2027 GMC Acadia Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
The GMC Acadia has evolved into a bigger, more premium take on the mainstream three-row SUV. With its roomy cabin, standard towing hardware, and available Super Cruise, the 2027 model is positioned as a family hauler with a little more polish and capability than the usual segment staples.
Midsize three-row SUV competitors include the Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Telluride, and Ford Explorer.
Standard Super Cruise package with Acadia Denali
Available AT4 Reserve package
Ink and Trailstone Green Metallic paint colors; Crystal Metallic and Downpour Metallic have been discontinued
Optional machined black 18-inch and Pearl Nickel 20-inch wheels
Standard cabin camera
The 2027 Acadia is still one of the stronger entries in the mainstream three-row SUV class, combining generous passenger space, useful cargo room, and a more premium cabin than many rivals. Its big, boxy body gives it real family-hauler credibility, and its turbocharged engine and 5,000-pound towing capacity add weekend utility.
On the road, the Acadia feels composed and capable. The steering could use more feel, but the chassis is reassuring, and the transmission responds with quick, confident shifts. The AT4 trim is especially appealing for shoppers who want everyday comfort with a bit of light trail capability.
The engine is the main weak point. It delivers solid power, but it can sound coarse in a way that feels out of step with the Acadia’s otherwise upscale presentation.
Inside, the Acadia makes a strong impression with large standard screens, Google built-in functionality, and available Super Cruise hands-free driving. More important, the cabin balances polish and practicality, giving the SUV a near-premium feel without making it fussy.
After its recent generational overhaul, the Acadia is no longer an also-ran. It has become a spacious, tech-forward, and genuinely competitive three-row SUV.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
The Acadia uses the same engine found in the Chevrolet Traverse: a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces a strong 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. In MotorTrend testing, an Acadia Denali AWD reached 60 mph in 7.8 seconds—not exactly quick but adequate for the segment.
That result is still about a half second quicker than the less powerful Grand Highlander gas model we tested. The Toyota uses a slightly smaller 2.4-liter turbo-four that makes 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
MPGs and Range
With front-wheel drive, the Acadia is estimated at 20/26 mpg city/highway and can travel up to 425 miles between fill-ups. All-wheel-drive models are less efficient on the highway, at 23 mpg, but their larger fuel tank increases total range to 456 miles.
The gas-powered Toyota Grand Highlander earns slightly better EPA ratings: 21/28 mpg with front-wheel drive and 20–21/26– 27 mpg with all-wheel drive. With FWD, that extra efficiency gives the Grand Highlander a slightly better range estimate than the Acadia despite its smaller tank. With AWD, however, the Acadia’s larger fuel tank gives it the advantage, with only 392–409 miles for the Toyota.
Safety Ratings and Features
The 2027 Acadia should remain a strong safety pick. The 2026 model earned both an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, and the latest version is expected to perform similarly. Standard driver assist features include:
Lane keeping
Forward and reverse automatic emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control
Blind-spot monitoring
Automatic high-beams
Rear-seat monitor
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Every Acadia offers generous cargo capacity. The Grand Highlander is highly competitive in terms of space, but the GMC has the edge in first- and second-row legroom.
Legroom (first/second/third row)
Cargo Space (behind third/second/first row)
2027 GMC Acadia
44.3/41.5/32.1 inches
23.0/57.3/97.5 cubic feet
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
41.7/39.5/33.5 inches
20.6/57.9/97.5 cubic feet
2026 Ford Explorer
43.0/39.0/32.2 inches
18.2/47.9/87.8 cubic feet
Every 2027 Acadia features an 11-inch driver display and 15-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. GMC also includes a wireless charging pad and five USB ports.
There are two tiers of sound system. The base setup comes with 12 speakers, and the upgrade gets 16 speakers. Both systems are from Bose.
GMC continues to offer Super Cruise, one of the better hands-free driving systems, on the Acadia. Other available upgrades include a head-up display, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and second-row captain’s chairs.
All Acadia models come well-equipped with standard tech and convenience features, including heated front seats, a hands-free power liftgate, a 360-degree camera, and a key card. The Trailering package is also standard across the lineup, adding a heavy-duty cooling system, Hitch View, Hitch Guidance, a 220-amp alternator, a factory-installed Class III hitch, a 5,000-pound towing capacity, and a seven-pin wiring harness.
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The Denali is our pick for shoppers who want the Acadia at its most premium, with upscale design details and comfort features that make the cabin feel closer to luxury-SUV territory. It costs more than lower trims, but its blend of space, technology, and refinement best showcases what GMC’s three-row SUV can be.
What Comes With the AT4 Reserve Package?
The new AT4 Reserve package bundles several of the Acadia AT4’s most desirable upgrades into one off-road-flavored package. It includes the Luxury Package, which adds an acoustic windshield, heated wiper park, heated rear outboard seats, a head-up display, and a rear camera mirror.
It also brings Super Cruise, Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, Driver Attention Assist, and a 16-speaker Bose Performance audio system with a subwoofer. All-weather floor liners, an all-weather cargo mat, splash guards, and 18-inch black machined aluminum wheels round out the package.