2021 GMC Acadia Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The GMC Acadia is a midsize crossover utility vehicle, GMC’s answer to options like the Ford Explorer and, as of 2021, the Jeep Grand...

The GMC Acadia is a midsize crossover utility vehicle, GMC’s answer to options like the Ford Explorer and, as of 2021, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Smaller than the full-sized Yukon but larger than the five-seater Terrain, it’s a moderately sized SUV that still manages to offer a seven-person capacity (when appropriately optioned).

The second-generation Acadia debuted in 2017, and the vehicle got a facelift for the 2020 model year. For 2021, it carries over with only minor changes. The trim lineup remains the same as last year’s, with choice of SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali.

The 2021 GMC Acadia is offered with three new exterior color options: Cayenne Red Tintcoat, Midnight Blue Metallic, and Hunter Metallic. The last is available on the top Denali trim only. A new Elevation Edition package, available on SLE and SLT trims, adds 20-inch wheels, black exterior accents, and black interior trim.

The GMC Acadia range comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with the exception of the off-road-focused AT4, which is offered exclusively in all-wheel drive (AWD). AWD is also available as an extra-cost option for SLE, SLT, and Denali trims.

The base engine for the Acadia SL and the SLE FWD is a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder making 193 hp and 188 lb-feet of torque. The SLE AWD and the SLT get the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter turbo is also available for the Denali, but AT4 and Denali Acadias come standard with a 3.6-liter V6 making 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, which can tow up to 4,000 pounds. All 2021 GMC Acadias come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was new for 2020.

For the 2021 model year, the Pro Safety Plus package was made standard on SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. The Premium Package, offered on SLT and AT4, gained a heated steering wheel, and the Technology package, which adds a head-up display and a 360-degree camera, is now available for SLT and AT4 as well.

An 8-inch color touchscreen running the GMC Infotainment System with Alexa Built-In is standard across the range. For SLT, AT4, and Denali trims, this system also includes navigation. A six-speaker audio system is standard on the lower three trims, while a Bose Premium eight-speaker sound system is available on SLE and standard on SLT, AT4, and Denali. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are newly standard for all Acadias, as is a built-in Wi-Fi hostpot. 4G LTE Data is available.

Lane change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist are all standard across the Acadia lineup. Front and rear park assist is an optional upgrade on SLE trims and standard on those above, and the same is true of automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, front pedestrian braking, IntelliBeam, and lane-keep assist. A 6” color head-up display is standard on Denali, optional on SLT and AT4, and adaptive cruise control and a rear camera mirror are options on Denali only.

The 2021 GMC Acadia is on sale now. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starts at $29,800 for the Acadia SL, and goes up to $48,600 for the Denali trim with AWD.