A red 2021 GMC Acadia is shown driving past modern buildings.

2021 GMC Acadia

SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles on the road today. Third-row seating in many of these style vehicles provides space for more passengers or cargo, with the third row folded down. Some SUVs are powerful enough for towing. Modern technology has allowed for these vehicles to be lighter, giving them easier handling and responsiveness. Since the majority of these SUVs are built with families in mind, they are well known for packing in plenty of safety features. They have the flexibility to fill many different roles, and one of the best on the market is the 2021 GMC Acadia, with a starting MSRP of $29,800.

With a tank capable of holding between 19 and 22 gallons of fuel, the 2021 GMC Acadia has a fuel economy of 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway when properly equipped. This SUV offers a maximum seating for seven as well as a safe and comfortable ride for every mile. This vehicle is powerful enough to tow up to 4,000 pounds. The 2021 GMC Acadia was given an overall safety rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Acadia earned ratings of four out of five for frontal barrier crash rating on the passenger side and rollover. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety gave the 2021 GMC Acadia a rating of Good across the board. No matter how you look at it, the 2021 GMC Acadia can deliver on safety and power.

Exterior and Under the Hood

The 2021 GMC Acadia has multiple engine options to choose between. The first is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine puts out 193 horsepower. The next is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a nine-speed automatic transmission on front-wheel drive. This engine produces up to 230 horsepower. There is also a 3.6-liter V6 with the same nine-speed automatic transmission and 310 horsepower. The ride in the GMC Acadia is described as forgiving as well as stable. The option of an adaptive suspension adds to this stability by adjusting the dampers regularly to help smooth out rough patches and maintain a relaxing ride.

Safety is a primary focus area for the 2021 GMC Acadia. Many of its advanced safety features have become standard on most vehicles, but that makes them no less impressive or important for being included here. Intellibeam headlights will automatically turn the high beams on or off based on surrounding road conditions—no more accidental blinding of other drivers with Intellibeam available. Distance sensors and alerts are provided all around the vehicle as a way to prevent collisions in parking lots or following too close. Side blind zone alert is displayed on the side view mirrors so the driver can know if someone is in their blind spot. Additionally, automatic emergency braking is provided to allow the 2021 GMC Acadia to slow on its own by applying the brakes at speeds under 50 mph. This is used as a preventative measure to avoid low-speed collisions.

The Acadia is made to be a head-turner, with aluminum wheels measuring between eighteen and twenty inches or seventeen-inch gloss black wheels with all-terrain tires. A hands-free programmable power liftgate can be activated by simply kicking your foot under the left-hand side of the rear bumper. Additionally, a traction select system allows drivers to switch between different driving modes to match the road conditions. Front-wheel drive models offer normal, snow, sport, and trailer/tow modes. All-wheel drive models offer all-wheel drive disconnect (2X4), all-wheel drive, sport, off-road, and trailer/tow modes.

A close up shows the infotainment screen and apps in a 2021 GMC Acadia.

Riding in Comfort

The 2021 GMC Acadia offers seating options for six or seven people. The front seats and third-row each have space for two, while the second row can have bench-style seating for three or individual seats for just two. Cargo and storage options are designed with maximum space in mind and plenty of small cubbies and pockets for small-item storage. Folding the second and third-row seating completely flat expands the available cargo space to 79 cubic feet. Even without going to that extreme, there are other spaces available, such as a second-row storage drawer in the back of the center console and a section for large pass-through under console storage accessible from the front seat.

Standard features for the GMC Acadia include tri-zone automatic climate control, five USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and the GMC infotainment system with an eight-inch touch screen. Available upgrades include a dual panel sunroof and a rear-seat entertainment system. The sunroof opens above the driver’s seat and the second row at the touch of a button. It can open one panel at a time and has a shade included to help regulate light exposure. All of this is installed to keep drivers and passengers comfortable while they ride. Most of the features in the 2021 GMC Acadia can be found in other vehicles, but few companies pull it off with the same sleek look as the Acadia.

A six-inch head-up display is standard on the 2021 GMC Denali, projecting important information onto the windshield to prevent the diver from needing to look away from the road for too long. The information displayed includes but is not limited to speed, cruise control, low fuel, phone, and available navigation. This system is in addition to the eight-inch touchscreen mounted in the center console. This screen controls things such as the climate control and infotainment system. The digital readout in the 2021 GMC Acadia is well designed, being centrally localized without being in the way or claiming too much attention.

A close up shows the grille and headlight on a 2021 GMC Acadia.

GMC Acadia: Ready for 2021

The 2021 GMC Acadia is made for the modern driver with comfort as well as cutting-edge technology on display. It is well designed and meant to keep everyone within it as safe as possible while on the road. This SUV is smaller than others in its class, giving it remarkable maneuverability and responsiveness and making it perfect for busy city or highway traffic. The 2021 GMC Acadia has plenty of room for every member of the family and all their belongings. Innovative cargo solutions ensure that no one and nothing will be left behind on any trip. Seating in the 2021 GMC Acadia is spacious and comfortable with the possible exception of the third row, but that is not uncommon in this class.

The 2021 GMC Acadia brilliantly addresses many concerns posed by other SUVs in the class. The high safety ratings speak well for the vehicle’s construction. Multiple LATCH restraint systems are included in the second and third rows, and the high-mounted driver’s seat provides a fantastic field of vision on all sides. What isn’t covered by the well-mounted seat is helped by the various camera views all around the vehicle. With head-turning features included on all sides, interior and exterior, the 2021 GMC Acadia will never go out of style.