include hydraulic power steering with variable assist, heated rearview mirrors with integrated turn signals, 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, power driver and passenger seats, leather-appointed seating for the first and second rows, Bluetooth, a universal home remote, driver information center with outside temperature indicator, rear-seat audio controls, and an upgraded AM/FM/CD stereo with in-dash 6-CD changer and a premium 10-speaker system with subwoofer from Bose.

The 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-1 AWD has all the convenience upgrades of the front-wheel-drive SLT-1 (from hydraulic power steering to a premium 10-speaker Bose sound system) plus GMC’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system. This system will automatically transfer the needed torque between the front and rear wheels depending on conditions. It adds about 200 pounds to the SLT-1's curb weight, but detracts almost nothing from its mileage – the SLT-1 AWD gets 16 city/24 highway mpg, and the FWD version gets 17/24.

The base trim for this model comes with ample features, so you have to figure that the top-end trim is loaded, and that’s the case with the 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-2. This trim level features a cargo package that includes a cargo shade and net, a convenience package that includes a remote starter and heated washer fluid, and a visibility package that includes ultrasonic rear parking assist, a rearview camera system, and an inside rearview mirror with rear camera display. And that’s just the start.

The SLT-2 features an eight-way power driver's seat with two-position memory, power recline, and lumbar control; heated and cooled seats; express up and down for the driver and passenger windows; power-adjustable and folding exterior rearview mirrors with driver’s side auto-dimming and memory; a power rear liftgate; a household-style three-prong, 115-volt power outlet; and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.

The 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-2 is the highest-priced trim for this model, but you get an awful lot for that price. It comes with all the features from all the trims – including double-dual exhaust with chrome tips, tri-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats, and a visibility package that features rear parking assist and a rearview camera system – plus GMC’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system. This AWD system knows when to move torque from the front to the rear or vice versa depending on slippage. It will help you in tough conditions, but it won’t cost you much at the gas pump, as the SLT-2 AWD gets 16 city/24 highway mpg, almost identical to the 17/24 rating for the FWD SLT-2.