2013 GMC Acadia Review

The GMC Acadia is an SUV regularly seen all over the UAE but is often overlooked due to its previous reputation for being somewhat boring. However, with the 2013 facelift, it has garnered better reception from the public. I had the chance to drive the 2013 Acadia SLE (base model) for a weekend, and it was honestly better than I expected.

Style

The first thing that anyone would notice about the GMC Acadia are the headlights. A friend interested in the Acadia remarked, “Oh! New lights!” This change is excellent. The headlights now feature a three-quarters LED border, providing a bright, modern feel. A similar setup is found on the tail lights. With this addition, you can sense that GMC is trying to follow in the footsteps of Audi with their Q5 headlight setup, which is not a bad thing.

The Acadia is considered a crossover, but it is quite large for one. It matches the size of a Ford Explorer or Toyota Fortuner. The Acadia sits on 19-inch alloy wheels, which are more than sufficient. The wheel arches give it a rugged off-roader look, which is a plus, even though it is not designed for rugged off-roading. One downside is the plastic grille, which detracts from the car’s overall exterior aesthetics.

Interior

Inside, the GMC Acadia feels distinctly American. It is spacious, and as a big guy, I found the seats extremely comfortable with ample legroom both front and back. The headroom is also generous, thanks to the elevated roof design. This model features very comfortable cloth seats, with the driver’s seat fully automatic and the passenger seat semi-automatic, meaning the seat back is manually adjusted.

The rear seats and third-row seating are bench-style, emphasizing the size of this crossover. The gauge cluster is visually appealing, with a blend of black and red colors, and it is perfectly symmetrical, which I appreciated (OCD!). The dashboard is soft-touch leather-wrapped, adding to the interior quality. However, the hard plastic on the interior of the doors can be uncomfortable during long drives.

The media interface of the GMC Acadia can be a little complicated, resembling an aftermarket system. The audio system is average; while the volume may not reach high levels, it results in a quieter cabin for the occupants. A noteworthy downside is the lack of a footstep, which made it difficult for my 5-year-old brother to climb into the car.

Features

The GMC Acadia boasts a very useful remote start system, a blessing for those of us living in the desert. This feature allows me to start the car from the comfort of my air-conditioned living room, letting it cool down before stepping into the oven-like UAE weather.

Additionally, the Acadia features a dual-zone AC, which would be perfect if it weren't for the strange smell of new plastic coming through the AC vents initially. This may be an isolated issue with this specific model. The back-up camera is decent but lacks clarity at night, rendering it less effective. On this model, sensors are only located on the rear bumper, which is sufficient given the size of this crossover.

Safety

The GMC Acadia is equipped with a comprehensive airbag system, featuring a total of 7 airbags: 2 in the front, 4 side airbags (curtain airbags), and one leg protection airbag for the driver, designed to protect the knees and shins during impact. Notably, the passenger seat includes a weight sensor that must exceed a certain level for the passenger airbag to deploy. For example, if a child is seated in the front during an accident, the airbag will not deploy, as children cannot withstand the force of airbags.

If no one is in the front seat during an impact, the airbag will also remain inactive, preventing waste. This intelligent design enhances safety for all occupants.

Performance

The GMC Acadia is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that delivers 288 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine is surprisingly powerful; when you accelerate, the Acadia’s nose lifts, and the engine roars. However, an inspection of the speedometer may lead you to think, “that’s it?” This indicates that while the Acadia offers excellent torque and acceleration for its size, the power may not entirely match the dramatic performance display.

Regarding off-road capabilities, the Acadia is not suited for desert terrains, especially the front-wheel drive model, which struggles on soft sand.

Conclusion

The GMC Acadia is a solid choice for families, meeting various needs such as space for kids and groceries while ensuring comfort for all passengers. It can handle simple off-road scenarios, like dirt roads in some neighborhoods. Priced at approximately 130K, the Acadia offers ample space and practicality for everyday terrain while maintaining comfort.