2007 GMC Acadia Review

Enough to Blot Out The Aztek?

GM admits it; its first attempt at a crossover vehicle was a flop. Going down in history as one of the ugliest vehicles to grace planet Earth, archeologists will surely stumble across the preserved remains of a Pontiac Aztek and step back in horror at what their ancestors had created; if they dont see it as the lead vehicle in reruns of Jessica Albas equally fated Dark Angel first. A truly beastly automobile, it was far from flying off showroom floors. In fact, wed hazard a guess theres still a few floating around a number of dealerships with nothing but delivery miles on the clock.

So, when it came time for GM to step up to the crossover plate all over again, they figured theyd be smart, and design a family of cars that doesnt, well, suck. One member of the new GM crossover family is this; the GMC Acadia. Joining its Saturn and Buick stablemates (the Outlook and Enclave), the Acadia represents GMCs most car-like entry into the market yet, and could fill the slot between the entry level Envoy SUV and the pricier Yukon. Based on the much-touted Lambda platform, the Acadia, Enclave and Outlook were due to arrive in 2004, but fears of the new crossovers competing with the GMT-platformed trucks caused GM bigwigs to delay the production run until now.

First of the trio to be shown was the Enclave, while the Outlook will be the first model to hit showrooms, with the “Professional Grade” Acadia bringing up the rear. Interestingly enough, the flexible Lambda platform that underpins all three crossovers will be used as the basis for the upcoming 2009 re-release of GMs minivan line, and could also be modified and used to replace the aging W-Body platform (Impala, Monte Carlo, etc.) and rumors to that effect have been circulating with the new architecture being called the chi platform.

But back to the Acadia. With the same MacPherson strut suspension as the other two crossover entries, the Acadia tries to find the balance between SUV capability and car-like handling, using things like isolated mounting points and a direct-acting stabilizer bar to find the balance. Out back, an independent rear end sets it apart from the brands full-size SUVs, using what GM is calling an “H” design. Compact and again, benefiting from isolated mounting points, its clear The General wants their new crossovers to be smooth and quiet.

Joining the suspension to the body is the actual Lambda platforms frame, which uses a “body-frame integral” design that is thoroughly confusing. Less confusing though is the frames layout, which places the wheels 118.9 inches apart front to back, and 67.3 inches apart left to right. As a result, the wide and long stance should give the Acadia a reasonably smooth, pitch-free ride while still offering decent handling. Nicely enough, relatively short overhangs front and rear will no doubt contribute to its maneuverability. Of course, if wont hurt that the Acadia will come standard with power rack and pinion steering with optional variable-effort functionality available.

It should be pretty safe too, with the aforementioned stiff BFI frame offering lots of rigidity, while the low center of gravity offered by the wide and low stance will help prevent rollovers. In those extreme situations, a rollover mitigation program thats been incorporated into the standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system uses an amalgamation of ABS braking, power delivery, and magic to go even further to prevent it from turning turtle. Of course, as the manuals all say, the laws of physics are unbending and nothing will help you get out of a situation that sheer stupidity placed you in.

Interestingly though, while the Outlook benefits from four-wheel steering according to the press release, theres no such mention of such a system in the Acadias release. Instead making do with six standard airbags; two front-mounted, two seat-mounted side curtain, and two roof rail airbags, the Acadia literally becomes one giant airbag in a collision. Lastly, like many GM vehicles, the Acadia comes fitted with OnStar Generation 7, which features the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification system. As the name implies, after detecting an airbag-inflating collision, the OnStar system automatically calls OnStar. The OnStar operator then calls the vehicle to check the status, and if that fails, summons emergency help.

But hopefully it never comes to that, after all, collisions have a habit of messing up interiors; and the Acadias sounds pretty nice. Using a theme that seems to be influenced by the GMC truck line, the Acadias designers opted to go with a “far and away” interior, moving things like the dashboard far, and obviously away from the occupants. The result is an airy-feeling cockpit, with plenty of sight lines and no need to look up and over anything. A very truck-like instrument panel houses the traditional GMC red-lit gauges, while a very car like center console falls down from the dash board (where its topped by three pretty cool looking vents) to the consoles storage bin. Sporting nothing but low-gloss materials and with (apparently) much attention paid to GMs weak point; fit and finish, the Acadia will hopefully distinguish itself as a high-quality automobile, much as GMCs trucks have in their segment. Working towards that goal, GMC has fitted the Acadia with thicker door glass, flat-blade windshield wipers, and strategically placed sound deadening material to make the crossover a slightly quieter, more upscale version of its brethren.

Adding to that is the extensive list of optional and standard equipment. Sporting everything from heated mirrors to a DVD entertainment system, the Acadia offers even more luxury items than the only other non-concept Lambda model (the Buick Enclave retains the title of concept still), like a Bose 5.1 surround sound system and unique SkyScape skylight system that gives both front and middle row passengers a view of the sky above. Of course, obligatory leather seating is also available, and finally, the Acadia even gets a little bit of Corvette technology in the form of a heads up display (HUD) that projects the most relevant info onto the windshield in front of the driver, never requiring the driver to take his or her eyes of the road.

But, as GM discovered, none of this matters unless the thing looks good, and I happen to think it does. A deep front fascia that terminates in a sheet of flat black plastic that wraps around the whole car, makes the CUV look higher than it is; leading to the conclusion that its off-road worthy, while also making the front end look sportingly low; if that makes any sense at all. Above the black plastic is some body colored plastic, into which the admittedly boring grille is set, topped off with a semi-ugly chrome strip on the hood, however, the front end is saved by the cool headlights that look as if they came right off of some bizarre European sedan. Likewise, Mercedes S-Class/Mazda CX-7 fender flares add a macho element all-round, especially when stuffed with the optional bling-blang 19-inch wheels (which Id immediately paint flat black). Of course, they look pretty cool as they are, as do the upscale taillights and roof rack. The actual shape of the truck is recognizably GM, and the cut of the windows and the placement of the pillars make the Acadia resemble a 8/10ths scale Escalade.

But perhaps the best news is yet to come: with the Lambda platform rumored to be designed to swallow both V6 and V8 engines, the Acadias stock 3.6L V6 VVT engine could possibly be displaced for, oh, say an LS2 in a possible SS or alternatively named performance edition. And while the V6 should still move the SUV with verve courtesy of an announced six-speed automatic transmission, plus a rating of 267 horsepower in the Outlook (the Acadias specs have yet to be released), theres simply no replacement for displacement when it comes to Chevy powerplants, and I cant think of a much cooler family hauler than an Acadia SS  with an LS2 V8 putting 400 horsepower to the pavement through all four wheels.

But while such fantasies will most likely remain nothing more than pipe dreams, GMCs latest creation could be just the car the brand needs to re-energize sales and bring customers whod never even considered a GMC before into its dealerships. With upscale styling, a well thought-out and attractive interior, decent power, and plenty of options, the Acadia certainly sounds up to the task of wiping the Aztek from GMs past, but whether or not it actually does is a question well all just have to wait to find out.