The GMC Acadia is a brash midsize SUV that’s equipped—and priced—like a bigger SUV. It competes with SUVs such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Ford Explorer, and the Dodge Durango.
2026 GMC Acadia Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 GMC Acadia
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 GMC Acadia
The Acadia midsize crossover SUV was last redesigned for the 2024 model year. For 2026, GMC has expand the Acadia lineup with a new Denali Ultimate trim at the top. Now you can turn it from a well-equipped, family-friendly vehicle with three rows into an SUV with luxury aspirations and a price tag to match—although it still uses the same turbo-four engine as the rest of the lineup.
Design
The GMC Acadia has a typical midsize SUV profile, though it’s a little burlier than most competitors. The truck-like front end features a big, body-colored frame into which slots a broad grille with a distinctive pattern for each trim level, from chrome slats for the base Elevation to an elegant blacked-out grid for the Denali Ultimate. The base trim wears 18-inch wheels, though designs up to 22 inches are available.
Powertrain
Every 2026 Acadia is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). A turbo-four might not sound impressive, but the Acadia can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The AT4 model gets standard AWD, an upgraded suspension with a 1.2-inch lift, skid plates, and an all-terrain driving mode. The Denali Ultimate, too, gets special suspension tuning for a smoother ride.
Interior
The Acadia has three rows of seats and can be configured to accommodate up to eight, which pushes the limits for a midsize SUV. However, it feels spacious inside, thanks to a low beltline and big windows. Standard features include a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. Options include ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, various leather trim options, contrast stitching, a panoramic sunroof, and numerous grades of wood trim. The Acadia has 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear row, and the seats fold to open up a maximum of 97.5 cubic feet.
Technology
GMC equips the 2026 Acadia with an 11-inch digital instrument display and a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system with crisp graphics and intuitive menus. The system runs on a Google-based platform and includes Google apps, along with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other tech features include a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Options include an 8-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Bose audio system.
Safety
The 2026 GMC Acadia comes standard with a rearview camera, forward-collision warning, front and rear automatic emergency braking, a following-distance indicator, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and a rear-seat reminder system. Options include a surround-view camera system, a rearview camera mirror, and General Motors’ Super Cruise limited hands-free driving system. The 2026 GMC Acadia hadn't received crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the time of writing. The 2025 model received a top five-star rating from the NHTSA and mixed scores from the IIHS.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2026 GMC Acadia is available to order now, with delivery in fall 2025 and a delayed rollout for the new Denali Ultimate. As of this writing, GMC lists pricing from $43,700 for the base Elevation trim, while the mid-tier AT4 model starts at $52,300 and the Denali starts at $55,700. Finally, the new top-of-the-line Denali Ultimate version starts at a whopping $62,900. These prices do not include GMC’s destination fee of $1,895.
