"SUV"s without a frame, V-8, and rear wheel drive ARE mini vans.
GMC released an all-new Acadia for 2017, but here’s the kicker: While it looks more truck-like than before, the mid-sized crossover now weighs 700 pounds less than its predecessor. The new Acadia is smaller, too, than before. Take that, progress.
We sampled a nearly top-tier FWD SLT-2 model. Instead of the standard 2.5-liter inline-four, it receives the 3.6-liter V6. Then it all of the extras, like heated rear seats, leather seats, tri-zone a/c and 20-inch aluminum wheels. Only the Denali offers more bells and whistles.
The FWD SLT-2 starts at $41,900. A few options, with the biggest being $1400 for the dual sky scale sunroof, bumped the final price to $46,645.
It’s not very exciting to drive, but let’s call it capable–and for most buyers of a vehicle in this category, that’s pretty much what they want. They want something that will comfortably haul the family and a dog or two–and without, of course, having to stoop to a minivan.
Hate to say it, but the minivan makes way more sense. It’s easier to get into and out of. It drives nicer. And it simply offers more cargo space.
Here, some numbers: According to the media kit, this Acadia offers 79 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the front seats. The latest Honda Accord contains 144.9 cubic feet.
But if you have to drive an SUV–you know, because you have to–then the Acadia does the job. I’m not going to call it thrilling or exciting, but it is what it is, even if it won’t carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood.
"SUV"s without a frame, V-8, and rear wheel drive ARE mini vans.
spin_out said:"SUV"s without a frame, V-8, and rear wheel drive ARE mini vans.
I will disagree with you on some of that. The new V6s are perfectly capable of powering most anything around, even in the muck. the Acadia V6 puts out 310hp, and 271 pounds of torque. That is more HP than my disco and almost as much torque, in a smaller and more efficient package.
As for RWD, unless you are towing, FWD is better than RWD off the beaten path. As for the frame, I am certain that the newest SUVs are plenty strong with all the computer design they use. Maybe not strong enough to tow or plow, but more than enough to survive most anything the real world can throw at them.
mad_machine said:spin_out said:"SUV"s without a frame, V-8, and rear wheel drive ARE mini vans.
I will disagree with you on some of that. The new V6s are perfectly capable of powering most anything around, even in the muck. the Acadia V6 puts out 310hp, and 271 pounds of torque. That is more HP than my disco and almost as much torque, in a smaller and more efficient package.
As for RWD, unless you are towing, FWD is better than RWD off the beaten path. As for the frame, I am certain that the newest SUVs are plenty strong with all the computer design they use. Maybe not strong enough to tow or plow, but more than enough to survive most anything the real world can throw at them.
My GL350 is a V6 unibody that is rated to tow 7,500 pounds.
Having ridden in the Acadia, I'd be interested in one if it could tow more than 4,000 pounds.
wae said:Having ridden in the Acadia, I'd be interested in one if it could tow more than 4,000 pounds.
The first gen was like 5500, is this one less?
As for towing with a V6, my Expedition would like a word:
spin_out said:"SUV"s without a frame, V-8, and rear wheel drive ARE mini vans.
blanket statements such as this will be fun to look back on in 15 years...
Like all those real jeep years I had when the YJ came out... What was I thinking...
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